Apple iMac 24": initial reviews are in
The first reviews for the iMac 24" are mostly positive. Among other things, it’s described as a «family computer» that fits perfectly into a life of home office work.
With the iMac 24", Apple’s M1 System on a Chip (SoC) makes its way into an all-in-one device, i.e. a PC integrated into a display. This way, Apple wants to rid itself of cables in particular. In fact, the iMac only needs one cable to be ready for use. Engadget concluded its device review this way:
Really, then, if you’re in the market for a desktop, but don’t want to deal with the cable mess of a PC and monitor, the iMac practically stands alone. It’s faster than ever, and it can fit into almost any nook in your home. It’s basically the family computer, reinvented.
The range of colours also fits the concept of a family computer. The iMac is available in seven colours. And this won’t just satisfy children. As Mac Life puts it (in German, originally):
It should be noted that the devices are not all the same colour. While those on the back are bold and bright, Apple opted for pastel versions of the main colour for the front and the stand. Especially so as to not unnecessarily distract your eye from the content on-screen.
The performance
Of course, Apple reviews aren’t only about looks. The M1 SoC in the iMac is also discussed. The exact same chip is also in the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and iPad Pro. Gizmodo in particular drew attention to this fact. The same chip being used in different devices with different target groups is quite uncommon. The difference lies in the cooling.
The fanless MacBook Air, for instance, can’t handle processor-intensive tasks as quickly or efficiently as the $1,499 M1 iMac, which has two fans and a heat pipe to better manage workloads.
In benchmarks such as Handbrake and Blender, the M1 iMac is around 14 and 17 per cent faster than the M1 MacBook Air, respectively. However, the fans weren’t audible. Only in the Cinebench R23 benchmark would the fans have been slightly noticeable acoustically. The M1 achieved 1512 points in the single core and 7622 points in the multi-core benchmark. Compared to the Ryzen 5950X, AMD’s fastest current desktop CPU, this is surprisingly good. That one achieves 1620 points in Single Core and 25,114 points in Multi-Core tests. However, the M1 owes its good result during Single Core use to the fact that Cinebench’s Single Core test favours processors with only one thread. In fact, only one core and one thread is active during the test. However, processors such as the Ryzen 5950X are designed for multithreading and therefore also perform slightly worse than processors without multithreading, such as the M1.
The important specs at a glance
Furthermore, most reviewers emphasise the 1080p camera. It’s extraordinarily good. Here are the most important pros and cons of the iMac 24 at a glance, as seen in various reviews:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The new design. | The stand can't be vertically adjusted. |
| The powerful Apple M1 SoC. | No way to install a dedicated graphics card. |
| Colour-coordinated peripherals. | Only 4 USB-C ports. |
| The 24-inch, 4.5K display. | No SD-card reader. |
| Lightweight and easier to carry. | The beginner model lacks features (weaker graphics and no Ethernet port). |
| The 1080p webcam. | No upgrade options. |
| The relatively solid loudspeakers. | The mandatory external power supply unit. |
As soon as I get my hands on one these, I’ll follow up with a review of my own.
From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.