We all love our laptops, but when you’re spending hours sitting in front of a computer, trading the comfort of a desktop for the portability of a laptop isn’t worth it. Traditional PC towers are rather bulky, however, and that can be an issue if your desk doesn’t have a lot of room to spare. An all-in-one computer like the Apple iMac solves that problem by packing full desktop hardware into a slimline monitor chassis with a small footprint. The iMac is also a fine choice for anybody looking to get into the MacOS software ecosystem, as well as for those who already own a MacBook and want a desktop to pair with it. Whatever your needs and budget may be, our roundup of the month’s best iMac deals has you covered.
Best iMac deals
- Apple iMac 4K 2015 (21.5-inch, Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) — $255
- Apple iMac 4K 2017 (21.5-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) — $320
- Apple iMac 5K 2017 (27-inch, Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, Amazon Renewed) — $539
- Apple iMac 4K 2019 (21.5-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) — $595
- Apple iMac 5K 2019 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) — $745
- Apple iMac 2020 (21.5-inch, Core i5 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $860, was $1,099
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5300, Amazon Renewed) — $980, was $1,739
- Apple iMac M1 4.5K 2021 (24-inch, M1 CPU w/7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Amazon Renewed) — $1,006, was $1,299
- Apple iMac M1 4.5K 2021 (24-inch, M1 CPU w/8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,350, was $1,499
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5300) — $1,739, was $1,799
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5300) — $1,949, was $1,999
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5500 XT) — $2,248, was $2,299
iMac
The first iMac was released more than two decades ago, representing Apple’s all-in-one desktop computing solution as a more compact and consumer-friendly alternative to larger (and more expensive) desktop towers. You might remember the original iMac G3 which sported a colored plastic bubble-shaped case that housed a CRT monitor, but the iMacs of today are much sleeker, sporting slim flat panel displays.
Modern iMacs are available in three sizes — 21.5 inches, 24 inches (for the newest M1 model), and 27 inches — and all recent models from 2019 on have crisp 4K Retina displays, which adds a lot of value to these all-in-one PCs when you consider how expensive Ultra HD monitors are. You’ll also find older 2017 iMacs still available; these feature 1080p displays, but are still a fine option in 2020 if you’re willing to save some money. Apple also released an updated version of the 27-inch iMac 2019 that sports a 5K Retina display similar to the one found on the iMac Pro.
The standard iMacs span a relatively wide range of hardware features and price points, and will be a better choice for most users with the 21.5-inch 2017 model starting at around $1,000 and the latest 27-inch units (which pack the latest Intel Core processors) ringing in at around $2,000 or a little more. Which one you pick will naturally come down to your needs and budget, but for work, light entertainment, and general everyday use, it’s hard to make a bad choice here. If your needs are a bit greater, though, then you may want to consider an iMac Pro instead.
iMac (M1)
At its spring event in April 2021, Apple threw back the curtains on its new iMac M1 refresh, giving these all-in-ones the much-needed addition of the hot new M1 CPU (which even the Mac Mini already got). This isn’t a simple upgrade, however, as was the case with the Mac Mini getting the M1 chip in 2020; Apple stated at the event that this new iMac has been rebuilt entirely around the M1 chip’s capabilities. Along with hardware upgrades under the hood, Apple’s all-in-one also sports better speakers (complete with built-in woofers) as well as an upgraded FaceTime camera.
The new redesigned iMac has also slimmed down overall (and it was already fairly slim to begin with), with trimmed-down bezels surrounding its 24-inch display — something we have been asking for for years — due to the M1 CPU’s more efficient thermal performance that allows for smaller fans and less airspace inside the computer chassis. The new iMac is also available in a bunch of new colors to spruce up your workspace, a clear throwback to the original bubble-shaped iMacs many of us remember which came in a variety of shades. Pricing starts at $1,299, but since they’ve been out for a short while now, iMac deals are fairly common even on these newer models.
iMac Pro
The iMac Pro is the upgraded version of Apple’s all-in-one desktop and, as you may have surmised from its name, it is geared toward professional users with more demanding computing needs. Released in 2017, the iMac Pro comes standard with a gorgeous 27-inch Retina display that boasts a super-crisp 5K resolution (giving you plenty of screen real estate for multitasking) along with 8- and 10-core CPUs, enhanced graphics processing power, and boosted RAM to back it all up.
The iMac Pro’s starting MSRP of $4,999 will naturally cause sticker shock for average computer users, but that’s not who it’s aimed at. The iMac Pro is a serious machine built for serious work and packs the hardware necessary to easily slice through heavy workloads. This includes resource-heavy tasks like game design, 4K and 8K video rendering, and music production — jobs that the beefier processors and graphics power of the iMac Pro are well-suited to handle.
You’ll pay for it, but if you’re a professional who finds that most computers (including the standard iMac) tend to strain under load, the iMac Pro is worth the upgrade.
Editors’ Recommendations
