Welcome to the topic “M1 MacBook vs. iMac: Which one should you buy?”
iMac 2021 or MacBook Pro? Which should you buy? The answer is not as simple as you might think and mainly depends on what you’re looking for in your next Mac.
Apple has been known for its innovative design and cutting-edge technology. But to get a sense of which machine is best for your needs, the only way to decide is by looking at these two machines side-by-side. To help you make that decision, we will compare iMac 2021 and MacBook Pro in terms of design, weight, cost, and more!
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro How much do they cost?
The initial level iMac 2021 comes at around $1300 with a powerful 8-core CPU, impressive 7-core GPU, and 256GB of storage. However, there are other variants as well. You will come across an iMac model featuring an 8-core GPU for only $1500, as well as a 512GB variant for $1700. These expensive models are available in many shades, and all look good. Your available color options are Yellow, Orange, Purple, and Blue, Green, Pink, and Silver.
On the other hand, Apple’s MacBook Pro comes at around £1000 initial machine. However, the high-end variant comes at $2,400 and features the latest Intel 2.6GHz 6-core 9th-generation i7 processor, and you will get a 512GB SSD for secure storage.
Alternatively, you can also opt for a 2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel i9 processor along with 1TB of storage at only spend $2,799.
As far as prices are concerned, it comes to your budget and how much you are willing to pay. In terms of configuration, both are parallel with the latest components and have excellent processing power.
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro – What about the design?
The most significant difference between the iMac 2021 and the MacBook Pro comes in the look and design. Remember that iMac is a desktop PC, while the MacBook Pro is a sleek laptop that you can carry anywhere.
Another notable difference comes in the available colour options. The iMac 2021 features a vibrant new design with a lot of colour choices for you. You can choose from Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Pink, and Silver.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro is an elegant piece and resembles previous models. The colour options in MacBook Pro are Space Grey and Silver.
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro – Webcam and Connectivity Options
The iMac 2021 features an improved 1080p webcam, while the MacBook Pro has a 720p FaceTime HD camera; nothing new. Obviously, the webcam quality of the iMac 2021 surpasses MacBook, and the differences are apparent.
As for the connectivity and ports, the iMac 2021 comes with two Thunderbolt ports, while its 8-core variants have two additional USB-C ports along with a 1Gbps Ethernet port. The MacBook Pro comes with four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
You can get matching accessories such as a Magic Keyboard with a smooth Touchpad and the Magic Mouse with the iMac.
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro – What about display and picture quality?
The iMac 2021 has a 4.5K Retina display featuring high resolutions of 4480 x 2520 and a trimmed bezel on its three sides. The display is amazing and offers 22.3 million pixels, a wide colour gamut, and vibrant colours. According to Apple, it can work on 500 nits of brightness and comes covered with an anti-reflective coating.
The MacBook Pro features a cute 16-inch LED-backlit display with a screen resolution of 3072 x 1920 and trimmed bezels on the screen. The resolution is lower than the iMac but more than enough for most uses, and they are not that visible as the pixels are nicely packed into a small display.
Both displays also have Apple’s exclusive True Tone technology that adjusts the colour, contrast, and temperature as per your environment.
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro – Which is more powerful?
One of the prominent features of Apple’s iMac 2021 is its M1 chip. The Apple-made processor is powerful and offers much-improved performance. Furthermore, you will get twice the GPU power as the last Intel-based iMac.
As per Apple, the M1 chip allows users to edit up to five streams of 4K videos or one stream of 8K clips without lagging or dropping a frame.
Moreover, the iMac is available in 7-core and 8-core GPU configurations, along with 8GB of RAM, and you can choose from 256GB or 512GB storage devices.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro features Intel processors, and you can choose from the 6-core Intel Core i7 or the 8-core Intel Core i9. The MacBook Pro has 16GB of RAM, while you can pick from 512GB or 1TB storage device.
Performance-wise both these devices work flawlessly, but Apple’s M1 2021 looks very competitive. However, both are perfect for rugged uses and ideal for almost all tasks.
iMac 2021 vs. MacBook Pro Our Verdict:
The iMac 2021 is perhaps the best in Apple’s lineup, and there are significant differences between iMac 2021 and MacBook Pro.
The iMac stands out in many ways, such as its vibrant shades and large 4.5K display, but the MacBook Pro is ideal for people on the move, or they prefer portability over machine’s design. However, there are rumors that the upcoming MacBook Pro will be redesigned, and we might see a more powerful chip.
Another notable difference between these two is the webcam’s quality. The iMac 2021 comes with an improved camera for clear video calls and acquires benefits from Apple’s own M1 chip. Moreover, the iMac is much more affordable as well. If you are looking for a reliable PC for home uses, then iMac is an exciting option.
In the end, this comes down to your personal preferences and usage. But you can rest assure that both these work flawlessly and are reliable options.
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Also Read: M1 MacBook Pro: Review
