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iMac

Originally released in 1998. the iMac ($1,099 and up) started life as Apple’s fun all-in-one computer, evolving into a more serious “right for practically everyone” option over time. For Pro users, there is also an iMac Pro model as well.

Apple first introduced the aluminum iMac in August 2007 with 20-inch and 24-inch options. This was a major update compared to the previous plastic design of the machine, which was available in 17″, 20″, and 24″screen sizes between August of 2004 and August of 2007. The mid-2007 model, however, was only a stepping stone. Despite featuring an aluminum front-face, it still featured a back casing made of black plastic, which was a stark difference from the sleek aluminum front.

In 2009, Apple released a new lineup with aluminum unibody design in 21.5″ and 27″ screen sizes – introducing the two screen sizes that are still in use today. This design has ended up shaping the future of the iMac, with Apple focusing on revising it rather than completely redesigning.

In October 2012, Apple redesigned the iMac with an ultra-slim side profile and removed the SuperDrive. While the thinnest point measures 5mm, there’s still a bulge in the back to accommodate the iMac’s internals and cooling system. In 2015, the iMac was upgraded with a Retina display upgrade option.

In March of 2019, Apple released a minor upgrade to the 4K and 5K iMac lineup. The updates include new 6-core and 8-core Intel CPUs with Radeon Pro Vega graphics options.

The 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1299. The base model includes a 3.6GHz 8th-generation Intel i3 processor, 8 GB RAM, a 1 TB hard drive, and Radeon Pro 555X graphics.F or $1799, the base model 27-inch iMac includes a 3GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB Fusion Drive, and a Radeon Pro 570X GPU. The Radeon Pro Vega 48 GPU upgrade costs $450 build-to-order, and is not offered on any base iMac configuration. The iMacs continue to feature spinning hard drives as the default with upgrade options for Fusion Drives and Flash storage.

Apple also sells a $1099 low end of the iMac, but it doesn’t include a 4K display and includes an older processor. For your money, it’s recommended to get at least the $1299 model. If you are considering any upgrades, the 256 GB flash storage upgrade will go a long way at improving long term durability and speed.

If you are looking to mount your iMac on a wall, Apple offers a model with a VESA compatible stand for a $40 upgrade.

If you are looking for the latest deals on Apple’s iMac, check out 9to5Toys.com

Need extra cash to upgrade? Sell your old Apple devices to 9to5Mac’s trade-in partner.

New M4 iMac is the first to support 8K output at 120Hz [Update: removed]

M4 iMac

Update 6:18am ET, October 29: Apple has removed mentions of support for 8K at 120Hz from the iMac tech specs page.

  • 8-core CPU and GPU M4 iMac: One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz
  • 10-core CPU and GPU M4 iMac: Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz or one external display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz

Apple has confirmed to 9to5Mac that the mention of 8K at 120Hz support on its website was an error. The M4 iMac does not support this specification.


Apple on Monday introduced a new generation of the iMac, which is now powered by the M4 chip. Although it looks almost identical to the previous model, the new M4 iMac comes with a few new tricks – and one of them is support for 8K output at 120Hz for compatible displays.

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M4 iMac shows Apple’s commitment to the all-in-one after some missed turns

Today’s M4 iMac announcement shows just how serious Apple is about the all-in-one desktop line.

The M1 iMac made a huge splash. It brought the return of colors, featured a giant iPad-like design, and sported a larger display with more resolution than the 4K 21.5-inch Intel iMac it replaced. Then Apple introduced the M2 chip, put it inside a bunch of Macs, and left the M1 iMac untouched.

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Apple posts event video for new M4 iMac, confirms first of three Mac announcements this week

M4 iMac event

Apple today launched the new M4 iMac in a press release, while simultaneously posting an announcement video to YouTube that looks like it could have been cut straight out of a streamed event video.

John Ternus introduces the new iMac as the first of “three exciting new product announcements” coming this week, all but confirming the imminent unveiling of the new Mac mini and MacBook Pro with M4 lineup coming Tuesday and Wednesday. Watch the video after the break …

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Global Mac shipments fell 17.5% ahead of M4 updates

Global Mac shipments fell 17.5% ahead of M4 updates | Conceptual image of M4 Mac

A new market intelligence report indicates that global Mac shipments fell by 17.5% year-on-year in the previous quarter. That’s against a backdrop of roughly flat sales across all laptops and desktops.

Technically Q3 saw the global PC market achieve a fourth consecutive quarter of growth, as total shipments were up year-on-year, though just barely …

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Apple patent may (slightly) hint at touchscreen iMac similar to Microsoft Surface Studio

Touchscreen iMac hint along the lines of Microsoft Surface Studio (shown)

Although Apple has long rejected the concept of a touchscreen iMac or MacBook, and for good reason, there was one product which made us wonder whether there might be a role for such a device: the Microsoft Surface Studio (above).

Take away the Microsoft logo and Windows UI, and you could easily imagine it was designed by Apple. It’s today being suggested that a new patent application might hint at the possibility of making a Mac version …

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Apple says it is not making a new 27-inch iMac

Apple really wants customers to buy the new M3 iMac, so much so they have told The Verge today that the company has no plans to make a 27-inch iMac running on Apple Silicon.

This means prospective buyers can stop holding out hope for a direct successor to the 27-inch iMac form factor that existed in the Intel era. However, Apple’s statement to press today specifically refers to the 27-inch model, which leaves the door open to a possible future iMac with an even larger display …

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Everything Apple announced at Scary Fast – and the things it didn’t

Everything Apple announced at Scary Fast | Still from promo video showing new MacBook Pro in diner

There weren’t too many surprises in last night’s Scary Fast event. The event was entirely Mac-focused; all three M3 chips are available simultaneously; the M3-powered 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models were the stars of the show; and the 24-inch iMac got updated from the M1 chip to the M3 one.

But there were still a couple of somewhat unexpected developments – and it’s also worth noting what Apple didn’t announce …

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