Apple’snew M1 iMacis now available and we totally understand that you require to buy one . It ’s well Apple ’s cool desktops in years , but choosing which one to purchase is about more than just picking your favorite color . So follow our guide and drop your money sagely .
Where to get a deal on a 24-inch iMac
With the holiday shopping time of year afoot , there could be sales on the 24 - inch iMac . We have a freestanding article that highlights pre - disastrous Friday deals . And when the Black Friday sale start , we ’ll put up an article covering those .
What’s standard on all three iMac models
Before we start getting into the differences , have ’s take a flavour at the feature that are the same on all three model of the 24 - inch iMac .
That ’s a batch of computer no matter which model you bribe . But there are key differences between the $ 1,299 , $ 1,499 , and $ 1,699 iMac manikin .
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24-inch iMac: Design and colors
All of the iMac models have the same all - in - one pattern , evaluate 21.5 x 18.1 x 5.8 inches and weighing about 10 pound , which is quite telling for such a potent background microcomputer . But the color choice are dissimilar , with the higher configurations getting a few extra options .
presently , the orange , purple , and yellow iMacs are available only through Apple ’s online depot . However , Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman tweeted that Apple will soon denote that all of the 24 - in iMac people of color will be available at the Apple Store .
Our pick : If you perfectly , positively must have an orangish iMac , you absolutely , positively must expend the extra Johnny Cash . ( It does look fabulous . ) Most mass are n’t into fancy colour and will go with the eloquent one . We have a pinkish one in the spot , and while the front is pink , the back is a mystifying red that looks cracking .
24-inch iMac: Graphics (GPU)
All three poser have an 8 - nub M1 CPU , but the artwork processor ( GPU ) is different in the $ 1,299 iMac .
The $ 1,299 iMac has one fewer GPU core than the other two models . To get an idea of how the 7 - magnetic core and 8 - core GPU equivalence , permit ’s take a look at benchmarks from theMacBook Air review by Macworld U.K.They tested both the $ 999 MacBook Air with a 7 - core GPU and the $ 1,249 MacBook Air 8 - centre GPU . Here ’s how the Geekbench test upshot compare .
OpenCL and Metal are theoretical account that are used to render graphics . These trial show how tight each GPU can perform . The 8 - marrow GPU show a 10 pct increase over the 7 - core GPU in Geekbench ’s OpenCL trial run . With Metal , the melioration is 8 percent . Keep in mind that these are benchmark tests contrive to stress out and make heavy demand of the GPU , so while you may notice a flimsy divergence if you ’re playing an action at law - pile video game , when it come to everyday role — web browsing , electronic mail , delete your photos , etc . — you wo n’t notice the divergence at all .
Our cream : You’re getting a great flake and solid nontextual matter execution no matter which model you buy , so the GPU should n’t be the overwhelming factor when resolve which 24 - inch iMac to buy .
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24-inch iMac: Thunderbolt and USB ports
All three 24 - column inch iMac poser have two Thunderbolt / USB 4 interface . However , that ’s all you get on the $ 1,299 model . The $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 models also have a pair of USB 3 ports , which will be useful if you have a few peripheral devices to connect . None of the iMac models have any USB - A ports , which is a bummer , but they all have a headphone jack on the left side .
The $ 1,299 M1 iMac ( left ) has two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports . Tthe $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 M1 iMac ( right ) has those same interface , in addition to two USB-3 ports .
Our take : Obviously , if you are only connecting one or two items to your Mac , two port will suffice . But two porthole on a desktop machine is extremely limiting , so you ’ll in all probability need to induct in a Thunderbolt hub , a machine that is essentially a box that has several dissimilar port on it , behave as an adaptor for your devices . For good example , we review theCorsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock($250 ) , that you could connect to the iMac ’s Thunderbolt port , and it will then provide you with two USB - A ports , two USB - ampere-second ports , a Gbit ethernet connector , two HDMI video jacks , and an Coyote State card time slot . If you just call for more USB - light speed ports , we love the OWC Thunderbolt Hub , which adds two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB - A port .
24-inch iMac: Storage
The 24 - column inch iMac has the common computer storage upgrades , travel up to 2 TB on the high configurations .
Our pick : With cloud storage ( iCloud , Dropbox , Box , OneDrive ) becoming more prevalent , a 256 GB SSD will probably be enough for most masses . Content God Almighty who deal with large files will require more onboard depot , which mean they ’ll in all likelihood want to advance to one of the higher mannikin .
24-inch iMac: Gigabit ethernet
Most hoi polloi are using Wi - Fi connexion to a net and the internet , but power user will opt a pumped up connection with an ethernet larboard to ensure top stop number and low latency . The 24 - inch iMac does n’t have a Gb ethernet jack on it per se , but you do get one on the power adapter , as you may see below . That ethernet - equip adapter does n’t total with the $ 1,299 24 - inch iMac , however . you’re able to opt to get one , but it ’ll cost an extra $ 30 .
You get a power adapter with the $ 1,299 M1 M1 , but it ’s not this one with Gbit ethernet .
Our pick : The ethernet power adapter is a cool solution to eliminate desktop cable television jumble , but you ’ll take to spend $ 30 on top of the $ 1,299 iMac . So if you really need wired net , you ’ll probably need at least some of the other feature on the $ 1,499 example too .
24-inch iMac: Touch ID
Touch ID is in conclusion on a desktop Mac ! Apple made a super - coolheaded keyboard specifically for the 24 - inch iMac in seven colors to equal every chromaticity , and it has Apple ’s fingerprint sensing element in the top veracious corner . With Touch ID enable , any time you need to enter a word , a command prompt appear and you only lay your finger on the Touch ID release to authenticate .
However , the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is only useable on the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 models . The $ 1,299 modeldoes notinclude Touch ID , which is a bummer . Instead , it has a received wireless Magic Keyboard that can be elevate to a Touch ID keyboard for a $ 50 fee .
The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is stock with the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 M1 iMac .
Our pick : We’re big fans of Touch ID on our MacBooks , so we definitely urge getting it , whether you yield supererogatory or jump to the $ 1,499 model . A $ 50 fee is n’t a huge disbursal , it represent 25 percent of the difference between the low - death iMac and the mediate option . So you might as well outflow for the higher framework .
24-inch iMac: Our buying advice
It ’s overnice that the 24 - column inch iMac starts at the same $ 1,299 as it did before , but with just a $ 200 difference between it and the next modelling , we urge saving up for the higher - priced one . The $ 1,499 24 - in iMac has the right combinations of features for the toll : You get a aggregate of four ports for connecting transmission line and devices , the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID , Gb ethernet , more color option , and a little bit of a hike with graphics processing . If you require Touch ID and ethernet , you ’ll need to add $ 80 to the price of the $ 1,299 iMac , so you ’re only economise $ 120 . We think that money is well spent on the eminent theoretical account .
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