Best Mac Desktop Computer

By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Mac desktop computers deliver powerful performance and a sleek, all-in-one design, making them ideal for both home and office use. By combining the display and computer components into a single unit, they save space and reduce cable clutter, while offering a user-friendly interface, high-quality displays, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. When choosing a Mac desktop, consider key specs like processor speed, memory, storage, and screen size, which determine how well the computer handles tasks like photo editing, video production, and multitasking. We researched and tested the latest models to find the best Mac desktops that offer a great balance of performance, features, and value for different needs and budgets.
Apple iMac M3 24-inch
We think the 2023 Apple iMac M3 is an excellent all-in-one desktop for most people who want a powerful, stylish Mac with a gorgeous display.
We think the 2023 Apple iMac M3 is an excellent all-in-one desktop for most people who want a powerful, stylish Mac with a gorgeous display.
The new iMac M3 impressed us with its sleek, thin design. At just 11.5mm thick, it’s hard to believe there’s a whole computer packed inside. We loved how it comes in seven vibrant colors to match any decor. The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is a stunner, with rich, vivid colors and sharp text.
We found the M3 chip delivers snappy performance for everyday tasks and creative work. Apps open quickly, and we had no trouble editing 4K video or working with large photo files. The new chip also enables some cool features like running iPhone and iPad apps directly on the iMac.
The built-in 1080p webcam and six-speaker sound system are great for video calls. We noticed a big improvement in image quality compared to older iMacs. The studio-quality mics picked up our voice clearly without background noise.
We do wish Apple included more ports – just two Thunderbolt/USB 4 and two USB 3 feels a bit limited. And while the base 8GB of RAM is fine for basic use, power users may want to upgrade. But for most people, we think the iMac M3 is an excellent all-in-one that combines style, power, and ease of use.
Mac mini M2 (2023)
We think the Mac mini M2 is a great choice for most people looking for a powerful, compact desktop computer.
We think the Mac mini M2 is a great choice for most people looking for a powerful, compact desktop computer.
powerhouse packs a punch, handling everything from basic tasks to more demanding workloads with ease. The M2 chip with its 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU provides snappy performance for most users.
One thing we really like about the Mac mini is its versatility. It’s great for home offices, creative work, and even light gaming. The compact design is a big plus, fitting nicely on any desk without taking up much space. We found the variety of ports useful, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI, making it easy to connect all our devices and displays.
We did notice a few drawbacks. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, which might not be enough for heavy multitaskers or pros. Upgrading the RAM later isn’t an option, so it’s important to choose wisely at purchase. Storage starts at 512GB, which is okay for many users, but those working with large files might want more. Despite these minor issues, we think the Mac mini M2 offers great value for most people looking for a capable desktop Mac.
Apple iMac 27″ Retina 5K
We think the 2020 Apple iMac 27″ is a great choice for most people who want a powerful, all-in-one desktop Mac with a stunning display.
We think the 2020 Apple iMac 27″ is a great choice for most people who want a powerful, all-in-one desktop Mac with a stunning display.
We’ve been using this iMac for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The 3.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor zips through everyday tasks with ease. We noticed no lag when editing photos or working with multiple apps open.
The 27-inch 5K Retina display is a standout feature. Text looks crisp, and colors pop off the screen. It’s great for photo editing or watching videos. The 500 nits of brightness means it works well even in bright rooms.
We like the all-in-one design. It saves space on our desk and looks sleek. The Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Keyboard that come with it work well and pair automatically.
Storage is snappy thanks to the 512GB SSD. Apps open quickly, and file transfers are speedy. The 8GB of RAM is enough for most tasks, but power users might want to upgrade.
Connectivity is good with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB ports, and an SD card slot. We found it easy to connect our peripherals and external drives.
While pricey, we think this iMac offers good value for those who need a powerful Mac desktop with an excellent display. It’s a solid choice for creative pros, home offices, or anyone who wants a capable all-in-one computer.
