The strangest thing happened. I was in a photography livestream when the subject of the new Mac mini M4 came up and I said I thought it was pretty cheap, starting at $599 / £599. Someone in the chat didn’t like that and insisted it was just a jumped-up Apple TV and not cheap at all.

So let’s see if we can get this straight. The Mac mini might look a little like the Apple TV on the outside, but inside it’s completely different. The Apple TV is a simplified streaming device running Apple’s tvOS. The Mac mini is a fully-fledged desktop computer running the same hardware and operating system as Apple’s other computers, but in a radical, miniaturized design.

It's got more than enough power to make it one of the best computers for photo editing and video editing. Better still, the starting price alone makes this one of the best Macintosh computers of all, especially for those trying a Mac for the first time.

The idea of the Mac mini is that you can simply swap out your existing computer for this one. The Mac mini doesn’t come with a monitor, a keyboard or a mouse, so you simply use the ones you’ve got, or buy them separately. Even if you’ve currently got a Windows keyboard and mouse, these should just work – though Apple’s own Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse are recommended, even if they are more expensive.

The Mac mini is all about choice and adaptability. If you want a laptop, get a MacBook, if you want an all-in-one, get an iMac, but these options mean your display is tied to your hardware. When I retired my 2017 21.5-inch iMac, I also had to retire its screen, one of the best I’ve ever used, just because the Mac itself needed upgrading. So a modular computing setup makes sense, especially when it’s as small, simple and affordable as this one.

Yes, you can get much cheaper Windows desktop PCs, but these typically come with older Intel processors which are still fine for everyday use, but a long way behind the latest Apple M4 silicon for speed and graphics handling.

The new M4 Mac mini is impressive on paper, but even more impressive in the flesh. It’s tiny. I’ve got cameras bigger than this. It’s a lot smaller than the old Mac mini, despite having a newer processor and now starting with 16GB RAM even in the base model. You get no fewer than 5 USB ports, including three Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports on the rear, plus an HDMI port for wide monitor compatibility. There’s even wired Ethernet.

As usual with Apple’s computers now, there’s a choice of processor. The cheapest options use a regular M4 processor, but if you need even more speed and more than 32GB RAM, there’s an M4 Pro version. Will you need that? If all you want is an effective, affordable do-it-all desktop computer, probably not.

Apple says the new Mac mini M4 is “1/20 the size but 6x faster than the top-selling PC desktop in its price range”. These are Apple’s own tests, conducted using a base-spec Mac mini with 16GB RAM compared with Intel Core i7–based PC systems with Intel UHD Graph­ics 770, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

Apple Mac mini M4 Pro: Specifications

The model Apple supplied for review was equipped with the faster M4 Pro chip, 64GB RAM and a 4TB SSD. This pushes the cost up considerably, and keep in mind that our benchmarking figures are based on this faster processor.

The table below indicates the different Mac mini configurations and specifications available. One thing we must always repeat is that because of the way Apple’s on-chip design works, you have to choose your specs at the time of purchase. You can’t add more RAM or a bigger internal drive later.

Apple Mac mini M4 Pro: Price

The regular Mac mini M4 starts at just $599 / £599, which seems pretty cheap given the raw speed of the M4 processor, the high-quality build, and the extensive connectivity options. The base model only comes with a 256GB SSD but you do get 16GB RAM as standard, so the need to upgrade the specs is not as urgent as it was with the miserly 8GB offered on previous base models.

If you think the maximum 32GB RAM won’t be enough, then you’ll need to step up to the M4 Pro chip, and things will start to get expensive. Our test machine’s M4 Pro processor, 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD pushes the price up to a stiff $3,199 / £3,199, so as with all Apple computers you have to make some pretty sober decisions about the hardware you actually need.

A fully kitted-out Mac mini would make a powerful desktop workstation, but then it starts to cross over with the bigger and more powerful Mac Studio. It’s more likely that most users will be looking for an inexpensive and efficient little desktop computer for home office/domestic use, digital photography, and perhaps mid-level video editing, and for this, the regular Mac mini M4 looks by far the best value.

Apple Mac mini M4 Pro: Design and operation

The Mac mini has always been beautifully simple – a round-cornered aluminum box that you simply plug into your existing gear. But the new M4 version takes it to a whole new level. It’s smaller than ever before, only 12.7cm wide and deep, but with all the ports you’re likely to need and now comes with 16GB RAM as standard even in the base model. It can also drive up to 3 displays.

The MacBook range and the iMac tend to get more attention, but in many ways, the Mac mini is the best Mac of all. You do need to bring your own keyboard, mouse, and monitor, but this means it’s a truly modular computer – if one part of your system needs upgrading, you don’t have to swap out the whole lot.

In a weird way, it’s so small it’s portable. You could plug it in at work and then bring it home in your bag. It’s remarkably clutter-free, too. Even the power cable is impressive – it’s just a single, flexible braided cable that plugs into a wall socket at one end and the Mac mini at the other and with no ugly power brick in the middle.

Apple is proud of the fact that this is its first carbon-neutral Mac. The smaller design also incorporates a new ‘thermal architecture’ where air flows through the ‘foot’ underneath the body. Oddly, this is also where you find the power button – we guess that must have made sense to someone.

One thing you don’t get is a card slot, so you will have to buy a plug-in card reader to transfer photos. These are cheap enough to buy, however, and as camera makers gradually shift towards CFexpress cards, SD slots will become less useful anyway.

Apple Mac Mini M4 Pro: Performance

Apple boasts that the Mac mini uses the world’s fastest CPU core. This latest generation has hardware accelerated ray tracing ideal for games and 3D rendering – Apple quotes titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Myst.

Our benchmarking figures below are for the M4 Pro model supplied by Apple, so they will be better than those from the regular M4 processor, which we will test when we get a sample. We’ve included the new MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 Pro and iMac M4 for comparison (we don’t have CineBench data for the iMac).

The Mac mini M4 Pro is very close in performance to the MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 Pro, as we would expect. There is a difference in the GeekBench Multi-Core CPU results, but we’ll put that down to a difference in the number of GPU cores in the two machines. Otherwise, it’s very close. The regular iMac M4 lags somewhat in GPU and OpenCL performance but is still fast in absolute terms, and we would expect similar results from the base-level Mac mini M4.

Benchmarking data only tells you about the processor performance, of course. Other tasks, such as importing photos from an external drive, or accessing online servers, will have their own bottlenecks.

In other news, the Mac mini’s internal speakers are surprisingly good. You’ll still need a decent set of external speakers, or a monitor with its own speakers for best quality, but if you don’t have either, then the Mac mini’s built in audio is actually OK.

Apple Mac Mini M4 Pro: Verdict

The Mac mini M4 is the cheapest Mac you can buy and, in many ways, the best. It’s perfect for desktop users who like to keep their systems modular so that they can upgrade their monitors, keyboards, mice etc as required, and not have these devices locked into the computer in the same way as a MacBook or iMac.

It’s also the perfect ‘first’ Mac for anyone ready to try a Mac for the first time. You can simply unplug your old devices, swap your Windows desktop box for the Mac mini and start it up. We can’t guarantee the Mac mini will work with every mouse and keyboard on the planet, but it’s what it’s designed to do.

Just because this is a tiny computer, it doesn’t mean it’s short on power. You have all the processor, RAM and SSD options of the MacBook Pro (though not the top-end M4 Max processor). The base model has 16GB RAM, which is fine for most domestic use, but you can bump this up to 32GB if you want and opt for a bigger SSD than the standard 256GB. That’s probably as far as we would go, though you can (at a cost) spec the Mac mini up to the point where it becomes a powerful desktop workstation.

For us, though, the charm of the Mac mini lies in its tiny case, it’s surprisingly affordable starting price, and the sheer elegance and quality of its construction. If you’ve been thinking about trying a Mac, then this is the one to start with. Or, if you have an older Intel Mac mini that needs an upgrade, the Mac mini M4 will deliver a massive speed boost in a box half the size. The concept is brilliant, but the reality is even better.

Alternatives

Another year another round of Apple processor upgrades, and it’s the turn of one of Apple’s most iconic products – the iMac – to get the M4 treatment. The iMac has had a bit of an unusual run in the update cycle. After the iMac was boldly redesigned for the M1 chip, it was then skipped over for the M2 update, before being upgraded to the M3 last year – and many expected the same pattern to repeat. However, the quintessential desktop computer was included in Apple’s big October event this year alongside the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini to get the latest in-house Apple silicon.

Like in previous generations, there are still two different versions of the iMac with the base model being held back by limited ports and configutation options – I still think it's a confusing move from Apple, but the specs below might clear things up a little.

Apple iMac M4: Specifications

Apple iMac M4: Price

For what you get, the iMac isn’t hugely expensive, with prices starting at $1,299 for an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD – although for this price you for some reason miss out on two Thunderbolt ports, an ethernet port and Touch ID on the keyboard which just feels stingy. To get both of these things, plus an upgrade to a 10-core CPU/GPU will cost $1,499 – which is the only version of the iMac I would actually recommend considering.

iMacs aren't upgradable once they leave the factory, so if you want to future-proof yourself as much as possible – a fully specced out iMac, still with a 10-core CPU/GPU, but with nano-textured glass, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD will cost $2,899.

This would all be fine, if Apple didn’t also release the smaller-than-ever Mac Mini, which can be configured to a much higher spec, including an M4 Pro chip, all for comparatively less money. And while you still need to buy a screen, you can choose from one of the hundreds of available Apple or non-Apple options and you have the freedom to upgrade your system in a more modular fashion.

