# The Discontinuation of the 27-inch iMac: Apple's Shift to Mac Studio
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Chapter 1: Apple's Product Evolution
In a move that surprised many, Apple has opted to phase out its 27-inch iMac, which was known for its high-performance capabilities. The company is continuing its integration of the M1 chip across its product line, having previously replaced the smaller 21.5-inch iMac with the same M1 chip found in the 2020 MacBook Air. It seemed logical to anticipate that the 27-inch model would also receive an upgrade to the M1 Pro or Max chip.
However, Apple introduced a different approach altogether, launching a compact desktop tower alongside a 27-inch monitor. This shift seems to communicate that Apple has developed something significantly more powerful than expected, leaving no room for an M1 variant of the 27-inch iMac.
Will we see an M1 version of the 27-inch iMac in the future? It appears unlikely, as indicated during the keynote event:
"The Mac Studio and Studio Display now join our impressive lineup featuring Apple silicon, marking our transition nearly complete with just ONE MORE product left — the Mac Pro."
- John Ternus, SVP, Hardware Engineering
With only the Mac Pro remaining in the transition to Apple silicon, the 27-inch iMac seems to be a thing of the past.
As I scrolled through numerous tweets and YouTube comments, it became clear that consumers reacted to this unexpected product launch with mixed feelings. Many felt that Apple had produced a device laden with features that weren't necessarily in demand, coupled with a steep price.
Section 1.1: The Design Dilemma
One reason behind Apple's decision could be the design constraints of integrating an M1 Pro or Max chip into a 27-inch iMac. Such a configuration would likely lead to a thicker device, comparable in bulk to the previous Intel model. A thicker design might be deemed unattractive, while a slimmer version could suffer from reduced performance due to CPU throttling. Faced with the choice between an aesthetically pleasing yet underperforming all-in-one desktop and a bulkier but powerful device, Apple opted to discontinue the 27-inch iMac.
Section 1.2: The Strategy Behind the Shift
Another factor might be Apple's desire to push the envelope on performance. By separating the processing units into a standalone device, they can provide significant performance enhancements. The idea of doubling the M1 Max CPU's capabilities suddenly makes sense—because they are able to.
Chapter 2: Profit Motives and Market Shifts
The starting price for the 27-inch iMac was $1799 (Intel 6-Core, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage, RX5300). In contrast, the Mac Studio starts at $1999 with the M1 Max and $3999 with the M1 Ultra. Additionally, the Studio Display is priced at $1599. To effectively "replace" the 27-inch iMac with a Mac Studio setup, customers would need to invest at least $3598, which generates a considerable profit margin for Apple.
Section 2.1: Targeting a Niche Market
Who truly requires the power of 20 CPU cores? Most average consumers and even prosumers may not notice a significant performance difference, as the lower-tier M1 variant is already remarkably fast. Apple appears to be shifting focus toward researchers, creatives, and content producers who engage in intensive computational tasks that leverage the advantages of multi-core processing.
Not convinced? Observe how Apple has marketed these products:
The advertising raises eyebrows: who has access to an 8K cinema camera, let alone nine streams of 8K footage? The needs of an average consumer seem far removed from the capabilities being promoted.
Conclusion: A Controversial Decision
How remarkable is the M1 Ultra chip? While benchmark comparisons may seem selective, Apple claims its performance outpaces the 16-core i9–12900K and RTX 3090, boasting 90% better performance than the Intel CPU while consuming 200W less power than the RTX 3090. The M1 Ultra chip is indeed among the top CPUs currently available.
However, such peak performance comes at a cost. When comparing it to the iMac Pro, which debuted in 2017 at a starting price of $4999, the new offering could be seen as more affordable. Was discontinuing the 27-inch iMac a wise choice for Apple? I would argue it wasn’t, as it was a unique all-in-one device that delivered substantial performance.
What are your thoughts? Do you prefer a high-performance all-in-one desktop or a more powerful standalone setup with a separate monitor?