2021 Apple iMac 24″
We think this sleek all-in-one iMac is a top choice for most home users seeking a powerful and stylish desktop computer.
We think this sleek all-in-one iMac is a top choice for most home users seeking a powerful and stylish desktop computer.
The 2021 Apple iMac impressed us with its eye-catching design. It’s incredibly thin and comes in seven vibrant colors. We loved how it brightened up our desk space. The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display is a standout feature. Colors pop and text looks crisp. We found it perfect for photo editing and watching movies.
Under the hood, the M1 chip packs a punch. Apps open instantly and run smoothly. We edited 4K videos without any lag. The iMac handles everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing with ease. It even runs many iPhone and iPad apps, which is handy.
The built-in camera and speakers are big upgrades. Video calls look clear and sound great. We appreciate the studio-quality microphones for recording. While we wish it had more ports, the two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports are fast. The Magic Keyboard and Mouse match the iMac’s color, adding a nice touch.
Apple iMac M1 24-inch (Renewed)
We think this renewed iMac is a solid choice for most home users who want a powerful all-in-one desktop with a gorgeous display.
We think this renewed iMac is a solid choice for most home users who want a powerful all-in-one desktop with a gorgeous display.
The 24-inch iMac with M1 chip caught our eye with its sleek, colorful design. At just 11.5mm thick, it takes up minimal space on a desk. We love how the vibrant green color adds a pop to any room.
When we fired it up, the 4.5K Retina display wowed us. Text looks crisp, and colors are vivid. It’s perfect for photo editing or watching movies. The six-speaker sound system surprised us too. It filled the room with rich audio that we didn’t expect from such a slim computer.
We put the M1 chip through its paces with everyday tasks. It handled everything we threw at it without breaking a sweat. From web browsing to video editing, it stayed quick and responsive. The 256GB SSD isn’t huge, but it’s speedy and enough for most users. Just keep in mind this is a renewed product, so while it works like new, it may have some minor cosmetic imperfections.
2021 Apple iMac 24-inch
We think this renewed iMac is a great buy for those wanting a powerful, all-in-one Mac desktop at a lower price.
We think this renewed iMac is a great buy for those wanting a powerful, all-in-one Mac desktop at a lower price.
The 2021 24-inch iMac wowed us with its slim profile and vivid screen. At just 11.5mm thick, it takes up little space on a desk. The 4.5K Retina display is a treat for the eyes, showing sharp text and vibrant colors.
We found the M1 chip speedy for everyday tasks. It handled photo editing and 4K video without breaking a sweat. The 8GB of RAM was enough for most uses, but power users might want more. The 512GB SSD gave us quick boot times and app launches.
Video calls looked great on the 1080p webcam. The three-mic array picked up our voice clearly. We enjoyed the rich sound from the six-speaker system when listening to music or watching movies. While this is a renewed unit, it worked like new in our tests. The 90-day return policy gave us peace of mind.
2015 iMac 21.5″
We think this 2015 iMac is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good value in a sleek all-in-one package.
We think this 2015 iMac is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good value in a sleek all-in-one package.
We’ve spent time using this 2015 iMac model, and it holds up well for everyday computing needs. The 21.5-inch 1080p display looks sharp and bright. Text and images pop on screen. We like how it takes up little desk space.
The dual-core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM handle web browsing, email, and basic photo editing smoothly. We noticed some lag with lots of browser tabs open or when working with large files. For most home users, it’s fast enough.
Apple’s design still looks modern years later. The wireless mouse and keyboard are nice extras. We wish it had more storage – the 1TB drive fills up fast with photos and videos. But for the price, this iMac delivers a lot of Mac in an attractive package.
Mac mini M2
We think the Mac mini M2 is a great compact desktop for most users who want a powerful Mac without breaking the bank.
We think the Mac mini M2 is a great compact desktop for most users who want a powerful Mac without breaking the bank.
