Hello everyone! Long time no see. I finally carved out a minute or two to sit down and write today, and I wanted to get my reactions to today’s latest Apple Event Spring Loaded. They unleashed a swath of new devices and services on us like the new M1 iMac and the M1 iPad Pro, testing the limits of how far they can push the new M1 chip and our wallets (or Apple Card limits).
The Event
The event unfolded just like the last three or four events. Apple recorded everything around Apple Park (using social distancing) and it was put together with perfect execution. Apple makes these videos fun and light, and they move from one thing to the next with cool transitions. While they announced tons of stuff today, I felt Apple did a great job getting a variety of people from all colors, genders, and more in front of the camera.
You can definitely tell that Tim Cook and the rest are trying to do the right thing and promote more than just rich old white men. I’m not going to be the judge on if they have succeeded, but I will say that it’s refreshing to get new people up there!
The event went quickly. I never felt bored during the entire run of the Spring Loaded event. We didn’t have to wade through a terrible game demo or anything. It felt like we got right to the point.
But I miss the in-person events. I hope that in the future Apple finds a way to do both styles of events. Maybe a recorded WWDC and some live events for the iPhones? Maybe it’s just me yearning for a safer time.
M1 iMac
Finally, the wait is over. Apple has finally rid us of the dated style of iMac. And they brought back colors!
With the M1 iMac, Apple has brought the M1 chip over to the iMac line in a big way. The design has been streamlined, colors have returned and brought back the fun to the line.
But I’m not excited by it.
The Outside
Let me say that I think these will sell really well. They are fun colors and they are different. The M1 processor has been great in my MacBook Air and I can’t imagine that these being slouches in any way.
But let’s get into it. The new M1 iMac comes in one size right now. It is somewhere between the two older intel models that Apple pushed around for years. I still have the 27-inch Intel iMac from 2019 sitting on my desk and I really enjoy the computer. It does slow down a bit more than my M1 MacBook Air. I find it odd that Apple only announced one screen size for the new iMac right now. Does that mean that there is room in the lineup for a large M1, M1X iMac Pro? I can only hope. There are rumors that there will be a larger iMac down the road.
Inside, the iMac has pretty much the same specs as the M1 Mac Mini. This M1 iMac obviously comes with the screen though. The screen seems nice, coming in a 4.5K resolution – just between the 4k and 5k Intel iMacs.
The M1 iMac comes in a much thinner package than the intel design. It has jettisoned the rounded back for a more iPad Pro/ Pro Display XDR-like thin flat design with rounded edges and corners. The colors really seem to pop, but it feels interesting that there’s no space grey or black color. Again, maybe Apple is holding it back for a Pro model. Each iMac comes with 2 Thunderbolt ports that also offer USB4 speeds. If you opt for the upper-end models, you’ll get an additional 2 USB-C ports.
And the giant chin is still there. I’ve been told that this is for the speakers (which have been massively improved).
The Good
Besides the color and the new design, there are a few things that I really like about this iMac.
The camera has finally been updated to 1080p and the microphones have been greatly enhanced. Apple is using the same quality mics that they put on the 16-inch MacBook Pro and calling them studio quality. I think they are better, but if you are recording a podcast or something, you’ll want your own gear eventually.
Apple has also brought over TouchID to the iMac – and every other M1 mac – with the new color matched Magic Keyboard. Users can opt to get the TouchID keyboard or not at purchase and the keyboard will be color matched to the system you pick! But of all the Macs that could get it, why didn’t Apple bring over FaceID?
Overall Thoughts of the M1 iMac
Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been living with an M1 chip since the end of last year, but these M1 iMacs don’t really interest me. If Apple had offered a larger screen size, I might have been more tempted to trade in for one, but they didn’t.
I’m also not really hurting for speed right now, since I do have an M1 MacBook Air. The only difference between what I currently have and this M1 iMac is the size, and the iMac comes with fans, to sustain the workload longer.
I’ll stick with my 27-inch model for now. Once, Apple brings out a larger iMac, maybe with a stronger processor, then we’ll talk.
But for most people, I think these are great machines. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a Mac desktop.
Side note: I have been booting my 2019 iMac into Windows recently to mess around with my new Oculus Quest 2 and SteamVR games. I don’t think I can get rid of my iMac until something changes in the VR realm. The new M1s can’t boot into Windows so I would need to get an entirely new setup for VR and I’m not ready to do that. Maybe more on that later.
M1 iPad Pros
The next biggest announcement of the day came from a real update to the iPad Pros – well, at least the larger iPad Pro.
A fun and interesting video played before the announcement where someone breaks into Apple, Mission Impossible-style, to steal the M1 chip. It’s revealed to be someone you would never expect.
