iMac 2021 review: All-in-one impressive new look

The iMac 2021 heralds a new chapter for Apple’s desktop. With a new design, Apple’s own M1 chip and a number of smart improvements, the iMac is ready for the future. We have tested it extensively for this iMac 2021 review.

The iMac that we tested for this review was purchased by iPhoned itself.

design

Of course, we’ll start with the design, the most eye-catching innovation of the iMac 2021. While the computer still looks unmistakably like an iMac, the design has been modernized. You’ll notice this immediately when you take the device out of the (beautifully designed) box: the new iMac is wafer-thin and feather-light.

The new desktop is almost as thick as an iPad Pro, while all the necessities are still incorporated in this screen. A very impressive achievement that is mainly due to the M1 chip from Apple, about which more later.

Apple harks back to the classic design of the Mac by offering the 2021 iMac in a number of cheerful colors. From red to blue and from purple to green: there is no shortage of bright colors this year. Each model combines a light and dark color to create a fresh and modern image. Personally, we love the green edition, which combines the light green of the front and foot with a dark green back and edges.

Please note that not all device configurations are available in all these colors. For example, the purple and yellow variants are only available if you choose the more expensive version.

Apple wouldn’t be Apple if some controversial design choices were also made. For example, all iMacs now have narrower white screen edges, which gives it a fresh look but also accentuates the screen edges. Especially if you turn on the dark mode of macOS in the evening, this white border jumps out in a negative way.

Also, the ‘chin’ with its bright color is now more striking than ever and feels a bit bare, especially because there is nothing else on it. The Apple logo that we know from all previous iMacs is now placed on the back, making the front look ‘unfinished’. This is of course a matter of taste and will vary from person to person. We see the fact that Apple has finally tackled the design as one of the big plus points of this iMac.

Specs: M1 chip steals the show

However, an iMac is more than a pretty thing to put away on a desk: it will become their primary computer for most people. If we look at the iMac in that way, it is striking what a complete product Apple has made of it. From its accessories to its features and quality, this will be an excellent desktop computer for many people.

This is largely due to the M1 chip, Apple’s proprietary processor that replaces Intel’s variant. With Tim Cook’s company making its own Mac chips, the performance implications are huge. Last year, with the arrival of the M1 MacBooks, we already saw that Apple was setting new standards in terms of speed.

The exact same chip is now in this iMac, which provides an enormous amount of computing power. And because the M1 chip is so efficient, it also requires little cooling to keep the device running. The wafer-thin design is mainly due to this chip.

Despite the compact design and light weight, the iMac 2021 is able to run multiple apps at the same time without any problems and things like photo editing are no problem at all. An additional advantage is that thanks to the M1 chip you can also install some iOS applications on your iMac. There will be more and more of these slowly but surely.

This iMac has a clear target audience

But is this iMac good enough for you? That has always been a difficult question, which is now a little easier to answer. Do you think the tasks you want to do on this iMac are doable on an M1 MacBook Pro? Then it will probably work without any problems. Only when you want more than that, you will notice that the iMac 2021 has reached its ceiling.

It’s important to remember that this iMac actually replaces the 21.5-inch model from 2019. At the time of writing, there is therefore no alternative to the larger 27-inch iMac, which has always been more aimed at the professional user. The lack of configuration options and the fact that you can only choose a maximum of 16GB of RAM says something about the target group that Apple wants to appeal to with this Mac.

Improved webcam, accessories and keyboard

To usher in the new chapter of the iMac, Apple has made some other nice improvements. The desktop has been given a much improved front camera, something that is much needed in this time when we massively video call each other.

In addition, the built-in speakers have been refurbished and you can hear that clearly: listening to music or watching movies on the iMac 2021 is fantastic and sounds great. The bass tones are low and deep, without sacrificing subtle details. As a result, an iMac can easily fill a large room with sound.

The box of the new iMac also contains three accessories, in matching colors of the iMac you have chosen. A Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad with a subtle new design, with more rounded corners and a new Magic Keyboard. A nice detail: even the included Lightning-to-USB-C cable is the same color as the Mac, just like the magnetic power cable that powers the desktop.

What we find a bit stingy is Apple’s choice to give the entry-level model of 1449 euros a keyboard without a Touch ID sensor, while it is present on the cheaper MacBook Air. That Touch ID button is the nicest addition to the new keyboard. To make that option only available for models from 1669 euros feels a bit childish.

Price quality

The iMac 2021 is available in three configurations, with the entry-level model costing 1449 euros. That makes it exactly as expensive as the entry-level MacBook Pro with the M1 chip. The advantage of a MacBook is of course the portability, although you do get a considerably larger screen with the iMac. That does not make the iMac 2021 cheap, but in our opinion it is worth the money.

However, if you have an extra 200 euros to spend, we still recommend going for the slightly more expensive model. This has a slightly more powerful gpu (the graphics chip), extra connections, a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, better cooling and an Ethernet port in the charger. These are all valuable updates, especially for those who plan to use the iMac for as long as possible.

This is an iMac that you can easily use for five years without any problems, thanks in part to the long-term software support that Apple offers. However, if you think that the iMac is not powerful enough, we recommend that you wait a little longer. A new 27-inch iMac can be announced at any time.

Conclusion iMac 2021 review

The iMac 2021 successfully opens a new chapter in Apple’s desktop story. The design is future-proof with its colorful design, the M1 chip steals the show in terms of performance and the great speakers and improved front camera make this an excellent choice for many people. Just check for yourself whether this Mac is powerful enough for you, and depending on that, wait and see what Apple plans to do with the 27-inch variant.

buy iMac 2021

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