APPLE IMAC M1

amazon APPLE IMAC M1 reviews

New design, new processor, and new display all add up to the winning formula for Apple’s latest iMac model.

The iMac model below is unlike any iMac that has come before, and it all comes from the M1 chip.

Of course, there are other differences between this 24-inch iMac and the 2019 21.5-inch model it will replace. For example, the new iMac has a better microphone, better speakers, fewer ports (and repositioned some ports), a bigger and better-looking screen, a keyboard with Touch ID… But the M1 is still the star of the stage.

This chip significantly improves the iMac’s performance and helps the system run iOS and iPadOS applications. It is equipped with a more advanced image signal processor (so the built-in webcam produces images) better low-light than ever), which itself is surprisingly efficient, allowing Apple to craft a slim and unique iMac chassis.

Like every desktop model on the market, the new 24-inch iMac comes in multiple configurations for you to choose. The $1,299 base model has a 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, 8GB of RAM, and a 7-core GPU – but it only comes in 4 colors and doesn’t come with TouchID. Another (the one we’re talking about here) has a 512GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, two USB-3 ports, two Thunderbolt ports, an 8-core GPU, Touch ID, and a gigabit Ethernet port (built-in the power supply) – comes with Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. This version has a total value of up to 2,028 USD in the US market.

In short, this is an expensive desktop model. And you’re right when you say you can save a few hundred bucks while still getting the same performance if you buy a Mac Mini and then use a third-party discrete display. But this iMac has nearly everything most users would need in a single block: processing power, camera, speakers, microphone, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and display. All are good products. That is a computer that you can put on your desk and never have to think about it again. And for some of the target audience, the iMac is aimed at, that alone is well worth the money. What you’re paying for is simplicity.

The processor M1 uses the advantage of something called a “hybrid” configuration. The easiest way to picture it is that while most chips from Intel and AMD have a similar number of powerful cores, the M1 has four very fast cores and four power-efficient. That allows M1 devices to deliver the world’s highest efficiency/watt ratings. It also means they’re nearly impossible to beat in single-core tasks.

This advantage is evident in the benchmarks. The iMac tested scored higher in the single-core benchmark in Geekbench 5 than any Mac has ever had – including the iMac Pro. That means if you’re looking for a device for simple everyday tasks that don’t require all the available CPU cores (and that seems to be the user group Apple is targeting with the 24-inch iMac), there’s no better iMac to buy!

The benchmark results above show the 24-inch iMac’s place in Apple’s all-in-one lineup and its limitations. The 24-inch model is a significant improvement over the 21.5-inch iMac model in both single-core and multi-core tasks. In graphics tasks, it also comfortably competes directly – quite impressive considering the 21.5-inch iMac has a discrete GPU, while the 24-inch iMac relies solely on the integrated graphics chip with the M1.

On the other hand, the results mentioned above (except for single-core performance) are nowhere near the 27-inch iMac model using Intel chips with discrete graphics. In this comparison, the multiplier results are of greater importance. They show that the 27-inch iMac will outperform many of the kinds of tasks owners of this model want to do: intense multitasking, computing, design, video processing, and other complex tasks that require GPU.

In addition, other limitations prevent the 24-inch iMac from taking on heavy work. Like the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, you can’t buy an iMac with more than 16GB of RAM and more than 2TB of internal storage. This configuration level is not “enough” for anyone who often edits 4K or 8K videos. The RAM and internal memory are soldered to death, so you can’t upgrade them once you’ve brought them home. It also only supports one external monitor (up to 6K resolution at 60Hz); the number of connection ports is extremely meager. The lowest configuration version only has two Thunderbolt / USB-4 ports and a headphone jack, while the more expensive versions have two more USB-3 ports and Gigabit Ethernet. All of this may be why Apple targets this new iMac as a home PC, even though its processor is more than capable of handling other professional tasks.

It is not surprising that the performance of the 24-inch iMac is generally not that different from the MacBook Pro M1 and Mac Mini M1 because these devices both use the same processor. So if you want to know what the iMac can do, check out what the MacBook Pro M1 can do!

The 24-inch iMac can handle all kinds of everyday tasks, from reading emails to watching YouTube, light editing of photos and videos, or even opening more than 25 Chrome tabs during the Cinebench benchmark application running in the background, without any stuttering or lag. If you’re planning to buy an iMac for these tasks, you won’t find too many spinning wheels frustrating.

One issue that many people are concerned about with the iMac using the M1 chip is the coolness. On thinner laptop models, you will see performance degradation if you continuously run heavy tasks. On the new iMac, that doesn’t exist – you need to do many things to get the fans to spin, and when they do, everything is surprisingly smooth. Truly a worthwhile improvement over previous Intel Macs.

After all, the M1’s advantage has never been pure power; it combines power and efficiency. Chips are generally limited by two things: the power provided and the cooling capacity of the system. They convert nearly all of the energy used into heat, and because the M1 has an extremely high efficiency/watt rating, Apple doesn’t need a massive cooling system to prevent the chip from toasting itself. Because it didn’t need a massive cooling system, Apple could finally redesign the iMac completely.

