Apple has just released its most powerful desktop Mac to date. It’s jam-packed with many new technologies, features, and functionalities never-before-seen in an iMac.
One of the first things you will notice when you go to power it on is how fast boots to your sign-in screen. The second thing you will likely witness is its excellent screen. The 24″ Retina screen features 4.5K graphics, and with True Tone technology that will automatically adjust the colours on the screen to the ambient lighting in the room around you.
Apple borrowed the same screen technology that they have been putting inside the iPad and iPad Pro. The Neural Engine technology is also included in its video analysis, voice recognition, and image processing. All of the systems are contained on a single chip or SoC, System on Chip, which is brand new to Apple with this release. The new M1 chip inside the iMac 24″ replaces the old Intel-based CPU previously in the iMac and Macbook since 2006.
Apple’s M1 unleashed
While the shape may not have changed, everything inside absolutely has. Let’s start with the basics, the all-in-one design of the iMac is still around, but the ultra-thin screen is possible with the incorporation of the M1 SoC chip architecture. The screen is only a mere 11.5 mm thick and is attached to a multipositional pivoting stand. The new internal architecture also allowed Apple to reduce the weight down to 10 lb.
The M1 processor is an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, RAM, I/O, and Security, all integrated into one chip that speeds everything up exponentially. Even when you choose the basic 8GB RAM version, you will have more than enough computing power, graphics power to edit photos, videos, and even coding. The new M1 processor is built on the same 5-nanometer architecture used in the A14 chip inside the iPhone and iPad Air.
Apple finally began severing its ties with Intel, so eventually, all Apple products with a processor will be fitted with one made by TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). Apple began last year by replacing its MacBook Air, 13″ Mac Book Pro, and Mac Mini with the same M1 chip.
While Apple was wildly successful in using the Intel architecture for its chips, it also made it possible to support Windows-based software more efficiently. However, it was not able to address speed limitations and size constraints. Having everything on a single chip gave them a ready solution, and they are now able to eliminate a lot of wasted space inside.
Beautiful Graphics
Computer users have been drawn to Apple’s Mac platform since it was first introduced back in 1976. One of the primary reasons was it had the best graphics found on any computer at the time. The GPU or Graphical Processor Unit is responsible for producing the high-quality images you see on a computer screen. For years, this process was usually handled by a separate component called a graphics card. In the new iMac 24-inch, that has all changed, and for the better. The new Apple M1 SoC chip puts the 8-core GPU on the same chip as the CPU and RAM. This, in essence, will cut down on the time it takes to move data from the hard drive or RAM to GPU and the CPU. In the past, a CPU configured with integrated graphics like this would degrade the performance of both the processor and graphics. Though not the case with the new M1. Recent benchmarks put the scores of the M1 on par with Nvidia’s Ge Force 1050 and AMD’s Radeon RX560.
Apple went all out to deliver the best possible graphical experience by putting its world-class Retina screen inside this new iMac. The ultrathin 24-inch LCD screen is truly unique, and the 4.5K resolution will have your images jumping off the screen. The 500 nits of brightness and ultra-high contrast ratio provides the crispest colours, darkest blacks, and coolest whites. It is all topped off with the inclusion of Apple’s Neural Engine that adds machine learning technology for video analysis, voice recognition, and image processing.
The whole package
While Apple tucked a whole lot of features and functionality inside the computer case, they also gave it some bling on the outside. No longer is this outside of the iMac a shiny, but plain, white and silver. Now, the new generation of Apple iMac 24-inch comes in seven different striking colours. You can choose from 6 different colours and the traditional silver. The exterior comes in two-tone Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue.
The all-in-one design of the iMac 24-inch also includes a potent new six-speaker, quad subwoofer, and dual tweeter sound system that will literally fill your whole room with theatre-style sound. This will mean that you can really enjoy listening to your favourite music, watch your favourite movies, and streaming content.
Taking a page from its wildly popular iPhone, Apple included a 1080p quality Facetime HD Camera. This is by far the best camera system to be found in any iMac. The high-quality HD camera is paired with the next-level image processing power on the M1 processor. The new CCD sensor is huge and lets in much more light, which helps the image processor boost video quality.
The package is complete
To make everything within the iMac 24-inch, Apple unveiled its latest version of its proprietary OS codenamed Big Sur. The new OS is so advanced as a requirement to harness the power of the M1 SoC processor. The OS is packed with many powerful features designed to take speed, efficiency, and security to all-time highs. The built-in browser, Safari, has gotten an upgrade as well, with its speed being kicked up a notch.
Final Thoughts
Apple has outdone itself when it comes to speed, power, capabilities, and great looks. The brand new Apple iMac 24-inch possesses all four of those in spades. The mighty M1 SoC processor chip delivers all of the power that you will need to accomplish almost any type of work.
Whether you are editing movies, images, or software coding, you will not need to worry if you will be slowed down. The ultra-high quality Retina display delivers 4.5K resolution, and the 6-speaker premium sound system will produce a theatre-quality experience.
While everything may sound perfect, there is one negative aspect to the whole thing, and that is even after so many years, the iMac still does not come equipped with a height adjustment. The screen does pivot on the base, but it does not have a proper way to adjust the monitor’s height. If you are inclined to purchase an iMac as your next computer, you definitely cannot go wrong.
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