Which Imac Should I Buy Quiz

Introduction

The 21.5-inch iMac is the most pocketbook-friendly of the three models. It starts at just $1,099 and is a fantastic computer for everyday use. Its the perfect iMac for those on a budget that use a computer for such things as browsing the web, reading emails, working in productivity apps, and other similar activities.
2020 Intel-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro: These models have been completely eclipsed by the late 2020 models with the Apple M1 chip, from performance to battery life. Theyre only worth buying if you can snag them for well under $700. Anything close to $900 and you should just pay up for the base MacBook Air with M1. It really is superior.
The iMac remains a popular choice for students, home users, and many businesses. Since iMacs last a long time, its essential to take the time to purchase the model that matches your budget and requirements. After all, youre going to have this computer for a while! Heres a look at the current iMac lineup and the many choices available to you.
Yes, for most people. The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M1 are excellent machines for almost everyone. Those that need more power for the most demanding tasks should wait (if possible) until 2021 when Apple will likely release souped-up M-series chips in the higher-tier MacBook Pros.

Which iMac should you buy?

If youre looking for a secondary computer for your home or on a tight budget, consider the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac. It features an HD display and comes with macOS Catalina, just like other Macs. Keep in mind, however, the 21.5-inch iMac is likely to receive a refresh later in 2020.
Apple could have easily sold a 21.5-inch 4K iMac with the Core i9 (or the Core i7, which is strangely absent altogether), but it wants you to shell out the big bucks for that luxurious 5K display. And lets be honest, when you see it in person, youll want it anyways. The 5K model also gives you access to some higher-end graphics too.
Between all the different options and configurations, though, it can be tough to know where to start. Heres our guide to choosing the right iMac for you. In mid-March of 2019, Apple announced an update to the 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K models. The most obvious difference between the two is the screen size and resolution.
The iMac comes with a 24in 4.5K Retina display. Ive not seen one yet, but Apple displays are generally stunning. That said, you can certainly get a much bigger and arguably much more impressive/useful display with the $800 youve saved by going for the Mac mini instead.

Which MacBook should you buy in 2020?

The first thing every user considers is a computer CPU. MacBook Pro 2020 offers the following CPU options: 1.4GHz quadcore 8thgeneration Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz 1.7GHz quadcore 8thgeneration Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz
Offering powerful quad -core processors and all-day battery life in a reasonably portable 3-pound package, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the best of both worlds for many people. You get the Touch Bar and a faster chip than the Air, but avoid the extra weight and bulk of the 15-inch model.
Apple will support this Intel-powered MacBook for years to come, and you wont have to worry about potential app issues, but I strongly recommend waiting until mid to late 2021 if you need a supercharged model. Apple will likely will release an M-series 16-inch MacBook Pro that will leap ahead of this one in performance.
Our recommendation is that if you can find a good discount on the price of the MacBook Air right now then its a great time to buy. Take a look at our Best MacBook Air deals. Should I buy a 13in MacBook Pro now or wait?

Is an iMac right for You?

The biggest reason not to buy an iMac comes from a product that Apple launched last year: the Mac mini. Pairing a Mac mini with a dedicated screen instead of buying an iMac will not only save you money for the same computing power, it will future-proof your investment to a much greater degree, too.
The iMac comes with a 24in 4.5K Retina display. Ive not seen one yet, but Apple displays are generally stunning. That said, you can certainly get a much bigger and arguably much more impressive/useful display with the $800 youve saved by going for the Mac mini instead.
If you bought your iMac prior to late 2014, its starting to show its age. Its a little chubbier, a little slower, or may have begun to slow down in the face of ancient cruft and modern apps.
So, if you really need a super fast and powerful desktop computer and the Mac Pro is just TOO much Mac, I recommend customizing the 2020 27-inch iMac to better fit your needs. The iMac Pro is looking outdated and may not even be part of Apples near future upgrade cycle. At this time, the iMac is more future-proof than the iMac Pro.

Should I buy a MacBook Pro with an M1 chip?