Apple iMac M4: Design & Handling

The iMac is probably the most beautiful aesthetically minimal computer money can buy. Coming in several colors, as well as a more demure grey/white, it can fit in amongst almost any decor while making your desk setup look ready for a spread in a design mag.

On the outside, not much has changed in the design of the iMac this year, with Apple sticking doggedly to the big redesign that launched alongside the M1 chip. For those holding out for the return of the 27-inch iMac, this isn't it.

The screen is the same 24 inches, and the resolution is the same 4.5K with 500 nits of brightness. There are two screen coating options though, Apple will sell you a model with the standard screen coating, or the newer fancy nano-textured glass coating which reduces reflections, kind of like a matte display, but also not. But it is very effective, although I think it's limiting for use inside unless you have quite glare-y overhead lights. However, the nano-texture glass will add an additional $200 to the price of the unit, and isn't available as an upgrade to the base model.

While I personally think 24 inches is slightly too small for a monitor, I can’t argue with the quality of Apple’s display. The screen is sharp, bright, and colorful, with a nicely balanced contrast. I did really enjoy using it, especially to edit photos on, where I was just confident that my colors were how they should be seen. You can’t control the screens others use, but there is some comfort in knowing that this screen will perfectly match the look of your images at least on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.

My biggest gripe with the iMac is the stand that Apple includes – as beautiful and minimal as it is, I find it far too limiting. The stand lets you tilt the screen back and forth by around 45º, although that’s it. There is no height adjustment and no way to spin the screen into a portrait orientation – admittedly maybe niche pursuits for coders or editors, but these are features even some of the cheapest non-Apple monitors offer. You can however buy a VESA adapter for the iMac from Apple, which will let you mount the screen on a different stand or an articulating arm.

Around back, there are either two or four ThunderBolt 4 USB-C connections depending on the model you pick – sorry anyone still rocking USB-A accessories, but you’ll have to find a dongle. I think that two on the base model is no where near enough, and again this feels like a classic Apple move of subtley trying to nudge you into going for a higher spec model with a couple of annoying shortcomings – at least the base model has 16GB RAM this year.

Also not really the iMac's fault, but these ports might quickly ruin your minimal aesthetic if you need to leave accessories with trailing wires plugged in. I pretty much always have a portable SSD connected to my computers, which I can sweep the wire away through the cable tidy in the stand, the SSD still just sits awkwardly at the base of the stand.

The iMac has a six-speaker system that supports spacial audio, and Dolby Atmos – and the speakers sound really good, but didn’t blow me away. The speakers are perfectly capable when it comes to listening to music and watching a movie, but I got a much richer and bolder sound from the Google Nest Audios that sat beside the iMac on my desk. For casual listeners, this is totally fine, but for audiophiles, there are limits to what you can squeeze into an 11.5mm frame.

The iMac also has a 12MP camera, with center stage to keep you framed in the middle as you move around (although this is limited to apps that actually support it). The webcam allows you to record and stream in 1080p, which is fine, I don’t think my colleagues need to see me in the morning in 4K. There are also three studio-quality mics for video calling, audio recording, dictation, and chatting to Siri which I found super clear, although there wasn’t much background noise to cut through alone in my office.

Thanks to the included mouse and keyboard being wireless, there are no trailing wires from the iMac across your desk. Both the keyboard and mouse also take on hints of color to match the color of the iMac you choose which is a lovely touch and keeps the whole package looking for cohensive. Both keyboard and mouse have also been moved over to USB-C instead of the outdated Lightning connection for charging, which should make life much simpler – except for the fact that the charging port is still on the bottom of the mouse, which prevents it from being charger and used at the same time. Come on Apple!

The keyboard is a classic Apple shallow one, which I quite like typing on, but others might prefer the big capped keys of a mechanical model. The Apple Mouse is also divisive, I don’t love it or hate it, but I think I prefer a physically tactile scroll wheel rather than the touch-sensitive one on the Apple Mouse. You can also buy an Apple Magixc Trackpad if you prefer.

One minor frustration is you cannot remove the keyboard and mouse when buying the iMac and save money. I already own an Apple Keyboard and Apple Mouse which I am happy with, and many others might be upgrading from older M1 or M2 iMacs. For a company that claims to put a lot of thought into its environmental impact, this seems like an area that could use a little more thought.

Apple iMac M4: Performance

Apple has continued to deliver time after time on performance improvements with its in-house silicon. The M4 chip is Apple’s fastest yet – although don’t get overly excited if you already have an M1 to M3 equipped Apple computer as the speed increases are becoming increasingly marginal between generations, and I think you’d struggle to notice them day-to-day. However, against older Intel machines, there is a much more dramatic difference.

From the off, everyday tasks are just so much faster. A simple thing like opening software takes nearly no time at all. Photoshop which would sometimes take up to a minute to open and load a large image on my older Intel i7 MacBook takes seconds now on the M4. Pulling photos into Lightroom and building previews is also a job that used to send my laptop nearly into a full meltdown, but again is quicker and less resource-intensive on M4.

But the iMac also handles tougher jobs too. I have been editing a lot of 4K videos with a high bitrate for a project in Adobe Premiere. Where I am used to my playback window stuttering as it struggles to render the edited video on older devices, this is now smooth. If you are editing a lot of 6K or 8K streams then you probably want to look at a Mac Mini with M4 Pro, or Mac Studio, but for most creators, the M4 will do the job.

Below you can see the benchmarks from the iMac M4 versus some of Apple’s older chips in previous generations of iMac.

One area I am going to pull up Apple though is with its heavy marketing around the iMac of Apple Intelligence. Here in the UK, we are not due to get Apple Intelligence until next year, and even then, there is still some question of if and what Apple Intelligence will be able to do. It’s great that the iMac will support upcoming AI features, but I am not convinced by selling products now based on future updates.

Apple iMac M4: Verdict

The M4 iMac remains the sleekest designed desktop on the market, despite an unchanged design, it's still an enviable thing to have on your desk – especially complemented by vibrant new color options.

Internally, the introduction of the M4 chip provides a noticeable performance boost over any older Intel model, although gains on recent models aren't as substantial. The iMac easily handles multitasking and demanding tasks like photo editing and light video editing with aplom though. Features such as the updated 12MP Center Stage webcam and optional nano-texture glass on the display also add some new catnip for upgraders.

However, the iMac isn't without shortcomings. The limited upgradability is an issue, the days of upgradeable components in desktops seem long in the rearview mirror. I also find the stand frustratingly limited and wish there was more height adjustment and rotation. Despite a USB-C update, the Magic Mouse's charging port still remains on the bottom, sort it out Apple.

Ultimately, the iMac M4 is an excellent choice for users seeking a stylish, powerful, and all-in-one desktop – but only if you definitely don't want to consider the cheaper and more powerful Mac Mini.

Alternatives

Being an Apple customer often leaves me feeling betrayed. Apple are the company for creatives, right? But nothing could drive a stake further into that heart than the new iMac M4.

I've recently had to ditch my old iMac because it was starting to struggle at times. It was an iMac 2020 with Intel Core i7 and I was convinced I needed it – and not just a single specced-out MacBook Pro and a monitor – partly out of common business sense (always have a backup) but mostly by the glorious 27-inch 5K Retina display which Apple proceeded to optimise a lot of their apps for.

Final Cut Pro – which I used for my drone work at the time – was and is a joy on that display. The first thing I did, though, with my new iMac was a joy not possible with the new devices, and not just because the new M4 iMacs don't have such a big and beautiful photographer & video-friendly monitor.

No. After getting the box home, unpeeling the screen protector (yes, in some ways it is like a giant iPhone) and admiring the design for a bit, I powered down and plugged in an extra 32GB of RAM into the spare memory slot next to the paltry 8GB Apple provided, for a total of 40 GB (yes, I know, not equal across slots, but financially efficient and still a lot faster than 8GB).

Yes, only a few years ago the beautifully sculpted iMac 2020 had a little door in the back so you could upgrade the memory when you wanted, like a grown-up computer. Plus the maximum memory was 128GB plus the graphics memory. The biggest you can specify the base M4 is 24MB! Laughable. If you push the boat out for the 10-core M4 variant you can at least specify up to 32GB, but that's the limit. (It's also very interesting that Apple isn't trying to palm you off with 8GB – I have views on that too!!)

In other words, I'm feeling a lot like the new iMacs – though very capable machines – are a big middle finger at Apple's traditional creator base.

It looks like Apple feel they have to keep making an iMac – perhaps they feel they must because Steve Jobs did – and so they target the 'bottom left' of his original consumer/pro desktop/laptop matrix (see video below) without thinking: "Do any consumers actually want or need a desktop unless they're taking things seriously?"

In other words, are Apple just making work for themselves with the iMac? Okay, perhaps not, there are plenty of possible customers – even just to have an aesthetically pleasing device in a field location for retailers and museums – but the 27-inch iMac did something else. It provided a decent amount of power and – crucially – a great display in a beautiful case.

The case for this with the smaller display is pretty thin – the $1,899 top spec iMac still only has 24GB "Unified Memory" and a 512GB SSD storage (or $2099 if you order 32GB specially). That's only 8GB or 16GB more unified memory and the same storage as you'd get with a MacBook Air 15-inch – a computer which is $200 less AND you can move around!

If you want something to edit like a pro, you'll need to provide your own display which, sadly, isn't as aesthetically pleasing. Though it might actually cost you less if you're prepared to tolerate an old 4K display. The tiny new Mac Mini M4 starts at $599 and gets to $999 with 24GB/512GB.

Now I still struggle to believe Apple feels this is a high-end spec in any category, but there is also an M4 Pro version or $1,399 if it's more processor cores you want (actually that's beating the iMac on power).

