chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I bought the newest M1 12.9 Ipad Pro and it's the real deal, I paid max money because I wanted to pop the RAM up to 32 GB so I can run a couple of graphics-heavy apps plus process a pic or three on the road. So, then I looked at my olde 2012 Macbook Pro and knew I had to upgrade...haha...I have a good friend who's an Apple geek so gave him a call. I ended up with a 2019 model, I9 chip, 32 gigs of RAM and a robust graphics card. This thing will last me another 10 years and I paid 'bout half of what I would pay for the M1 version. <shrug> I still rely heavily on my PC desktop(s) so it's just keeping up with my personal Jones...

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

My solution has been the mac mini and a separate monitor. Initial reason (in 2012) was to divorce the monitor from the computer to allow for replacement/upgrading either one - or not having to replace a whole integrated set if one part failed or became inadequate for the tasks ahead. And the 16gb RAM is more than adequate for the M1 chip speed.

Harry13

I "upgraded" several years ago to an HP. Got tired of fooling around wih Macs that wouldn't run programs. Sounds like Macs are finally catching up but I'm good with my HP. I won't say that I'll never go back but I won't until ther prices comes down. I remember Mac people laughing at Windows when it came out but with Windows my HP does everything my Mac did. Macs just aren't worth the premium imho! They sold to people like me (I'm now 90) that needed an easy interface. Harry PS I haven't priced Macs since I switched so I'm assuming they are still more expensive. But even if not, I'm still a happy camper with my Windows HP.

Harry

gouldopfl

This chip is very old and probably isn't compatible with the software written today

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

I have new iMac and MacBook Pro - both with SS Drives and M1 processor. Luminar flies! You won't be disappointed.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Time to look again… just don’t compare specs between M1 and Intel PCs. They’re very different architectures now. (SOC vs discrete components). Memory is managed very differently, and it’s RISC vs CISC.

HawaiianEye Loc: Haleiwa, Hawaii

Easy solution: Pick an M1 model – Mini, MBAir, MBPro that fulfills your current and anticipated future needs. Get one of those USB-C hubs to allow you to attach more peripherals; Select an external monitor 27" or larger. Voila!
I replaced a 2012 MBPro with a 2020 M1 MBPro, plugged in a USB-C hub and a 32" monitor. No complaints. The new machine is faster, runs cooler and except for losing some now considered ancient apps, no complaints.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

The cool thing is the new Intel chip makes the M1 kind of slow. All of us won't see the difference until the programs catch up. It's 1.5 percent faster than the M1. Alder lake 9th generation. My i7 10th gen with an nvme.m2 drives boots in 4 seconds or less and hesitates not when editing anything. Including focus stacking. So how much better will the new programs get? Look at Nvidia and the new AI that will draw anything you want by speaking to it. GauGan2 is an amazing program and the current tech still doesn't slow down running it. I understand the program is not photography per say but basically it is an editing program. Check it out. Watch the 3 minute demo video. I had to watch it twice to appreciate what was happening. Lol

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Be patient, and you'll be rewarded with an opportunity to get an Apple Silicon iMac (27" or 30" or 32"? rumors abound) or a MacMini Pro next year. A new Mac Pro is in the works, too. Apple announced about 18 months ago, its intentions to replace all their Intel offerings with their own SOC based architecture. They're around half way through the process now.

The 24" iMac is hardly a downgrade. You can get a gray one if the colors bug you. The monitor (4480-by-2520 resolution at 218 pixels per inch) is excellent, as are the speakers and microphones and Web camera. Add a hub/dock or dongles to connect peripherals and ingest files from camera memory cards.

The MacBook Air is a classic. I plug mine into a CharJen Pro Ultimate Dock: USB C Dock Gen 2 for USB-A, wired Ethernet, high definition audio out, SDXC UHS II cards, and Micro SD cards. My external monitor is also a USB-C charger for the computer, and has a hub with two USB-3.2 ports. So when I'm home, I use the Air as a desktop computer. I don't miss my old iMac at all. Best of all, I can use the Air anywhere. Battery life is never a worry... 10-12 hours is not uncommon. Only Lightroom Classic seems to drain it more quickly.

HawaiianEye Loc: Haleiwa, Hawaii

Burke,
Thanks for the tip about the CharJen dock. I'm not unhappy with a SutechSmart hub, but it doesn't have the SD readers, 3.5" h-phone jack.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Matt Granger reviewed over 20 docks and hubs. The predecessor of the one I have is the one small USB-C device he liked. The second version is what I have, and it is faster and more reliable. It just works. It also has HDMI, so I can feed a TV or a projector on the road.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...this is the info I got from my mac guru, my I9 model is blazing fast. But, yanno, it's all relative...and I have one of each! LOL...

Bobbyflash Loc: Arizona

Look into a M1 Mac Mini with a separate monitor. I replaced my ancient iMac with the Mini and an excellent Dell monitor and am very happy.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I'll check out the Mac mini but I'm definitely not interested in a lap top. with the mini I'll have to go monitor shopping too.

mdoing

I have the iMac M1 - 24", wanted to wait for the larger one with more advanced chip but couldn't due to computer failure. I'm very happy with the M1, works great with LRC and Topaz. Love the M1, quiet, fast, no going back to Intel unless they make a big leap forward.