Why You Should Buy An M1 Mac: The Battery Life Thanks to the power efficiency of the M1 chipset, the new M1 Macs have phenomenal battery life. The new MacBook Air has up to 18 hours of battery life, while the new 13in MacBook Pro has up to 20 hours of battery life. Thats the longest battery life in a Mac laptop ever.
The company introduced M1 chip for the Mac which now power the MacBook Air, the 13 base MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini. The new chip offers a lot more performance for the same cost compared to the previous generation Intel powered Macs while being considerably more power efficient.
At the time of writing, you can still buy a 13 MacBook Pro with an Intel chip in it. Unlike the M1 variant, it can be upgraded to 32GB, and you can boost the processor speed if you wish. Need more grunt? Not happy with the M1? Want a bigger MacBook?
The MacBook Air makes a very strong case for shoppers seeking the best value on a portable laptop. Macs have not typically been associated with value, with loyalists accepting a premium on the price, but the low-cost M1 MacBook Air is changing that equation.

Should you buy an iMac or not?

The biggest reason not to buy an iMac comes from a product that Apple launched last year: the Mac mini. Pairing a Mac mini with a dedicated screen instead of buying an iMac will not only save you money for the same computing power, it will future-proof your investment to a much greater degree, too.
The iMac comes with a 24in 4.5K Retina display. Ive not seen one yet, but Apple displays are generally stunning. That said, you can certainly get a much bigger and arguably much more impressive/useful display with the $800 youve saved by going for the Mac mini instead.
The main reason to buy a new Intel Mac model right now is if you need it for a specific task that isnt supported by Apple silicon processors; this goes both for new Macs that havent been updated with Apple silicon, such as the 16-inch MacBook Pro or the iMac, as well as older refurbished models of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
But Apples Tuesday announcement had nothing close. The new iMac is a 24 display in a thin case with the guts of a $699 Mac Mini. That works out to $600 for a nice 24 display.

Should I get a Mac mini or an iMac with 24in display?

The 24-inch iMac is available to pre-order, but the lack of ports and pricing may be an issue for some. Instead, consider a Mac mini and a 24-inch monitor, and you may have cash left over. The latest Macs have a variant of the M1 processor, but each has their own tradeoffs and expenses.
The biggest reason not to buy an iMac comes from a product that Apple launched last year: the Mac mini. Pairing a Mac mini with a dedicated screen instead of buying an iMac will not only save you money for the same computing power, it will future-proof your investment to a much greater degree, too.
So while the 24-inch iMac is obviously super-fast, but there is one huge problem: Its performance is practically the same as the other M1 Macs, all of which offer significantly better value for money. And even if youre just looking for the most speed, the M1 iMac is better than nearly all the other M1 Macs except for one: the Mac mini .
So the 27-inch iMac is the peak of performance of these, but youll need to pay a lot of configure it that way. The M1 Mac Mini and 24-inch iMac offer the best bang-for-buck but a large margin. For RAM, the M1 chip is the real limiter here. Both the Mac mini and iMac 24-inch come with 8GB as standard, and can be customized with 16GB, but thats it.

Is your iMac showing its age?

Right at the top, youll see the age of your Mac next to the type of Mac it is below the heading. As you can see in the screenshot below, my Mac is from Mid 2015. This handy About This Mac screen also gives you details that can be useful for other things.
Identify your iMac model. Your Mac provides several tools to help you identify it. The simplest is About This Mac, available by choosing About This Mac from the Apple menu  in the top left-hand corner of your screen. The other is the System Information app. Find out how to use these tools to identify your Mac.
The other is the System Information app. Find out how to use these tools to identify your Mac. If you dont have your Mac or it doesnt start up, use one of these solutions instead: Find the serial number printed on the underneath of your Mac, near the regulatory markings.
Even once the Mac is no longer officially supported, you can still obtain parts for up to 7 years. If you have a MacBook, you can have your battery replaced for up to 10 years. How can I speed up my old Mac? Close apps you dont need. Having too many apps open at a time can drastically affect performance. Free up some hard drive space.

Is the 27-inch iMac better than the iMac Pro?

