Apple iMac M4 Review for 2026: Is the 24-Inch All-in-One Worth It?
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Our apple imac m4 review explains the display, performance, memory choices and limits of Apple's 24-inch all-in-one desktop.
The iMac is the rare computer that arrives as a single, finished object: screen, speakers, camera and processor in one slim body that needs only a power cable. This Apple iMac M4 review looks at what the 24-inch all-in-one does well, where its limits lie, and which configuration makes sense for a family desk, a studio or a small office.
The product table above lists several iMac configurations at different prices. Check the current figures there, because memory, storage and color change the price far more than the chip does.
A Display Worth Looking At
The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is the main reason to buy. Text is razor sharp, photos have accurate color and the glass reflects less than older iMacs. Brightness is generous for a bright room, and the optional nano-texture finish, where offered, cuts glare for people who work near a window.
You cannot swap the display, so make sure you like the size. 24 inches is large enough for two windows side by side but compact enough for a kitchen counter or a student desk.
M4 Chip Performance
The M4 chip makes the iMac fast and quiet for everyday work: browsing with dozens of tabs, video calls, photo editing, light video work and music production. The fan is rarely audible, and the machine stays cool in normal use. It is not designed for heavy 3D rendering or large video projects, where the Mac Studio or a MacBook Pro with a more powerful chip is a better fit.
Memory and Storage Choices
Memory and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase. Buy the amount you will need in three to five years, not the amount you need today. Sixteen gigabytes of unified memory is a sensible floor for modern macOS, and anyone who edits photos or runs several large apps will want more. Storage is easy to extend with an external SSD, so you can start with a smaller drive and add a fast Thunderbolt disk later.
Camera, Microphones and Speakers
The built-in camera and microphone array are excellent for video calls, with an image that is clean even in dim rooms. The speaker system is better than any monitor and surprisingly full for music and films, and it removes the need for desktop speakers for most people.
Ports and Connectivity
Expect USB-C ports with Thunderbolt on better configurations, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A gigabit Ethernet port sits in the power brick on some models. There is no SD card slot and no HDMI port, so photographers and anyone with older displays should plan on a hub from our best desktop computer list or a dock.
Keyboard and Mouse
The iMac ships with a Magic Keyboard and mouse or trackpad in the same color as the machine, and some configurations add Touch ID. They are comfortable for everyday use, but heavy typists and gamers may prefer to add their own peripherals.
Design, Stand and Mounting
The thin aluminum body has a stand with tilt adjustment but no height adjustment, so you may need a riser to set it at eye level. A VESA-mount version exists, and buyers who want a monitor arm should choose that variant. Bright colors are a talking point, but check the listing because some shades cost more than others.
Which Configuration to Buy
For a family computer used for homework, streaming and email, the entry configuration is enough. Photographers, podcasters and anyone who keeps many apps open should pay for extra memory, because it is the one upgrade that helps for years. Creative professionals who rely on external drives can save by taking the smaller internal storage, and those who work with large files should buy the larger one because external drives are slower than internal storage.
Color is purely a style choice. The brighter shades look stunning in a shared space, while silver and blue suit an office. Check the product table, because some colors have different prices and seller stock.
Setting It Up and Moving Over
Unbox it, plug in the power cable and sign in with your Apple account. Migration Assistant can copy files and settings from an old Mac or a Windows PC over your network, which saves an afternoon of manual copying. Turn on Time Machine with an external drive from the first day, so that backups are never an afterthought.
Check for system updates, add a few useful apps, and set up the camera and microphone for video calls. If the screen is too bright or too sharp, adjust the scaling in Displays settings.
Accessories Worth Buying
A small USB-C hub gives you SD card and USB-A ports, and a monitor riser lifts the screen to a healthy height. A sturdy webcam privacy cover is unnecessary because the camera has an indicator light, but a keyboard cover can help in a messy kitchen. For storage, a Thunderbolt SSD adds fast, cheap capacity.
Apple iMac M4 Pros and Cons
Pros: a beautiful display, quiet operation, strong everyday performance, great camera and speakers, and a clean desk. Cons: no memory or storage upgrades, limited ports, no height adjustment on the standard stand, and a display that cannot be reused if the computer ages.
Alternatives to Consider
If you want a computer you can upgrade, a Dell or HP desktop with a separate monitor gives more flexibility, as our Dell Tower Plus review and HP OmniDesk review show. Windows all-in-ones from Lenovo and HP cost far less but use lesser screens. The Mac mini with a separate display is another path.
FAQs
Is the iMac good for video editing?
For light to moderate editing, yes. For heavy projects, choose a more powerful machine.
Can I use it as a monitor for another computer?
Not in modern models. Treat it as a standalone computer.
Does it run Windows?
Not natively. Virtual machines can run some Windows software, but performance varies.
How long will it last?
Apple computers commonly receive software updates for many years, and the hardware often outlives its support.
Final Verdict
This Apple iMac M4 review comes to a clear answer: the iMac is a polished, quiet and capable all-in-one for homes and small offices, and it is best bought with enough memory for the long term. Compare the configurations in the product table, and choose the one that fits your budget rather than paying for features you will not use. If anything in this apple imac m4 review still leaves you unsure, the return window is your safety net.
Prices and availability can change, so check the product page before ordering.
