Apple iMac 24" (2021) Review: Unboxing, Design, and Key Features

The latest 24-inch iMac is a striking transformation from its predecessors, marking Apple's first comprehensive redesign in a decade. This innovative design takes full advantage of Apple’s silicon technology, resulting in a slimmer, more compact form factor with an expansive display. The iMac's new aesthetics resonate with a nostalgic nod to the original models, incorporating vibrant colors and meticulous attention to aesthetic details.

Unboxing the iMac sets a new standard with its flat-opening design, a departure from previous vertical box arrangements. This redesigned packaging emphasizes sustainable materials, with thoughtful color coordination across accessories like the keyboard and mouse. The new external power supply incorporates network connectivity while maintaining a sleek, color-coordinated design.

Key Takeaways

• Redesigned 24-inch iMac utilizes Apple silicon.
• Packaging features eco-friendly materials and color coordination.
• New external power supply includes Ethernet connectivity.

iMac's New Look

The redesigned 24-inch iMac arrives with a fresh, vibrant aesthetic that embraces a variety of colors—a nod to the fun, original designs of early models. Expanding from the previous silver and black palette, this new lineup incorporates two-tone shades across different finishes. When you unpack it, you'll encounter a unique boxing experience that utilizes environmentally friendly materials. The packaging now opens flat, giving you a color-coordinated presentation of the components inside.

The reimagined iMac benefits from Apple silicon technology, resulting in a compact design that offers a larger display without increasing the external dimensions. This transformation echoes prior iMac ideals, combining modern sophistication with playful styling. The detailing doesn't stop there—the new Magic Keyboard features rounded corners and introduces an integrated Touch ID sensor, while the Magic Trackpad embodies a similar curvature to stay consistent with the overall theme. The Magic Mouse maintains its established design, offering multi-touch functionality and featuring a color-matched exterior.

Powering your new iMac is an external power supply, a first in its design history. This choice provides practical advantages, reducing heat within the device and simplifying replacement if needed. The advanced version of this power supply even includes a gigabit Ethernet port, which highlights the clever engineering behind this accessory. Ensuring every component is tied into the color theme, the braided power cable and connectors reflect the iMac's design in both functionality and aesthetics.

Each iMac is equipped with USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 ports, aligning with Apple's familiar approach to input/output connectivity. Unique to this design, the 3.5mm headphone jack is conveniently positioned on the side due to the device’s slim profile. As you integrate this device into your setup, its thoughtful design and comprehensive color integration will likely stand out, enhancing both workspace aesthetics and functionality.

Unpacking and First Impressions

You'll notice a significant change when unboxing the new 24-inch iMac. The packaging is designed to be eco-friendly, using paper and biodegradable materials. It opens flat on the table, guided by color-coded arrows, making it easier to lift the iMac out of its cradle.

Once the iMac is out, you'll find the accessories neatly placed below it. These accessories may vary depending on your configuration, but let's consider the upgraded keyboard, trackpad, and mouse—all designed to complement the iMac with their rounded corners and color coordination. The Magic Keyboard now includes a Touch ID sensor and reassigned function keys for enhanced utility. The Magic Trackpad provides consistent clicks across its surface, while the Magic Mouse remains unchanged except for its color.

The accessories recharge using a braided Lightning cable that matches your iMac’s color scheme. Two-tone Apple stickers and color-coordinated paperwork add a thoughtful touch to the unboxing experience.

A key addition is the external 143-watt power supply, which helps reduce heat inside the iMac’s body. This power supply includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and a braided cable with a MagSafe-style connector, offering both power and data transfer.

The iMac is well-protected with several layers, including a wrapping envelope and a white screen protector featuring a "Hello" icon during the boot-up sequence. Unwrapping involves peeling away plastic layers from the front and back, ensuring easy and clean removal.

Design Appeal and Color Harmony

The newest 24-inch iMac brings a fresh, vibrant take on modern desktops. Departing from the previous silver and black aesthetic, it introduces a playful yet sophisticated range of colors. The attention to detail is evident with features like color-matched Apple stickers and inserts for the lightning ports and accessories. This color coordination even extends to the eco-friendly packaging materials.

One of the iMac’s standout features is its dual-tone finish. From the front, the keyboard, mouse, and chin stand share a consistent hue, while the back panel presents a darker, contrasting tone for an elegant and dramatic effect. This dual-tone design ensures the iMac looks cohesive, even when the back is facing the wall.

Accessories like the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad have been redesigned to complement the iMac’s look. They retain their familiar functions but now feature softer, rounded corners that align with the revamped Magic Keyboard. The keyboard seamlessly integrates a Touch ID sensor, highlighting Apple's commitment to merging design with functionality. Together, these enhancements offer both aesthetic pleasure and a unified user experience.