The iMac Pro has that Pro branding. The 27-inch iMac does not. But, today, you can get roughly equivalent power at the low-end of the iMac Pro line, with the high-end of the 27-inch iMac Pro. When the iMac Pro came out in 2017, it slotted in very nicely high above the capabilities of the iMac, and was the most powerful Mac ever made.
This means that there just isnt enough pixel space for an actual 5K display, so the 2021 iMac clocks in at 4.5K while the previous model has a full 5K display at 5120 by 2880 pixels. When it comes to picture clarity, color display, and brightness, the two units are the same.
Certainly Apple positioned it as the high end Mac until 2019 when that Mac Pro was released. Its not as if it really downgraded the iMac Pro, either, it just talked up the Mac Pro more. Unfortunately, its also not as if Apple did that much to the iMac Pro in the last few years.
The RAM isnt quite the same, though the difference will not be very apparent as the iMac Pro has 2666Mhz ECC RAM while the iMac has 2666Mhz DDR4. The RAM speeds in both models are effectively the same. There are minor differences in timing, but for the most part, thats not really relevant or noticeable.

Which iMac should you buy for home use?

The biggest reason not to buy an iMac comes from a product that Apple launched last year: the Mac mini. Pairing a Mac mini with a dedicated screen instead of buying an iMac will not only save you money for the same computing power, it will future-proof your investment to a much greater degree, too.
The iMac comes with a 24in 4.5K Retina display. Ive not seen one yet, but Apple displays are generally stunning. That said, you can certainly get a much bigger and arguably much more impressive/useful display with the $800 youve saved by going for the Mac mini instead.
Between all the different options and configurations, though, it can be tough to know where to start. Heres our guide to choosing the right iMac for you. In mid-March of 2019, Apple announced an update to the 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K models. The most obvious difference between the two is the screen size and resolution.
Apples Mac mini presents an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a Mac desktop without breaking the bank. The Mac mini was refreshed in October 2018, and in March 2020 Apple doubled the storage capacity of its standard configurations. Going down this route means youre free to choose your display and peripherals separately.

Should you buy an iMac with a 5K display?

The 4K and 5K iMacs can both be upgraded with the faster i7 processor, which provides an additional speed boost. The 21.5-inch 4K Retina display iMac can be upgraded to 3.6GHz with a Turbo boost up to 4.2GHz. The 27-inch 5K Retina display iMac can be upgraded to 4.2GHz with a Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz.
The 27-inch 5K Retina display iMac can be upgraded to 4.2GHz with a Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz. All of the base processor speeds cost $200 more, incrementally, with the exception of the 3.8GHz processor for the 27-inch iMac, which costs $300 more than the next lowest processor tier.
The display size. Size matters, and when it comes to the iMac, it matters for more than just, well … size. The 21.5-inch iMac supports 1080p at its lowest price model. For $200 more, you can invest in the 4K Retina display model at 21.5 inches in size.
The 21.5-inch (diagonal) iMac is available in two display flavors. The least expensive features an LED-backlit display with 1920by1080 (HD) resolution. All other available 21.5-inch models include a Retina 4K display with 4096-by-2304 resolution, 500 nits brightness, and Wide color (P3).

How to choose the right iMac for You?

Between all the different options and configurations, though, it can be tough to know where to start. Heres our guide to choosing the right iMac for you. In mid-March of 2019, Apple announced an update to the 21.5-inch 4K and 27-inch 5K models. The most obvious difference between the two is the screen size and resolution.
Options to consider when buying a Mac laptop. 1 1. MacBook. First introduced in 2015 and refreshed in 2017, this is the sturdy and reliable MacBook, Apples core Mac laptop. Not the cheapest … 2 2. MacBook Air. 3 3. MacBook Pro: 13 and 15 inch. 4 4. MacBook Pro: 13 and 15 inch (with Touch Bar and Touch ID)
As a result, the iMac Pro narrows the gap between the highest-end 5K iMac and Apples redesigned Mac Pro, which launched in December 2019.
The Mac Pro is ideal for professionals who work with applications that use as many processing cores as possible”video-editing applications, image-editing software, 3D programs, audio editing, software developers, and the like. What are the specifications? Apple doesnt offer standard configurations of the Mac Pro.