Of course, an issue with the Mini is that you don't even get a keyboard and Apple's own accessories are, frankly, immorally priced! The rule is tolerate non-Apple gear or face a steep price jump! Apple's 5K 'Retina' displays start at $1,599, by the way, so you can see why choosing any of the best 4K monitors will likely save you some cash!

The point is, this all just makes me really sad – I said goodbye to a computer I loved and a screen I did great work on and rather than the joy of a replacement I now have an ugly monitor to plug into a laptop.

I know Apple has indicated there is no likely replacement for the 27-inch iMac. There was an iMac 'Pro' too – what felt like an attempt to push the price point up for users on the cusp of premium like me, and I'd warrant a lot of photographers, for who screen real estate matters a lot, and power quite a bit (but slightly less than, say, a 3D rendering engineer).

It all feels like Apple want to categorise all serious pros in a $4,000 minimum spender zone when it comes to computers (if you're including monitors, keyboards and mice – which I'd argue are still reasonably essential) and I'm not sure the M4 is that far ahead!

More fool them – the upshot is that I now need one fewer Apple product (though admittedly am placing a bit more faith in a laptop, insurance, the best external SSD, and the cloud it it all goes wrong!)

If you're feeling uncertain, check our guides to the best MacBooks for photo editing and the best desktop computer for photo editing.

Apple has unveiled its new iMac complete with a fresh M4 chip. The new all-in-one desktop computer comes complete with a new glass textured Retina display, a thin sleek design, and a host of new features including Apple intelligence – Apple's long-awaited AI update!

The Apple iMac computer has been a staple of the brand since 1998 and has been a favorite choice for creatives in search of the best desktop for photo and video editing. Although it seemed to be losing popularity in recent years, the introduction of the powerful new M4 chip brings with it features that aim to revitalize the iMac and speed up workflow.

The M4 chip facilitates a strong boost in performance with Apple claiming the much-improved CPU to house the 'world's fastest' CPU core, providing up to 1.7x faster processing than the iMac with M1.

The M4 has been designed to handle extensive workloads in various areas, including gaming, which now offers 2x faster frame rates, as well as video and photo editing.

Apple states, "Content creators can edit like never before, with up to 2.1x faster photo and video editing performance when applying complex filters and effects in apps like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro compared to iMac with M1".

The more AI tools that are added to editing software, such as Adobe's Generative Fill, require a higher level of processing power to produce quick results, so more power is needed to keep up. Improvements in the M4 chip's processing speeds should improve workflow speeds – a blessing for any creative!

The M4's Neural Engine, Apple's term for 16 AI-dedicated processor cores on the chip that accelerate machine learning tasks for Apple devices, is now over 3x faster than on the iMac with M1. This is to provide fast and efficient AI assistance with Apple Intelligence features first announced at WWDC in June. (This speed boost is from the same number of NE cores at the M1.)

With Apple Intelligence, Apple introduces a brand new AI experience to macOS, providing new ways for users to 'work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac'. These new additions include new Writing Tools that aid in refining, summarizing, and proofreading text that aim to speed up workflow so users can get back to the more important tasks.

AI features continue with integrated Chat GPT (if the user chooses it), Image Playground (a limited AI image generator), privacy protection, and a new and improved Siri model that is even more 'capable'. The new Siri can learn the user's "personal context" to deliver more tailored intelligence and automated responses.

As the iMac M4 is an all-in-one computer, the screen plays a large role in the performance, especially for video and photo editing. While only available in 24-inch (the old 27-inch variant that would often be the top choice for photographers didn't survive into the M-processor era), the new M4 version still manages a 4,480 x 2,520 4.5K Retina display and now buyers have the option for a nano-texture glass

The Nano-texture glass (also available on the new iPad Pro, the device in which the M4 chip debuted) is an option that drastically reduces reflections and glare while maintaining outstanding image quality. This allows the iMac to be placed in more locations without needing to draw the curtains and block out daylight – but will set you back an extra $200/£200.

The in-built camera has also seen an upgrade. The new 12MP Centre Stage camera keeps the subject in the center of the screen at all times, even with multiple subjects in the frame. The camera also supports Desk View, utilizing the wide-angle camera to provide a top-down view of your desk. This is useful for educators and content creators to show off what they are working on without an overhead rig system.

Other notable features include all four USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4 for superfast data transfers (except on the base model, which is limited to 2).

All come with MacOS Sequoia, and is available in seven "vibrant" colors – each with matching accessories – green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. Memory options start at 16GB of faster-unified memory, configurable via 24GB up to 32GB.

Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering John Ternus says, "iMac is beloved by millions of users, from families at home to entrepreneurs hard at work. With the incredible features of Apple Intelligence and the powerful performance of Apple silicon, the new iMac changes the game once again. With M4 and Apple Intelligence, gorgeous new colors that pop in any space, an advanced 12MP Centre Stage camera, and a new nano-texture glass display option, it’s a whole new era for iMac."

The new iMac M4 is available to preorder today with availability beginning November 8, 2024. The cost starts at $1,299 / £1,299 / AU $1,999 rising depending on additional extras.

Could Apple be about to venture into a whole new product category – AI-powered robots with cameras? That's the theory being advanced by ever-enthusiastic Apple YouTuber Sam Kohl (@AppleTrack) – and more than a few others who have had the time to create renders of possible final products.

While we're not talking about a fully mobile robot, Kohl is suggesting that AI will be used to move the screen of a new speaker-meets-screen which can follow its subject around the room and even be used to gesture to the user.

Taken with the renders he is sharing in his videos, it's easy to picture a kind of iMac of the future, with a touchscreen on a pole. It's very, very easy to anticipate that Apple would not just have it track a subject like an Obsbot Tiny 2 webcam but also communicate – after all, the Pixar-crossover that was the iMac G4 is still a design icon.

Even if you don't consider it a robot, it is certainly true is that Apple's range of HomePod speakers needs a refresh – the processor chips in the existing systems aren't up to the new Apple Intelligence, so they're likely to be replaced.

Personally I'd consider it a big leap if, when I asked Siri to play Ariane X it didn't play Ariana Grande, which of course would be a benefit of improved AI for all the HomePods.

But a new device at a mich higher price could create a new category, and put Apple into conflict with the best conference cameras, some of which do get used in the home, or in creative studios – not just boardrooms.

It has long been anticipated that Apple will extend the range, though, with a device with a screen – much as the Alexa Echo speaker series is appended with the Echo Show touchscreens. These act as a brilliant partner to a doorbell camera which, of course, Amazon are well connected to owning Ring and Blink (not to mention selling a lot of other brands).

Apple, though, also has its HomeKit system and it's possible to build a security system with the best HomeKit cameras for elegant integration with Apple devices and iOS – I have a HomeKit doorbell and when someone stands by my door their face pops up on the corner of my TV because I'm usually watching via an Apple TV.

While the Vision Pro still seems like a step towards a goal a long way into the future – a device more suited to developers (or people really keen to experiment), there is room here for Apple to be intriguing at a price which is still not entirely out of reach for most.

Some are expecting to see it as early as late 2024 – to coincide with Apple Intelligence arriving – so keep watching those Apple events (although the next we're expecting is the iPhone 16 launch sometime in September, and the iPhone rarely shares the stage!)

As a photographer, it’s very easy to become obsessed with detail. You zoom in and in and in until you can find a flaw, and then you obsess over that flaw, and you spend more and more time comparing lenses and test charts, edges and centers, focal lengths and apertures.

In the days of film, there was a limit to how far you could zoom in. With transparencies it was the magnification of your slide viewer or the loupe you used with your lightbox. With prints it might be the magnification of your focus checker when making enlargements, or just the maximum size of the enlargements themselves. 

One of the advantages of these tools was that there were optical limits to how far you could pixel peep – or optically obsess, if we want an analog equivalent. And all the time, you had a physical slide or negative or print in front of you so that you were always aware of the level of magnification you were using and just how persnickety you were being.

You don’t get any of that with computers and digital imaging. Your software’s zoom tool does not have the optical limits of old-school loupes, and it can just keep on going until every pixel is visible and every defect becomes a pain point. Even the best photo-editing software can lead you down this dangerous path.

And while you’re doing this, you’re losing sight of how far you’ve zoomed in, and losing sight of just how important – or how unimportant – any lens blur, digital noise or color fringing actually is. You’re not leaning over a print with a magnifying glass, you’re filling the screen at a level of magnification that’s just a number. You might have a navigator window in the corner of the screen that shows you the zoom area, but it’s not the same.

I don’t think any of us intended to become pixel peepers. I do think digital images and displays have opened a Pandora’s Box of pixel perfectionism that should have been kept shut.

How a 4K monitor can help

It actually started with the Retina display on my 13-inch MacBook Pro. This was the first monitor I’d ever used where the dots were too small to see. If I could see any dots in my photos, that was noise, not the screen. I also realized that if an image looked sharp when displayed full size on my 13-inch Retina screen, and I was going to use it on a web page or make a print of roughly the same size, then maybe I didn’t need to zoom in to check. 

This is why I think MacBooks are amongst the best laptops of all. Not because I’m some kind of OS zealot, but because the screens have the resolution to do your photographs justice. I have Windows laptops too, but even my latest 15-incher tops out at 1920 x 1080 and, small as they are, those dots are visible.

This really came to the fore when I swapped to a 21.5-inch 4K iMac. I could fit the image to the screen and if it looked sharp there then it was certainly sharp enough for use online and even in print, which is where many of my photos end up – and rarely at the same size as my 21.5 inch screen. I recently reviewed the iMac 24-inch M3, and I think the screen is probably its best feature.

