In its super-thin 2021 version, Apple’s classic iMac has been transformed inside and out, gaining a rainbow of color choices and Apple’s M1 chip. But Intel versions remain on the market. Which one should you choose?
Oh, sure—a purple iPhone is cool and all. But how about a whole new rainbow army of iMacs? The just-unveiled 2021 iMacs stole the show among Apple’s multiple announcements on April 20, which also included updates to its iPad Pro tablet, its Apple TV streaming device, and much more. With a perky, fresh array of color options and one giant internal-component update, there’s a lot to look forward to in the latest iteration of Apple’s classic, beloved all-in-one desktop. Credit: Apple In order to show exactly what’s new in the 2021 model, we’re comparing it with the 2020 27-Inch iMac across categories such as size, feature set, and components. (The 21.5-inch model will continue to be sold, at least for now, but its placement has been deprecated on Apple’s site.) Find out if it’s worth upgrading when the new iMacs launch in May starting at $1,299. A Splash of Color: The iMac Rainbow You don’t need to look any further than Apple’s announcement photos to see that the physical design is the most obvious change with these new iMacs. In addition to a slim and striking barely-there silhouette, the 2021 models will come in an array of colors way beyond just the standard silver. The 2021 Apple iMac comes in a host of color options, seven in all. (Credit: Apple) This harkens back to the old, squat CRT-based iMac design with its translucent tinted-plastic cases, but it definitively modernizes the look. You can choose among green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and, if you want to stick with the old reliable, silver. This is reflective of Apple’s usual offerings with its iPhones, which come in several colors (now including purple) each year. To complete the look, Apple will be offering color-matched accessories. Also, the power cable is now a woven six-foot-long cord that connects magnetically. The new power cable on the 2021 iMac. (Credit: Apple) It’s not just the colors, though, but a super-slim design that’s merely 0.45 inch thick, wafer-thin from the side. Nobody would have described the previous models as thick, but this is a whole other level of slim, largely enabled by the new M1 chip onboard. (More on that below.) The new iMac’s volume has been reduced by 50%, total, versus the previous. The 2020 iMac, at left, versus the 2021 iMac on the right. (Credit: Apple) The display features several changes to discuss as part of the new design, so let’s see what’s different there. Display Changes: For Starters, a Whole New Size The new iMac features a 24.5-inch display, which puts it in between the sizes of the last two models, and we’re comparing the new system with the chassis of the 27-inch 2020 iMac here as the closest point of comparison in terms of features.
