iMac (Apple silicon)

iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021) in orange
Developer	Apple Inc.
Type	All-in-one
Release date	May 21, 2021
System on a chip	Apple M-series
Predecessor	iMac (Intel-based)
Related	Mac Mini,Mac Studio,Mac Pro

TheiMac withApple silicon is a line ofall-in-one desktopMacs made byApple Inc. since 2021. The first major redesign of theiMac line since 2012, the case and internals were redesigned to use Apple's custom processors, starting with theM1system on a chip. The Apple silicon iMac features a 24 inches (610 mm) screen in a thin aluminum enclosure, elevated off the resting surface by a foot, and comes in seven colors.

Apple started shipping the first Apple silicon iMacs on May 21, 2021. The line was revised in 2023 to use theApple M3 chip and in 2024 to use theApple M4. Reception to the iMac has generally been positive; critics highlighted the design, ease of use, and portability as positive features, while the lack of ports and height adjustment, cost, and lack of a larger screen size were common criticisms.

The Apple silicon iMac is anall-in-onepersonal computer, with the computer components integrated into an enclosure with the display. The Apple silicon iMac is the first major redesign to the line since 2012. In lieu of the two previous size options—21.5 inches (550 mm) and 27 inches (690 mm)—the Apple silicon iMac comes in a single 23.5-inch (600 mm) (rounded to 24-inch) display size.^[1][2] The computer is flat-backed and 0.45 inches (11 mm) thick, with half the volume and roughly 30 percent smaller footprint than the 21.5 inches (550 mm) iMac. As it does not fit in the shrunken enclosure, the power supply is located externally and connects magnetically to the computer.^[2][3] The display tilts on a hinge attached to its non-removable metal foot; there is no way to adjust the display's height. A VESA mounting option is configurable at purchase.^[4][5]USB ports are located on the back of the machine, while the headphone jack andGigabit Ethernet port, due to their size being thicker than the case thickness, are located elsewhere—the Ethernet port on the power supply (dependent on configuration) and the 3.5-mm audio jack on the left edge of the iMac.^[2][4][6]

The screen is aRetina display, with a resolution of 4480 x 2520 pixels.^[7] It is surrounded by white bezels shrunk by roughly half compared to its predecessor.^[1][2] The majority of the computer components are found in a small chin below the display.^[2] The computer comes in seven colors—silver, blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, and purple—in a two-tone finish, with a lighter pastel tint on the front of the computer, and a darker shade on the back.^[1][2] The included peripherals and power cords are color-matched to the finish, as are themacOS operating software accent color and wallpaper.^[6] Above the display is a1080p-resolution webcam, with image signal processing performed by the Apple silicon. The iMac captures audio through an array of three microphones and outputs sound through a six-speaker system that supportsDolby Atmos.^[8]

The iMac comes in two different models. The cheaper models come with twoThunderbolt/USB4 ports next to the power button at the back edge of the computer^[9] and lackGigabit Ethernet as standard. They also have lower-specification chips with fewer graphics processing unit (GPU) cores. The more expensive models add two USB-C ports, come with Gigabit Ethernet, have higher configurable storage options, and have a keyboard withTouch ID authentication. In early revisions, some colors were also exclusive to certain models.^[7][8][10] The memory and storage are soldered and not upgradeable, while other parts such as the speakers, ports, and webcam are modular and can be replaced if defective.^[11]

On June 22, 2020, Apple CEOTim Cook announced the Mac wouldtransition from Intel processors to Apple-designed processors that use theARM64 architecture, branded as Apple silicon. Apple announced a 24 inches (610 mm) iMac based on theApple M1system on a chip on April 20, 2021.^[12] It was the first iMac available in multiple colors since theiMac G3, with Apple marketing manager Colleen Novielli saying the choice was made to make the new iMacs feel "light and optimistic";CNET attributed the shift in part as a move away from minimalism and a return to nostalgia amid the work-from-home movement during theCOVID-19 lockdowns.^[13] Apple also suggested the variety of colors helped the machine feel at home in more settings, whereas the previous silver iMacs were found in offices.^[14] Former Apple designerJony Ive contributed to its development.^[15]

The initial M1 iMacs featured 8-core processors with either 7 or 8 GPU cores, 256 GBsolid-state drives, and 8 GB ofrandom access memory, configurable up to 2 TB of storage and 16 GB of memory.^[7] The iMacs shipped with aMagic Mouse 2 orMagic Trackpad 2 with a color-matching aluminum underside. It could be configured with one of three updatedMagic Keyboards with rounded corners: a standard version, a version with aTouch ID sensor, and an extended layout version with a numeric keypad and Touch ID. The Magic Keyboards with Touch ID are compatible with other Mac computers with Apple silicon but initially only shipped with the iMac.^[16]

