The iMac is back and it’s better than ever. The original, all-in-one Apple computer debuted to great fanfare in 1998 and was a revelation for desktop computer users drunk on the early days of the Internet. It also happened to be the company’s first “i” product. Designed by Apple’s Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, the iMac’s translucent, colorful shell was a stunning cacophony of style, power and useability—breaking the mold for PC design. Forever.
Of course, the iMac has gone through several design changes over the years but the newest iteration is a true reboot. And it’s what many Mac users have been waiting for.
For review, Apple sent us is a 24-inch blue iMac with M1 chip, 8 CPU, a magic Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. Just opening the box made our heart go pitter patter. This eye-catching, fine-looking specimen is as close to art as you’ll get in a piece of electronics, and it comes in seven different candy colors—as diverse as the rainbow. Thankfully, we’re happy to report the updated engineering is just as impressive as the sleek, refined body.
Thinking about upgrading to the new iMac? Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Price and Availability: The basic 24-inch iMac is available now from $1299 at Apple, B&H Photo, Best Buy and Amazon. The upgraded iMacs are $1499 or $1699, and come with extra ports, an ethernet connection, a Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
Why We Chose It: It would almost be remiss not to review the iMac circa 2021. We remember the first iMac. We remember using the first iMac. And we remember how amazing it was to have an attractive, colorful, futuristic computer on our desk without a hefty tower sitting near our knee.
That overwhelming feeling of purely aesthetic design matched with powerful engineering is once again encompassed with this new iMac and quite frankly, it’s what consistently allows Apple to catapult past its competitors in so many categories.
In terms of design, the most noticeable aspect is how thin the screen panel is, due to the integrated design of the M1 chip. Just 11.5mm thick, it still finds a way to incorporate a cooling system and motherboard.
And though 24 inches may not seem overly large for a desktop screen, when we set it up and started using it, it felt strangely massive. Like the technology equivalent of a house of mirrors. The 4.5K Retina display comes with an anti-reflective coating and pairs with the TrueTone technology for better resolution and simpler brightness adjusting, making browsing an all-in-all better experience.
Frankly, Apple knew exactly what it was doing when it premiered a stunningly good-looking all-in-one computer during this time of home office explosion. Of course, it can also double as an entertainment hub for the family or upgrade any small office décor. And you’ll have no problem displaying it front and center. The iMac doesn’t just sit. It struts.
Why You Need It: Yes, yes, it’s the design, stupid. But due to the powerful M1 chip and the sheer simplicity and ease of use out-of-the box, it also perfectly walks that line between form and function. That said, the basic $1299 version only comes in blue, pink, green and silver. If you want the orange, purple or yellow colors, you’ll have to upgrade to the more expensive versions which also incorporate features like an Ethernet connection, extra USB-C ports, and the Magic Keyboard with touch ID. For us, it seems worth the extra money.
The 1080p camera also uses the M1 chip for noise reduction and a sharper picture and partners well with the triple-mic array, a perfect match for our webcam-and-Zoom obsessed world. We were always able to get a bright, clear image—even in a dimly lit setting. And, if you’re planning on streaming video, TV and movies on the iMac, you’ll appreciate the six, built-in speakers which support virtual surround sound with Dolby Atmos. The one downside? You can’t adjust the iMac’s height so you better make sure you can adjust your seating arrangement.
Web browsing is rendered simple, and this is where you can appreciate the authority of the M1 chip, though you’ll never know how hard it might be working. We’re tab happy, so it was nice to be able to keep multiple windows open, while simultaneously downloading video or apps, all without witnessing a slowdown.
Oh, and did we mention you also get one year free of streaming service Apple TV+? All the better to watch the second season of Ted Lasso.
What Others Are Saying: Tom’s Guide can’t help but enjoy the new iMac. “The screen just looks so darn good, and when you play movies or games on it the speakers make those experiences sound great. The low glare and wide viewing angles on the iMac’s gorgeous display make the idea of gathering a group of family or friends around it to watch something seem reasonable, which is more than I can say for most computers. And if you can’t gather with your loved ones in person, the iMac’s excellent 1080p webcam can bring you to them in crisp, clear (and sometimes mortifying) detail.”
Ars Technica thinks this is the iMac most people need now. “The 24-inch iMac might have one of the most advanced chips in the world inside, but you can be confident that will change soon as Apple begins addressing its higher-end products. For most people, though, that won’t matter. The M1 offers more than enough for most folks, and you probably already know whether you’re someone who may need a bit more. Put another way: this is the best desktop Mac for most people, and that’s something we don’t see changing imminently.”
Final Conclusion: It may be pricey, but there’s not much to object to with the new 24-inch iMac. It’s smart, pretty and it makes you feel good, though we are also impressed with its outstanding webcam, mics and speakers. Put it all together and you have the consummate computer for the prevailing zeitgeist of working and studying from home.
