Apple iMac M1 Review: The All-in-One for Almost Everyone
By James Rughoo | Updated: May 13, 2026 | 12 min read
In late 2020, Apple took a gamble that shook the entire PC industry. It announced the M1 chip—its first processor designed entirely in-house for the Mac—and retired the Intel chips that had powered its computers for fifteen years. Skeptics were everywhere. Could Apple really replace a decade‑and‑a‑half of Intel collaboration with a custom chip that had never run a desktop operating system before? The answer, delivered by the 24‑inch iMac that arrived in spring 2021, was a resounding yes.
The iMac 24″ (M1, 2021) was more than a processor swap. It was a complete rethinking of the all‑in‑one desktop—thinner, lighter, more colorful, and astonishingly fast. Now, five years later, the M1 iMac remains a benchmark for what an everyday computer should be. This review covers everything you need to know: performance, display, design, ports, and, most importantly, who should buy it in 2026.
Part 1: The M1 Chip – Performance That Still Surprises
The heart of this iMac is the Apple M1 processor, an 8‑core CPU with four high‑performance “Firestorm” cores and four energy‑efficient “Icestorm” cores . It also packs a 7‑core or 8‑core GPU and a 16‑core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks . In 2026, while Apple has moved on to M2, M3, and even M4 chips in other Macs, the M1 is far from obsolete.
How Fast Is It Really?
When the M1 launched, its benchmark scores stunned reviewers. In GeekBench 5 single‑core tests, the M1 iMac scored around 1700, beating every existing Intel Mac at the time—including the $6,000 Mac Pro . In multi‑core tests, it landed just behind the fastest 27‑inch iMacs and low‑end Mac Pro models, a remarkable feat for what was then an entry‑level desktop .
Real‑world performance matches those numbers. Apps launch in a bounce or two. The iMac wakes from sleep instantly. Web browsing is buttery smooth, even with dozens of tabs open. Video calls in FaceTime or Zoom benefit from the 1080p FaceTime HD camera with computational video processing, which the M1’s image signal processor handles without breaking a sweat .
According to UL Benchmarks, the 8‑core GPU version of the iMac achieves a 3DMark Wild Life score of 9,998 with 98% stability, meaning it maintains its performance even under sustained load . The more demanding Wild Life Extreme test yields a score of 4,800 . For casual gaming, photo editing, and even some 4K video work, this is plenty of power.
Unified Memory: Why 8GB Feels Like More
One of the M1’s secret weapons is unified memory—RAM built directly onto the chip and shared by the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine . This architecture dramatically reduces the latency of moving data between components. Memory bandwidth on the M1 is roughly 3x faster than on a 16‑inch Intel MacBook Pro . The result is that the iMac can do more with less physical RAM.
The base model comes with 8GB of unified memory, configurable to 16GB . For most people—browsing, email, streaming, documents, light creative work—8GB remains perfectly adequate. Power users, particularly those running virtual machines or working with massive media files, should upgrade to 16GB.
| RAM Configuration | Best For |
|---|---|
| 8GB | Everyday tasks, web browsing, email, streaming, light productivity |
| 16GB | Photo editing, multitasking with many apps, light video editing, running Windows via Parallels |
Part 2: The Display – A 4.5K Retina Masterpiece
The 24‑inch 4.5K Retina display is arguably the iMac’s single best feature. With a resolution of 4480 x 2520 at 218 pixels per inch, text looks like print, images pop with detail, and you have ample screen real estate for productivity .
Visual Excellence
The panel supports 500 nits of brightness, wide color (P3) gamut, and True Tone technology, which adjusts the white balance to match your ambient lighting . The result is a display that feels natural and easy on the eyes, whether you are working late at night or in a sunlit room.
It can display 1 billion colors, making it a legitimate tool for amateur and even professional photo editors . The bezels are slim—far thinner than on older iMacs—and the chin, while still present, houses the logic board in a design that has become iconic.
Real Diagonal and External Displays
Apple notes that the actual diagonal screen size is 23.5 inches . The difference is negligible in practice. The iMac can also drive one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz via its Thunderbolt ports .
Part 3: Design – A Splash of Color, A Tangle of Cables?
The 2021 iMac is the most dramatic visual departure from prior models since the original iMac G3. It is available in seven colors: blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple . Each color is soft and sophisticated—not the garish neon of the 1990s. The front bezel is white, a choice that feels fresh compared to the black bezels of almost every other computer.
Thinness and Weight
The iMac is just 11.5 mm thick—so thin that the headphone jack had to be mounted on the side because the chassis was not thick enough to accommodate it vertically. It weighs between 9.83 and 9.88 pounds (4.46–4.48 kg), remarkably light for an all‑in‑one .
The Accessories
The iMac ships with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse that are color‑matched to the iMac itself . For the first time, the keyboard includes a Touch ID button for fingerprint unlocking and Apple Pay (on higher‑end configurations) .
However, not everyone is a fan. Some reviewers have called the Magic Mouse “still uncomfortable” for extended use, and the keyboard’s flat key travel is an acquired taste . The good news: you can configure the iMac with a Magic Trackpad instead, or add a keyboard with a numeric keypad .
The Power Brick and Port Selection
To achieve its thin profile, Apple moved the power supply outside the computer. The iMac comes with a 143W power adapter that includes a Gigabit Ethernet port on higher‑end models . This means your Ethernet cable plugs into the power brick, not the iMac itself.
The port selection is a point of contention. The iMac has two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports (40Gb/s) and a headphone jack. The higher‑end model adds two USB 3 ports (10Gb/s) and Gigabit Ethernet on the power brick . What is missing? An SD card reader and HDMI port . You will need dongles or adapters to connect older peripherals, external monitors beyond the single supported display, or SD cards.
