Apple 2025 Desktop Computer iMac All-in- One with an M4 chip with an 8-core CPU
Apple iMac 25-Inch with M4 Chip: Full 2026 Buyer’s Guide
Apple’s 24-inch iMac quietly became one of the best all-in-one desktops on the market when it was refreshed with the M4 chip in late October 2024. It didn’t change its look, but it changed the math: more memory, more speed, and no price increase. Here’s what actually matters if you’re deciding whether to buy one Apple 2025 Desktop Computer iMac.
Quick Overview
The 24-inch iMac ships with Apple’s M4 chip, built on a 3-nanometer process, paired with either an 8-core or 10-core GPU depending on configuration. <cite index=”5-1″>The chip’s Neural Engine, dedicated to AI processing, is more than three times faster than the one in the original M1 iMac</cite>. That upgrade matters because Apple Intelligence features lean heavily on on-device AI processing rather than sending everything to the cloud of Apple 2025 Desktop Computer iMac.
The base configuration pairs an 8-core CPU with an 8-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. <cite index=”10-1″> hat base model runs at 4.4 GHz across 8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency), with a 16-core Neural Engine and 120 GB/s of memory bandwidth</cite>. A step-up 10-core configuration adds more GPU headroom and, critically, doubles the available Thunderbolt ports.
Display and Design
<cite index=”10-1″>The 23.5-inch panel runs at 4480×2520 resolution (218 pixels per inch) with LED backlighting and Apple’s True Tone technology, mounted on a thin aluminum stand</cite>. It’s marketed as 24 inches, but the actual visible area rounds to 23.5. For anyone editing photos, browsing detailed spreadsheets, or just streaming video, that pixel density holds up well against standalone monitors costing hundreds of dollars on their own.
<cite index=”5-1″>The design keeps the slim profile of earlier M-series iMacs but adds a 12MP front-facing camera and either two or four USB-C ports, along with new color options spanning green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver</cite>. <cite index=”5-1″> he included Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse are color-matched and now charge over USB-C instead of Lightning</cite>.
If glare from windows or overhead lighting is a concern, Apple offers a nano-texture glass option on the higher GPU configuration, which noticeably cuts down on reflections at a modest premium.
Performance in Practice
<cite index=”6-1″>Apple is positioning the M4 iMac as an all-in-one workstation, with roughly 1.7x faster everyday performance and up to 2.1x faster results in demanding creative tasks compared to the previous generation</cite>. In real-world terms, that translates to smoother scrubbing in Final Cut Pro, quicker exports from Photos or Lightroom, and noticeably less fan noise under sustained load than Intel-based iMacs ever managed.
Where the base 8-core GPU configuration shows its limits is gaming. It handles casual titles fine but wasn’t designed to compete with a dedicated graphics card, so anyone chasing high frame rates in modern AAA titles should look elsewhere. Video professionals working daily in Final Cut Pro or Blender will also want to weigh the 10-core GPU model for the extra rendering headroom and additional cooling capacity that comes with it.
Pros & Cons: Apple iMac 25-Inch (M4)
Pros
– Big memory upgrade, same price—16GB unified memory now comes standard at $1,299, up from 8GB the year before, with no price hike.
– Strong everyday performance—handles browsing, streaming, office apps, and light creative work (Lightroom, GarageBand) without lag or fan noise.
– Sharp, vibrant display—the 4.5K Retina panel (218 PPI) rivals standalone monitors costing far more on their own.
– Genuinely clutter-free design—the entire computer lives inside the display, so setup is just one power cable.
– Solid video-call hardware—the 12MP Center Stage camera and built-in mic/speakers make it a strong choice for Zoom or Teams calls.
– Future-facing AI hardware—the 16-core Neural Engine is built to handle upcoming Apple Intelligence features smoothly.
Cons
– Weak for gaming—the 8-core GPU manages casual titles fine but can’t keep up with modern AAA games.
– Tight port selection on the base model—only two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports means you’ll likely need a hub once you add a drive and an accessory.
– Single external display limit (base model)—only the pricier 10-core configuration supports two external monitors.
– Small starting storage—256GB fills up fast, and Apple’s storage upgrades are expensive.
– Zero upgradeability—RAM and SSD are soldered in place; whatever you configure at checkout is permanent.
– Awkward mouse charging—the Magic Mouse’s charging port is on the bottom, so it’s unusable while topping up.