Accessory Overview

Improved Magic Keyboard Options

When choosing the new iMac, you can enhance your setup with an upgraded keyboard. The refined design includes rounded corners, giving it a sleek visual update. A Touch ID sensor now replaces the former eject button, providing quick, secure authentication directly from the keyboard. Additionally, the updated F4 to F6 function keys offer Spotlight Search, Dictation, and Do Not Disturb options.

Features of the Magic Trackpad

The Magic Trackpad complements your iMac's aesthetic with matching colors and rounded edges. It delivers reliable performance, simulating clicks without mechanical parts. The entire surface responds uniformly, ensuring accuracy no matter where you press, offering a seamless interaction with your iMac.

Design Insights into Magic Mouse 2

The Magic Mouse 2 retains its iconic design, with its only update being color coordination with the new iMac models. It supports multi-touch gestures across its surface, with a physical click mechanism. While there’s still debate over the placement of the charging port, which restricts use during charging, the Lightning port continues to serve as the charging solution, in line with the other accessories.

Enhancing Your Experience with Solumics Case for the Magic Mouse

The Solumics Case offers a practical upgrade for users of the Apple Magic Mouse, enhancing the device's ergonomics and user experience without altering its core features. Designed for an enhanced grip, the case elevates the palm area, potentially reducing strain and discomfort during extended use.

Crafted from high-quality, lightweight plastic, the case maintains the mouse's signature sleekness and ensures fluid movement across surfaces. This design attribute is particularly beneficial for those who might find the mouse's original design challenging to hold comfortably or navigate smoothly.

Incorporating the Solumics Case is straightforward. It secures onto the mouse seamlessly, offering stability without compromising the device's aesthetic. Compatibility isn’t an issue, as the case is suitable for all current Magic Mouse versions.

For those seeking an accessory that boosts comfort and efficiency, the Solumics Case provides a compelling addition.

External Power Module with Network Connector

A notable feature of the redesigned 24-inch iMac is its external power module. Unlike previous models, this iMac places the power supply outside the main unit, which helps keep the internal components cooler by dispersing heat more effectively. This design also makes it easier to replace or service the power module without disassembling the entire computer.

One standout aspect of the power module is the inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet connector, available in the enhanced model. This allows you to connect to wired internet directly through the power supply, combining power and data transmission into a single cable. The braided cable enhances durability and complements the iMac’s sleek, dual-tone design.

The connection between the iMac and the power module uses a MagSafe-style connector, marking the first time this feature has been used in an iMac. This innovative design integrates power delivery and network data in one streamlined connection. Although the power module is larger than the 96-watt version found with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, its long cable ensures it can easily reach the floor, even with taller desk setups.

Materials Used for Protection and Installation Steps

Glass Cover and Reusability

The iMac you receive will be well-protected with several layers. Initially, you’ll notice it’s packaged in an environmentally friendly paper material. You will find an iconic "hello" greeting on a white protective screen sheet. The design ensures easy removal, thanks to handy tabs that allow you to peel it off in a single motion. Beneath this, the edge of the screen sports a stylish touch with a faint blue tint, setting a distinct look without the traditional Apple logo.

Transparent Wrappings and Unveiling Process

Your iMac also features a plastic shield across its aluminum back, designed for straightforward removal. A separate plastic piece shields the MagSafe power connection point behind the stand to keep it dust-free. A final protective strip spans the iMac’s edge, simplifying the unwrapping by being a single piece. This simple yet effective design ensures you can fully reveal your device with ease while safeguarding it during transport.

Design Features

Hue and Dual-Tone Appearance

The new design revives the vibrant, playful style reminiscent of its predecessors. The carefully coordinated color scheme blends multiple hues to create a striking two-tone effect. From the front, the keyboard, mouse, stand, and bottom edge are all harmonized in matching shades. As you turn the device, the darker tone of the back panel creates a distinct, elegant contrast. This two-tone finish extends to even the smallest details, like the stickers, ensuring that every component aligns with the overall aesthetic vision.

Support, Frame, and Icon

The structural elements, including the stand and the frame surrounding the display, echo previous design features, particularly the white frame around the screen. The chin area, color-matched to the visible parts, ties into this coordinated design. On the back, a glossy emblem complements the darker back panel, which isn’t visible from the front. By harmonizing these elements, the iMac’s design offers a modern take while paying homage to classic touches.

Ports and Connections 

Thunderbolt and USB4 Features

The 24-inch iMac includes two Thunderbolt 3/USB4 ports, providing fast data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. On the upgraded model, Apple adds two USB-C ports supporting USB 3, offering speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This port configuration ensures plenty of connectivity options for various devices and peripherals.

Headphone Jack Location

With the iMac’s streamlined design, the 3.5mm headphone jack is now located on the left edge. This new placement offers easy access, especially useful for setups where you frequently switch between audio devices or plug in headphones quickly.

I/O Color Coordination

A standout design feature is the color-matched I/O ports. The USB-C connectors and headphone jack have color-coordinated inserts that match the iMac’s exterior. This attention to detail enhances the aesthetic appeal and ensures the entire device looks cohesive from every angle.

Frequently Asked Questions