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Is the iMac worth it?
The iMac 24-inch (M6) is worth it for most people who want a simple all-in-one: 3 critics average 8.5 out of 10, praising the M6 performance and the sharp 4.5K display but faulting the unchanged design and a $1,499 starting price. This page is a consensus of published reviews, not hands-on testing.
What critics loved
TechRadar calls it still the best all-in-one desktop you can buy, citing excellent M6 performance, a vibrant 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and a sleek look in several colors. It also notes there is no price increase over the previous generation, a point that Engadget disputes (see below).
Tom's Guide describes a big performance boost from the M6 and N1 chips, plus punchy speakers, a solid webcam and simple one-cable setup. It also likes the color-matched accessories and the optional nano-texture glass.
Engadget says the iMac is much faster than before, with excellent disk speeds, and calls it the best all-in-one option for simplicity and setup. It also praises the bright, colorful 4.5K display and calls the machine a strong productivity and entertainment computer.
Where it falls short
The design is the most common complaint. All three critics note that the exterior is essentially unchanged, and Engadget says it has been the same since 2021 and is getting stale.
Price is where the critics disagree. TechRadar says the starting price is unchanged from the previous generation, while Tom's Guide and Engadget both flag a higher starting price on the premium base model. Engadget puts the increase at $200, to $1,499. TechRadar also notes that nano-texture glass costs extra.
Tom's Guide misses a height-adjustable stand option. Engadget finds the 24-inch display too small, the 16GB to 32GB memory range limited, and gaming performance weak. It goes as far as saying the iMac is hard to recommend over a Mac mini paired with a bigger monitor.
Who should buy it
The iMac suits anyone who wants a capable, good-looking desktop with minimal setup, such as a home office, a family computer or a creative workspace that does not need a huge screen. It is a less obvious pick for gamers, people who want a larger display, or buyers who care about stand ergonomics. For those buyers, Engadget points to a Mac mini with a separate monitor.