Currently I use a 4K 27-inch BenQ PD2705Q as my main screen with my Mac Studio – in reality, I suspect any of the best 4K monitors would do. This does of course give me plenty of scope for zooming in to check the detail, but do I really need to? Now I can just display an image full-screen to get a much more useful reality check. If it looks sharp here, it’s sharp enough.

I also use a 24-inch 1920 x 1080 screen alongside for admin work, and the comparison is painful. Text characters look rougher and if I look at images on this screen then I do need to zoom in, because the screen does not have the resolution to give me proper indication of sharpness if I don’t. And of course, once you start zooming in, you don’t stop. It also becomes very difficult to separate the resolution limits of your photo from those of the screen.

So that’s a rather roundabout explanation of why I think a 4K monitor is the best possible cure for pixel-peeping. It COULD make you pixel-peep worse than ever, but for me it was the perfect antidote.

See our guide to the best monitors for photo editing

I work with drones, which means I work with 4K video. I'm a photography writer, which means I work with photos. I'm just the kind of creative who ought to have a MacBook Pro. Indeed I have one from work, and I have a 2020 iMac – one of a long line of Macs. But it's starting to feel like it might be my last.

I set out to order a new MacBook Pro on the Apple site and I found the process so frustrating and irritating that I gave up. What irritated me, more than anything, was the way Apple has blurred the product range so there isn't a simple choice between entry, mid, and maxed-out. Now it's full of confusing compromises that all seem designed to persuade you to go, "Oh well, just another step up" until you've spent $4000.

My first hope was that perhaps a few Apple enthusiasts on YouTube could sort it out, but that proved a fool's errand. Instead I had to listen to people spouting fanboy nonsense about Apple's unified memory, suggesting it meant 

This isn't really the case. On a Windows machine you'll have faster, more expensive RAM devoted to graphics (GDDR 6) and still-very-fast (but not as fast) RAM devoted to memory (DDR 5). Apple's Unified memory is all the fast expensive type, which means the graphics will be borrowing your main memory (though it's the slightly slower and less power-hungry kind sort designed for laptops).

So, on realizing that I understood the tech better than most of the spec-sheet-spouting YouTubers, I went back to it and started working out what I'd need. 

I am hoping for another four years from this machine, which means – given modern Apple's enthusiasm for solder and lack of upgradeability – I need to get it right. That inflexibility is already very off-putting. There is a door on the back of my 2020 iMac for me, a user, to add new RAM. Some younger readers might not believe it, but this was once also the case with MacBooks – why DCW's James Abbot "Wouldn't touch a MacBook" now.

Fear of making a mistake takes a lot of the joy I used to experience from buying a new computer. I still live in hope, though, so I press on. Do I want a 14-inch or 16-inch? Well, this is actually an easy step for me, and it's instinctive. It's the big one. Or is it? I'll just check…

A look at the 14-inch range and I see it starts at $1,599 for a machine with an offensively low 8GB RAM and not an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip – just an M3, so there's three of them to choose from (and one wonders how far a standard M3 is from an M2). Oh, and 8GB memory shared between video and system on a computer with 'Pro' in its name is downright insulting. 

In the first example of a sneaky "Oh well, I'll just go up one", what you can do is add $200 to get the memory to what I'd regard as the minimum acceptable 16GB. Then the machine is $1,799, at which point you're only $200 away from the $1,999 M3 Pro – which also boasts 8GB RAM minimum rather than 16, so it's kinda okay, right? After all, you're also getting an 11-core CPU rather than 8-core, and 14 GPU cores rather than 10…

Dig a bit deeper for the $2,399 spec 12CPU / 18GPU model and the storage goes up to 1TB SSD rather than 512GB. Since that would have been an extra $200 for the storage, we can see it's $200 for the processor bump. Apple also 'threw in' the $20 upgrade to a 96W power brick, which will charge the machine faster / keep up with the power needs at this point.

Finally, the top tier is the M3 Max. Stripping everything else out, you're effectively paying $400 more for the lower M3 Max (with 14 CPU and 30 GPU cores), or $700 for the higher version (16CPU / 40GPU). The cheaper one has a minimum of 36GB unified memory – which I do consider a workable amount – but incredibly the cheaper Max chip will only allow one upgrade, for $800 to 96GB. The more expensive M3 Max chip, however, offers a mid-tier, so 48GB (minimum), 64GB, or 128GB are options.

Confused yet? Did I mention the balance of the CPU cores? Some of the CPU cores are 'efficiency cores' – prioritizing battery life over speed. In fact there are more of these in the newer Pro chips than in the M2 series – the 12-core M2 had 8 'performance' and 4 'efficiency' – so it was actually more performance-biased.

That's not all. The memory bandwidth for the Pro is lower than the M2 series – 150GB/s rather than 200GB/s. Is this deliberately throttled? It looks that way because the M2 Max had 400GB/s, while now the M3 Max has 300GB/s for the 'base' M3 Max (with 14CPU+30GPUcores) and 400GB/s for the highest (16CPU/40GPU). That's another $300 for some more cores because – it seems – Apple are deliberately turning down the memory's speed to make the more expensive one look, er, Max in benchmarks.

So, for the ultimate CPU performance – that in reality might take a few seconds off a long video render but I'll probably never need – I'm being nudged toward spending $400 more on the 'Max' series – a chip with ray-tracing designed for high-end 3D work and gaming (despite the software desert) – and then nudged again to spend another $300.

Plus the same goes for the 16-inch versions, which are bigger, which is also a $400 step, atop which they have a similar pricing scale. But a big screen is so useful... and that bit of my bag is big enough so... 

Okay, your point?

In summary, the choice facing me – and the potential cost of getting it wrong – is too stressful. Yes, I mentioned I do video, but 2D work doesn't automatically push me up to the max, or the Max. But all the upgrades are so small on their own that I end up looking at all of them. They're little steps, nothing feels big (except the price).

The upshot – for now – is that I've left the Apple site without buying anything, and I went there wanting to buy. Will I be back? Not until I've had a good look at the best photo editing laptops and best video editing laptops regardless of platform!

I have had a lot of responses to this M3 MacBook Pro debate starter (and have put some together here) you guys are helping me decide!

The king is dead – long live the king! Apple has swapped out its ‘old’ M1 powered iMac range for a new model with its latest M3 processor. Even amidst all of Apple’s typical processor hyperbole, it’s clear that this new chip marks another step forward in consumer computing.

We’ve already seen this M3 processor in action in the MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) and it certainly doesn’t lack power. But is it a good fit for Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer and what kind of value does it offer to home users, creatives, and professionals?

There are actually two iMac variants, both configurable with more RAM, more storage and more accessories as required. The base model comes with the same glorious screen and physical design and a highly compelling $1,299 / £1,399 price tag but only two ports, both Thunderbolt / USB 4. The upper (premium) model adds two USB Type-C ports, is ‘configurable’ with Gigabit Ethernet (there’s no separate port) and has ten GPU cores, not eight. This version starts at $1,499 / £1,599.

That’s pretty keen pricing for machines with this kind of power and a screen this good, but this is with a baseline spec of just 8GB integrated on-chip RAM and a measly 256GB SSD. You’ll almost certainly want to boost one or both, that’s when the prices really climb.

Our test machine was the upper-tier model with the maximum 24GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. It also came with an Apple Magic TrackPad and an extended keyboard with numeric keypad, and came in at $2,458 / £2,558. Ouch. The iMac M3 can still be great value even with boosted specs, but you’ll want to choose your add-ons wisely.

iMac M3: Design and Handling

The iMac is all about design. Most computer setups are too messy to be allowed into the best rooms in the house, but the iMac would fit in anywhere. The base model comes in a choice of four colors while the upper tier version comes in seven, so you can’t complain it won’t fit with your decor. What’s more, the color you choose is carried through to the keyboard, the underside of the mouse and even the power cable.

Apple’s integrated chip design means the iMac case is thinner even than most regular monitors, at just 11.5mm. It’s also under 5kg in weight, though it still feels a bit of a lump to move around. It does have a very small, neat desktop footprint though, and thanks to the wireless keyboard and mouse, the whole setup is virtually cable-free – you’ll still need the power cable.

Even connecting this power cable will bring a smile to your face. There’s no more struggling with stiff push-in power plugs because this is a small, neat co-axial connector that’s also magnetic – you only have to get it close to the socket on the back of the iMac and it’s sucked into place.

Even the unboxing is an experience. Apple’s packaging is a masterpiece of minimalism and elegance, and you might even find yourself neatly packing away the screen and keyboard protection sheets as precious objects in their own right. Which is weird.

There’s no height adjustment on the screen, but I’ve never found that an issue on this or other iMacs. The tilt movement is all I need for a comfortable viewing angle and the action has just the right amount of stiffness with no wobble or ‘slop’. There are no creaky plastics here.

The keyboard is terrific, with a light-medium touch and a short travel. Some people might prefer bigger, clattery Windows-style keyboards, of course, but I write about 50,000 words a month on Mac keyboards and I don’t think I could use anything else. Only one complaint – there are no ‘dimples’ on the home keys for touch typists.

The review Mac came with an extended numeric keypad keyboard, a slightly more expensive option. It takes up a good deal more desk space and unless you spend your working life entering data in spreadsheets, I wouldn’t bother, especially for home use.

I’m told Apple’s Magic Mouse is not popular with everyone. I love it. It has no clickety scroll wheels or creaky plastic buttons. Instead, the whole top surface is touch/gesture sensitive and also works as one large mouse button – and you can assign a ‘right-click’ action to the front right side too.

