There is arguing that Apple iMacs are different from traditional computers. They work as beautifully as they look, which makes them a preferred choice among most professionals. Regular software updates also make them more capable over time, thereby offering great value for money. Apple has now announced the 2021 iMac with a revitalized design. There are many surprising changes on the surface and under the hood. Here is everything you need to know.
The new iMac is more compact and thinner than last year’s iMac design. The side profile is just 11.5mm thin which makes it one of the slimmest all-in-one computers. Apple says the new design reduces the iMac’s volume by 50 per cent allowing it to take less space and fit easily in more places. The device is also more coloruful. It is now offered in Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, Blue, and Silver. Apple says the borders of the iMac use soft colours allowing users to focus on the on-screen content, while the rear features much bolder and saturated colours. The iMac also comes with a new power connector that attaches to the back magnetically with its woven two metre long, colour-matched cable.
Apple iMacs are known for their supreme display quality, and the new device is no different. It features a 24-inch 4.5K display with 500 nits of brightness, a P3 wide colour gamut, and a billion colours range. This makes iMac perfect for any kind of professional graphics work, including colour correction. The display also features Apple’s True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the display’s colour temperature for a more natural viewing experience. Apple says the screen also comes with industry-leading anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and reflections.
The new Apple iMac now runs the new M1 CPU. It uses Apple’s System-on-Chip design that integrates GPU, RAM, and security features into one chip. It is built on a 5nm fabrication process which makes it smaller and more efficient than previous Apple chipsets. The M1 has four high-efficiency cores and four high-performance cores. Apple says it delivers up to 85 per cent more performance, allowing users to export video projects faster, easily work with large photos for editing, and compile new apps in Xcode 12 in a fraction of the time.
Even the GPU offers 50 per cent more performance than the previous generation iMac. It gives the ability to edit up to five streams of 4K footage, or one stream of 8K footage, without dropping frames, in Final Cut Pro. The faster performance also lets you play casual games. The new iMac is available in two configurations. The base variant comes with 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and has two Thunderbolt ports. The higher-end model has 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and four Thunderbolt ports. The higher-end model also features an Ethernet port in the power adapter, allowing for a less cluttered setup.
The 2021 iMac also ships with a redesigned colour-matched Magic Keyboard. The new keyboard has an updated layout, and it now comes with rounder corners for a fresher look. The Magic Keyboard with mid-spec and higher-end iMacs also includes Touch ID. This is Apple’s first wireless Touch ID implementation, using a security component on the keyboard that communicates directly with the Secure Enclave in the M1 for seamless unlocking or making Apple Pay purchases. The device also ships with a colour-match Magic Mouse.
The new iMac now has a full HD FaceTime camera for a better video calling experience. Apple says the camera delivers high-quality video even in low light. It also takes advantage of the image signal processor in the M1 chip for enhancing camera image quality with better noise reduction and greater dynamic range. The iMac also has a studio-quality, three-microphone array for making the calling experience even more immersive. The mics are positioned to reduce feedback from the rest of the system, while directional beamforming allows focusing on your voice.
The 2021 iMac also promises a rich audio experience with its new six-speaker sound system. It has two pairs of force-cancelling woofers for improved bass response. Each pair balanced with a high-performance tweeter. Apple says the new six-speaker system delivers strong bass and crystal-clear mids and highs. These speakers work on Apple’s custom audio algorithms, and also support Dolby Atmos.
The 2021 iMac is completely different from its predecessor. It has an all-new design language, and the updated CPU makes it one the most powerful all-in-one computers. The new Apple iMac is available for pre-order at www.reliancedigital.in and at your nearest Reliance Digital store.
