Apple iMac 24-inch All-in-One M4 chip Built for Intelligence 10 Core CPU 10 Core GPU Blue 2024 Review

The 24-inch iMac with the M4 chip is a beautiful and reliable all-in-one desktop perfect for Apple users who value design and simplicity. However, its base 256GB storage is very limiting, and its integrated graphics aren't suited for gaming or heavy creative work. For the price, you're paying a premium for the form factor over raw performance.

If you're looking for a clean, stylish all-in-one desktop that just works, the 24-inch iMac with the M4 chip is a strong contender. It's Apple's latest take on the iconic design, now supercharged for Apple Intelligence and packed into a thin, colorful chassis. We're looking at the base configuration here: an M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. It's built for the home office or a small business, and it's priced between $1390 and $1499 depending on where you look. The big question is whether this sleek package offers enough power and storage for the money, especially when you compare it to traditional desktop towers.

Performance is a mixed bag, and our database scores tell the story. The M4's 10-core CPU lands in the 46th percentile, which means it's solidly mid-range. For everyday tasks like browsing, video calls, and office work, it's more than enough. Apps like Photoshop and Zoom feel snappy thanks to Apple Silicon optimization. But the integrated 10-core GPU sits in the 8th percentile, which explains its abysmal 20.1/100 gaming score. This is not a machine for anything beyond casual games. The 16GB of RAM is also in the 37th percentile, which might feel tight if you're a heavy multitasker running virtual machines or massive creative projects. The 256GB SSD is the real bottleneck, ranking in the 15th percentile. That's barely enough for the OS, a few apps, and your documents before you're eyeing external drives.

The value proposition hinges entirely on how much you prize the all-in-one form factor and Apple ecosystem. At $1390 to $1499, you're paying a premium for the design, display, and integration. For the same money, a Windows desktop tower like the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i or an HP Omen would give you a much more powerful dedicated GPU, easier upgrade paths, and often more storage. But you'd also have a big box, separate monitor, and cables. If a clean, compact setup is non-negotiable and you live in the Apple world, the iMac has its appeal. Just know you're trading raw specs for convenience and style.

Compared directly to its top competitors, the iMac carves out a very different niche. The HP Omen 45L and Dell Alienware Aurora are gaming powerhouses with dedicated graphics cards that absolutely demolish the iMac's GPU performance. They're for a different user. A closer competitor for the 'compact desktop' crowd might be something like the ROG NUC gaming mini PC, which is also small but offers more GPU power and upgradeability in a less elegant package. The iMac's real competition is often previous-generation iMacs or the Mac mini paired with a nice monitor. If you don't need the built-in display, a Mac mini with an M4 Pro chip might offer better performance for a similar total cost.

Skip this iMac if you're a gamer, a video editor working with high-resolution footage, a software developer running multiple virtual machines, or anyone who needs lots of local storage for a media library or large projects. The 256GB SSD and integrated graphics won't cut it. Also, avoid it if you like to upgrade your PC over time. Look at a Mac mini with more storage, a Mac Studio, or a Windows desktop tower instead.

So, should you buy this iMac? If you want the simplest, prettiest all-in-one computer for general home or office use, and you're deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem, it's a great choice. The experience is polished, the display is fantastic, and it'll be reliable for years. But for almost everyone else, we have to say no. The 256GB storage is a deal-breaker for long-term use, and the GPU is too weak for any creative or gaming ambitions. You're better off configuring a model with at least 512GB of storage, which pushes the price even higher, or looking at a Mac mini or a Windows alternative that gives you more power and flexibility for your dollar.