Apple announced updated iMac models on October 30, 2023. These models featured theApple M3 chip with 8 CPU cores and up to 10 GPU cores, fasterWi-Fi 6E andBluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and up to 24 GB of memory.^[17] The M3 chip adds support for improved graphics features, such asraytracing in hardware.^[18] The models also include aThread radio unannounced by Apple.^[19] The design, pricing, and other features remained identical.^[5] The line was revised again on October 28, 2024, with theApple M4 chip. The M4 models feature modified colors, 16 GB memory as standard, an improved webcam that supportsCenter Stage, support two external displays, and come bundled with USB-C peripherals.^[10][20]

The Apple silicon iMac received generally positive reviews from critics.Ars Technica's Samuel Axon andPCMag's Joe Osborne considered the iMac a return to the product line's roots as a simple computer for consumers.^[2][21] Reviewing the M1 model,PCMag's Tom Brant suggested the new iMac could define the next decades of desktop computing.^[14] Reviews often highlighted its role as an approachable computer for families.^[22][23] The reduced weight and size of the iMac made it easy to transport, with Jason Snell saying that while no one would use the iMac as a laptop it was far more mobile than its predecessor.^[6] In contrast Dan Seifert, writing forThe Verge, questioned whether a "a simple all-in-one desktop computer is something most people want or need at this point".^[5]

The colorful redesign was generally praised as stylish and well-considered,^[8][18][23] withTechRadar's Matt Hanson writing that the "bold and modern" redesign had successfully refreshed a product that had become outdated.^[24] Some reviewers felt that the white bezels were a step down from the black of its predecessors,^{[2][6][23][25]} or that the bold look and bright colors were not for everyone.^[26] Katie Collins fromCNET said the design was a statement piece that served as a "symbol of hope" while working from home during theCOVID-19 pandemic; she considered this to be part of an anti-minimalism trend and the end to "austerity" in product design.^[13] Technology bloggerJohn Gruber predicted its design would stand the test of time.^[27] Some reviews likened the design to a largeiPad on a stand.^[11][28] Some reviews lamented the bulky external power brick, while others appreciated that the addition of ethernet on the brick allowed for reduced desktop clutter.^[6][4][14] Other points of praise were the improved webcam, speakers, and microphones.^{[4][6][14][22]}

The iMac's speed was positively noted,^[29][30] withEngadget testing finding the machine's responsiveness waking from sleep mode or starting up welcome.^[22] Monica Chin noted the iMac achieved higher single-coreGeekbench performance scores than any previous iMac, including theiMac Pro.^[8] Benchmarks and testing found the Apple silicon iMacs performed similarly to other Apple computers with the same chip.^[14][25] The main weakness of the machines was noted as its graphics capabilities,^[5][9][31] though some reviewers of the M3 models were surprised by its games performance.^[29][30]Tom's Guide andDigital Trends found the entry-level iMac disappointingly limited and the added costs to add Touch ID unreasonable.^[4][26]PCMag,USA Today and others felt the machine quickly became pricey for the specs, as a similarly-performingMac mini could be had for half the price.^{[14][22][29][31]}

Reviews found the iMac's display bright and clear,^[14][22][30] although in bright environments the glossy screen could cause glare.^[29][32]Wired and others criticized the removal of the larger 27-inch screen size, finding the smaller screen occasionally cramped.^[33][5] The continued lack of height adjustment on the display was faulted.^{[9][22][23][26]} Other complaints included the paltry number of ports and their placement,^[4][14][30] and the low amount of starting memory and storage in the entry-level machines.^[23]

The Apple Silicon iMacs pivoted the line back to a consumer focus and away from enthusiast and professional use cases, a role it had grown into during the Intel-powered iMac era alongside stagnation of Apple'sMac Pro lineup in the 2010s.^[34] Snell found that the entry-level processor kept the iMac from being a choice for users who needed more power,^[6] and some critics wished for a higher-end and larger "iMac Pro".^[5][26][31]

ThemacOS operating system has been pre-installed on all Apple silicon iMac computers since release, starting with versionmacOS Big Sur, which is the first release of macOS that can run on Apple Silicon Macs.

Supported macOS releases

OS release	M1, 2021	M3, 2023	M4, 2024
11 Big Sur	11.3	—	—
12 Monterey		—	—
13 Ventura		13.5	—
14 Sonoma			—
15 Sequoia			15.1
26 Tahoe

Timeline of iMac and eMac models v t e
See also:List of Mac models

• iMac M1 specs at Everymac.com

• ARM Macintosh computers
• Computer-related introductions in 2021
• IMac family
• Macintosh all-in-ones

• Pages using the EasyTimeline extension
• Articles with short description
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• Good articles