What are the MacBook Pro 2020 processor options?

The entry-level MacBook Pro Core i5 1.4 13 2020 with two Thunderbolt 3 ports uses an 8th Generation Coffee Lake processor.
How to spot it: The product name usually includes Intel. 2020 Intel-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro: These models have been completely eclipsed by the late 2020 models with the Apple M1 chip, from performance to battery life. Theyre only worth buying if you can snag them for well under $700.
Unfortunately, the 10th Gen Intel CPUs are only available for those who pony up an extra $500, and get the 13-inch MacBook Pro at $1,799 or more. And that price only gives you a Core i5 chip, and not a Core i7. And while Apple now offers faster RAM on the new MacBook Pro, that is also reserved for pricier configurations.
For comparison the 2020 MacBook Pro only offers an 8-core configuration for both the CPU and GPU. As for RAM, we have the same 16GB and 32GB options across the board. However, if you opt for the M1 Max processor, you can get up to 64GB of RAM, while the M1 is limited to only 16GB or 32GB.

Which MacBook should you buy?

Offering powerful quad-core processors and all-day battery life in a reasonably portable 3-pound package, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the best of both worlds for many people. You get the Touch Bar and a faster chip than the Air, but avoid the extra weight and bulk of the 15-inch model.
The current MacBook Air (2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2) include an M2 chip, while the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro offer an M1 Pro or M1 Max chip. Each chip consists of the computers CPU, GPU, unified memory, and Neural Engine. Decide which chip matches what you hope to do with your new machine. 3. The same goes for RAM
Your first decision should be to decide on the screen size you want. If you want a 13-inch model, youll have to decide whether to get a 13.6-inch MacBook Air or 13.3-inch MacBook Pro based on other specifications. Otherwise, theres the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Macworlds buying advice: The MacBook Air is a great affordable laptop for someone who does general-purpose work and moves around a lot, such as a student or a self-employed person. You cant easily upgrade the storage or memory after purchase, so you should buy the model with the largest amount of storage you can afford.

Should you buy an Intel-powered MacBook Pro in 2021?

The main reason to buy a new Intel Mac model right now is if you need it for a specific task that isnt supported by Apple silicon processors; this goes both for new Macs that havent been updated with Apple silicon, such as the 16-inch MacBook Pro or the iMac, as well as older refurbished models of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
2020 Intel-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro: These models have been completely eclipsed by the late 2020 models with the Apple M1 chip, from performance to battery life. Theyre only worth buying if you can snag them for well under $700. Anything close to $900 and you should just pay up for the base MacBook Air with M1. It really is superior.
At the time of writing, you can still buy a 13 MacBook Pro with an Intel chip in it. Unlike the M1 variant, it can be upgraded to 32GB, and you can boost the processor speed if you wish. Need more grunt? Not happy with the M1? Want a bigger MacBook?
The iMac 2021 will be available in the second half of May, with pre-orders open from April 30. The MacBook Pro is available to buy now. iMac 2021 vs MacBook Pro design “What do they look like? The most obvious difference between the iMac and the MacBook Pro is the design.

Conclusion

If you need a MacBook now, you need it now, after all. But there are still some times you should try to avoid splurging. If you can help it, do not buy a MacBook right before one of Apples fall events. Typically, one is held in September and another in October or November.
If all you do on the MacBook is browsing the internet or edit Word documents and you care more about portability, then the MacBook Air is a good choice. MacBook Pro (MBP) is the most expensive line of Apple laptops. It comes with a much more powerful CPU, its not fanless and can get hot pretty hot when performing CPU-heavy tasks.
You dont want to buy a new Apple laptop, only to find out it has become outdated a week or two later. This advice is particularly important this year because Apple is heavily rumored to be planning a huge update to the MacBook Pro 13, plus an important refresh for the MacBook Pro 16.
The MacBook Air is Apples most popular laptop, and for good reason. Its thin and light, performs very well, and is the most affordable Apple laptop sells. At the end of 2020, it got its first major revision in a long time as one of the first Mac models to be powered by Apple Silicon.