On 2024-03-05 17:07, dgb (David) wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2024 at 21:17:11 GMT, "Alan Browne" <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
>
>> On 2024-03-05 15:42, dgb (David) wrote:
>>> On 5 Mar 2024 at 19:52:40 GMT, "Alan Browne" <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Since I have an M3 iMac and it uses more memory for the same load of
>>>> apps compared to my i7 iMac, my understanding of it exceeds yours on
>>>> this - as it does on most subjects.
>>>
>>> I have 27 inch iMac. I've looked and played with a new M3 iMac in our local
>>> Apple Store.
>>>
>>> When you have each one of them there in front of you, regardless of the
>>> technicalities, which screen do you prefer to be sitting in front of? How does
>>> each make you /feel/ please?
>>
>> Hard to answer.
>>
>> The resolution quality of the M3 iMac is to the point where pixels
>> cannot be resolved with the naked eye. It is magnificently crisp and
>> contrast perfect at the default setting of 2240 x 1260. All fonts look
>> perfectly smooth. Very easy on the eyes.
>>
>> It is usable at 2560 x 1440, but only if the screen is pretty close (at
>> least with my eyes - I don't need glasses to read, but this rez on the
>> 24" iMac is just a little too tight (unless I would increase font sizes
>> which would be pretty much a return to the other resolution)). This is
>> likely more a personal thing so YMMV.
>>
>> 4480 x 2520 is not usable, really. Again one could blow up the font
>> sizes for reading - but not much point to it. Perhaps in some graphics
>> usages and workflow this would be a useful resolution.
>>
>> I would have preferred 27". On the i7 iMac 27", 2560x1440 and it's very
>> nice. Lean in and you can see pixels. Lean in mind you. It's a very
>> nice display on that old 2012 iMac (not Retina). For all non-video
>> work, the 2012 iMac suited my needs just fine.
>>
>> Still a killer processor. But.
>>
>> When editing/rendering 1080p video of any length, it is too tedious.
>> Such on the M3 iMac is a whiz. (Though I still wish it was a higher
>> spec in number of cores). As a benchmark, it is almost 3x faster to
>> Handbrake a video on the M3 v. the i7 iMac (2012).
>>
>> At some point I will gut the 27" of everything but the power supply and
>> display panel and add an adaptor to turn it into an HDMI or DisplayPort
>> display.
>>
>> So in the end one makes adjustments to "real estate" on the screen,
>> sizing of App windows, what goes to the side display (which I've changed
>> to a Samsung 27" that I normally use for home lab use (Rasp Pi
>> development). It's so wide, that I only use the right 60% of it when
>> using this iMac M3).
>
> Thank you so much for all the interesting detail, Alan.

Hope it helps you.

>
> My own is a 2017 iMac with a Retina display and I really don't want to change
> it.

I'd consider that to be a pretty good rig.

There are ways to load up to date OS' on older machines such as:
https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/

(I'm not sure if that is the best way - do YOUR research before diving
in. More importantly do a full backup first!).

> However, I'm using macOS Ventura 13.6.4 and cannot move on to Sonoma.
> I'm living in the hope that Apple may one day provide another 27 inch desktop
> computer before this one dies! I'm also using an old 24 inch iMac to run Linux
> Mint and it does this quite well.

I'm out of Linux projects at present. OTOH, I can't get Ubuntu to run
properly on the M3 under Fusion. (It works - but I can't drag files
into or out of it. Will need to network it instead).

My Pi project can be cross-compiled on the i7 or M3, so don't need Linux
much.

> I'm impressed with your intention to repurpose your old iMac!
> Good for you! :-)

It's a nice display! And maybe someone will want the motherboard and
RAM from the iMac. (I doubt it...).

--
“Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
- John Maynard Keynes.