Apple iMac M4 2024, 16GB, 1TB SSD, Silver

The iMac M4 is a gorgeous, silent, and absurdly reliable all-in-one that will make your desk look better and your workday smoother. Just don't buy it for gaming, and don't cheap out on RAM.

The M4 10-core CPU sits at the 57th percentile in our database, which sounds mediocre until you remember this is a fanless-ish all-in-one that sips power from a 143W PSU. Real-world performance is snappy, apps open instantly, and the silent operation is genuinely impressive. The 10-core GPU lands at the 65th percentile, fine for photo editing and light video work, but don't expect to run Cyberpunk at anything beyond slideshow settings. The 16GB of unified RAM is the bottleneck, sitting at just the 32nd percentile, and it's not upgradeable after purchase. Buy the RAM you need now or regret it later.

Against the Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 or the Dell Aurora ACT1250, the iMac M4 gets absolutely destroyed in raw gaming performance. Those towers have dedicated GPUs and upgradeable RAM, and they'll run circles around the M4 in any AAA title. But here's the trade-off: they're loud, bulky, and they don't have a 4480 x 2520 display built in. The HP OMEN GT16-0364 and MSI Aegis ZS2 are similarly gaming-focused, and they all make the iMac look like a toy in benchmark charts. But if you're doing office work, photo editing, or just want a clean desk setup, the iMac is the better choice. It's not even close for everyday use. The iMac is quieter, more reliable, and the display alone is worth the price of admission.

Pricing is all over the place right now. US listings range from USD 1,766 to USD 2,199, a USD 433 spread that means you should absolutely shop around before pulling the trigger. B&H has the best deal at the lower end, and multiple reviewers specifically called out their discounts on Apple products. At USD 1,766 this is a solid value for a machine that will last 5-7 years. At USD 2,199 you're paying a premium for the Apple logo and the convenience of an all-in-one. If you can find it closer to the lower end, buy it. If you're stuck at the top of the range, wait for a sale.

The Apple iMac M4 is the desktop you buy when you want a computer that just works, looks stunning on your desk, and never makes a sound. Our database puts its reliability in the 99th percentile, which is basically Apple saying "we've been doing this since 1998 and we're not about to stop now." The 24-inch Retina display is the star here, a 4480 x 2520 panel that makes everything from spreadsheets to Netflix look absurdly good. But here's the thing: 16GB of RAM in 2025 is tight, and the gaming score of 34.4 out of 100 tells you exactly who this machine is not for.

If you're looking for a gaming desktop, this isn't it. Go get a Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 or a Dell Aurora ACT1250 instead, both of which have dedicated GPUs and upgradeable RAM. And if you're a heavy multitasker who keeps 50 browser tabs open while editing video, the 16GB RAM ceiling will drive you nuts. Look at a Mac Studio or a Windows tower with 32GB or more.

Buy the iMac M4 if you want a beautiful, silent, reliable desktop for everyday work, photo editing, or general home office use. The 99th percentile reliability score means you're buying peace of mind, and the display is genuinely best-in-class for this price range. But be realistic about the RAM. 16GB is fine for now, but if you're a heavy multitasker or plan to keep this for 5+ years, you'll feel the squeeze. And if gaming matters at all, look elsewhere. This is not a gaming machine, and no amount of Apple Intelligence will change that.