iMac 24-inch (M1 2021) review: great CPU, sleek design, and good webcam, but limited ports, not the best value for money, can't upgrade anything after purchase
A new design, new processor, and new screen make for a winning combination — This is an iMac unlike any other iMac we've seen before …
Context & Ripple Effects
Apple positioned the M1 iMac at $1,299 and $1,499 in its launch configuration, making the review’s value and upgradeability concerns central to the all-in-one’s buying decision rather than minor omissions. Its improved webcam also followed the 27-inch iMac’s long-overdue 1080p camera update.
Later iMac reviews preserve the core trade-off: the M3 model delivered gains over M1 while retaining few ports, and the M4 model again emphasized speed, display, speakers and webcam. Apple’s Mac Studio with stronger port selection shows where the product line separated expandability and I/O needs from the iMac’s integrated design.
First-order effects
- iMac buyers must choose their desired configuration at purchase, because the reviewed model offers no post-purchase upgrade path.
- Users with several wired accessories face adapter or hub requirements immediately, despite the M1 iMac’s CPU, design and webcam strengths.
Second-order effects
- The Mac Studio becomes the more suitable Apple desktop option for buyers who prioritize port selection, even though related coverage characterizes it as expensive and not modular.
- Later M3 and M4 iMac refreshes shift the comparison toward processor gains and multimedia features rather than resolving the 24-inch model’s established I/O constraint.
Third-order effects
- Apple’s desktop lineup is separating into polished, fixed-configuration all-in-ones and higher-priced desktop systems for buyers who need broader connectivity.
- If the repeated iMac reviews remain representative, processor refreshes will be the main upgrade lever while configuration permanence remains part of the product’s value trade-off.
The trend: Apple’s iMac strategy is centering annual silicon and experience upgrades in a tightly integrated desktop, while port-heavy needs are addressed elsewhere in the Mac lineup.