But then they got into announcing the iPads. Both sizes of M1 iPad Pros will come with the M1 chip inside. Apple is also changing the USB-3 port to a Thunderbolt port, for faster data transfer. Both models of the M1 iPad Pro are going to be blazing fast. But my iPad Pro from 2018 is already blazing fast! Not mentioned on stage nearly as much as it was for the iPhone 12, the M1 iPad Pros are also getting 5G. So cool for that if you have a good 5G signal in your area.
The larger M1 iPad Pro is also getting a screen upgrade. Apple mentioned how they are using the same tech as what’s in the Pro Display XDR here to help with lighting and dimming zones. Basically, these are mini-LEDs helping to make the screen brighter and so darker parts of the screen better. The screen is going to look great, but it’s odd that they aren’t bringing it to the 11-inch iPad Pro. Maybe later.
Also, Apple is bringing out a new Magic Keyboard for iPad in white. I wonder how long it will take to stain and look bad? But it looks so clean now.
Overall Thoughts of the M1 iPad Pro
I’m really bummed that the 11-inch iPad Pro didn’t get the new screen technology. I had been flirting with upgrading to the larger iPad Pro, but since I got the MacBook Air, I don’t feel the need to get the larger iPad now. I won’t be upgrading my 2018 iPad Pro at this time. While it would be nice to have the extra power and speed of the M1, I don’t use my iPad now and think that it’s slow. In fact, the only thing I really think about is how frustrating the apps I use can be on the iPad right now. I think I could get rid of my MacBook Air and live on an iPad if I had to, but until the apps I use get upgraded to do everything they can on a Mac, I think I’d rather have the MacBook.
Yet again though, if you need a new table, and you want the latest and greatest, I would recommend the new M1 iPad Pro. I would say that if you can find a 2018 or even a 2020 model, you’ll be just as good right now. But who knows what the future holds.
The New Apple TV 4K
Apple also brought out a new Apple TV 4K. The new version will use a more modern processor to bring 4K to the masses. Maybe… I think Apple still prices this thing too high. I know that other vendors are bringing out cheap 4K streaming devices, but I also know that they are selling your watching data to make up for the difference. But is it really that much more expensive to make an Apple TV than a Roku stick?
This new model comes with a new remote (as much as I liked the older Siri remote, it was so frustrating)
Thankfully, most of the updates coming to the Apple TV 4k are also coming to the two older models as well. Apple has developed a technology that will let you place your FaceID iPhone at the screen and the AppleTV will calibrate its color output to make it the best it can be. Having just bought a new 4K TV with Dolby Digital, I’m looking forward to using this to make sure that I have the best picture.
Also, the new Siri remote will work with older units as long as they have tvOS.This is actually the thing I am most excited about from the entire Spring Loaded event. I have had a love-hate relationship with the Siri remote since it came out. It can be frustrating to know what you are doing with it, but it can be super helpful when you have to scroll through lists or timelines. This new remote seems to blend a normal remote with the swipe gestures. It also will be much harder to use the remote upside down. Still, $60 is expensive for a remote that I already have. In fact, I have too many remotes! Still, I’ll probably pick one of these up.
But why in the world is Apple still selling the non-4K Apple TV for $150 dollars? That thing is year olds and not worth it. Don’t buy it!
Other hits
- Apple also mentioned that Apple Card will be getting expanded with family accounts that help with everyone’s credit and the ability to set spending limits. All good stuff!
- iOS 14.5 will be coming next week. This will bring the data tracking issue to the front and you will probably see many popups on your devices asking if you want to allow the apps to track you. It should also bring the unlock with Apple Watch feature for when you’re out wearing a mask and an Apple Watch. I’ve been using the beta for a while now and this feature is a godsend!
- We also go the Apple Tag – a tile-like device that you can attach to stuff and use the FindMy app to locate it. If you’re someone that struggles to keep up with your stuff, this will probably be a great purchase. Plus these will use the ultra-wideband that can judge distance. One of the first uses of the device outside of the HomePod Mini.
- Podcasts are getting an update so that users can pay to subscribe to podcasts now. Not sure how I feel about this. I’m really tired of subscriptions and I don’t want to pay for them anymore.
Wrap up
That pretty much wraps up everything. It was a lot packed in, like usual. I’m sure if you are in the market for any of the devices announced today, you’d be excited. But I’m kind of meh on everything. Sure the M1 iMacs look cool, but not enough for me to update. I think there’s still something better coming. The M1 iPad Pro is great as well, but the 2018 iPad Pro I have is still great as well, and I don’t have to drop a grand to use it still.
It’s weird that the most exciting thing for me out of this event was the new Apple Tv remote. Now, I just have to decide if I’m actually going to update the one I have!
What did you think about the event? If you’re picking up an iMac, which color are you getting? Let me know on Twitter!
Update (4/21/21 12:15): fixed some grammar issues on the page as well as added the iPad Pro introduction video