Part 4: Audio and Camera – Surprisingly Good
The iMac features a high‑fidelity six‑speaker system with force‑cancelling woofers . For an all‑in‑one desktop, the audio is remarkable—rich, clear, and with genuine bass presence. The speakers support spatial audio when playing Dolby Atmos content, a feature that makes movies and music far more immersive .
The three‑mic array is “studio‑quality” with directional beamforming, meaning your voice comes through clearly on calls, even in moderately noisy environments . The 1080p FaceTime HD camera, combined with the M1’s image signal processor, delivers sharp, well‑exposed video that puts most laptop webcams to shame .
Part 5: Who Is the M1 iMac For? (And Who Should Look Elsewhere)
The headline from TechSpot’s review summary says it best: this iMac is “the family computer, re‑invented” . It is perfect for:
- Families: One computer in the living room or home office that everyone can use. The colors, the simplicity of macOS, and the all‑in‑one design are tailor‑made for shared households.
- Students: Powerful enough for research, writing, presentations, and even some light creative work, all in a package that fits on a dorm desk.
- Home office workers: Email, spreadsheets, video calls, document editing—the M1 iMac handles it all effortlessly, and the 4.5K display is easier on the eyes than most external monitors.
- Casual creators: iMovie, GarageBand, Lightroom, even DaVinci Resolve for 1080p or light 4K editing—the M1 iMac is surprisingly capable.
- First‑time Mac buyers: There is no better introduction to macOS than this iMac. It is simple, beautiful, and just works.
Who Should Not Buy the M1 iMac in 2026?
The M1 iMac is not for everyone, and being honest about its limitations is important.
Power users and professionals who need more than 16GB of RAM should look at the Mac Studio, Mac Pro, or the newer M4 iMac (released in late 2024). The M1 iMac cannot be upgraded after purchase—not the RAM, not the storage . What you buy is what you keep.
Gamers will be disappointed by the lack of discrete graphics options and the limited selection of macOS games. While the M1’s GPU is competent for casual titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Stray, or Hades, do not buy this for AAA gaming.
Users with many peripherals will find the port selection frustrating. If you regularly plug in an SD card, an external monitor, a hard drive, and a mouse dongle, you will need a Thunderbolt dock or multiple adapters.
| User Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Family / Student / Home Office | ✅ Perfect fit |
| Casual Creator (Photos, iMovie) | ✅ Very capable |
| First‑time Mac buyer | ✅ Ideal entry point |
| Professional video editor | ❌ Look at Mac Studio or Mac Pro |
| Gamer | ❌ Consider a PC with discrete GPU |
| Multi‑peripheral user | ❌ Port selection is limited |
Part 6: Pricing and Value – How Much Is It in 2026?
The M1 iMac originally launched at $999 for the 7‑core GPU, 2‑port model and $1,249 for the 8‑core GPU, 4‑port model . In 2026, prices have dropped, particularly on the refurbished and used markets.
New units are still available from some retailers, but Apple now focuses on the M4 iMac as its current‑generation model. This means the M1 iMac represents exceptional value for budget‑conscious buyers—provided you are comfortable with the limitations.
Pricing trends (approximate, May 2026):
| Condition | Typical Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| New (remaining stock) | $899 – $1,099 |
| Refurbished (Apple Certified) | $759 – $849 |
| Used (private seller) | $600 – $750 |
At these prices, the M1 iMac is a steal. You get a stunning 4.5K display, a fast and efficient processor, and Apple’s ecosystem integration for less than many standalone 4K monitors cost.
Part 7: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?
This is the central question. Apple has released the M2 iMac (2023), M3 iMac (2024), and now the M4 iMac (2024‑2025). Each brings incremental performance gains, particularly in graphics and machine learning.
However, the M1 iMac remains a viable purchase for several reasons:
- The display has barely changed. The M4 iMac uses a nearly identical 4.5K panel. You are not missing a generational leap in screen quality.
- Everyday performance is still excellent. For the “family computer” use case, you will not notice the difference between an M1 and an M4 when browsing the web, checking email, or streaming video.
- The price is right. A new M4 iMac starts at $1,299. A used M1 iMac can be found for half that, with little real‑world difference for most users.
- macOS support continues. Apple continues to support M1 Macs with the latest versions of macOS. The M1 iMac will likely receive software updates for several more years.
The only compelling reason to choose a newer iMac is if you need faster GPU performance (for gaming or 3D work) or the slightly improved AI capabilities of the Neural Engine in M3/M4 chips. Otherwise, the M1 iMac represents one of the best values in desktop computing in 2026.
Summary: The All‑in‑One for Almost Everyone
The Apple iMac 24‑inch (M1, 2021) is a triumph of design and engineering. It marries a gorgeous 4.5K Retina display to the revolutionary M1 chip, wraps them in a thin, colorful chassis, and delivers a user experience that is smoother and more pleasant than almost any Windows PC at its price point.
Its limitations are real—non‑upgradable internals, limited ports, and a stand with no height adjustment . But for the students, families, home office workers, and casual creators who represent the vast majority of computer users, those limitations are easy to accept given the iMac’s many strengths.
Five years after its release, the M1 iMac is no longer the newest kid on the block. But it remains one of the smartest purchases you can make—provided you go in with your eyes open about what it can and cannot do. For almost everyone, it is the all‑in‑one that gets the job done, looks beautiful doing it, and leaves money in your pocket for the things that really matter.
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Disclaimer: Prices, availability, and specifications are subject to change. This review is based on information available as of May 2026. The M1 iMac was released in 2021; Apple has since released M2, M3, and M4 iMac models. Prospective buyers should compare current‑generation options before making a purchase decision. The external links provided are for reference and do not constitute endorsements.
