Apple’siMacis a direct descendant of the very first Mac , and it ’s often the computer that first come to mind when people think about Apple . The iMac ’s all - in - one design is democratic and iconic , and it ’s versatile enough for both novices and demanding substance abuser . It can plow general - purpose and heavy - responsibility tasks equally well and is ideal for anyone who ask a complete computer frame-up ( keyboard , shiner or trackpad , and display ) and desire to maximize workspace efficiency .
If you ’re in the marketplace for an iMac , this templet will avail you make the right choice . The only iMac in Apple ’s batting order is a 24 - inch version with a newfangled excogitation and an Apple M1 arrangement on a chip . The 21.5 - column inch and 27 - inch versions with Intel processor have been break . Here ’s how they break down .
The latest news/rumors
July 4 , 2022 : Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurmanreportsthat Apple is still bring on two iMacs based on the M3 CPU . The next 24 - inch iMac could have an M3 , while a pro - level 27 - inch Mac could have an M3 Pro and Max . These computers may not ship until 2023 .
Apr. 24 , 2022 : Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurmanreportsthat Apple is already work on the M3 bit and it may make its way into the next generation of the 24 - inch iMac . A 27 - inch iMac is in development but it would n’t be done anytime soon .
24-inch iMac
iMac 24″
Apple
Apple reveal the 24 - inch iMac at itsSpring moneyed eventin April 2021 . It ’s a fresh new take on the iMac and the first update in more than a decennium , with a clean-living design , Apple Si , and a choice of colors .
iMac 24″
Processor , artwork , memory , and repositing : The 24 - in iMac uses Apple ’s M1 chip rather Intel ’s processors , and there are several configurations available :
The 24 - inch iMac can have a upper limit of 16 GB of memory ( $ 200 surplus ) , and you could also upgrade to a orotund SSD for an extra price . These components ca n’t be upgraded after purchase .
video display : The 23.5 - column inch 4.5 K Retina presentation fits right in between the 21 - inch and 27 - inch Intel Macs . The display has 11.3 million pixels and support for the P3 wide color gamut , over a billion colors , 500 nits of luminance , and True Tone . Apple treats the display with an anti - brooding coat to serve with readability .
iMac 24″
Design : The 24 - in iMac has a much different design than the 21.5 - inch and 27 - inch models . The bezel around the display are much little than on the other iMacs , but it still has a “ chin , ” a section site below the showing that houses the iMac ’s internals . The chin does n’t have the Apple logotype on the front . Instead , it ’s on the back . Most notably , Apple the 24 - inch iMac comes in several colors : The $ 1,299 modelling is usable in blue , gullible , pinkish , and silver , while the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 model are available in the same colors , as well as orangish , purple , and yellow .
The iMac 24″ has a multifariousness of colors uncommitted .
Input devices : The wireless Magic Keyboard that comes with the 24 - inch iMac is unlike from previous model — it now has livelihood for Touch ID . It is a stock feature in the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 iMacs , but you ’ll have to pay extra for it on the $ 1,299 iMac . An elongated keyboard with Touch ID is also available for $ 50 . The 24 - inch iMac comes with a wireless Magic Mouse , or you’re able to choose for a wireless Magic Trackpad . The black eye , trackpad , and keyboard come in colors to match the iMac .
The iMac 24″ has a variety of colors available.
Connectivity : The $ 1,299 24 - inch iMac has two Thunderbolt 3 ports that also work with USB - C devices . The $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 iMacs have two additional USB - C ports . If you have a USB - A gadget , you need to purchase an adapter , such as Apple’sUSB - coulomb to USB Adapter($19 ) . If you have multiple USB - A devices , wired headphones , and other items , conceive a Thunderbolt hub .
The 24 - inch iMac , unlike the older iMacs , does not have an SDXC slot . Once again , you ’ll need an transcriber , such as theAnker South Dakota Card reader($17 ) . However , it does have a super - cool magnetic power cord .
