M4 iMac review: ❤️

It's an exemplar of today's golden age of the Mac.

Author

Leander Kahney
November 12, 2024

In partnership with

It’s a strange turn of events that the quintessential Mac — the iMac — is now a niche device!

The iMac was the machine that saved Apple back in the late ’90s, when Steve Jobs and Jony Ive wowed the world with a fun, approachable, well-designed, candy-colored machine.

Over the years the iMac has gone through several design changes, finally landing on a sleek, flat-panel form factor more than a decade ago.

But the venerable desktop doesn’t sell in anywhere near the same numbers as Apple’s portable Macs. These days, only a select few opt for the iMac.

It’s a shame, because it’s a great computer — perhaps my favorite Mac.

You get a fast, capable machine integrated with a spectacular screen — and for less than you’d pay if you bought the components separately.

So if you’re in the market for a new desktop, check out our hands-on review of the new M4 iMac by Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones.

“This thing speaks to the golden age of the Mac we find ourselves in,” he says.

Sounds about right.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Apple reportedly is developing a smart home camera. Say what? I think I’d rather have an Apple router.

  • If your iPhone gets hot while charging, take a look at our hands-on review of a unique charging puck with a built-in cooling fan.

  • Is this adding insult to injury? Not only did Apple Music shock the world with a controversial 100 best albums list that no one agreed with, but now the company wants to charge you $450 for a glossy coffee-table book that immortalizes the head-scratching list. Will you buy it? Take the poll below.

  • This is a great idea: If you lose your luggage at the airport, you’ll be able to share its location with airlines to help the useless bastards find it.

  • If I weren't already a Costco member, I’d jump on this $20 membership deal.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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With the M4 iMac, you don’t have to pick between fast or fun [Review] ★★★★☆

The 2024 iMac with the M4 chip is a stunning and powerful all-in-one. It speaks to the golden age of the Mac we find ourselves in.

Apple could launch a smart home IP camera in 2026

The device would feature deep integration with the company’s other gear as Apple jumps into a new product category.

Find lost luggage by sharing your AirTag location with your airline

Find out how AirTag and the new Share Item Location feature can help you recover lost luggage securely and (hopefully) easily.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Learn cloud computing with this $29.99 course bundle

If you’re looking to launch your tech career or expand your skills, this bundle of cloud computing courses helps you level up.

Apple Music turns its 100 Best Albums list into a $450 coffee-table book

In a truly Apple move, Apple Music offers a limited-edition book version of its 100 Best Albums list for an eye-watering $450.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 hub offers 120Gbps transfers

Unleash the power of Thunderbolt 5 with OWC's new hub. It brings fast data transfers, high-speed charging and expanded connectivity.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

This screaming deal drops Costco membership to just $20

Save on everything from Apple Watches and MacBooks to tires and rotisserie chickens with this Costco membership deal.

Apple Music Classical adds CarPlay and Siri support

Time to class up your tunes on the road with this app update.

Pitaka's new iPad mini folio folds into 4 viewing angles

Pitaka MagEZ Folio 2 for iPad mini is a stylish and protective choice for the sixth and seventh generations of Apple's smallest tablet.

iOS 18.2 beta 3: All the new features and changes

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How to update your AirPods and AirPods Pro to fix bugs

Here's how to see if you have the latest AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware, plus what you can do to force an update.

Nab these early Black Friday deals on M4 Macs and more

Early Black Friday Mac deals on Amazon cover each M4 machine -- MacBooks, Mac minis and iMac. You can get a bargain on the M2 MacBook Air, too.

Cool your iPhone while it charges with this power puck [Review] ★★★★☆

Keep your iPhone or Android cool while charging up with the Aukey MagFusion GameFrost Wireless Charger, extending the life of its battery.

Today in Apple history: Cupertino salivates over the restaurant biz

On November 12, 1996, Apple laid out a wild plan to get into the restaurant business, saying it would open a chain of Apple Cafes.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I think you still have to think differently to buy an Apple computer. The people who buy them do think different. They are the creative spirits in this world, and they’re out to change the world. We make tools for those kinds of people.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Are you going to buy the Apple Music best albums book?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: If you have an M1 Mac, is it time for an M4?

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