The Apple iMac is an iconic all-in-one computer that has been a mainstay of Apple‘s desktop lineup for over two decades. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and the intuitive macOS operating system, the iMac has long been a popular choice for both casual and professional users. However, as attractive as the iMac may seem at first glance, there are several compelling reasons why it may not be the best option for everyone. In this article, we‘ll dive into ten major drawbacks of the iMac that you should carefully consider before making a purchase.
1. You‘re paying a hefty premium for the Apple brand
One of the most glaring issues with the iMac is its high price tag relative to the specifications and features you‘re getting. The base model 24-inch iMac starts at a whopping $1,299, which gets you an M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a measly 256GB SSD. For comparison, you can find numerous Windows all-in-one PCs with more powerful processors, double the RAM, and significantly more storage for hundreds of dollars less.
For example, the HP Pavilion 24 All-in-One can be configured with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GPU for around $1,000. Even the premium Microsoft Surface Studio 2, with its innovative hinged design and professional-grade display, starts at a lower price than a comparable iMac when you factor in the necessary upgrades.
While Apple‘s M1 silicon is impressively efficient, the raw performance you‘re getting for your money still lags behind many Windows options, especially if you opt for the base model. Unless you‘re dead-set on using macOS or are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, it‘s hard to justify the iMac‘s inflated cost.
2. Extremely limited upgradability
Another major strike against the iMac is how little flexibility it offers for upgrades and repairs. The memory is soldered directly to the M1 chip, meaning you‘re stuck with however much RAM you choose at purchase. The same goes for storage – the SSD is not user-replaceable. Even something as basic as adding more USB ports via a PCIe card is impossible due to the iMac‘s highly integrated design.
This stands in stark contrast to most Windows all-in-ones, which typically allow for user-upgradable RAM and storage at the very least. And if you build your own PC, the sky‘s the limit in terms of future-proofing your system with more powerful components down the line. With an iMac, what you buy is what you get, so you‘d better be confident it will meet your needs for years to come.
3. You‘re locked into Apple‘s software ecosystem
Choosing an iMac means hitching your wagon to macOS and the Apple software ecosystem. For some, this is a positive – macOS is known for its stability, security, and ease of use. Creative professionals in particular may prefer tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro that are only available on Macs.
However, macOS is far more of a "walled garden" compared to Windows. Many popular applications either aren‘t available at all on macOS or come in inferior versions due to the smaller user base. Gaming is also much more limited (more on that later). If you rely on certain Windows software for work or hobbies, an iMac likely isn‘t a good fit.
You‘ll also miss out on touch/stylus input that is increasingly common on Windows devices. While Apple has slowly added Touch Bar and trackpad gestures to make macOS more tactile, they haven‘t taken the plunge into full touchscreen territory like Microsoft, Dell, HP, and others. If you want to manipulate UI elements or jot down notes directly on your screen, the iMac isn‘t for you.
4. Performance limitations
While the M1 chip in the latest iMacs is efficient and snappy feeling for general use, it may not be the powerhouse Apple marketing would have you believe. In particular, the thermal design of the base model 24-inch iMac leaves a lot to be desired.
With only a single fan and no heat pipe, this entry-level config is prone to throttling under sustained heavy workloads like video editing or 3D rendering. The two-fan design in the higher-end models fares better, but still falls short of the active cooling in many high-performance Windows PCs. Thermal limitations are an inherent drawback of the uber-thin AIO form factor.
The iMac also tops out at 16GB of RAM currently, which may not be enough for the most demanding professional applications. And there‘s no option to add a discrete GPU – you‘re stuck with the integrated graphics on the M1, which isn‘t ideal for tasks like gaming or GPU-accelerated content creation. On the Windows side, all-in-ones like the HP Envy 32 can be configured with up to an NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics card that will run circles around any iMac.
If you need the absolute strongest performance, Apple‘s Mac Studio desktop is a better bet in the macOS realm. But you‘ll be spending significantly more and losing the all-in-one convenience. For the price of an iMac, a Windows desktop with a beefy CPU, ample RAM, and a powerful discrete GPU will be a more capable workstation.