Memory and Storage
The most consequential change in this generation wasn’t the chip—it was the memory. Apple doubled the standard configuration from 8GB to 16GB of unified memory <cite index=”3-1″>while holding the star of Apple 2025 Desktop Computer iMac
Amazon CustomerAmazon Customer –
BEAUTIFUL PINK iMac Desktop!!!💖💗💕
This computer is BEAUTIFUL!!!😍😍😍💖💗💕💓 I love that it’s PINK because it goes perfectly with my pink room! I use this all the time for work and it works great and was super easy to set up. And I got it while it was on sale, so it was a great price, especially for the awesome quality. Definitely happy with my purchase! 😍🥰😍💖
4 people found this helpful
Lisa –
Perfect Computer for Our 11-Year-Old!
We got the 24-inch iMac for our 11-year-old son, and it’s been amazing. The screen is super clear and bright – perfect for schoolwork, creative projects, and even some light gaming. It runs fast and smoothly, and the built-in camera and speakers are excellent for virtual classes and video calls with friends. The design is sleek and takes up minimal space on his desk. Overall, it’s a fantastic all-in-one computer that’s easy to use and kid-friendly, but powerful enough to grow with him.
7 people found this helpful
S. Mathes –
One of the best there is
This Apple, what else to say? We have Apple phones and Apple IPAD’s. Our old laptop was being phased out with whatever Windows we had, the Dell was kicking the bucket! Didn’t want to spend a lot of money but after looking at other brands we decided to go with Apple. A few people told us this would be a little different than a Windows based computer and there might be a little bit of a learning curve. After receiving it and getting it hooked up we were totally amazed! The screen is amazing, the colors are that good. Just a great computer overall and everything seemed to match up to our IPADS, it almost does everything for you. Took a little time to hook up our new wireless printer but not bad!
6 people found this helpful
Emily –
Great for photographers!
This desktop is amazing. I needed something I could use to edit pictures with my photography business. This has the speed I need, and the functionality. Highly recommend!! And the price can’t be beat for what you’re getting!
7 people found this helpful
Lulu P. –
Worth it!!
The quality of this Mac is outstanding and stylish with it having colored keyboard as well as part of the screen. I have been using it for a few months and don’t regret the purchase. The screen quality is definitely vibrant. It was easy to set up !!
6 people found this helpful
TripodTripod –
Charging for the keyboard and mouse
I love my new IMac. I got the green one. First thing, the performance is amazingly fast. The m4 processor works magic in all apps. I’ve been an apple fan for years now and I love all their products. Here’s my major gripe. The new keyboard that comes with it is tiny and it has no kickstand to raise the keyboard on the back side. I’ve ordered a full size keyboard from Amazon that is green in color so it matches. Apple is missing a golden opportunity to make a keyboard that actually works for heavy users or anyone who genuinely appreciates a full sized keyboard with built in wrist support. Now on to the mouse. Yes it’s sleek and beautiful but to put the charging port on the bottom side instead of the end is beyond moronic. They give you one FireWire cord to charge the keyboard and the mouse. It would have been nice to have two cords one for charging these devices and one for other peripherals such as an external hard drive or monitor. These simple things would make a great product even better. The photo shows the difference between the keyboard that came with the IMac and the new one I bought from Amazon for 34.00. Well worth the price in my opinion and I got it in green to match the computer.
12 people found this helpful
Guest –
A must have!
Superb!
2 people found this helpful
Nelson E. –
MAC M4
Beautiful and well packed. Easy to set up even though this is my first experience with a MAC
2 people found this helpful
PoppyPoppy –
This Is Not a Computer. It’s a Lifestyle.
Let’s be honest — saying “I love my iMac” is like saying “water is wet.” Of course you love it. It’s APPLE! But here’s the thing: the 2024 iMac isn’t just another pretty machine with a fancy screen. It’s the reason I actually enjoy sitting down to do work at home. (And by work, I mean toggling between email, Spotify, and pretending I know how to use Final Cut.)I’ve had an iMac since the original candy-colored ones. Yes, I go way back. This latest version? It’s the glow-up of the century. Lightning-fast, whisper-quiet, colors so crisp they make reality look a little dull. Everything syncs, everything flows, and I don’t even remember what the spinning beach ball of death looks like anymore.Also, it’s basically home decor at this point. People walk into my office and say, “Ooh, love your office set up! What version of the iMac is that?” That’s not a compliment you get for a PC tower, I’ll tell you that. If you’re a minimalist, walking by your office – will make your own head turn … so satisfying!No, it’s not the cheapest option out there. But once you’ve lived in the iMac ecosystem, you don’t go back. Ever. This isn’t a computer — it’s a commitment to never being frustrated with your tech again.10/10. (But I’ll settle for 5/5 because Apple hasn’t redesigned Amazon’s review system yet.)
29 people found this helpful
Landon –
It’s an Apple !
It’s great just like all the Apple products I’ve owned.