If you like sirens, neon, and cooling fans, this is not the computer for you. It’s elegant, understated and minimal. Sometimes too minimal.

Even the upper-tier version has only four connection ports – two USB 4/Thunderbolt and two USB C. There’s no SD card slot, no HDMI for external monitors and no USB Type A ports for older peripherals. If you do use any of these things and, like me, need to plug in external drives too, you’re going to run out of ports pretty much straight away. The iMac itself may be a masterpiece of minimalism, but you’ll need a drawer full of dongles, hubs and adaptors to go with it.

iMac M3: Performance

Apple reckons the M3 iMac is twice as fast as the M1 model it replaces. It also has dynamic GPU memory caching which should reduce unnecessary GPU memory use, and has hardware-accelerated raytracing and mesh rendering. Apple suggests that it is an ideal multi-user ‘home’ computer that’s now even better for games. The iMac’s appeal is surely broader than that, though, both for home workers (via its excellent 1080p HD camera), hot-desking office workers and creatives (thanks to its power and its terrific display).

We carried out our regular benchmarking tests and you’ll see that the iMac M3’s results are almost identical to those of the M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch, as you would expect. In use, it rips through Lightroom and Photoshop processes so quickly that you’ll probably wish you’d upgraded sooner. In our tests Lightroom started in just 2-3 seconds for example, and Photoshop in 3-4 seconds. Native MacOS software like Photos or Mail, for example, starts so quickly it’s practically instantaneous. 

The 4.5K Retina display is really the iMac’s stand-out feature. Its resolution means you never the dots and even the tiniest type is razor sharp. The P3 color gamut is roughly equivalent to Adobe RGB (with a slight shift in the extreme green region) and with 500 nits of brightness it’s going to be usable even in the brightest workspaces.

It’s worth mentioning the sound system, too. The iMac M3 has no fewer than six speakers, with two pairs of woofers, each matched with a tweeter, and with Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio thrown in too. The sound is rich, deep and nuanced, and streets ahead of the average computer monitor. 

iMac M3: Verdict

There are cheaper ways to get a desktop computer than this, but while it might look as if all the money has been spent on the iMac M3’s design and styling, it does actually deliver a lot of power for the money too. This is not just a fast, modern and powerful computer with a beautiful screen, it’s smart enough to keep in any room in the house, and ideal for a multitude of uses – and users.

But it has some drawbacks. One is the paucity of ports. That’s probably going to be a nuisance. Another is the speed at which the cost escalates if you upgrade the specs. I would recommend 16GB RAM not 8GB, especially if you want to use heavy-duty photo or video editing tools, and if other users are going to stay logged in. The 256GB baseline storage would be better upgraded to 512GB, but I wouldn’t go further than that, as it’s cheaper to plug in fast external SSDs if you need more storage.

What makes choosing the specs for an iMac harder is that you need to plan not only for the hardware you need now, but for the next five years, because the integrated chip architecture means that once your iMac is built to your specs, not even Apple can upgrade it later.

Lastly, when the computing hardware in your iMac finally becomes obsolete, so will that beautiful 4.5K Retina screen, because it’s an inseparable part of the package. That might not bother you now, but when my previous iMac outlived its usefulness, the redundancy of its 4K display, still excellent even by current standards, seemed a terrible waste.

We have to mention these things. The iMac M3 is a powerful, practical and versatile desktop computer, it’s a joy to own and use and even just to look at. It’s just not quite perfect.

Apple's new series of M3 computers might have only just made it into stores, but Amazon has already seen fit to offer some early Black Friday discounts for anyone wavering on that buy it now button.

These discounts are available on the new base 14-inch M3 model, as well as its beefier 14-inch M3 Pro, and 16-inch M3 Max models. The discount also applies to all colors and SSD configurations currently in the US, although in the UK it seems to be limited to some of the silver options.

Not content with just reducing the price on the latest laptops, there is also a discount available for anyone looking to purchase the brand new iMac 24" with M3 processor, which has also seen a price reduction.

There are some slightly longer than desired delivery times due to these being new and in-demand products, but at current estimates, most of these laptops should be arriving in the coming weeks and this side of the holidays!

Apple M3 deals in the US

Apple M3 deals in the UK

If you are shopping for a new Apple computer this holiday season, then these new M3 laptops aren't going to be the cheapest options available on Black Friday. If you are willing to look at some older models then you should take a look at our big roundup of the best Black Friday Apple deals we can find over the week-long event! 

We also have already seen some great early Black Friday camera deals on mirrorless cameras and lenses, for any budding photographers out there looking to pick up a bargain!

Read more: check out the best MacBooks for photo editing or the best iMac for photo and video editing.

Apple announced the iMac M3 on October 30 2023, and it is one of the first machines to gain a new M3 chip (alongside the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops). 

The iMac has been one of best desktop computers for photo editing for some while, not least because it comes with an excellent built-in screen. The new M3 processor supports up to 24MB of memory (up from 16MB) and boasts GPU improvements over the existing iMac M1, but just how much better is this all-new iMac? 

Apple says that the new M3 processor is up to twice as fast as the M1, but in practice productivity apps like the Safari web browser or Microsoft Excel will run at a less striking 30% faster – meaning that, as a mere speed improvement, it probably isn't worth rushing out to buy the new machine. It's a nice bump, because Apple didn't bother putting the M2 chip in the iMac line, but for most users I doubt it'll be cause to shop.

For some specific cases, though, the new version of the Apple Silicon has hardware acceleration – specifically gaming, where the GPU section of the chip now boasts ray-tracing for much better frame rates. Apple also estimates that Photoshop should handle a 100MP file at about double the speed of the M1 generation iMac.

If you're looking for physical change, you won't find it either. The hardware looks identical, though the stand is now 100% recycled aluminum. The built-in 4.5K screen retains the same 500 excellent nits and 4.5K resolution, good for the 24-inch size but we'd still love to see a 27-inch offering. (I myself still have a 27-inch iMac from the Intel era with a 5K screen, and I live in hope!)

Less visibly the Wi-Fi gets a bump from 6 to 6E, a system that creates a 'fast lane' using 6GHz frequencies to provide more channels (and so, in theory, support more devices without interference). If you have or plan to upgrade your router, this is a nice benefit. Gigabit ethernet is, as before, an option that needs to be specified at purchase, and connects via the power brick rather than the machine itself.

So, in short, should you buy the iMac M3? Well, since there is no significant change in pricing, if you were considering the iMac M1 there is no reason not to switch up and enjoy the advantage. We ranked it as one of the best computers for photo editing, and it is very likely that the newer version to be the same.

Better yet, the pleasures of all-in-one computers have a little more flexibility since if you are feeling spendy you can spec up and get a little more memory. The only disappointment for fans of tidy work areas is that you still can't opt to get as much screen size as the last Intel-era iMacs (which were sold in two sizes, 21.5 and 27-inch). That is a shame, but the 24-inch screen does have nearly as many pixels as the old 27-inch so it's still great to work with.

The new iMac will ship from November 07, and Apple has them up for pre-order, with prices starting at $1,299 / £1,399 (Australian pricing TBC). In the meantime, if you're not too power-hungry and don't put too much pressure on your Wi-Fi, now might be a good time to start looking at discounted M1 models!

For those less excited by tidy desktops, look at the best MacBooks for photo editing and plan to add one of the best monitors for photo editing or the best monitors for video editing. 

There's rarely a better time to buy a Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch than around Cyber Monday, and 2023 is no different. Perhaps the most surprising offer is the hefty saving on the brand-new MacBook M3 at Amazon – $150 off in the US and £129 off in the UK. The Apple Store is also joining in the fun, with up to $200 off selected products in the US and up to £160 off selected products in the UK (although that comes in the form of an Apple Gift Card rather than hard cash).

We've already rounded up some of the best Cyber Monday Apple deals available right now, from the latest launches to the more heavily discounted older models that still pack a punch. And for all the latest deals, keep an eye on our live blog.

Cyber Monday Apple deals in the US

Top US retailers:

Amazon: Savings on new MacBook Pros and more
Adorama: Save up to $55% on Apple products!
Apple: Get an Apple Gift Card worth up to $200 with selected products (until November 27)
Walmart: Savings on dozens of Apple products
B&H Photo Video: Big savings on MacBooks and more
Best Buy: Save on Mac, iPhone and iPad

MacBooks

iMac

iPads

iPhone

Watch

Black Friday Apple deals in the UK

Top UK retailers:

Amazon: Full range of Apple products and accessories at great prices
Apple: Apple Gift Card worth up to £160 on selected products (until November 27)
John Lewis: The latest deals on electrical equipment
Very:  Hot trade-in deals on iPads and iPhones

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, and this year falls on Friday, November 24, 2023. This has become the major online sale each year, as many Americans have the day off, and use this for shopping. For many people it is often the last payday before Christmas - so the day that they have the money to buy gifts. Cyber Monday falls on the following Monday, and this year is on November 27.

• Best iPhone for photography
• The best Macbooks for photo editing
• The best iPads for photo editing
• Best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases

If anyone is counting, the DJI Inspire is probably owed an award as the industry's "Most Changed Drone." In its first iteration, it had a white shell like the iMacs of its day, and was definitely impressive, with a 4K camera, but still felt like a high-end consumer device. 

Since then DJI's Inspire has grown up. There was a pro edition, then the metallic Inspire 2 introduced interchangeable lenses and high-budget production teams took notice. Even then, however, the cash-rich enthusiast could dip into their pocket for a cheaper edition, recording to a budget-friendly MicroSD card. The ProRes license and recording to DJI SSD were optional.

