iFixit Tears Down 24-Inch M1 iMac [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Apple last Friday released the first M1 iMac models to customers and began selling them in stores, and iFixit has now started one of its traditional teardowns on the new machines.

iFixit is tearing down the mid-tier purple iMac model with an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, and 8GB RAM. It's worth noting that the internals of this model will look different than the internals of the base model with a 7-core GPU as the two machines have different cooling systems.

The base iMac has a single cooling fan and a heat sink while the higher-end 8-core GPU models have two fans and a heat pipe along with heat sinks, so expect the internals to look different if you have a 7-core GPU iMac.

The teardown starts off with a detailed x-ray, and the x-rays are always fun to look at because they give us a look at the internal components without opening up the machine. There are two main metal plates inside and an RF passthrough for antenna hardware in the Apple logo.

The iMac is sealed with what iFixit says is "classic iMac adhesive," which is not as gloopy and hard to work with as adhesive Apple uses for products like the iPad.

Since the front of the iMac is a single piece of glass, there's no separate front to the chin that blocks access to the internals as on past models. The chin houses the logic board, and there are two fans blowing inward. A copper heatpipe and two short heatsinks draw heat away from the M1.

iFixit detailed the components on the logic board, which include SK Hynix memory, Kioxia NAND flash storage, and an Apple-designed M1 SoC, Bluetooth/WiFi module, and power management IC, among other components.

There is a "mystery button" with three LEDs below it, that iFixit says will be revealed later. iFixit also plans to share Magic Keyboard Touch ID sensor details, info on the speakers, and a repairability score.

iFixit's teardown won't be completed until tomorrow, but MacRumors readers interested in seeing inside the iMac can follow along on the iFixit website as new components and details are unveiled.

Update: iFixit has now completed part two of its teardown, giving us a full look inside the iMac, the Touch ID Magic Keyboard, and power supply.

Article Link: iFixit Tears Down 24-Inch M1 iMac [Updated]

 

[Realityck]

Great to see finally how repairable the new 24" iMac is.

 

[dlewis23]

Can't wait for a larger more "Pro" iMac. Hoping for a 30" display.

 

[dugbug]

ONE fan on the 7-core GPU variant? I didn't see that coming

 

[SamRyouji]

I just love that the X-ray shows the Apple logo on the back is perfectly center aligned with the rounded-square internal area in the middle.

That's what I called obsession: the desire to perfectly design anything down to the smallest detail, even if it's just an alignment between something you see and you don't.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple made is so complicated to be fixed/tear down from a third party LOL

 

[Realityck]

They didn't know what the two huge metal plates are about, I would think that is for increased rigidity and weight for the iMac chassis, behind the LCD panel.

 

[ikramerica]

ONE fan on the 7-core GPU variant? I didn't see that coming

That 8th GPU is HOT BABY!

 

[sdz]

Good that experts like those from iFixit exist!

 

[deebinem]

Have to say, that's my favorite colorway so far...

 

[jclardy]

I feel like it is a bit sad with all the bezel space + free space + thickness in the machine they couldn't add the center stage camera from the iPad. The 1080p camera is a nice upgrade, but then they one-upped themselves in the presentation a few minutes later having a much better camera in a thinner, cheaper, and smaller tablet.

 

[ignatius345]

I feel like it is a bit sad with all the bezel space + free space + thickness in the machine they couldn't add the center stage camera from the iPad. The 1080p camera is a nice upgrade, but then they one-upped themselves in the presentation a few minutes later having a much better camera in a thinner, cheaper, and smaller tablet.

Maybe they're "saving" it for a higher tier of iMac that hasn't come out yet.

 

[nexusrule]

I feel like it is a bit sad with all the bezel space + free space + thickness in the machine they couldn't add the center stage camera from the iPad. The 1080p camera is a nice upgrade, but then they one-upped themselves in the presentation a few minutes later having a much better camera in a thinner, cheaper, and smaller tablet.

Cheaper? It’s a 11-13” tablet, half or less than half the screen estate, way lass glass and metal, no thermal system, no mouse, no keyboard… the iPad is more expensive than the iMac.

 

[vadimyuryev]

What if those those large metal plates are used as enclosures for the speakers? Similar to how a subwoofer would use a sealed box to move air and amplify sound. If you look at the image, you'll see that they are sort of connected to the speakers on both sides. If it wasn't related to speakers, you wouldn't see the slightly different design on the left side where it points to the speakers.

 

[vadimyuryev]

What if those those large metal plates are used as enclosures for the speakers? Similar to how a subwoofer would use a sealed box to move air and amplify sound. If you look at the image, you'll see that they are sort of connected to the speakers on both sides. If it wasn't related to speakers, you wouldn't see the slightly different design on the left side where it points to the speakers.

Yes, I can confirm that those metal enclosures are used to amplify the speakers.

 

[tharitm]

Only if the chipset was moved to the top, there could be no chin..

 

[Bluetoot-]

I wonder what that mystery button is.

 

[adamw]

Thanks for posting the teardown of the M1 iMac!

 

[jz0309]

Thanks for sharing MR, helpful as always!

 

[ian87w]

I wonder what that mystery button is.

It's the self-obsolescence button. Tim Cook will go to your house during Thanksgiving and press that button so you will have to buy a new iMac for Christmas...

 

[1madman1]

I was looking around for a teardown just yesterday. Zero inclination to buy an iMac (which is in my opinion by far the worst product in the Mac linueup), but I do want to know what makes it tick.

Not shocked to see that repairability is pretty much zero. Cooling system clogged up? Buy a new one.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I like seeing the x-rays iFixit does. I predict this will end up having a 6 /10 score.

 

[rafark]

I just love that the X-ray shows the Apple logo on the back is perfectly center aligned with the rounded-square internal area in the middle

That's what I called obsession: the desire to perfectly design anything down to the smallest detail, even if it's just an alignment between something you see and you don't.

I don’t think that’s the case. The logo and the square just happen to be center aligned both vertically and horizontally. It’s most likely just a coincidence. When you have a good design, these coincides happen naturally.

 

[rumorguy]

A stupid observation, but I see only one fan in the X-ray and in the photo, where is the second fan?

 

[dugbug]

That 8th GPU is HOT BABY!

Someone on Twitter suggested they might have planned to have the m1x ready for that imac