Apple's 2021 iMac features a variety of exciting new and enhanced features, designed to improve the user experience. The new iMacs feature a 24-inch display and ultra-slim 11.5mm monitors. Apple does still sell 27-inch iMacs as well, but those were not included with the 2021 spring Mac refresh.

What Are the New iMac Models?

There are three options available for the new 24-inch iMac:

  • 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU with 256GB storage starting at $1299
  • 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU with 256GB storage starting at $1499
  • 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU with 512GB storage starting at $1699

You can also choose to further customize the internal specs of each iMac, if you want more RAM, more storage, or more processing power, for example.

Whichever iMac model you choose, here are the best features available on the upgraded 2021 iMac…

1. An M1 Chip

One of the most talked about changes in the new iMac is the M1 chip. The new iMacs are the first iMac to be built around the M1 chip. Apple's M1 is a system on a chip that allows the iMacs to be ultra-thin without sacrificing performance. The M1 provides faster CPU performance and improved graphics capabilities.

The M1 also runs more efficiently than previous Intel chips, to prevent overheating and fan noise, a problem that has plagued past models of Mac computers. The M1 iMac is significantly quieter than previous models, which is great for helping to eliminate unnecessary background noise while you're working, trying to watch videos, or on a video call.

Related: Pros and Cons to Consider Before Buying an M1 Mac

2. A 4.5K Retina display

The 2021 iMac features a 4.5K Retina display with 11.3 million pixels, 500 nits of brightness, and over a billion possible colors. This iMac is poised to deliver a premium viewing experience for videos, images, and more. It's also great for video editors, photo editors, and graphic designers to work on, as they can see their work in higher quality with truer colors.

The new iMac also features True Tone technology. This uses multichannel sensors to automatically adjust the color temperature and intensity of the display based on the lighting in your environment, with the intention to ease eye strain and make colors and images displayed on the screen more natural.

3. New Color Options

iMac in all colors.

The new iMacs are available in seven colors. Of course, they come in the classic Mac silver, but you can also choose a fun color like blue, orange, pink, green, yellow, red, or purple. The iMac had previously only come in serious colors, like silver or space gray, but these whimsical colors are great for people trying to add a pop of color into their home offices.

The Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse sent out with each iMac will also come in the color that you select for your iMac. Unfortunately, you cannot currently mix and match colors between an iMac and accessories unless you buy the accessories separately.

4. Touch ID

Using Touch ID on the new Magic Keyboard.

The keyboards designed to accompany the higher-end models of the new iMacs feature Touch ID. Like Touch ID on an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro, the Touch ID button on the new Magic Keyboard will allow users to unlock their computers, authorize purchases in the app store or through Apple Pay, and more.

This feature does offer convenience for users who like to utilize Apple Pay on their iMacs, as users otherwise are generally asked to authorize Mac-initiated Apple Pay purchases on their iPhone.

The cheapest iMac model comes with a standard Magic Keyboard, while both 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU models come with the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

Related: What Is a Magic Keyboard?

5. Dolby Atmos Speakers

The new iMac models support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos when playing compatible music or videos. Spatial audio is intended to provide a surround sound experience for listeners. This, combined with the improved retina display, will provide a significantly better viewing experience for users who enjoy using their iMac to stream movies, TV shows, music, or online events.

6. Improved Mic Quality

The new iMac also includes studio-quality mics and a six-speaker sound system. Great for recording, streaming, and making video calls, the new audio quality is a welcome upgrade over previous Mac models. Many people use external mics when recording audio, so the mic upgrade won't be a deciding factor for those people, but it will help make your Zoom or FaceTime calls that bit clearer if you don't have an external mic to use.

7. 1080p FaceTime Camera

In addition to the improved mic quality, the new iMac also features better video quality. Those using their Macs to record videos will definitely enjoy the ability to record videos in 1080p with higher quality audio. A better webcam is also helpful in the era of remote work, with many people utilizing their computer's built-in webcams much more frequently. This update was a bit overdue for the iMac, so it's a welcome change.

8. Compatibility With iPhone and iPad apps

With M1 and macOS Big Sur, the 2021 iMac models can run many iPhone and iPad apps. You can browse and download compatible iPhone and iPad apps in the Mac App Store on the iMac. This is a nice upgrade, as the Mac App Store can be quite lacking in variety and app availability when compared with the iPhone App Store. But this cross-compatibility gives you more options and is helpful for utilizing apps across your different devices.

Which iMac Is Right for You?

The new iMac comes with a ton of great features and a sleek, colorful new look. It's faster, quieter, and has enhanced audio and visual capabilities. However, there is another iMac available in the Apple lineup. If you're still not sure whether the new iMac is for you, or perhaps you want a slightly larger screen, check out our comparison between the new 24-inch M1 iMac and the 27-inch Intel iMac.