Apple announced that the iMac would be the latest addition to the lineup of PCs the features the M1 processor. The 2020 MacBooks and the Mac mini all have the M1 processor before the latest addition to the lineup. These PCs got the M1 processor in 2020.
The M1 iMac got a new design and is available in at least seven colors. The refreshing looking along with the new processor on the iMac makes it more challenging to choose which M1 processor to get. After reviewing these M1 Macs, we have come up with a guide on how to choose the right M1 Mac for you. Either it is for business purposes or personal use, there is an M1 Mac for you.
There is rarely a one fits all answer when it comes to which machine best suits different purposes. So, this guide will attempt to tell you which M1 Mac is best suited for specific job categories.
The M1 iMac 2021
The latest iMac has undergone a complete redesign following the addition of the M1 processor. The cooling system and logic board have had a significant size reduction. This has resulted in the M1 iMac shedding 50 percent of its volume compared to its predecessors, coming at only 11.5mm thickness.
The entirety of the front surface is covered by a solitary glass pane, while the rear has rounded corners and is flat. These features made the M1 iMac appear like a gigantic iPad fixed on a slanting stand. The magnetic connection features in the power cord and an Ethernet Gigabit port has been newly added.
The M1 iMac has a 24-inch display (4.5K Retina), 8GB unified memory, and 256GB/512GB SSD options. The base model is set at $1,299, and there is a colour option of silver, pink, and green. The premium configuration costs $1,499/$1,699 per storage size.
The latest M1 iMac is best suited for iMac users looking to upgrade, creative that don’t need a large monitor or the power offered by the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, and knowledge workers that prefer a desktop to a laptop.
The M1 MacBook Air 2020
The M1 version of the MacBook Air comes with an 8GB/16GB memory option, storage options of 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB SSD. However, the 2020 MacBook Air doesn’t come with a cooling fan, unlike its predecessors. The port options include two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack (3.5mm). It has a 13.3-inch display and has Bluetooth 5.0.
The starting price is the same as its predecessors, with the base model starting at $999. The premium model will cost you $2,049.
The 2020 M1 MacBook Air is best suited for MacBook Air owners looking to upgrade, users who do not constantly max out their GPU/CPU, and creative who prefer an extremely portable laptop.
The M1 MacBook Pro 2020 (13-inch)
The M1 MacBook Pro (13-inch) comes with 8GB/16GB memory options and storage options of 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB SSF. It has two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack (3.5mm). It has a gorgeous 13.3-inch display.
The 2020 MacBook Pro features a cooling fan; unlike the latest MacBook Air, it also has the Touch Bar. It supports Bluetooth 5.0. The price for the base model is set at $1,299, while the premium model will cost you $2,299.
The M1 MacBook Pro (13-inch) is best suited for MacBook Pro owners looking to upgrade, creative pros that need their CPU/GPU to give a sustainable performance, engineers, developers, CAD users who do regular work on their Apple laptops.
The M1 Mac Mini 2020
The latest Apple M1 Mac Mini comes with 8GB/16GB memory options and storage options of 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB SSD. It features two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, an Ethernet Gigabit port, the HDMI port (2.0), two Type-A USB ports, a headphone jack (3.5mm) and the built-in speaker.
The M Mac Mini supports Bluetooth 5.0. The base model cost $699, which is a $100 reduction from its predecessor. However, the premium model maintains the expensive status with a $1,699 price tag.
The M1 Mac Mini is the least expensive M1 Mac, and it is best suited for current Mac mini owners looking to upgrade, desktop users and creative pros that don’t need the Mac Pro’s power or the iMac Pro/iMac’s integrated screen but want a sustained performance, developers, and IT staff.
Conclusion
In general, the M1 MacBook Pro and M1 MacBook Air seem to be a good fit for everyone. Let’s be frank, none of these Apple Macs is particularly cheap compared to their counterparts from other manufacturers. Therefore, you should be convinced about the device to buy before splurging on it. You can sell any of those models at SellBroke for cash and buy a different one that better suits your needs.
Overall, the M1 chip has improved performance on all Apple devices, which means you are covered performance-wise. However, you need to pay attention to other features like display, RAM options and storage options as you make your choice.