The Inspire 3, however, has gone all in on Pros. It makes a certain sense. The Mavic 3 Pro now offers ProRes and multiple camera choices for a single operator needing portability, while regulations make bigger drones a more difficult choice. That means we're looking at a no-compromise device for pro productions. The question is, have DJI made the right choices? Oh, and if you're a money-no-object enthusiast is there something here for you too?

Drone Specifications

Since the camera is detachable, we'll cover these separately.

Gimbal tilt range: -128˚ to 110˚ (gear lowered) or -148˚ to 90˚ (gear up)
Gimbal pan: ±330˚
Take-off-weight: 3.995kg (to 4.31kg depending on accessories)
Live video (preview) bitrate: 50Mbps
Battery: 4280mAh x 2 TB51 – 25 mins hovering time
Size: 710 x 501 x 176 mm (28 x 20 x 7 inches)
Speed: 94kph / 58.4mph

Camera specifications

Sensor size: Full frame – 36 x 19mm
Sensor pixels: 44.7 megapixel (8192 x 5456)
Maximum video: 8.1K
Slow motion options: 4K @ 120fps, 8k @ 75fps
ISO: Dual-native (800/4000) at up to 30fps
Dynamic Range: 14+ stops claimed
Shutter type: Electronic

Key features

The Inspire 3 is nothing less than a flying cinema camera. It brings together all the drone tech improvements from the nearly seven years of development since the Inspire 2, and adds a full-frame 8K camera – the Zenmuse X9-8K Air. That camera, of course, has interchangeable lenses. Now we're off to the races (it is not, however, the same camera as the Ronin 4D, and they're not interchangeable).

The Inspire 3 records Cinema DNG, ProRes RAW, ProRes 422 HQ and good old H.264 to a removable SSD card. There is no MicroSD port. A 1TB DJI Pro SSD card is included, and it has a USB-C socket with 900MBps read (this isn't the same as the CineSSD from the Inspire 2, but is established with the Ronin 4D).

The airframe changes shape after take-off to allow a second operator to steer the camera around 360 degrees while a pilot flies using the much improved forward-facing camera. Dual batteries mean you can land and hot-swap without powering down completely.

An all-direction collision sensor array is complemented with RTK, making it possible to create repeatable "3D Dolly" shots, meaning this drone could replace much less portable cinema gear.

Build and handling

The Inspire 3 is supplied in a large suitcase-sized trolley case, the external shell of which is top quality and the inside carefully trimmed to allow the drone and all its accessories as little room for movement as possible. This is an enormous improvement on the Inspire 2 box, and even better than the Inspire 1 case. Opening it is gadget-lovers dream, though it is also a little bewildering.

The magic of the Inspire series design is the aircraft's ability to re-shape itself, from landing (legs below fuselage), travel (legs and fuselage as flat as possible), and flight mode (legs and props up). That means you're immediately faced with an assembly exercise every time you open the box – it will always take longer than a Mavic-stlye folding drone. Oh, and the camera isn't attached either, so there is that.

Instinctively the first thing you lift from the box is the fuselage, and only in your hand can you fully appreciate just how much bigger this is than a Mavic 3. Without a pair of batteries installed, however, you're not ready to take off.

On my scales, the batteries came to 472g (just over 1 pound) each, and you need two to fly. The test drone I had came with six – i.e. 3 flights. That seemed a reasonable minimum. They fit into the back on a slide-and-clip mechanism and are released by pressing a gorgeous metallic catch. It did, however, seem to stick a bit. The problem is the thing you naturally go for when your grip tightens is the opposite battery release – not ideal when you're trying to swap only one battery at a time (to take advantage of hot-swap).

Each of the drone's legs has a discrete fish-eye vision sensor which contributes to the overall array. There are also two on top and two underneath, so this thing has plenty of data with which to avoid a collision, and I found it helped, even with trees (though thick summer foliage is easier for these systems to spot, and of course vision sensors are essentially useless at night).

The SSD has a USB-C socket so you can plug into your system and copy from it. There is a small white LED on there too. Rather than going under the batteries, it has a dedicated door in the grey plastic top of the fuselage.

The fuselage, incidentally, is a piece of design finally made with humans in mind – the Inspire 2's metallic upper looked stunning but in the years I owned one I kept lifting it up and hurting my fingers on its razor-like edge. Here a space-grey chic has been maintained, but there is thankfully no need for a 'sharp edges' warning sticker.

The Inspire 3 now has props that spin out with centripetal force, just like consumer ones, rather than fixed. Theoretically, they can be left on in the box, but I couldn't find a way to do that and close the case in a way that didn't feel like it put too much pressure on the motors. They push-and-twist attachment process takes moments anyway, and they can only go on the correct motor.

In a new feature called Tilt Boost, the drone can be persuaded to remain with legs in take-off position and tilt the main camera up to 80˚ skywards – though this is more useful near tall features than in fields!

Controller

The new DJI RC Plus / RM700B controller is massive, built around an enormous and responsive screen which DJI say is 1,200 nits. I know I didn't have any trouble seeing it out in the sun.

At first, it might seem almost insanely unmanageable, especially if you're used to more compact drones, but DJI's clever strap and, well, I'm going to say 'gut rest,' though I believe 'waist support' is the official term, in the form of a foldable frame. I found this very comfortable.

The Android-based OS can use your phone as an access point, handy not just for mapping but the tutorials which are provided with DJI's usual panache.

I didn't find any need for the additional swappable battery bay. After setup and burning through 5 pairs of batteries of actual flight, I had only used about half of the power the controller's built-in battery holds (DJI say 3.3 hours).

Since I had to charge the main batteries, it was simple to plug the controller into a USB-C. The socket at the top has a rugged but well-labeled cover. It's next to an HDMI which works not just for live monitoring but replaying, unlike the Inspire 2. Very handy, I imagine, showing things to a director.

Hidden inside the Inspire 3's hull are dual antennas (front and back) and we certainly had no concerns about the signal in the 500m line-of-sight we were allowed to test in. Not even a hint of a glitch on the video preview. O3, DJI's name for their radio control system, seems flawless within the distances we could test – and we imagine a couple of miles, too.

Flight characteristics

Perhaps some folk become blasé, but I still get a thrill the moment I start a drone up. With the Inspire 3 I'll admit a sense of trepidation too – let's be fair, it's not cheap and I have to give it back. The on-site assembly process also serves to remind you just how many pricey components you're in command of.

Some of that assembly could actually be a little easier. The lens mount has a dual grip mechanism; an internal clicking and a kind of grip. Then the camera itself needs to connect to the airframe, and of course the batteries (leave some time for all this, especially at first).

But, boy, once you lift off you forget all that. The thrust will move a lot of nearby dust, even if you use a big pad, then there is the period of adjustment as the bird of prey lifts its wings, but after that it's nearly as responsive as its smaller, lighter cousins. 

Smart Features & 3D Dolly

A significant new feature of the Inspire 3 is the ability to set waypoints and follow them over and over. Although this won't replace every dolly and jib on the film-set simply because the drone has rather more down-draft, it's easy to see the benefit. In use the process is strangely simple – fly once to record the route, then load it when you need. I came away feeling it ought to be trickier.

Admittedly the difference between '3D Dolly' and 'Repeatable Route' is a bit jargonistic, but it boils down to the difference between a short tight route which you'll likely need to make tweaks to as you go and one more designed for day/night cuts or following vehicles.

The other key smart tool in the bag is Spotlight Pro, which uses AI to target the camera on a subject. After a few tries, I found Spotlight Pro good enough to call into question the need for a second operator for the camera in quite a lot of circumstances. Perhaps I'm a natural loner, but given the improvement in the FPV camera I can imagine a good number Inspire 3 operators managing without a second and third crew member (yes, focus can be handled by someone else too).

The ability to partially disable or reduce the range of the obstacle alerts is very useful if you're working in a tight spot and you know what you're doing. Bravo, DJI. 

More precise results can be achieved with these waypoint-based systems by taking advantage of one of the Inspire 3's other upgrades; RTK. This system requires a ground station, which I don't have. John De Caux, Head of First Team Content at Manchester City, did have one while he was trialing the pre-release Inspire 3, and was able to share with me this clip.

• Read about the Manchester City Content Team's Kit Bag

In it, you can see how accurately the drone follows a 'Repeatable Route' at different times of day (and how well it handles low light in Manchester), for the sake of synchronizing with a ground station (which costs about $3,000 / £2,700). This process has been subject to some software updates too.

Camera performance

We can't fully convey the detail the Inspire 3 captures, save to say that it is a step-change from even high-end drones like the Mavic 3. It also beats the pants off my old Inspire 2, which was the Micro SD card version with a Zenmuse X5 (Micro Four Thirds) camera. 

The 20MP RAW or JPEG files are both so sizeable we're forced to show slightly more compressed versions here. Nevertheless, there is rich detail. Every leaf or blade of grass is visible. You can read the light, and from the 8K original it looks nearly as rich when cropped to match the pixels (i.e. 2x at 4K). That gives the 50mm lens a lot more potential in practical use where beating 4K is unusual.

The dynamic range is in no doubt either. With black glass, shade, dark cars, and white near each other, in bright sun we still weren't easily able to blow highlights or lose shadow detail (at least when I let the drone decide camera settings).

We tested the 18mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses and found the detail extended right into the corners of the frame, where there was no apparent fringing either. I enjoyed shooting with the 50mm which seemed to expose no judder when hovering; the gimbal and dampener are definitely working. Thankfully, though the camera needs removing, you can leave the last lens you used on to pack.