Wi - Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are built - in . Apple does n’t put a gigabit ethernet interface on the 24 - column inch iMac — instead , it ’s on the power adapter . But that ethernet - equipped power adapter comes standard with the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 models . It’snotincluded with the $ 1,299 24 - column inch iMac , but you may select it as an option at the spot of leverage — and yes , that means you ’ll have to pay extra for it ( $ 30 ) .
f number : The 24 - inch iMac confirmation in with a functioning that is like to theMac mini,13 - inch MacBook Pro , andMacBook Air . The 24 - inch iMac blew away its predecessor , the 21.5 - in iMac . It ’s currently among the fastest Macs Apple sells .
Macworld ’s buying advice : We were quite impressed with the first set of M1 Macs , and the raw 24 - column inch iMac does n’t let down . It brings an impressive speed rise and quiet procedure , and nearly every Mac app we ’ve try out has run just as well as it did on our Intel Macs thanks to the new Rosetta 2 emulation . And everything else about the iMac is greatly ameliorate , from the design to the display . We call up the mellisonant spot is the $ 1,499 model , which get you more port , Touch ID , and ethernet , but if you do n’t need those thing the $ 1,299 mannikin will be plenty good .
quick to bribe an 24 - column inch iMac?Go to the Apple Store
iMac 27″
24-inch iMac (2021)
27-inch iMac (discontinued)
iMac 27″
Apple no longer offers the 27 - inch iMac . The only way to buy a 27 - column inch iMac is through theApple Refurbished and Clearance Storeand third - party retailers while supplies last . It is no longer available at the Apple Store .
Processor , memory , graphics , and storage : The 27 - inch iMac uses Intel processors , not the Apple M1 SoCs found in the 24 - in iMac . iMacs at third - party retailers will have the most current models , while the Apple Refurbished Store also has older mannikin with former processors , but at lower price than the most current models .
iMac 21.5″
Users can easily raise the RAM on the 27 - in iMac , so it ’s not as important to promote the memory at launch . The political machine has four Aries expansion slot , approachable through the back . Apple installs the stock 8 GB as a pair of 4 GB memory faculty , so you’re able to add more RAM after you buy the organization . With iMacs betray in the Apple Refurbished Store , you do not have the option to add together more RAM at the compass point of leverage .
Display : The 27 - column inch iMac with 5 K Retina display has a 5120×2880 - resolution screen . It uses theP3color space , which is often used for digital movie projection and the moving-picture show industry . These concealment offer 500 nit of brightness , which is an increase over the cover in old iMacs .
Input machine : The iMac add up with Apple’sMagic KeyboardandMagic Mouse 2 . If you order online from the Apple Refurbished Store , you do not have the option to replace or supply input devices .
Connectivity : Wi - Fi ( 802.11ac ) and Bluetooth 5 are build - in . The iMac has four USB 3.0 larboard , two Thunderbolt 3 / USB - ampere-second ports , a Gb ethernet port , and an SDXC carte du jour slot .
amphetamine : The Retina iMacs are among Apple ’s profligate reckoner when it occur to undivided - core performance . When it comes to multi - core fastness , Apple ’s M1 - establish Macs are truehearted .
Ready to buy an iMac with Retina display?Go to the Apple Refurbished and Clearance Store
21.5-inch iMac (discontinued)
Processor , memory , graphics , and entrepot : The 21.5 - column inch iMac practice Intel processor . Apple proffer a variety of speeds , but some processor are one-time than others , some speed comparisons are n’t as simple as referring to clock swiftness .
You ca n’t kick upstairs the iMac yourself and if you want to add together more RAM later , you necessitate to land the iMac into an Apple store .
The 21.5 - column inch iMac apply Intel integrated artwork and SSDs or Fusion Drives for storage .
Display : The 21.5 - inch iMac is available with a display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels or a Retina 4 K display , which is more expensive .
Connectivity : Wi - Fi ( 802.11ac ) and Bluetooth 4.2 are built - in . The iMac has four USB 3.0 ports , two Thunderbolt 3 / USB - C port , a gigabit ethernet embrasure , and an SDXC notice slot .
Speed : It has enough power for productiveness labor , TV and exposure editing , and game . The iMacs with Apple ’s M1 processor provide better speed .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : For fresh Mac owners , the 21.5 - in iMac is a decorous option to the Mac mini , with a good concealment and a seemly chip . If you do n’t have serious performance demands , the 21-.5 - in iMac may work for you .
quick to buy an 21.5 - in iMac?Go to the Apple Refurbished and Clearance Store
