If it turns out that you are considering purchasing a new iMac for disaster recovery, whether for work or school, know that iMacs are extremely versatile computers because they offer everything you need. need to be up and running from the first moment, with a large Retina display.
Today, the available offer that Apple has of iMac equipment is very varied, especially after the arrival of the models presented at the beginning of the year, the 24-inch iMacs which are the first of the family to integrate Apple chips. Silicon M1.
In addition, Apple has chosen to keep on sale the offer of models including those with a screen size of 27 inches and a screen of 21.5 inches, both modalities based on the use of the chip architecture. from different generations of Intel, for what to pay attention to.
Which iMac should I buy?
As we have already expected, there are seven different iMac models to choose from (1 of 21.5 inches, 3 of 27 inches and 3 others of 24 inches) with their corresponding configuration variations, which is not the case. that I miss the fact that when buying a new computer many wonder which iMac should I buy?
To make it easier for you, we compare them all to help you decide which one is best for you based on how you’re going to use it. The difference in screen size isn’t everything, and here we dig deeper into all the aspects to consider, including processor performance.
What screen size is right for me?
If you are thinking of buying an iMac computer, but it turns out that your budget is a bit tight, to the point that it is around a little over $ 1,000, we recommend that you check out the Apple Store Refurbished Deals.
These are systems that the company offers for sale with full performance guarantees, for which it actually grants a special warranty period. Sometimes the savings can exceed $ 300, something to consider. Offers vary from day to day.
And this is the most basic iMac model,
In addition, this is an iMac with an outdated processor configuration, not only due to the fact that it retains the dual-core Intel Core i5 chip, but also belongs to the seventh generation, whereas currently Intel even has the 11 generation models.
If due to your type of work you prefer to go for a larger screen size, you should evaluate the purchase of the new 24 inch iMac, because in terms of performance they have proven to be much superior to models with Intel architecture. , in addition to that you would contribute with more up-to-date technology.
Above the mentioned screen size we find the current ones the 27-inch iMac whose base price starts at $ 1,999 for the cheapest entry-level model. These computers with 10th generation Intel Core processors are newer than the 21.5-inch.
However, these Apple iMac models with a screen size of 27 inches are on Apple’s list of pending updates, so they should be replaced soon. That said, its purchase is strongly discouraged today.
Should I buy the cheapest iMac?
As in all fields and industries, the price of the device increases as the specifications of its components are higher. Having said that, would you buy the cheapest iMac offered by Apple?
We have a few reasons why we have withdrawn the idea of making this decision. First of all, you should know that the 21.5-inch iMac family currently consists of a single model that doesn’t even have a Retina 4K display, with a very limited processor version and amount of memory.
The Retina display of an iMac ensures that we can handle 4K-like resolutions. Although you will have an LED backlight to represent millions of colors, its resolution remains at 1920 x 1080 pixels.
The other 27-inch models have a Retina display that matches a Retina 5K resolution of 5120 x 2880 pixels with True Tone. This means that the content will feature more detail, especially photos and videos.
Given these precedents, and given that the rest of Apple products, such as iPhones and iPads, are already Retina compliant, our recommendation is to always bet on this quality. Throwing in the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac, let’s see what the other models look like.
Fortunately, models with Fusion Drive storage as standard have long been discontinued, so now all iMacs have SSD storage. We also recommend expanding the RAM to 16 GB, which represents a price increase of 250 $.
What about the graphics performance of the 21.5-inch iMac?
This is another point for which we definitely reject the recommendation of the entry-level model. It is the only one that only integrates integrated graphics such as Intel Iris HD 640. The other higher models offer dedicated Radeon Pro 5300 or 5500 XT graphics with 4 or 8 GB of GDDR6 memory.
As we’ve seen on previous occasions, the 27-inch iMac’s Radeon Pro graphics improve performance, but they don’t leave the above far behind. The 21.5-inch iMac has 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 graphics memory, while the large iMac has 4 and 8 GB.
Thus, the new 24-inch iMacs feature Apple’s M1 chip that can integrate a 7 or 8-core GPU depending on the version. They have already shown in our review how they offer enough potential to handle most of the work you might have to do in a home.
And the extensions?
For users who have generally been in the PC business, tell them that just having a desktop doesn’t mean you can perform component extensions yourself.
That way, every time you buy a new iMac, you have to do it with the future in mind. The regular igamesnews reader knows that our recommendation is always to go for the most RAM and fastest processor you can afford.
Then there are the functions that you will perform with it. If your tasks will primarily be managing mail, browsing the web, and using office applications, you may be able to get by with it. 27-inch iMac with Retina display for $ 2,249.
But if you are going to spend a lot of your time editing images and videos, viewing the content in Diffusion And running a few games, the higher processor, and a dedicated graphics card will definitely make a big difference.
In the event that games make heavy use of graphics, or manipulate large photos and videos, these are sufficient arguments to pay the extra purchase price for Apple’s most powerful line of processors.
Which iMac setup is right for me?
To tell the truth, you will have already found in our opinions the arguments necessary to answer this question. If what you’re looking for is to buy an iMac to do typical home tasks that let you work and cover the student section, the new 24-inch iMac with M1 chip is a perfect choice.
However, if you are planning to update your old iMac model or buy a new one to tackle more advanced tasks such as video editing, photo editing or functions that require more power, our advice is to be patient and wait a few months. .
As you might expect, Apple will soon be updating its current 27-inch iMac lineup with Apple Silicon processors, as they currently rely on the use of the Intel Core architecture. This is not a bad option, but we believe that in the short term, Apple will bet on improving the configurations of its equipment with its own chip.
What alternatives to the Apple iMac?
If we look at the competition, the computer that comes closest to the 27-inch iMac is Microsoft’s Surface Studio with its 28-inch screen. In reality, the Surface Studio 2 version is already on sale in Europe at the recommended price of $ 4,149.
However, there are palpable differences between the two teams. The Surface Studio still features 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processors, while Apple’s 27-inch iMacs have been upgraded to the 10th Generation.
Microsoft also allows to increase the amount of RAM to 32 GB, while Apple’s iMac already offers the possibility of increasing the figure to 128 GB. We can thus see how the update of the 27-inch iMac this year has been a success for Apple computers.
Where the Microsoft Surface is gaining ground over Apple’s iMac is that the Surface Studio’s screen is touch-sensitive and can be tilted horizontally to the office table, making it easier to write with. the digital pen.
In this sense, we recognize that at the level of creativity, Microsoft has taken a giant step forward by also adding the accessory Surface Dial with which it is possible to create content in a more natural and immersive way with the computer.
Take a look at this report from the PCWorld publication where all Microsoft Surface models are compared. We also recommend you the article on the best Mac to edit video where we analyze the pros and cons of each Apple computer.
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