The concept of the static all-in-one computer is becoming increasingly niche, and with that in mind the iMac might seem an extremely expensive proposition – one that can't move and only offers one screen size. But for the right user, it's an incredibly winsome machine packing incredible power in one of Apple's most beautiful designs ever.
For
Beautiful design
Incredibly powerful
Great camera
Against
Screen might be too small for some
Expensive for a non-portable device
No height adjustment
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Some might say the iMac doesn't need to exist. In a world of smartphones, tablets and laptops, the static desktop computer has been increasingly sidelined over the years, to the point that it arguably represents a niche, or even 'luxury', product. But Apple has remained faithful to its famous all-in-one, giving it a fresh design for the 2020s, and decking it out with the latest and greatest M4 chip in 2024. And while it won't be appropriate Mac for everyone, for the right user, it's a stunning machine.
From a better webcam to an increase in starting RAM, via the inevitable addition of USB-C for accessories, there are incremental upgrades over the M3 model across the board. But the chip is the real star here, making it a brilliant desktop computer for creatives in particular. And it helps that it looks beautiful too. The question is, if you already have a laptop, and you've invested in one of the many 4k monitors out there, do you need an iMac?
Key specifications
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CPU:
Apple M4 chip, 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
Graphics:
Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
Memory:
16GB unified memory configurable to 24GB or 32GB unified memory
It's impossible to write about the iMac without writing about the design. I've always loved Apple's slick all-in-one, but the company took it to the next level with the introduction of a palette of pastel hues and a new ultra-slim profile. In a world of utilitarian silvers and greys, the iMac is almost zen-like in appearance. It's a beautifully designed object, particularly from the back – which probably explains why Apple's marketing images so often show it in a shop or studio environment.
As ever, the iMac features colour-matched accessories. And while the Magic Mouse 2 remains one of Apple's worst design crimes thanks to its upside-down charging, at least it's colourful! And the addition of USB-C to the keyboard, mouse and trackpad makes the whole thing more convenient.
Of course, the iMac is almost all screen. The 24-inch (4480 x 2520 pixels) display is stunningly bright, with the M4 model, Apple has added the option to add a nano-texture display to reduce glare. Some have complained that the size could be larger, but I've found it plenty big enough for both everyday and creative tasks. But if you are, say, a designer or videographer who requires a bigger screen, you might want to be looking instead at the M4 Mac mini, and adding a monitor to that.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Features
While the main upgrade here is the chip, and we'll get to performance later, Apple has included a few quality-of-life improvements that add up to an altogether more satisfying all-in-one experience.
Perhaps most notable is the camera. The new iMac M4 comes equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, a major upgrade from the previous 2.1-megapixel version. The Center Stage feature works well, keeping you centered in the frame during video calls, even if you move around. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new Desk View feature, which is especially useful for educational settings. It allows you to share a top-down view of your desk during video calls, eliminating the need to hold items up to the camera.
Another impressive, although costly, upgrade, is the ability to add that nano-texture display. It might add $200 to the cost of the machine, but it's a brilliant addition, giving a soft, matte feel to the display and seriously reducing glare and reflections. I've been using the iMac right next to a large window for days, and even on bright sunny days (believe it or not, we get a couple of these a year in the UK), I've had no issues at all with the display. I couldn't go back to an iMac without nano-texture.
There are a couple of ways in which the M4 iMac does feel restricted. The stand offers no height-adjustment, which is limiting. And then there are features that competitors have implemented for years, but Apple has resisted across the board – chief of which is a touchscreen. I will admit that when coming to the iMac from my iPad, I have occasionally found myself absent-mindedly tapping the display. The shame!
Feature score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Benchmark scores
We test every one of our desktop computers using the same benchmarking software suite to give you a thorough overview of its suitability for creatives of all disciplines and levels. This includes:
• Geekbench: Tests the CPU for single-core and multi-core power, and the GPU for the system's potential for gaming, image processing, or video editing. • Cinebench: Tests the CPU and GPU's ability to run Cinema 4D and Redshift.
