iMac 2021: Everything you need to know about the new Apple iMac
The iMac 2021 is official, with Apple announcing the latest iteration of the all-in-one PC during the Apple Spring Loaded Event alongside the iPad Pro 2021 and AirTags.
The standout feature of the new iMac is arguably the redesign, with Apple making the PC slimmer while also introducing a range of vivid colour options. Slimming down the bezel has even allowed Apple to fit in a bigger 24-inch screen, which sees a stonking 4.5K resolution.
Powering the iMac 2021 is the M1 chip, the same processor inside the latest MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac Mini. Apple claims the M1 chip offers 85% faster speeds compared to the previous 21.5-inch Intel iMac.
For more information on the iMac 2021, keep scrolling down. And keep this article bookmarked for future updates.
iMac 2021 price – How much is the new iMac 2021?
The iMac 2021 has a starting price of £1249/$1299, for a model with an eight-core CPU and seven-core GPU. This entry-level model is available in Blue, Green, Pink and Silver.
There will also be a model with 256GB storage and a boosted eight-core GPU for £1449/$1499. Increasing the storage space to 512GB will see the price climb to £1649/$1699. These more expensive models are also available in additional colour options, including yellow, orange and purple.
iMac 2021 release date – When will it launch?
The iMac 2021 will launch in the second-half of May, with pre-orders opening on May 30, 2021.
Apple hasn’t revealed a specific release date just yet, but we’ll be sure to update this article as soon as we hear more.
iMac 2021 specs – How powerful is it?
Apple confirmed the iMac 2021 will feature the Apple M1 chip, which is the same processor found in the MacBook Air and Mac Mini.
The company claims this new iMac will see up to an 85% faster CPU compared to the preceding Intel model, and double the GPU horsepower to enable smoother video tasks.
The iMac will apparently be capable of editing up to five streams of 4K footage, or one stream of 8K footage, without dropping a frame in Final Cut Pro. That’s a big claim from Apple, but something we wouldn’t rule out given the impressive power of Apple Silicon.
From our experience with the MacBook Air, the M1 is an outstanding processor that excels at day-to-day workloads. The MacBook Air currently outpaces all Ultrabooks at a similar price point, and should be comfortably fast enough to please iMac users.
The M1 looks to benefit from very good thermal efficiency, too, requiring just two small fans to prevent it from overheating. This is thanks to the Arm architecture, which has long offered superior thermal efficiency to Intel Core processors.
iMac 2021 design – How does it look?
The iMac 2021 has seen a total redesign, sporting a significantly sleeker look. It’s available in seven different colour options to make it far more eye-catching than the previous silver iMacs.
Apple has trimmed down the screen’s surrounding bezel to fit in with modern designs, with a single glass sheet covering the entire front of all-in-one desktop PC. Apple has still found space to fit a webcam with a 1080p resolution above the screen, though, improving the quality of your Zoom calls.
Since the new M1 chip only requires two small fans to keep it cool, Apple has been able to make this the sleekest Mac yet. It has a similar footprint to the previous 21.5-inch iMac, despite having a larger 24-inch screen size.
Apple has introduced four USB-C ports at the iMac’s rear, of which two come with Thunderbolt support. There doesn’t appear to be any room for USB-A, though, which may frustrate fans – but it’s nothing an adapter can’t fix.
A magnetic power adapter plugs into the device’s back, with a small power brick featuring an Ethernet port. The aim appears to be to help reduce clutter, with the iMac looking to free up as much desk space as possible.
Apple also revealed that new accessories will be made available, including a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, allowing you to sign in via the fingerprint scanner. The Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse will also match the colour of your iMac.
iMac 2021 display – How good is the screen?
The iMac features an incredible 4.5K Retina display (4480 x 2520), presenting a substantially sharper and detailed picture over conventional 1080p monitors.
A slimmer bezel has enabled Apple to squeeze in a bigger 24-inch panel over its previous iMac with 21.5-inch screen.
Over a billion colours will reportedly be supported, with True Tone technology also confirmed; this automatically adjusts the colour tone to suit your surroundings. The new iMac comes with a 500-nit peak brightness, meaning it’s significantly brighter than the average (300 nits) monitor or laptop.
Apple is still refusing to add touchscreen support, so you won’t be able to doodle or sketch on this device like the rumoured Surface Studio 3.
The Trusted Take: iMac 2021
The new iMac 2021 looks absolutely incredible, not only seeing a significant performance boost, but also an overhaul to the design for a sleeker, more colourful range to fit in with modern trends.
Apple looks to have prioritised the features required for working at home, offering an upgraded webcam, clutter-free cable solutions, and a sleeker-than-ever design that should take up minimal desk space.
While I’ll need to review it before reaching any final conclusions, I genuinely do think this iMac will be one of the most exciting gadgets of 2021 – there simply isn’t another all-in-one PC package that comes close. You’re seemingly getting a super-high resolution and class-leading performance for a very reasonable price.
My only concerns are the meagre 256GB storage options in the entry-level models, and lack of legacy ports that will make users reliant on USB-C. But these are minor niggles considering the overall iMac package – Apple has knocked it out of the park. Keep an eye on Trusted Reviews for future updates and our eventual review.