In terms of looks, the iMac looks like a supermodel. Despite having a 24-inch screen, it’s roughly the same size as the previous 21.5-inch model. Apple has reduced the screen border by about 50% to get a larger screen in the most compact frame possible. The device is also just 11.5mm thick – very thin compared to most other all-in-ones. When placed next to the 27-inch iMac model, it looks like a tablet on a stand!

Size isn’t the only thing that impresses; The new iMac also comes in seven different colors: blue, green, pink, orange, purple, yellow, and silver; we’re all too familiar. The color change this time is an interesting highlight, creating excitement for certain groups of users.

Of course, the traditional lines of the iMac are still there. The screen border is still thick compared to modern screen models. You can’t raise or lower the monitor height – the built-in kickstand only allows you to change the tilt. And the thick chin hasn’t disappeared either, although the apple logo is no longer there.

where can you get a APPLE IMAC M1 online

2021 Apple iMac (24-inch, Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU and 7‑core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Silver: Buy it now

The rest of the iMac has been upgraded in one way or another. This year’s screen has been upgraded to a 4.5K Retina resolution (4480 x 2520) compared to 4096 x 2304 of the previous generation (constant pixel density). It is equipped with Apple’s True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts color and intensity based on its surroundings.

But the screen is also a hint why this iMac model doesn’t have the word “Pro” in the name. 24-inch is not that big; Most of today’s best external monitor models are 27-inch or larger. The screen edges also seem to have a dark effect, causing some problems when you look at the screen from the front – this is a problem with Apple’s Pro Display XDR monitors. Of course, both are not shortcomings if viewed from the eyes of the average user. The screen is really great, sharp, and spacious enough for you to see many Chrome tabs and apps.

And yet, Apple has also upgraded the camera, microphone, and speakers of the 24-inch iMac. The company claims that this is the best camera, microphone, and speaker system ever fitted to a Mac. Indeed, the 6-speaker sound system delivers sound quality as good as expensive external speakers, with house-wide reverberation, thumping, and powerful bass, giving you a sense of immersion in concerts lively songs. It also supports 3D audio when playing videos with Dolby Atmos.

There’s not much to say about the 3-microphone array (because it’s really good), but the 24-inch iMac’s webcam is a very pleasant surprise. It has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, which is higher resolution than the 720p camera on the 21.5-inch iMac (as well as on the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and many other all-in-ones). The M1 chip also contributes to the improvement of this camera: its built-in image signal processor and neural engine optimize the quality of images obtained in low-light conditions. As a result, everything will be clearer, although sometimes it seems overprocessed in dark areas – much better than what you get from most webcams today. The difference between this webcam and the mess on the MacBook Pro is as clear as day and night!

The iMac is a powerhouse used by everyone, from college students to accountants, to podcasters, to your grandparents. And the 24-inch iMac is undeniably the most compelling iMac that Apple has created in years. So who is the 24-inch iMac not suitable for who?

First, it’s not for people who don’t like adapters and docks. If you own a USB-C to USB-A adapter, get ready to use it very often with your new iMac.

Second, it’s not for people who own a 27-inch iMac because the size and quality of the screen, the number of ports, the upgradeability, and the pure power of the 24-inch iMac are all on the bottom. It’s not for those who are serious about system performance needs.

Third, it’s not for those looking for a device with power that’s worth the money. Most people won’t need the configuration and accessories that come with the 24-inch iMac, but first of all, the $1,299 price tag for the lowest configuration is sure to make many people shake their heads. The lowest-spec Mac Mini is up to $600 cheaper; Plug in a monitor and speakers (you can find these for under $600 – that’s great!), and you’ll have the best of the M1 chip at a much lower price point.

And that is the biggest reason why this iMac model, despite its formidable power, mainly serves the household market. It requires you to spend more money to save more effort. You’re paying an extra $600, so you don’t have to tinker and choose a monitor, speakers, webcam, dock, keyboard, and mouse that fits your needs. You are paying extra not to have to think about arranging dozens of things on the table. You are paying for a device where everything, out of the box, works perfectly. You’re paying to get rid of the hassle!

Tech connoisseurs (especially those who want to take their machine apart and perform hardware upgrades on their own) may find it a waste. For them, it is. But they are not the target group of iMacs, even if the machine’s configuration meets the needs.

Can Apple do more with this iMac model? Of course. Consumers should expect to see a 30-inch iMac 6K model with a super-powerful 12-core workstation chip. You’ll see it in the future – and in the meantime, the 24-inch iMac is an exciting product. It has no groundbreaking design; it also does not rediscover the directory. But using it enjoyed. Improvements over the 21.5-inch iMac make the 24-inch iMac simple, attractive, and fully functional to meet users’ needs across all sectors. That is an iMac model that most people should buy.

Scoring the 24-inch iMac (M1, 2021): 8.5/10

Advantages:

– Excellent processor

– Variety of colors, supermodel design

– Top-notch webcam

Defect

– Few ports

– Not cheap

– Configuration cannot be upgraded after purchase