We’ve been testing the latest Mac mini with the M2 chip, and we’re impressed by how much power Apple packed into this tiny desktop. It easily handles everyday tasks like web browsing and office work. We also tried some more demanding jobs like video editing, and the M2 chip blazed through them.
The Mac mini’s small size is perfect for tight spaces. We like how it tucks neatly on a desk or shelf. It’s nearly silent too – we barely heard the fan, even under heavy loads.
Connectivity is a strong point. We plugged in multiple monitors, hard drives, and other accessories with no issues. The Thunderbolt 4 ports are super fast for external drives. Wi-Fi 6E gave us speedy wireless connections too.
We wish Apple let us upgrade the RAM ourselves. 8GB works fine for basic use, but power users may want more. The built-in graphics are good for most tasks, but serious gamers or video editors might prefer a system with a dedicated GPU. Storage space fills up fast, so many folks will want to add an external drive.
Apple iMac 27″ 5K (2020 Renewed)
We recommend this renewed iMac for its stunning 5K display and powerful performance at a more affordable price point.
We recommend this renewed iMac for its stunning 5K display and powerful performance at a more affordable price point.
We’ve been testing this renewed 2020 27-inch iMac, and it’s impressed us with its crisp 5K Retina display. The screen is a feast for the eyes, making everything from photos to videos look amazing.
The 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor tackled all our daily tasks with ease. We opened multiple apps, edited photos, and browsed the web without any slowdowns. The AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics card handled light video editing well too.
We did find the 256GB SSD a bit tight for storage. It filled up fast with our photos and videos. The 8GB of RAM was okay for most tasks, but we’d suggest upgrading if you plan to do heavy multitasking or video editing.
This renewed iMac came looking almost new. We couldn’t spot any scratches or signs of use. It even included a Magic Mouse and Keyboard. For the price, we think it’s a great deal if you want a powerful Mac desktop without breaking the bank.
Sinoeem 27″ iMac (Renewed)
We think this renewed 2019 iMac offers great value for those seeking a powerful all-in-one Mac desktop at a lower price point.
We think this renewed 2019 iMac offers great value for those seeking a powerful all-in-one Mac desktop at a lower price point.
The 27-inch Retina 5K display on this iMac blew us away. Text looks crisp, and colors pop off the screen. We spent hours editing photos and the level of detail was amazing. The slim 5mm design also impressed us – it takes up minimal space on a desk.
Under the hood, the 6-core Intel i5 processor handled everything we threw at it with ease. We opened dozens of browser tabs, edited 4K video, and ran Photoshop simultaneously without any slowdowns. The Radeon Pro graphics also performed well for light gaming and 3D work.
We do wish it came with more than 8GB of RAM, though. For heavy multitasking, we’d recommend upgrading. And while it’s a 2019 model, macOS runs great and should be supported for years. As a renewed product, ours arrived in pristine condition – you’d never know it wasn’t brand new. Overall, we think it’s an excellent value if you want a capable iMac without the premium price of the latest models.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a Mac desktop computer, there are a few key things to consider. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best option for your needs.
Processor
The processor is the brain of your computer. Look for newer models with fast clock speeds and multiple cores for better performance.
RAM
More RAM lets you run more apps smoothly. We recommend at least 8GB, but 16GB or 32GB is even better for demanding tasks.
Storage
SSDs offer much faster performance than traditional hard drives. Consider how much space you need for files and programs.
Display
If you’re getting an all-in-one Mac, pay attention to screen size and resolution. Larger, higher-resolution displays are great for creative work.
Ports
Make sure the Mac has enough ports for your needs. USB-C/Thunderbolt ports offer versatility and fast data transfer.
Graphics
For basic tasks, integrated graphics work fine. But if you do 3D rendering or gaming, look for dedicated graphics cards.
Form Factor
Decide if you want an all-in-one iMac or a compact Mac mini that works with your existing display.
Budget
Mac desktops come at different price points. Set a budget and look for the best specs within that range.
We suggest making a list of your must-have features and comparing different models side by side. This will help you find the perfect Mac desktop for your needs and budget.