Expert review Apple iMac 24 inches (2021)
Apple iMac 24 inches (2021)
- Thanks to the Apple M1 chip, you can effortlessly multitask with demanding programs like Final Cut Pro.
- The 4.5K screen has a 4.5 times sharper image than a Full HD screen.
- The iMac is just 11.5mm thick and thanks to the narrow bezels, you'll have relatively more screen space.
- Due to the M1 chip, you can't expand the RAM.
First impression of the iMac 24 inches (2021)
When I open the box, I notice right away that a lot of thought went into the packaging. The iMac rests firmly in the box, but when I push the sides out, I can easily take out the iMac. The sleek design and light weight stand out right away. The included Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and power cord have a matching color. That's not a must, but it provides a nice finish for your interior.
Different models
Apple releases the iMac 24 inches (2021) in 7 colors and in 2 different version. I test the more elaborate version. In addition to the 2 default Thunderbolt / USB-4 ports, this model has 2 extra USB-3 ports. My included Magic Keyboard has an extra Touch ID button to log in quickly. The power adapter of this version has a connector for a Gigabit Ethernet cable.
Connect quickly and easily
To get started with the iMac, I have to connect it to the power grid. I can do that quickly via the magnetic connector. The 143W power adapter has a nice addition, because it has an Ethernet port. This saves you a cable on your desk. Together with the wireless Magic Mouse and the wireless Magic Keyboard, you'll barely have any cables on your desk. You only have to use cables for external accessories. You can connect these to 4 available ports. There are 2 USB-3 ports and 2 Thunderbolt / USB-4 ports. People who've used Apple for a long time probably already have a cable converter. If you don't you have to buy it separately to use your external accessories.
Large 24-inch screen
The largest part of your iMac consists of the 24-inch screen. With a resolution of 4480x2520 pixels, Apple calls it a 4.5K screen. That seems less than the 5K screen of the 26-inch iMac from 2014, but both screen have 218 pixels per inch. In practice both monitors are equally as sharp. Thanks to True Tone, you'll also see realistic colors during any time of day. The screen also supports the wide P3 color representation and a 500-nits brightness. The photos I take on my iPhone are displayed sharply on my screen with many colors. I do think it's a shame you can adjust the height of the screen.
Work together better
When I'm in a video call with my MacBook form 2019, I'm always distracted by the bad image quality. Videos from the surface of Mars have a better resolution than the face of my colleague who's 20km away. With the 1080p FaceTime HD camera, that's no longer the case. The image is sharper and the colors are brighter. This way, the image is nicer to look at. The 6 speakers in the iMac provide a rich and deep sound. That way, I can clearly understand everybody. Thanks to the 3 built-in studio microphones, others can also understand me loud and clearly.
Daily tasks
With this iMac, Apple appeals to everyday users. You can easily work on your bookkeeping, you can make photobooks, or browse the internet. The Magic Touch Keyboard with Touch ID allows you to quickly log in anywhere and type comfortably. I've never like the Magic Mouse and that won't change, even when the colors match. Do you use Photoshop and do you often use multiple layers, or do you regularly edit 4K videos? The maximum RAM of 16GB isn't enough for that. In that case, a MacBook or a Mac Mini is a better fit for you.
Conclusion
For everyday use, this iMac is ideal. Thanks to the different colors, the iMac fits in any interior and the size of the screen is big enough to work comfortably. The sharp 1080 FaceTime HD camera makes video calls easier on your eyes. The performance of the maximum 16GB RAM can be a problem for professional image editors.
