In related news, the 27" iMac has been pulled, now in Refurb Store

[mikehalloran]

The 27" iMac is now found only in the Refurb Store from $1,299 – $5,989 depending on year and configuration.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/27-inch-imac

Hmmmm... $5,989 gets you a 2020 10 Core i9 with 128GB RAM and 8TB storage with the 5700 XT GPU and 10GB Ethernet. Ok…

However, $99 more ($5,998) gets you a Studio M1 Max with 32GB Unified RAM, the same 8TB, a GPU that dusts the 5700 XT and the new 5K Studio monitor with standard glass and a tilt stand. (64GB RAM is a $400 upgrade).

Many others use a 4:1 ratio Unified vs discrete RAM. I can't compare except with a 2012 MBP so that's useless.

Anyway, it looks like the Studio is a better buy for users like many of us. Heck, I expect that config to outperform my 18 Core iMac Pro.

Of course, the rest of the iMac line is perfectly good for most users. Time to get while the getting is good.

iMac Pros are still available in the Refurb Store from $3,249 to $8,629 for mine.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/imac-pro

Ok, $3,249 gets you 8 Core Xeon W, 32GB RAM and 1TB onboard storage — this has always been the base model.
Let's compare: The base model Studio upped to 1TB storage with the Studio monitor in plain glass and tilt stand will set you back $3,798.00 (deduct $400 for 512GB storage). Per the other thread, you can use almost any monitor with it. 27" 4Ks start at $213 on Amazon.

Savvy consumers will let those iMPs rot in the Refurb Store at those prices. My 18 Core is less than a year and a half old and is a great machine but anyone now would be insane to pay that much for one:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/G0UR ... 5K-display

Still on the fence on whether to buy a Studio or wait for the rumored next large iMac. The Studio has everything I have wanted for years and then some but I really like the iMac form and have since my 2010. Problem is that the longer I hold onto my iMP, the less it will be worth.

[mhschmieder]

I might be missing something. At first, I thought the new desktop Mac was an upgrade replacement for MacPro and/or Mac Mini, but I'm wondering if instead they are now assuming that anyone wanting a larger monitor will buy their own and is a more marketable customer for a super-duper box?

[James Steele]

I might be missing something. At first, I thought the new desktop Mac was an upgrade replacement for MacPro and/or Mac Mini, but I'm wondering if instead they are now assuming that anyone wanting a larger monitor will buy their own and is a more marketable customer for a super-duper box?

I'm already using a 43" Samsung TV as my primary monitor, and the Mac Studio has an HDMI out capable of 4K @ 60hz. Problem solved. I do have a secondary 30" Cinema Display which could easily connect with a TB adapter.

[mikehalloran]

I might be missing something. At first, I thought the new desktop Mac was an upgrade replacement for MacPro and/or Mac Mini, but I'm wondering if instead they are now assuming that anyone wanting a larger monitor will buy their own and is a more marketable customer for a super-duper box?

A Mini on massive steroids? An alternative for the Mac Pro if you don't need slots and Two Radeon Pro W6800X Duo with 64GB of GDDR6 memory each + Afterburner (+$11,400)? A modular replacement for the 27" iMac line including the current Pro?

Yes to all the above, I think. The big surprise for me is that, with Jon Ivie gone, someone decided that listening to what a lot of pro users want is a good idea: enough horsepower and storage and best of all: Nine ports including one for HDMI!

A replacement for the 27" iMac and iMP is still rumored and should have a 32" OLED. Ok, sounds great but the 5K Retina is a really nice display. I don't know that a large OLED will make me see better. Since it isn't here (yet?) not a real concern for me. I might think differently and decide to wait.

The comparisons to the MP 7.1 were cherrypicked and compared to versions with a single 5700 XT GPU. If one needs the really big iron, the next Mac Pro should be it. I'll never need anything like that but Apple has opened our ideas to what's possible.