Apple's new iMac is faster, bigger, and more colorful than before - here's how it compares to the 2019 iMac
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Apple
- Apple's new 24-inch iMac marks a major redesign of its desktop computer.
- The 2021 iMac features a bigger 4.5K Retina screen, fun color options, and Apple's powerful M1 chip.
- The 2019 model, meanwhile, has a smaller 21.5-inch 1080p display and a slower Intel-based processor.
Apple has officially unveiled its new 24-inch iMac with prices starting at $1,299. The redesigned desktop boasts several major upgrades over the previous 21.5-inch model, which Apple currently lists with a $1,099 starting price.
The 2021 iMac is the first to feature Apple's powerful M1 chip. It also comes in a variety of color options and boasts a higher resolution screen. Compared to the older model, the new iMac includes a redesigned keyboard with Apple's Touch ID processor as well.
Apple says the improved specs should translate to up to 85% faster CPU performance compared to the 21.5-inch iMac, as well as twice the GPU performance. The new iMac's base model costs $200 more than the 2019 starting model, but the added power and bigger screen could be well worth the higher price.
A full verdict will have to wait until we get our hands on the new iMac in the coming weeks, but we've been impressed by Apple's M1 chip in the new MacBook Air. If the 2021 iMac offers a similar leap in performance, it could be a very worthy desktop upgrade.
Below, we've compared some of the key starting specifications for the new 24-inch iMac versus the 21.5-inch model.
24-inch iMac (2021) versus 21.5-inch iMac (2019)
| Specifications | 2021 iMac | 2019 iMac |
| Starting price | $1,299 | $1,099 |
| Display | 24-inch 4.5K Retina display | 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED display |
| Processor | 8-core Apple M1 chip | 2.3GHz dual‑core Intel Core i5 |
| GPU | 7-core GPU | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 |
| Memory | 8GB of RAM | 8GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 256GB SSD |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera with M1 image signal processor | FaceTime HD camera |
| Speakers | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers | Stereo speakers |
| Colors | Blue, Green, Pink, Silver | Silver |