I probably don't need to warn you about this if you're considering the Inspire 3, but 8K is a workaholic's medium that requires serious post-processing. This is where high-end computers like the Mac Studio show their purpose. If you're used to an MP4 workflow, just check your specs and make sure you're prepared for the sheer quantity of data that some of the Inspire 3's video formats will throw at you. Oh, and at best you'll get about 30 minutes of 8K on that 1TB card.

Of course the encyclopedic list of codecs the Inspire 3 offers does include MP4 – at 4K, anyway – but that seems a bit of a waste of the gear. Theoretically, the Mavic 3 can top that (though obviously lacks the optics, sensor size, and other features etc.)

To edit 8K you'll need the right machine. I made the mistake of trying to process the video on a 2019 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM. "Oh, I'm just assembling a couple of clips," I thought. "It won't take a minute." Well, er, it has done. Suffice to say please check this review in a couple of days for a better sample – for now here are some shots assembled in iMovie (not a tool I know how to grade clips in, as will be obvious by the end!

Final verdict

The Inspire 3 is nearly everything we were hoping for, except affordable. For serious filmmakers, however, it has the potential to change the world and, curiously, save money too. That's to say if you can replace jib and dolly hire with an Inspire 3, you'll be on to a winner (but that won't happen where the props will blow up dust or in a small studio).

I, honestly, still have some mixed feelings about the Inspire 3. My Inspire 2 had its issues (not least its sharp edges), but it is sad to be finally priced out of the Inspire range despite owning both predecessors. The old Zenmuse's ability to accept generic MFT lenses with powered zoom was budget-friendly too. But I'm no longer the target market.

For likely buyers, it's more frustrating that the Zenmuse X9-8K from DJI's Ronin 4D isn't interchangeable with the 'Air' version, and that the Air version lacks a built-in ND filter system, but at least the SSDs are compatible.

Ultimately the Inspire 3 is the perfect refinement of its predecessor. I has found its place, it has literally rounded its rough edges, and it has gained the features needed to achieve anything you can reasonably expect of a drone. It will drive a class of operators into the arms of the Mavic 3 Pro or similar, but the power and flexibility it provides for those who need it is impressive the few irritations come largely from the inevitable issues associated with that power.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on a Apple product, but if you buy at the right time, or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium computers.

That's our aim in this guide – to help you find the best Apple Mac Mini with the notorious M2 chip from Apple.

We know that Mac Mini's are the cheapest of the Apple range, but they can still cost a pretty penny if you want to upgrade to bigger RAM or storage, and while they may never be as cheap, when compared to their PC equivalents, that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of best desktop computers for photo editing available today. 

The Mac Mini offers excellent value for money in the long run over other desktops that you may need to replace every couple of years, and comes with the added bonus that they can be easily transported in the best backpack for photographers.

See our full Mac Mini M2 Pro (2023) review

Best Mac Mini deals: Mac Mini M2 (2023)

The faster M2 Pro version offers up to a 12-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, along with up to a 19-core GPU. The M2 Pro has 200GB/s of memory bandwidth , double that of the M2, and supports up to 32GB of memory. 

However, with this added boost comes a higher price tag as the Mac Mini M2 Pro starts from $1,299/£1,399.

Best Mac Mini deals: Mac Mini M2 Pro (2023)

The good news is that Mac Mini deals are fairly regular. The biggest reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Apple's latest M2 processor is now offers more power, and for those who want even more there is also a 12-core M2 Pro chipped version too! The good news is that the starting price has not increased from the M1 versions - with the Mac Mini M2 going on sale from $599 / £649.

The M2 Mac Mini offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, whilst the Pro version provides four. Both models feature two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a Gigabit Ethernet port with a 10GB option, and an upgraded headphone jack to support high-impedance headphones. They feature the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard for up to 2x faster throughput than before, as well as Bluetooth 5.3.

However, if you're a student looking at these new Mac Mini's thinking they will be perfect to have hooked up in your dorm room, or to partner with your iPad, then why not check out the Apple Student discount that could cool the sting a little bit - it wont get you a huge deal off, but every little help!

Read more:

Best monitor for Mac Mini
Best keyboard for Mac
Best Mac mouse
Best iMac for video and photo-editing
Best Macbooks for photo editing

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best 2023 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch deals available with the top-performing M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro features a 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 38 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers
Best Mac keyboard 

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch deals available on the M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro features a 10 or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 19 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers

The best desktop computer for photo editing are a step up from even the best photo-editing laptops in terms of power and performance. Plus, if you don't mind opening them up and tinkering with them, they can be upgraded down the line with more powerful components, which makes them far more future-proof than a typical laptop.

Picking the best desktop computer will also give you the ability to add the best monitor; with typical sizes ranging from around 21 inches to well over 30 inches. That means, if you've got the desk space, you can work from home far more comfortably than if you were squinting at a laptop screen. Adding a full-size keyboard and comfy mouse further ups the ergonomic benefits over a laptop keyboard and trackpad.

To help you find the right model, our experts have drawn on their vast experience of reviewing and testing computers to compile this list of the absolute best. Alternatively, if portability is the most important thing for you, check out our guide to the best tablets for photo editing.

The Quick List

The best desktop computer for photo editing

Best overall

The Mac mini M4 (2024) is Apple's most impressive desktop computer to date, shrinking the already compact design while maintaining excellent performance and value. The base model offers plenty of power for photo editing, and handles everything from web browsing to video editing with ease too. The near-silent operation and tiny footprint make it perfect for quiet working.

The addition of front USB-C ports adds convenience, though note that theyrun at slower speeds than the rear Thunderbolt ports. Also, while the M4 chip brings notable performance improvements, especially for AI tasks, the integrated GPU still means this isn't the ideal computer for gaming. However, at this price point and size, the Mac mini M4 stands unmatched by any Windows or Linux alternative, making it our top pick overall.

Read our full Apple Mac mini M4 Pro review

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Best all-in-one

If you want an all-in-one computer (one which comes with a keyboard and monitor), the latest model of Apple's iMac is our top pick. The M4 chip delivers excellent performance for both everyday tasks and photo editing, while the new 16GB RAM baseline addresses a common criticism of previous models. What's more, the stunning 4.5K Retina display, available with an optional nano-texture finish, provides an excellent viewing experience, though some may wish for a higher refresh rate than 60Hz.

It's very attractive to look at too: the redesigned colorful aesthetic introduced with the M1 model remains, but with refreshed, more vibrant colour options that better match Apple's broader product line. And thile single 24-inch size screen may limit its appeal for some users, the thin profile and small footprint make it an ideal choice for most home and office environments. Finally the improved 12MP webcam with Center Stage is a welcome upgrade for video calls, though the continued awkward placement of the Magic Mouse charging port remains a minor annoyance.

Read our full Apple iMac M4 (2024) review

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Best micro computer

Fancy a desktop PC, but don't fancy the traditional dominating computer tower? A mini PC like the Geekom A6 could be ideal. Small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, yet powerful enough for serious image editing, and with a better port selection than a typical laptop, there's a lot to like here.

At its heart is an 8-core AMD Ryzen 6800H processor, teamed with a generous 32GB of RAM. Storage is provided by a fast NVMe 1TB SSD, with space for an additional 2.5" SATA drive. Physical connectivity is excellent, with plenty of ports, and build quality is first class.

During my testing I found the A6 performed well in general use. 32GB of RAM is a healthy amount for image editing, making the A6 easily able to handle high-resolution RAW images in Photoshop. Really heavy workloads will expose the limitations of this small form factor, but otherwise this downsizing comes with very few compromises.

Read our full Geekom A6 review

Best Mac for power

The latest Mac Studio with Apple's M4 Max chip is probably the most computer you can buy in the smallest footprint. The small and compact size is completely deceptive of the power that is hidden inside. The model we tested absolutely flew through photo editing in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and easily handled video editing with multiple tracks, and effects on Apple Final Cut Pro. Even the quality of life improvements like opening files and programs faster made the Studio just more enjoyable to use.

The Mac Studio starts off at quite affordable for a freelancer or small studio, with the base model being powerful enough for most users' needs, however when upping the specs on the Mac Studio, things can get very expensive very quickly. For this reason we'd stick to the M4 Max chip, as upgrading to the M3 Ultra costs a fortune, with the extra speed being unnecessary for most use cases.

Read our full Apple Mac Studio M2 (2023) review

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Budget Mac

This Mac Mini may no longer be the latest model, but it's still a great desktop computer, and appreciably cheaper than the current version. You'll still need to add your own monitor, but the computer itself is tiny at 197 x 197 x 36mm, so should fit on any desk.

This 2023 Mini M2 differs from previous models by using Apple's own processor designed for computers. It's a similar construction to an iPhone/iPad processor but beefed up for desktop computing. And boy, did Apple do a good job.

The ultra-efficient M2 processor can outperform many high-end Intel Core-series processors, while up to 32GB RAM is enough for serious image editing: just avoid the base 8GB model, as it's not really enough memory to ensure you're future-proofed.

Read our full Apple Mac Mini M2 review

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Best All-in-One PC

Lenovo's IdeaCentre AIO (all-in-one) PCs prove you don't have to buy an Apple iMac if you want a stylish and powerful all-in-one desktop computer for photo editing. While it doesn't come with the most cutting-edge components, it still offers more than enough power for running Adobe Photoshop and other photo editing applications.

It's a particularly good PC for photo editing thanks to its screen (several sizes are available - our size/price preference is the 27in version), which though only 1080p resolution, uses IPS display tech for consistent contrast accuracy and viewing angles. Best of all though, it's way more affordable than Apple's pricey iMac machines.

