When you think of the Mac, the computer that often comes to mind is the iMac. The iconic desktop PC is a great combination of price and performance. Even with that, every Mac has a release cycle, and you should consider whether it’s a good time to buy now or wait until later when a new version is released. Here’s what we know about the 24-inch iMac and our buying advice.
24-inch iMac: price and specs
Release: April 2021
The 24-inch iMac was the last Mac to feature Apple’s M1 processor, which was introduced in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini in November 2020. The performance of the 24-inch iMac comparable to other M1 Macs.
Replacing the 21.5-inch iMac which used Intel processors, the 24-inch iMac not only has a new processor inside, but also features an all-new, cleaner design with smaller bezels, screen area bigger and new colors. It also supports Touch ID, an enhanced 1080p FaceTime camera, and Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports.
Pricing for the 24-inch iMac starts at $1,299, but this model lacks a few features found on the standard $1,499 and $1,699 configurations. Our iMac FAQ has more details on the differences between the models.
24-inch iMac: why buy
The 24-inch iMac is an excellent all-in-one computer that offers a boost over the Intel iMac it replaced. If you need a complete computer setup (computer, display, input devices), the iMac is a good solution.
Since the 24-inch iMac was released in April 2021, Apple may update it soon. A report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple could release a new iMac in the second half of this year. The new iMac could benefit from a processor upgrade to the M3, which would improve performance.
However, the features and design are unlikely to change. With that in mind, the 24-inch iMac M1 remains a good investment for customers looking for a general-purpose Mac. It can easily handle all day-to-day tasks – Internet and web access, media streaming, productivity apps, and consumer media production (iMovie, GarageBand, etc.).
24-inch iMac: Why we have to wait
If you think you want a bigger iMac than the 24-inch model, the only 27-inch iMacs Apple sells are in the Refurbished and Clearance store and they’re powered by Intel processors. These are older machines and don’t offer the speed of the M1 in the 24-inch iMac.
Apple is rumored to be releasing a new 27-inch iMac with an M-series processor, along with a new Liquid Retina XDR display and a new design. It’s possible a larger iMac will be part of the iMac update later this year. If you need more size in an iMac, you can try waiting.
If you do a lot of CPU-intensive tasks (video and audio rendering, graphics, or programming, for example), you might consider waiting for the rumored iMac M3 that might appear later this year. You need all the processing power you can get, and the M3 will deliver faster processing speed than the M1.
igamesnews recommends: WAIT…unless you strike a deal
The 24-inch iMac is an impressive computer that doesn’t disappoint. It brings an excellent speed boost over the Intel iMac it replaced, and everything else about the iMac is vastly improved, from design to display.
However, a new iMac is coming soon, and the speed of the new processor will be worth the wait. Plus, we might see an iMac with a bigger screen, so you’ll have plenty to choose from in that regard.
If you can, we recommend you wait and see what Apple does. The company could make an announcement at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually takes place in June.
If you can’t wait, look for a deal. The Apple Store doesn’t offer sales, but third-party retailers do, and deals are starting to appear at popular retailers – this could also be a sign that Apple is releasing an update soon
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