5. Lack of configuration options
Apple is notorious for limiting user choice when it comes to hardware configurations, and the iMac is no exception. You get a modest selection of color options, but the actual tech specs are very limited compared to the breadth of possibilities in the Windows world.
Want to pick a particular CPU or GPU that best suits your needs and budget? Too bad – with the iMac you get whatever Apple gives you. Monitors are also take-it-or-leave it. The 24-inch model comes with a glossy display with no matte option, while the larger 27-inch version is matte only. The standard glass Apple uses is also extremely reflective, which some find distracting. With other brands, you usually get more freedom to choose the exact size, resolution, and panel type you prefer.
Even the included keyboard and mouse are mediocre at best. The Magic Mouse in particular has drawn criticism for its poor ergonomics. Most Windows all-in-ones come bundled with higher quality peripherals or at least give you the option to upgrade them.
At the end of the day, iMacs are very much a one-size-fits-all proposition. That may be fine for the average user, but it‘s frustrating for those who want to tailor every aspect of their computer to their specific preferences.
6. You can get more for your money building your own PC
For the tech-savvy buyer willing to roll up their sleeves, building a custom PC is almost always a better value than buying an iMac. You can hand-pick every component to maximize performance where you need it most, while saving money on things you don‘t need. And you can do it all without paying the "Apple tax."
For example, let‘s say you‘re a gamer. By building your own Windows desktop, you can dump more of your budget into a top-of-the-line GPU and high refresh rate monitor, while going with a more modest CPU and motherboard. You‘d end up with a gaming beast that would cost significantly more in a pre-built configuration from any major brand.
Or maybe you‘re a video editor who needs gobs of fast storage for large project files. In that case, you could splurge on a spacious PCIe 4.0 SSD and a boatload of RAM, while saving cash with a non-RGB case and stock CPU cooler. You‘d have a post-production powerhouse perfectly tailored to your needs.
Yes, building a PC comes with extra legwork. But there are countless guides out there to walk you through the process. And for those who prefer a more turnkey experience, many boutique PC builders will assemble your rig to your exact specifications. You‘ll still come out ahead compared to buying an iMac.
7. Windows offers better all-in-one options
If you‘re set on an all-in-one form factor but not married to macOS, there are numerous compelling Windows options that deliver more bang for your buck than the iMac.
Take the Dell Inspiron 27 7000, for instance. For about $950, you get a 27-inch InfinityEdge display, an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM (upgradable to 32GB), and a 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD. Step up to the $1,200 model and you get a more powerful i7 chip, double the RAM and SSD capacity, and a touchscreen. Both are significantly cheaper than a comparable iMac.
HP‘s Pavilion line also has several attractive models, like the Pavilion 24 we mentioned earlier. It can be equipped with everything from an AMD Ryzen 3 to a Core i7, up to 32GB of RAM, and dual storage drives. Again, you‘re getting a lot more flexibility and performance potential for your money versus the iMac.
And we can‘t forget Microsoft‘s groundbreaking Surface Studio, aimed squarely at creative professionals. Its Zero Gravity Hinge allows the 28-inch touchscreen to smoothly transition between upright desktop mode and flat studio mode for drawing and drafting. It‘s expensive, but arguably a better overall value for artists and designers than an iMac thanks to its unique versatility.
These are just a few examples – the Windows ecosystem is vast, and chances are there‘s an all-in-one out there that meets your needs better than an iMac does.
8. macOS isn‘t ideal for everyone
While macOS has its share of fans, it‘s certainly not for everyone. If you‘ve used Windows your whole life, transitioning to macOS can be a real shock to the system. Many interface conventions are different, like closing windows with the red "stoplight" button (which doesn‘t actually quit the app) and the menu bar living at the top of the screen.
The Mac versions of many popular applications like Microsoft Office also have a distinct look and feel that takes some getting used to. There may be features you‘re accustomed to on Windows that are missing or work differently on macOS. You might also run into file compatibility issues when going back and forth between Mac and Windows environments.
For those who do a lot of troubleshooting or system tweaking, macOS can feel constricting. With Windows, you have full control over every aspect of the OS and access to a vast selection of third-party utilities. On a Mac, you‘re largely limited to the built-in tools Apple provides – great for novices, frustrating for power users.
