First day with iMac 24" - Best computer Apple sells today in terms of bang for buck?

[Adelphos33]

I needed a monitor, and I was waiting for the Studio Display to be released to pair with a MacBook Air. Then, the Studio Display was released at $1,599, so really just OK reviews, so I paused. Then, the M2 MacBook Air was released to good reviews, but with a price increase and not much pure performance increase over the M1. The MacBook Air upgrades are really camera, screen, new design, speakers, ability to choose 24G RAM, MagSafe, etc - M2 seems like the lowest on the list.

I then reconsidered just buying an M1 iMac as a home computer. Pros
- Good size (24" not too big for my home office needs)
- Can add second screen if necessary
- M1 processor still is superior to what most Intel desktops are offering - honestly the M1 should be good for several years for most tasks
- Excellent, lightweight design that is easy to move around a home
- Keyboard and trackpad are included (A keypad keyboard and a Magic Trackpad cost $300 to purchase from Apple)
- My model cost $1,659 after factoring in an old MacBook Pro trade in - $59 more than a Studio Display, which doesn't include a computer, camera or keyboard

So I now have the machine, and it is excellent - awesome screen and webcam, and it looks great and unobtrusive in the home. When I need more screen real estate, I can put an iPad Pro next to it.

Looking at how Apple has increased the prices for basically all of its post M1 computers (including MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, M2 MacBook Air), doesn't the M1 MacBook Air look like more and more of an excellent value? And who knows if the current design / value will continue? IMO people should be more willing to purchase this machine now than even last year.

 

[Allyance]

Love mine, no complaints. I have had it for a year now.

 

[Juicy Box]

In terms of "bang for buck", I think that title still goes to the M1 Mac Mini. You can find them for sub $500 in openbox purchases at Best Buy and some other places.

Most tests on YouTube show the M1 Mac Mini out performing all other M1 (non-Pro and Max) Macs.

There was a long stretch of time where the M1 MM, the cheapest Mac that Apple offered, out performed every other Mac that Apple has ever sold in terms of single core performance.

At its retail price, the M1 Mac Mini currently the cheapest new Mac ever in terms of inflation-adjusted dollars, and packs a pretty big punch considering the relatively low price.

An argument could be made about the quality of the display of the M1 iMac makes it a bigger bang for the buck, but there are some good monitors out there that can be paired with the MM and still be cheaper than an iMac. Plus, the 24" display is too small for myself.

Actually, if I didn't already have a monitor to go with my MM, I would have considered using a Late 2009 or Mid 2010 27" iMac to use as a monitor via Target Display Mode. Not as pretty as the M1 iMac, but still a nice looking display.

 

[jpohio]

Have had my 24” iMac for a year. Love it.