Apple iMac 2024 Review
The 2024 iMac wraps a brilliant display and capable M4 chip into Apple's iconic design. It's a fantastic all-in-one for most people, as long as you can live with its limited ports and storage.
The 30-Second Version
The 2024 iMac is a stunning, ultra-integrated AIO built for Apple's AI future. Its M4 chip and gorgeous 4.5K display make everyday tasks a joy, but limited ports and storage hold it back. Worth it for Apple ecosystem users who value design over raw power.
Overview
The 2024 iMac is Apple's latest all-in-one, and it's basically a gorgeous screen wrapped around an M4 chip. It's built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, which means it's ready for all the AI-powered writing and task automation Apple is rolling out.
You're getting that iconic, thin design in seven colors, a brilliant 4.5K display, and a webcam that actually makes you look good on calls. It's the ultimate 'it just works' machine for anyone deep in the Apple ecosystem.
Performance
The M4 chip is no joke for everyday tasks. Apps launch instantly, and it handles photo editing and multitasking like a champ. Our database shows its GPU performance is in the 97th percentile, which is wild for integrated graphics. But that 45th percentile CPU ranking tells the story: it's fast, but not a brute-force workstation. And yeah, the gaming score of 23/100 is accurate—this isn't a gaming rig.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is incredibly sharp. 100th
- M4 chip delivers excellent everyday and creative performance. 99th
- All-in-one design is sleek, quiet, and saves tons of desk space. 99th
- Center Stage camera and six-speaker audio are best-in-class. 95th
Cons
- Port selection is very limited, landing in the 22nd percentile. 17th
- 256GB base storage feels cramped and isn't user-upgradeable. 18th
- Not built for gaming or heavy, sustained professional workloads.
- You're paying a premium for the design and integration.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M4 |
| Cores | 10 |
| Frequency | 4.3 GHz |
Graphics
| GPU | Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 48 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR6 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 256 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Build
| Form Factor | All-in-One |
| Weight | 4.4 kg / 9.8 lbs |
System
| OS | macOS |
Value & Pricing
At around $1,390, it's a significant investment. You're paying for the seamless design, the brilliant display, and the Apple ecosystem magic. If you value a clean, quiet, and beautiful setup that works perfectly with your iPhone, it's worth it. If you just need raw computing power per dollar, a traditional desktop tower will get you more specs for the money.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to towers like the HP Omen 45L or Corsair Vengeance a7400, the iMac is in a different universe. Those are raw power gaming PCs with upgradable parts. The iMac trades all that flexibility for elegance and integration. Against other all-in-ones, its M4 efficiency and display quality are top-tier. But if ports or storage are a priority, some Windows AIOs might offer more flexibility for less.
| Spec | Apple iMac 2024 | Dell Alienware Dell Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop | HP OMEN HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop, Intel Core Ultra 7 | MSI EdgeXpert MSI EdgeXpert-11SUS AI Supercomputer | Lenovo Legion Lenovo - Legion Tower 5i Gaming Desktop - Intel | Acer Nitro Acer Nitro 60 Desktop Computer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | NVIDIA GB | Intel Core Ultra 7 265F | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 |
| RAM (GB) | 256 | 32 | 32 | 128 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 2048 | 2048 | 4096 | 1000 | 2048 |
| GPU | AMD Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti |
| Form Factor | All-in-One | Desktop | Desktop | Mini | mid-tower | Desktop |
| Psu W | - | 1000 | 850 | 240 | 500 | 850 |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | NVIDIA DGX OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iMac 2024 | 57.3 | 95 | 99.7 | 16.9 | 18 | 99.2 | 99.1 |
| Dell Alienware Aurora Gaming Compare | 97.8 | 87.9 | 86.3 | 99.4 | 93.1 | 71.9 | 93.8 |
| HP OMEN 45L Gaming Compare | 96.5 | 87.9 | 79.5 | 80 | 93.1 | 71.9 | 99.8 |
| MSI EdgeXpert EdgeXpert-11SUS AI Supercomputer Compare | 99.1 | 95 | 99.1 | 91.1 | 98 | 41.2 | 85.9 |
| Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gaming Compare | 87.5 | 74.6 | 88.5 | 99.4 | 59.3 | 71.9 | 99.8 |
| Acer Nitro 60 Compare | 86.8 | 84.7 | 79.5 | 77 | 93.1 | 36.1 | 87.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Can you upgrade the RAM or storage later?
No. The memory and storage are soldered onto the M4 chip. You must choose your configuration (16GB/256GB is base) at purchase, so think carefully about future needs.
Q: Is this good for video editing or gaming?
It's capable of light to moderate 4K video editing thanks to the strong GPU. For serious gaming, look elsewhere—our score for it is only 23 out of 100.
Q: How many external monitors does it support?
It supports one external display up to 6K, in addition to its built-in 4.5K screen. If you need multiple external monitors, a Mac Studio or MacBook Pro is a better fit.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a PC gamer, a video editor working with 8K footage, or anyone who needs lots of ports and internal expansion. Also, if you're on a tight budget and just need a basic computer, a Mac mini or a Windows desktop will give you more flexibility for less cash.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a beautiful, hassle-free desktop for home office work, creative hobbies, and general computing. It's perfect for writers, students, remote workers, and Apple fans who want everything to just work together seamlessly. The display and webcam alone make it a winner for video calls.