The days when Apple left the world speechless are long gone. As its own website indicates, it now prefers you keep your jaw closed. At least when it comes to desktop computers, a sector where the company lost its spark quite a few years ago and where it merely updates its machines superficially, including outdated technology that many users wouldn't even recognize. This is the new 2019 iMac.
The news of the new iMac 2019
Apple has just quietly updated its desktops with the classic refresh of processors and graphics, and although the manufacturer's striking headline is that it can now offer computers twice as powerful as before, it must be borne in mind that the equipment was not updated since 2017, since it had been no less than 652 days since Apple did not renew the options of its all-in-one.
Broadly speaking, the new lineup features new 9th-generation Intel processors (available only in some versions, as we'll see later) and the addition of Radeon Pro Vega graphics, which boost multimedia performance when working with graphics, video, and other media. This last component is perhaps the most striking element of the update, improving graphics performance by 80% on the 21,5-inch iMac and by 50% on the 27-inch model. As with the previous generation, the display will remain a 4K or 5K Retina, depending on the model.
The worst of the iMac of 2019
After 652 days without knowing anything about a new iMac, there is no doubt that users could be disappointed about the news that this new configuration has included. Next, we are going to number some details that we believe devalue the product a lot.
- The XNUMXth generation processors are exclusive to the most expensive models: The new 9 GHz Core i3,6 processor can be selected exclusively in a 27-inch model with Radeon Pro 575X graphics (2.299 euros), an extra that will increase the price of the device to 2.899 euros. If, on the other hand, you prefer to opt for the cheapest ninth-generation option, the only option is to choose the most expensive 27-inch model in the entire range, having to pay 2.599 euros for it.
- The rest of the models below stay with the eighth generation Intel processor: It is quite insulting to see how the manufacturer has limited the possibility of choosing processor models to the models with higher prices. In the 21,5-inch iMac, the Core i5 and Core i3 options continue to tumble through eighth-generation versions, so there's no option to go with a modern processor in a newly released machine. Yes, your new iMac could become obsolete very soon, and it is most likely that Apple will fix it at the end of the year with another update as it has done on other occasions.
- The design of the equipment remains the same as 6 years ago: When in 2012 Apple introduced the new iMac Unibody slim, it managed to reduce the thickness of the equipment by further integrating the internal components. To this day, that design is still the image of the team, and there are many manufacturers who press with similar designs and completely groundbreaking ideas, such as the Surface Studio. This point is one of the most nerve-wracking for users, especially Apple fans, who are looking forward to another groundbreaking design with which to make history.
- A desktop computer from 2019 with a price of 1.499 euros cannot mount a 1 TB SATA hard drive at 5.400 rpm: It is a component that today creates bottlenecks in many applications and although the manufacturer offers solutions such as Fusion Drive (which combines a 128 GB SSD with the HDD), this option requires an extra 120 euros.
- Sky-high prices that do not match the specifications: Although some of the previous points already reflected it (in addition to the fact that it is a hallmark of the brand), it is incomprehensible that a user spends 2.599 euros and obtains a computer with Core i5 with 8 GB of RAM, and that we are talking about the highest base configuration that can be purchased on the web.
Is Apple interested in desktops?
Looking at the strategy they're following with their computers, it's clear that Apple is selling desktops by the bucketload, which explains why their updates aren't as reasonable as one might expect. Their main business is focused on the iPhone , and soon on services with the arrival of their rumored streaming service . Considering the delay in the launch of the new modular Mac Pro , it's clear that workstations have taken a backseat for Apple, and their releases are simply aimed at generating the fastest revenue.