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The 2024 Apple iMac: A Step in the Right Direction, But Still Held Back
The 2024 Apple iMac has been re-released with a powerful M4 chip, and while it’s an improvement over its predecessor, it still falls short of being the all-in-one workstation we’ve been waiting for. In this review, we’ll dive into the design, performance, display, and camera options of the new iMac.
Design and Features
The design of the 2024 iMac remains largely unchanged, but it still sports a sleek, compact form factor that adds a bit of personality to your desk. You can choose from seven fun colors, including blue, and the 24-inch Retina display is still a treat. A built-in VESA adapter is also a nice touch, but you’ll need to decide whether to mount it on a wall or attach it to a desk arm.
Performance
The M4 chip brings a modest performance boost over the M3, with a 15-25% increase in CPU synthetic benchmarks. In our testing, the iMac delivered snappy performance, handling multitasking with ease and excelling at raw processing power. While it’s not the best for serious video and photo editing, it’s a great option for casual use and productivity.
Display and Camera
The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is still a great screen, but it’s the same as last year’s model, so there are no new surprises. While it’s not perfect, it’s a fine screen with good color and contrast. The 12MP camera is decent, but it’s not the best in its class. The interesting part is the new Center Stage feature, which uses the front-facing camera to keep you in the frame during video calls.
Verdict
The 2024 iMac is a step in the right direction, but it’s still limited by its screen size and lack of more powerful chip options. If you’re looking for a stylish all-in-one that delivers solid performance without breaking the bank, the M4 iMac is a great choice, but for power users, there are better options like the 2024 Mac mini and MacBook Pro.
Key Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good performance with the M4 chip
- Great value, especially with the base model
- Stylish design
- Good color and contrast on the 24-inch display
Cons:
- Limited screen size options
- No more powerful chip configurations available
- Camera could be better
Buy the 2024 Apple iMac
If you’re in the market for an all-in-one desktop, the 2024 Apple iMac is worth considering, especially at its starting price of $1,300. You can upgrade to the top-end model for $2,300, which packs a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 24GB of memory. While it’s not the best for serious video and photo editing, it’s a great option for casual use and productivity.