Even the way software is installed is different. With Windows, you can download an .exe or .msi installer from pretty much anywhere. With macOS, you‘re pushed toward the App Store and disk images (.dmg files), which is more of an adjustment than you might think. Bottom line – there‘s a learning curve when switching from Windows to Mac that some folks underestimate.
9. Gaming is still lacking on Mac
If gaming is a priority for you, the iMac (or any Mac for that matter) probably shouldn‘t be on your radar. The harsh reality is that macOS remains a very distant second to Windows when it comes to gaming. Many titles never make it to Mac at all, and those that do often arrive late and run worse than their Windows counterparts.
Raw performance is the main issue. Apple has shown some renewed interest in graphics recently with its Metal API and the Pro and Max variants of the M1 chip, but Macs still lag far behind the latest gaming PCs. Without the ability to slot in an NVIDIA RTX or AMD Radeon GPU, the iMac simply can‘t keep up with the latest AAA titles at high resolutions and frame rates.
Game selection is also a sore spot. While Mac gamers now have a decent stable of options thanks to storefronts like Steam, the macOS library is a fraction the size of what‘s available on Windows. And as mentioned, new releases often hit Macs months after their Windows debut, if they come to the platform at all.
Yes, you can use Apple‘s Boot Camp utility to install Windows on a separate partition and get better gaming performance that way. But at that point, you‘re probably better off buying a dedicated Windows gaming rig and saving the headaches. The iMac is fine for casual gaming, but it‘s a poor choice for enthusiasts.
10. You may be able to find a better screen on a Windows AIO
One of the iMac‘s traditional strengths has been its display quality. The current 4.5K Retina Display in the 24-inch model and 5K display in the 27-inch iMac are both stellar…but they‘re not the end-all-be-all in the all-in-one world.
For instance, Dell offers InfinityEdge monitors on its Inspiron all-in-ones with 4K resolution and 99% sRGB color coverage. ASUS and HP also use 4K IPS panels in many of their AIO systems that deliver comparable image quality. These days, Apple no longer has a monopoly on great built-in screens.
Where the iMac really falls short is refresh rate and adaptive sync. All current iMac models are stuck at 60Hz, while many high-end Windows AIOs offer 120Hz, 144Hz, or even higher refresh rates for smoother motion and lower input lag. A few, like the HP Envy 34, also support adaptive sync technologies like NVIDIA G-Sync which vary the refresh rate to prevent stutters and screen tearing.
The other advantage of going with an upgradeable Windows AIO is you can always swap in a different display later on if your needs change. With an iMac, you‘re locked into that glossy glass panel for the life of the machine, for better or worse.
So while the iMac‘s display shouldn‘t be knocked, it‘s lost a lot of its luster compared to the best Windows options. Resolution isn‘t everything, and in other areas like refresh rate and upgradeability, the iMac is starting to lag behind.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, the iMac feels like it‘s coasting on its past reputation. What was once a cutting-edge, aspirational machine for creatives and well-heeled Apple fans hasn‘t kept pace with the PC industry at large. You‘re paying a hefty premium for a computer that, in many ways, is less capable and flexible than a comparable Windows all-in-one or home-built desktop.
Unless you‘re wedded to macOS or have very basic computing needs, it‘s hard to recommend the iMac as a smart buy. The M1 chip is a step in the right direction performance-wise, but it doesn‘t change the iMac‘s other drawbacks like its lack of upgradability, configuration limitations, gaming weaknesses, and lofty price tag. For the vast majority of users, a Windows AIO or custom-built PC will be a better value and more versatile tool.
As iconic as it is, the iMac seems to be a product in search of a user base. The most demanding professional users will be better served by a high-end PC workstation or a Mac Studio, while casual home users can save a bundle with a midrange Windows machine. The iMac occupies an awkward middle ground of being overpriced for what it offers. Until Apple revamps the lineup with more competitive specs, features, and pricing, the iMac is a tough sell in today‘s diverse PC landscape.
So unless you fit a very specific niche, do yourself a favor and carefully consider the alternatives before dropping a minimum of $1,300 on a shiny new iMac. Chances are there‘s a Windows option out there that will meet your needs and make your wallet happier in the process.
