M1 iMac Reviews: Impressively Fast With Long-Awaited Redesign

[MacRumors]

The embargo has lifted on reviews of Apple's new 24-inch iMac, powered by the same M1 chip that debuted in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini last year. We've gathered up impressions of the colorful new computer below.

The most striking aspect of the new iMac is its long-awaited redesign, with an ultra-thin 11.5mm chassis that comes in up to seven vibrant colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. The Verge's Monica Chin said the new colors have generated lots of interest on TikTok and are "clearly a hit with certain crowds":

I'm not quite convinced that the jazzier models will fit in outside of especially stylish homes and offices. But I will say: I've never seen so many of my friends, or so many people on TikTok, as excited about a tech product as they seem to be about the colored iMacs. The hues are a nice change, aren't obnoxious, and are clearly a hit with certain crowds.

As seen in benchmark results last week, the new iMac benefits from the impressive performance of the M1 chip, with Chin noting that there has never been a better iMac to buy for simple everyday tasks:

This iMac model achieved a higher score on the Geekbench 5 single-core benchmark than any Mac we've ever seen before — even the iMac Pro. That means if you're looking for a device for simpler everyday tasks that don't scale to every available CPU core (and that largely seems to be the demographic that Apple is trying to sell this machine to), there has literally never been a better iMac for you to buy.

Benchmark results revealed the new iMac is up to 56% faster than the previous high-end 21.5-inch iMac with an Intel Core i7 processor.

The Verge's video review:

Writing for Six Colors, Jason Snell remarked on the controversial bezels around the display:

The bezels around the display itself are a neutral gray. It's effectively a gradient, with your peripheral vision noticing the bright color, but that accent fading away until you're left with whatever is on the display itself. It works really well, though I imagine that if you're someone who prefers using Dark Mode in brightly lit rooms, it will be a pretty dramatic contrast. (I'm a Light Mode person myself, and I found the overall effect quite harmonious. But then, my office wall is orange.)

The Guardian's Samuel Gibbs said the new iMac is the best 24-inch all-in-one-computer available:

There's no doubt this is the best 24in all-in-one computer available and one of the very best Macs you can buy. But it is not perfect. The lack of USB-A ports and an SD card slot will mean users require adapters for older gear, but it is the fact that Apple still hasn't made the iMac height adjustable that is the most irritating. You can buy the 24in iMac with a universal VESA mount so you can add your own adjustable stand. iMacs balanced on third-party height risers, books or reams of paper will remain a common sight for years to come.

The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern:

We've rounded up links to more iMac reviews below:

• Rene Ritchie at iMore
• Devindra Hardawar at Engadget
• Joanna Stern at The Wall Street Journal
• Dan Ackerman at CNET
• Tom Brant at PCMag

We also have a roundup of iMac unboxing videos, including new color-matching Apple logo stickers included in the box.

A look at the color-matching Apple logo sticker from Dave Lee's review video:

The new iMac became available to pre-order starting April 30 and will begin arriving to customers on May 21. The new iMac will also be on display in all seven colors at most Apple Store locations starting May 21.

Article Link: M1 iMac Reviews: Impressively Fast With Long-Awaited Redesign

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Can’t wait! Mine should be getting delivered next week! My cousin bought the new MacBook Air with the M1 processor and he says all of his applications run so much faster! With the M1 being as fast as it is, I’m really looking forward to the future of Apple’s computers!

 

[Populus]

Woah, I really, really like the orange and blue iMac colors on this picture!!

EDIT: turns out, that’s the purple one. I’m eager to see the blue and the green ones!

 

[EvilEvil]

Why do those screens have 4:3 aspect ratio? 😂

 

[mozumder]

Orange is the one to get.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

You need to have an especially stylish home to justify a computer that isn’t beige? Were we saying this when the G3 iMac colors came around?

 

[Royksöpp]

The glass or plastic Apple logo is very reminiscent of past Macs. It makes me hopeful for the return of the glowing Apple logo on The new MacBook Pro. Anything is better than the shiny metal logo they have been using for the past 5 years.

 

[Lemon Olive]

It would be so much easier to appreciate the existence of this new iMac if they hadn't left everyone else out in the cold who needs a larger and higher performance version...that isn't pastel.

 

[Royksöpp]

You need to have an especially stylish home to justify a computer that isn’t beige? Were we saying this when the G3 iMac colors came around?

The iMac is quite bold on its own, so you really don’t want anything that will contrast too much against it.

 

[AmazeSE]

It actually comes with two dual tone Apple stickers.

 

[Adelphos33]

For all the moaning about this computer, it looks like an incredible machine. I would buy one if I were in the market for an all-in-one.

 

[iDento]

While I think the new iMac looks fine “not great”, my family and friends think that these colors are too good to be true. With the price of the new iMac, it will sure fly out of the shelves, anyone who have no time to tinker with gadgets, wants a computer that looks good, or simply wants a great display with a price that won’t break the bank will get one of these.

 

[ccsicecoke]

Oh hell!

It’s ugly beyond one’s imagination!

 

[coredev]

Still not a fan of the colors

 

[JuicelessMango]

That Orange looks amazing!

 

[Populus]

It actually comes with two dual tone Apple stickers.

View attachment 1776631

Do they fit on the front chin?

EDIT: oh excuse me, I thought that was your iMac, but that hand seems to be from Marques.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I honestly think Apple nailed it with the IMac this year. Good job Apple.

 

[wfulle]

Why do those screens have 4:3 aspect ratio? 😂

I can't unsee it now

 

[EmotionalSnow]

It would be so much easier to appreciate the existence of this new iMac if they hadn't left everyone else out in the cold who needs a larger and higher performance version...that isn't pastel.

Don’t worry. Apple will gladly give you something that will make you want to give them your money but you’ll have to wait a bit longer.

 

[lk400]

Somehow, whenever I look at these, I imagine my 7th generation iPod nano. Can’t get the image out if my mind.

 

[AmazeSE]

Which iMac looks better and thinner in this shot?? 😉



EDIT: Fellow MacRumors user Woochoo pointed out that at 2:10, the new iMac looks thinner compared to the previous one. So this picture is deceiving and it all depends the angle from which the picture was taken.

But I truly believe that Apple could have improved upon the previous design as it still is amazing.

 

[usagora]

Why do those screens have 4:3 aspect ratio? 😂

Yep, not the most flattering angle in that photo!

 

[Lord Hamsa]

"This iMac model achieved a higher score on the Geekbench 5 single-core benchmark than any Mac we've ever seen before — even the iMac Pro."

Um... not sure why the reviewer would say that like it's a surprise. Mac Pro single core isn't it's strength at all - it's designed to have OK single core but kick butt on multi-core.

 

[RoelJuun]

Even the stand looks ugly from the side. And… still not height adjustable which is ridiculous.

 

[Successful Sorcerer]

These look so good! Even better in the "real life" footage. And unbelievable they're still complaining about usb-a, if it's such a problem you can just change the cable for very little money.