New iMac Review: A Powerful Desktop That Desperately Needs a Redesign

Introduction: A Desktop That's "Good Enough"

Apple's new iMac is undeniably a capable desktop computer in terms of performance. It packs a powerful chip, an excellent display, and the refined build quality we've come to expect—more than enough for most home and office users. But as many long-time Mac users have noticed, this machine's design language has been around for years and now looks somewhat out of place in today's desktop environment.

Based on the review perspective from tech media outlet The Verge, combined with real-world usage scenarios, this article explores the imbalance between performance and design in the new iMac—and why Apple needs to seriously consider a thorough redesign.

Performance: More Than Enough for Everyday Use

The Apple Silicon chip in the new iMac delivers strong single-core and multi-core performance, handling common workloads like video editing, graphic design, and multitasking office work with ease. For most users, this machine will comfortably meet their needs for years to come.

Display quality is another strength: high resolution, wide color gamut, and accurate color reproduction keep it competitive among all-in-ones at the same price point. Whether you're processing photos or streaming content, the visual experience is satisfying.

That said, "good enough" performance doesn't equal "impressive." In the desktop market, competitors now offer more choices in screen size, port configuration, and expandability, while the iMac's hardware configuration remains relatively fixed—users must decide at purchase how they'll use it for years ahead, with no room for upgrades.

Apple Silicon is Apple's series of self-designed chips that have been gradually replacing Intel processors in the Mac lineup since 2020. Based on ARM architecture, it uses an SoC (System on Chip) design that integrates CPU, GPU, memory, and neural engine into a single package. This unified memory architecture lets all components share the same high-speed memory pool, reducing data movement overhead—hence its standout efficiency in video editing, image processing, and similar tasks. The trade-off of SoC design is that memory and storage are typically fixed at purchase and cannot be upgraded later, which is the technical root of the iMac's "fixed hardware configuration and lack of upgradeability" mentioned in this article.

Design Issues: A Chassis That Hasn't Changed in Years

The Verge's reviewer points out that the new iMac's design hasn't seen substantive updates in years. The ultra-thin body and colorful shells were eye-catching at launch, but over time, this design has begun to show signs of fatigue in both practicality and aesthetics.

The most criticized aspect is the large white bezels and prominent chin on the front. In an era where edge-to-edge displays have become the norm, the iMac's screen bezels look especially wide, and the chin area wastes vertical space that could be used for content. For users seeking an immersive experience, this design feels dated.

Another issue is the limited number of ports. While there are a few USB-C ports on the back, everyday use often requires external drives, monitors, or card readers—insufficient ports force many users to buy additional hubs, adding to desktop cable clutter.

All-in-One refers to a desktop computer form factor that integrates the host, display, speakers, and camera into a single chassis. Its core advantage is fewer cables and out-of-the-box readiness, but the drawbacks are equally obvious: if either the screen or the host becomes outdated or breaks, it may affect the decision to replace the entire unit; internal space is limited, and cooling and expandability are typically weaker than with separate desktop systems. Compared to a Mac mini plus external monitor setup, an all-in-one sacrifices the flexibility of "replacing just one component" in exchange for a tidy desktop and plug-and-play experience. Understanding this trade-off helps clarify the discussion about the iMac's blurry positioning in this article.

Scenario Mismatch: The Awkward Positioning of Desktop Computers

The reviewer mentions a telling detail: he usually works around the house with a MacBook, and even when a monitor and peripherals are available to connect, he often can't be bothered to plug in. This reflects the reality for many users today—the portability of laptops has reduced how often desktop computers get used.

As an all-in-one, the iMac's biggest advantages are out-of-the-box readiness and a clean desktop. But when users already own a sufficiently capable laptop, the iMac's appeal depends on whether it can offer an experience a laptop can't replace. Currently, aside from a larger screen, the iMac hasn't provided a convincing answer in terms of interaction methods or scenario integration.

A dock is a peripheral that expands a computer's single port into multiple USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and card reader ports, commonly used with port-limited thin laptops and all-in-ones. It can alleviate port shortages to some extent, but also brings extra cost, power requirements, and desktop cables. For a stationary desktop device like the iMac, ports could have been made more abundant on the chassis itself. Relying on a dock instead is, in a sense, a compromise an all-in-one makes in pursuit of a slim appearance—which is the practical reason behind the reviewer's criticism of its port configuration.

Apple Needs to Rethink the iMac's Positioning

From a product lineup perspective, the iMac sits between the Mac mini and Mac Studio, with somewhat blurry positioning. The Mac mini is cheaper and more flexible, the Mac Studio is more powerful, and the iMac's unique selling points are mainly its integrated design and display quality. If Apple wants the iMac to continue attracting users, it needs to make more meaningful design changes.

Possible directions for improvement include: narrower screen bezels, more ports, more flexible stand options, and more screen size choices. These adjustments don't require revolutionary technology but could significantly improve everyday convenience and visual experience.

More importantly, Apple needs to answer one question: in an era where laptops are increasingly powerful and external monitors are increasingly affordable, what is the purpose of an all-in-one computer? If the answer is simply "it looks nice," that's clearly not enough.

Conclusion: A Good Computer, But Not Good Enough

The new iMac is a competent desktop computer—reliable performance, excellent display, smooth system experience. But it's also a product that leaves you feeling regretful—its design hasn't kept up with the times, and its positioning doesn't address users' real needs. For those considering an all-in-one, the new iMac is still worth considering, but if you're expecting a desktop computer that truly impresses, you may want to wait a little longer.

Apple has enough design capability and technical reserves to build a better iMac. The question is whether it's willing to break free from its existing design inertia.