What is it? The iMac is what Apple is famous for, although the current design is as far from the original as you come. can be obtained. This is a Mac you can put in your living room or at an office reception—where you can show it off.
What's new? In October 2024, Apple introduced the M4 version of the 24-inch iMac. Little has changed since the 2021 redesign, which represented the first major update in more than a decade with a cleaner design and a choice of seven vibrant colors (slightly lighter shades in 2024).
Who is this for? The iMac is great for both beginners and demanding users. It handles general-purpose and heavy-duty tasks equally well, although those after upgrading from a 27-inch iMac or iMac Pro may want to wait and see whether iMac Pro ever materialize, or stick with the Mac mini Pro (top) or Mac Studio (bottom). It's ideal for those who need to purchase a complete computer (keyboard, mouse or trackpad and display) and want to maximize the efficiency of their workspace. The 24-inch iMac is a design icon that will look great in any office.
How much does an iMac cost? When Apple cut prices for the M4 iMac outside the US. Three standard configurations start at $1,299/£1,299 for the entry-level model, $1,499/£1,499 for the mid-range model and $1,699/£1,699 for the top of the range.
What are the characteristics? The 24-inch iMac uses Apple's M4 chip, the same M4 found in the 14-inch MacBook Pro, but in each case it has half the memory and costs $100 less. Several configurations are available, as well as build-to-order options:
- Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, $1,299/£1,299.
- Apple M4, 10-core processor, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, $1,499/£1,499.
- Apple M4, 10-core processor, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, $1,699/£1,699.
- Apple M4, 10-core processor, 10-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, $1,899/£1,899.
- Additional options: memory 32GB; up to 2 TB memory
What are the display specifications? The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display has 11.3 million pixels and supports P3 wide color gamut, over a billion colors, 500 nits brightness and True Tone. Apple coats the display with an anti-glare coating to improve readability. The display has not changed since the launch of the M1.
How do I connect things? The $1,299 24-inch iMac 24 has two Thunderbolt 4 ports that also work with USB-C devices. The $1,499 and $1,699 iMacs have four Thunderbolt 4 ports (the previous generation had two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and two USB 3 ports). If you have a USB-A device, you'll need to buy an adapter like Apple's (US$19 / £19). If you have multiple USB-A devices and other items, consider Thunderbolt hub. The 24-inch iMac also has a headphone jack on the side.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are built-in. Apple doesn't place the Gigabit Ethernet port on the 24-inch iMac—it's on the power adapter instead. But this power adapter with Ethernet comes standard on the $1,499 and $1,699 models. His No included in the $1,299 model, but you can select it as an option when purchasing—and yes, that means you'll have to pay extra for it.
How fast is it?: Because the 24-inch iMac has the same M4 as the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, its speeds are very similar. This means it's fast. It has all the speed that everyday consumers need and handles professional applications without any problems. However, the $1,299 model only has one fan inside the case, while the $1,499 and $1,699 models have two fans. This means that expensive models do a better job of cooling the internal components. The $1,299 model may need to reduce performance during heavy tasks to maintain proper temperatures.
Any other thoughts? We think the iMac's price is high compared to the features it offers, but we admire the design. We're waiting for a bigger screen.
Why we recommend iMac (M4): The iMac was greatly improved when Apple introduced the 24-inch model back in 2021, from the design to the display to its performance. But we hope that rumors that Apple may launch iMac Pro model are true. If you're buying one, the best option is the $1,499/£1,499 model, which gives you more ports, Touch ID and Ethernet.