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GEEKBENCH 6
Row 0 - Cell 1
Row 0 - Cell 2
CPU Single-core:
CPU Multi-core:
GPU OpenCL:
3777
14756
35958
CINEBENCH 2024
Row 3 - Cell 1
Row 3 - Cell 2
CPU single-core:
CPU multi-core:
GPU:
171
856
4386
(Image credit: Future)
Performance
I’ve been testing the iMac with the 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine M4, and 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.
For every day tasks, there's nothing the iMac can't handle. I often work with far too many tabs open in Google Chrome, with Photoshop and Final Cut running at the same time, and haven't noticed any slowdown or stuttering.
But creative tasks are where the M4 iMac truly shines. It was able to handle multiple large files with several layers on Adobe Photoshop, and export them in a matter of seconds, and the same was true of large vector files on Adobe Illustrator.
Several creative apps have also begun implementing intensive AI-assisted tools, such as Pixelmator Pro's Super Resolution, which automatically enhances the resolution of an image. These are all incredibly snappy, and in many cases significantly faster than my daily driver, the M2 MacBook Air.
Video performance is also solid. I was able to export a 4K video with several cuts in Final Cut Pro in under a minute.
Simply put, the iMac M4 is one of the most powerful all-in-one computers money can buy, with some of the most impressive benchmark results we've seen across the board.
Performance score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Price
When it comes to the question of the iMac is for, the two major barriers are portability and price. We'll talk about the latter first. Even at its starting price of $1,299/£1,299 the iMac is expensive – and that's before adding extras like the nano-texture display and RAM upgrades. We've seen a few discounts (in the UK, Very is offering the base model for £1,205.)
Unsurprisingly, there aren't tons of iMac alternatives out there. You can bag the Dell Inspiron 27 all-in-one for £699, but it's nowhere near as powerful as the M4 iMac Pro.
Then there's the question of whether this is your first device. $1,299 isn't ludicrous for such a powerful computer – the M4 MacBook Pro starts at $/£1,599, for example. But in today's world, chances are you're going to want a laptop too, or at least an iPad. If the iMac is a second device, that hole in your wallet is starting to look pretty gaping.
Value score: 3/5
Who is it for?
Therein lies the rub. In 2025, this feels like a niche product. If you care about aesthetics, need a healthy dose of processing power, have budget to play with and are happy to stay in one place, the iMac is absolutely perfect for you. With it's beautiful design, the iMac was made to be looked at – it's begging to be placed in a fancy design studio or boutique store. Those who travel a lot need not apply – unless you already have a laptop and are specifically planning to use the iMac as a second at-home (or at-work) machine.
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iMac M4 score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design:
It's beautiful. Beautiful, I say. But it's staying in one place.
5/5
Features:
The screen, camera and accessories are great, although the lack of height adjustment and touchscreen detract.
4/5
Performance:
This is without doubt one of the most powerful all-in-one computers available.
5/5
Value:
Unless the iMac very specifically fits your needs, the price is high for such a niche product.
3/5
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You're looking for a computer that's also a beautiful design object
A 24-inch display will suffice
You already have (or don't need) a laptop or tablet for travelling
Apple's bring-your-own-keyboard-and-mouse desktop computer offers much more flexibility and customisation options. Of course, you'll need to buy all of those additional extras, and it's nowhere near as beautiful an object as the iMac. But if portability matters at all, this is a more compelling option.
The Verdict
8
out of 10
Apple iMac M4
The concept of the static all-in-one computer is becoming increasingly niche, and with that in mind the iMac might seem an extremely expensive proposition – one that can't move and only offers one screen size. But for the right user, it's an incredibly winsome machine packing incredible power in one of Apple's most beautiful designs ever.
Daniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of design, branding and lifestyle tech, and has covered several industry events including Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona and Adobe Max in Los Angeles.
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