The all-new iMac doesn’t just look really snazzy altogether; it is also packing the new M1 processor that Apple claims can improve CPU performance by up to 85%.
- iMac 2021 vs iMac 2020: iMac 2021:
From $1,299 at Apple
- iMac 2021 vs iMac 2020: Pros
The new lightning-fast M1 processor
Ultra-slim and sleek
Comes in pretty colors (Even the accessories!)
Better photo/video quality
Six speakers, including two subwoofers
- iMac 2021 vs iMac 2020: Cons
Fewer add-ons and options available
Many programs might not yet support M1 processing speeds
Although the decade-old design is beginning to feel a touch dated, the 2020 iMac still gives you plenty of upgrade options, like a full 8TB of storage.
- iMac 2021 vs iMac 2020:iMac 2020:
From $1,799 at Apple
Lots of options and add-ons available
More flexibility and hardware upgrades
5K display
Has more ports, including USB-A and SD cards
Supports two additional screens/monitors
The processor may be a bit slower
Only available within the standard silver
Design is beginning to look dated
Won’t work with Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Now that Apple has finally released its M1 iMac so it’s obvious that you maybe be feeling the urge to upgrade. the question is, is it really any better than the 27-inch iMac that was released in 2020? which will depend upon your own definition of “better.” Yes, the 2021 iMac has an all-new design that’s available during a rainbow of drool-worthy colors, but does it really perform any better? Let’s take a glance at some basic pros and cons of every model:
- iMac 2021 vs iMac 2020: Key Differences
While there are some major differences between these two machines, like processor and style, there also are many close similarities. Display, resolution, graphics, and camera aren’t so different within the two models. Here are some tech specs for comparison
| Cost | From $1,299 | From $1,799 |
| Size | 24 inches | 27 inches |
| Display | 4.5K Retina | 5K Retina |
| Resolution | 4480 by 2520 pixels | 5120 by 2880 pixels |
| Processor | 8-core Apple M1 chip | (Up to) 10-core Intel Core i9 processor |
| RAM | (Up to) 16GB | (Up to) 128GB |
| Storage | (Up to) 2TB | (Up to) 8TB |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera and M1 image signal processor | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Sound | High fidelity 6 speaker system with force canceling woofers and spatial audio | Stereo speakers |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt and USB 4 ports with Gigabit Ethernet | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, Four USB-A ports and Gigabit Ethernet with SDXC card slot |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | Magic Keyboard |
| Dimensions | 18.1 inches x 21.5 inches x 5.8 inches | 20.3 inches x 25.6 inches x 8 inches |
| Weight | 9.83 pounds | 19.7 pounds |
It deserves mention that this chart could also be a touch misleading. Once you check out RAM between the 2 models, it might appear initially glance that the iMac 2020 has eight times the RAM capacity because of the iMac 2021. This is often not precisely the case; yes, you’ll rise up to 128 GB of RAM on the iMac 2020 due to its upgradable format, but it doesn’t come like that in its base model.
At its base model, the 2020 iMac comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but due to the available upgrades, you’ll pay to include up to 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. The 2021 iMac doesn’t offer numerous upgrade options, one reason for its slimmer, lightweight profile, and lower cost point.
- iMac 2021 vs. iMac 2020: 5K vs rainbow
The first and most blatant difference between the iMac 2021 and therefore the iMac 2020 is that the updated design. The 27-inch iMac released in 2020 has an equivalent silver color and black-bordered display that we’ve come to understand and love. The 2021 version comes in six heartbreakingly beautiful colorways that make it extremely difficult to settle on only one. As if this weren’t refreshing enough, the keyboards, trackpads, and power cables will match the colour of your choice. This is often an enormous change, and it makes me very happy.
Besides the rainbow of colorways, the 2021 design is additionally shockingly slim and light-weight at only half an in. thick and 50% of the quantity. It weighs much but half the previous year’s model. This is often made possible by the sleek M1 processor that runs cooler with fewer fans. All of those changes bring a more streamlined design that’s less costly for Apple to supply.
The 2021 iMac comes in six heartbreakingly beautiful colorways that make it extremely difficult to settle on only one, while the 2020 iMac features a full 5K display.
Now let’s mention display. The 2021 iMac is clearly much smaller at only 24 inches versus the 27-inch 2020 model. This suggests that there just isn’t enough pixel space for an actual 5K display, therefore the 2021 iMac clocks in at 4.5K while the previous model features a full 5K display at 5120 by 2880 pixels. When it involves picture clarity, color display, and brightness, the 2 units are equivalent. It might be argued that the newer version could provide better video playback and gameplay thanks to the faster processor, but we’ll leave that for a subsequent section.
