We love MacBooks as much as anyone, but even dedicated laptop users have to admit that desktops are more convenient to use for long work days. And, as you probably know, Apple started making desktops, and while laptops dominate the market today, you have several options. One is the venerable iMac, an all-in-one computer that combines powerful hardware and a desktop MacOS operating system in a sleek flat-screen case. These are pretty cost-effective alternatives to the MacBook, considering you get everything you need right out of the box (right down to the mouse and keyboard). To help you find the right one for your budget, we’ve rounded up all the best iMac deals this month.
If the iMac is just one component of your complete Apple configuration, you should check out Apple’s other deals on iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads and more. Also check out these Mac Mini deals to learn more about desktop PC features.
Best cheap iMac deals for June:
- Apple iMac M1 4.5K 2021 (24 inches, M1 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $1,250, was $1,299
- Apple iMac 4K 2015 (21.5-inch, Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) – $530
- Apple iMac 4K 2019 (21.5-inch, Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) – $770
- Apple iMac 4K 2017 (21.5-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, Amazon Renewed) – $800
- Apple iMac 5K 2014 (27-inch, Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) – $833
- Apple iMac 4K 2020 (21.5-inch, Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $900 at checkout, cost $1,299
- Apple iMac 2020 (21.5-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $949, was $1,099
- Apple iMac 4K 2019 (21.5-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Amazon Renewed) – $995.
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5300) – $1,500 at checkout, cost $1,799
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5300) – $1,600 at checkout, cost $999.
- Apple iMac 5K 2020 (27-inch, Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Radeon Pro 5500 XT) – $2,189, was $2,299
iMac
The first iMac was released more than two decades ago, representing Apple’s all-in-one desktop solution, a smaller, more consumer-friendly alternative to larger (and more expensive) desktop towers. You may remember the original iMac G3, which had a bubble-shaped colored plastic case that housed a CRT monitor, but today’s iMacs are much sleeker, featuring slim, flat panels.
Modern iMacs are available in three sizes — 21.5 inches, 24 inches (for the newest M1 model) and 27 inches — and all the latest models, starting in 2019, feature crisp 4K Retina displays, making these all-in-one computers much more valuable when you consider how expensive Ultra HD monitors are. You’ll also find older 2017 iMacs on sale; they feature 1080p displays, but are still a great option in 2020 if you want to save some money. Apple has also released an updated version of the 27-inch 2019 iMac, featuring a Retina 5K display similar to the one on the iMac Pro.
The standard iMac models have a relatively wide range of hardware specifications and price points and will be the best choice for most users: the price of the 21.5-inch 2017 model starts at around $1,000, while the latest 27-inch models (which feature the latest Intel Core processors) cost around $2,000 or slightly more. Which one to choose naturally depends on your needs and budget, but for work, light entertainment and general everyday use it’s hard to make a bad choice here. If your needs are a bit higher, however, the iMac Pro is a better choice.
iMac (M1)
At its April 2021 spring event, Apple lifted the veil on the iMac M1 upgrade, giving these versatile computers a much-needed addition in the form of a hot new M1 processor (which even the Mac Mini already has). This isn’t a simple upgrade, however, like the Mac Mini, which received the M1 chip in 2020; Apple said at the event that the new iMac has been completely rebuilt based on the capabilities of the M1 chip. Along with hardware upgrades under the hood, Apple also offers improved speakers (with built-in woofers) and an updated FaceTime camera.
The new redesigned iMac is also thinner overall (and it was already pretty thin), with reduced bezels around the 24-inch display — something we’ve been asking for years — thanks to the M1 processor’s more efficient thermal management, which allows for smaller fans and less air space inside the computer case. The new iMac is also available in several new colors to brighten up your workspace. It’s a clear return to the original bubble iMacs that many of us remember, which came in a variety of hues. Pricing starts at $1,299.
iMac Pro
The iMac Pro is an upgraded version of Apple’s all-in-one desktop, and as you might guess from its name, it’s designed for professional users with higher computing requirements. Released in 2017, the iMac Pro comes standard with a gorgeous 27-inch Retina display that boasts an ultra-sharp 5K resolution (giving you plenty of screen space for multitasking), as well as 8- and 10-core processors, improved graphics and increased RAM to support it all.
The iMac Pro’s starting price of $4,999 will naturally come as a shock to regular computer users, but that’s not the target it’s designed for. The iMac Pro is a serious machine built for serious work, and it’s equipped with the hardware needed to handle heavy workloads with ease. This includes resource-intensive tasks like game development, 4K and 8K video rendering, and music production – work for which the iMac Pro’s more powerful processors and graphics capabilities are well-suited.
There’s a price to pay, but if you’re a professional who finds most computers (including the standard iMac) stressful under load, the iMac Pro is worth the upgrade.
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