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How to choose the best desktop computer

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How we test the best desktop computers

During our computer testing we assess overall performance using industry standard benchmarking software, as well as running our own real-world tests using software like Adobe Photoshop. When testing an all-in-one desktop computer that includes a monitor, we'll also focus on screen quality and color space coverage. Where possible, a monitor calibrator will also be used to measure display performance and see how suitable it is for color-critical image editing. We'll then weigh these results against the computer's current retail price to determine whether it offers good value for money.

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The best iMacs are popular among photographers, videographers and other creatives, and for good reason. These desktop computers have plenty of power, and do an amazing job of running resource-hungry editing software like Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro. But which is the best iMac for you?

In general, Apple improves on the iMac with every model, so the best iMac is quite simply the most recent one, the iMac 2024. However, you may prefer a previous model, either because of its lower price or because of a specific feature. So in this article, we explain the main differences between them, so you can make an informed decision. Here we're listing iMacs built around Apple's M3 and M4 hardware. Previous iMacs can still be found as used or refurbished items, but with some great deals to be found on M3 iMacs, going even older can be a false economy.

Alternatively, to investigate other options including Windows devices, check out our guides to the best computer for photo editing and the best laptops for photo editing.

The Quick List

The best iMacs for photo editing

Best iMac overall

The 2024 24-inch iMac with M4 is not just the latest iMac, it's the best to date, for a number of reasons. Most notably, Apple has reduced the starting price, while simultaneously upgrading the base specifications to include 16GB of RAM. The M4 chip delivers improved performance over its M3 predecessor, handling everything from basic productivity tasks to creative work and even AAA gaming with ray tracing support.

It looks lovely too. The latest iMac maintains the beloved thin design of recent models but introduces refreshed, more vibrant colour options including an appealing Purple and Pink variant. In more practical terms, Apple has also modernised the peripherals by switching to USB-C for both the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

Elsewhere, the 4.5K Retina display remains excellent, and there's now an optional nano-texture glass finish that effectively reduces glare and reflections in bright environments. And the upgraded 12-megapixel FaceTime camera with Center Stage functionality automatically keeps you centered during video calls.

All of these improvements makes this iMac not just an iterative update but a big step forward from Apple. And the fact that it comes at a lower starting price than its predecessor makes it an even more compelling choice.

The only two potential drawbacks here, as with its predecessors, are that 24-inch screen size, which may feel a little restrictive during long editing stints in Photoshop or Premiere with lots of toolbars and panels open.

Secondly, remember that iMacs cannot be upgraded in any way. The amount of RAM and storage you spec at the time of purchase is what you're stuck with for the lifetime of the machine, so plan ahead when you're configuring.

Read our full iMac M4 2024 review

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Best value iMac

It may not be the latest iMac, but this is still force to be reckoned with, packing Apple's powerful M3 system-on-chip processing hardware, while also offering up to 24GB of RAM. While these specifications aren't quite as powerful as the M4 2024 model, you're still getting plenty of power that will be more than adequate for tasks such as photo and video editing. And you should be able to get one for significantly cheaper too.

You also get a stunning 4.5K retina display, Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 connectivity, a built-in 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and can choose from storage capacities between 256GB and 2TB.

The M3 is now the oldest iMac we'd recommend buying. The preceding M1 iMac can still be found at some retailers, but prices are usually similar to this M3 model, making the M1 a false economy now.

Read our full Apple iMac (M3, 2023) review

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How to choose the best iMac for photo editing

What should you look for when searching for the best iMac for photo and video editing? The key is to look at the specifications and suss out what you're going to need. While any modern iMac is going to be capable of editing photos with ease, some are more suited to heavy workloads or ultra-high resolution than others.

Screen size: For most photographers and video editors the 27-inch is the way to go. The extra room gives you luxurious space for both your image and the various editing palettes around it.

RAM: For iMacs, 8GB is now the baseline spec, and while this is just about adequate for light image editing, open a bunch of tabs open in your web browser while adding several layers to a high-res PSD file and watch what happens to the performance. Given that RAM is not user-upgradable in a regular (non-Pro) iMac, we'd strongly recommend speccing 16GB or more at the point of purchase, to maximize the useful lifespan of your new machine or, better still, 32GB.

Graphics card: This is important for video editing. The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac is best avoided, even if you can find it still on sale, as it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card. All other iMacs get proper Radeon Pro graphics, though the 27-inch iMacs use newer, faster models (that extra space gained from a having bigger screen makes room for more powerful internals). And the 2021 iMac gets the formidable shared graphics processing power of the M1 chip.

Storage space: Storage is also an important consideration because, unlike Windows laptops, you cannot open up and replace the hard drive of a regular iMac. 256GB is the default capacity for the 21.5-inch models and the entry-level 27-inch. This really isn't enough to give you sufficient storage space for the lifetime of your usage: upgrading to at least 512GB is a must. If that's not financially feasible at the point of purchase, you can always invest in an external hard drive, which is a more affordable way to give you more space to keep your photos. Look for external hard drives that include SSDs (Solid State Drives) and use the Thunderbolt 3 port, as this gives you the fastest possible transfer speeds.

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I use the best Mac webcam to look sharper and more professional on Zoom, as well as streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch. So if the dingy, low-quality picture from your in-built webcam is holding you back, it's time to invest in an external Mac webcam like me.

The best Mac webcams provide much better image quality to the one that comes built into your computer. Apple has, historically, been especially lax about providing good-quality built-in webcams, no doubt because of the urge to keep devices thin – this is a way to stand out.

You can also move external cams around to capture you from a better angle. Some also come with a built-in mic, noise-cancelling tech, and even digital or optical zooms. The smartest can even follow you with AI (so you can get in on something like Apple's 'Center Stage' feature, perhaps better, without needing a new Mac).

I've drawn on my experience using, testing and reviewing Mac webcams to round up the best on the market today (below). I've covered a range of different prices and included options for single users, streamers, and conferences.

Note that these are all webcams that play well with Macs, although most of them work with PCs too. That said, if you're a non-Apple user, you should also read the Digital Camera World guide to the best webcams.

The best Mac webcam

Best overall

Refiend from the already impressive Obsbot Meet 4K, this tiny device is easy to throw in a bag and pop onto a laptop. It draws its power from a USB-C connection (or even -A with the included adapter), so it's practical, and it's elegant, making use of magnetic design for re-positioning on its rest.

The magnetic mount also means the camera can simply be turned through 90 degrees into vertical mode if that suits your needs – social media marches on!

The truly celver bit, though, is the Obsbot app which has a wealth of well-realised features, including AI tracking (a little like that Apple have with CenterStage) and AI effects, from minor image tweaks to pretty dramatic live makeup. The tool is designed for high-end streamers, so it has all sorts of flexible options, including camera switching and integrates well with other Obsbot devices.

My testing was done with the ‘Record’ function of OBS – a popular streaming platform – and the fact Obsbot’s control software cause no issues is not to be sniffed at. The microphone was fine, nothing amazing (streamers may well be using another device anyway).

It’s only a shame it doesn’t include a nice case like its gimbal-based sibling, but then it is a good bit cheaper too, and has no exposed moving parts so it can travel safely,

Read my full Obsbot meet 2 review to see samples

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Best for streaming

A high-quality camera that could step in and be your camera-operator too? Why not? Built-in sound system which can cut down background sounds? Yep, in the bargain too? All of that and it'll still clamp onto the top of a laptop monitor – though admittedly look a bit big – perhaps you're better off using the tripod mount.

This is a brilliant way to create a portable studio setup and, frankly, the quality is stunning. Insta360 has also created high-quality software which is easier to use than a lot in this space, so you've got a complete feature set for – admittedly – a reasonably high price.

Read the full Insta360 Link Pro review for more details.

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Best webcam for streaming with built-in mic

The Logitech Streamcam is pitched at streamers, but you don't have to be a YouTuber or Twitch presenter to enjoy it. In fact, I believe it's one of the best Mac webcams on the market today for most people. Compatible with macOS 10.14 and above, it offers excellent 1080p 60fps resolution and a 78-degree field of view.

On test, the image quality it delivered was beautifully crisp, so anyone upgrading from their integrated laptop webcam will see a major improvement. Sound quality was also good thanks to the dual-mic stereo setup.

There's a range of mounting options, good autofocus, and automatic framing to keep you centered on a Zoom call if you move around. Plus the free software lets you adjust the camera’s settings, create a colored border, and add text and lower-thirds to your videos, before outputting them.

Overall, this is a great webcam for everyday use, at a very reasonable price. It's also available in Mac-friendly graphite as well as white, each shipping with matching monitor mounts. The only niggle is that the included USB-C cable is not detachable from the camera but is built right in. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.14 or newer.

Read the full Logitech Streamcam review for more details.

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Best 4K Mac webcam

Looking for 4K resolution from your webcam? You can get it for a surprisingly affordable price with the Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD Pro. Plus if you want super-fluid frame rates, you can get 60fps by dropping down to 1080p and an impressive 90fps at 720p.

Logitech is well known for webcams, so is well established in the field, and the beam-forming microphones do a good job in comparison to cheaper Macs too.

Suitable for Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, this webcam lets you choose between a 65, 78, or 90-degree field of view, and offers autofocus and 5x digital zoom too. Plus integrated RightLight 3 with HDR technology helps resolve issues caused by light that’s either too dim or too bright. In short, while this is a little pricier than the models I've mentioned so far, you can see where your money is going. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.10 or newer.

This was originally quite a pricey proposition (near $200), but is often on sale at a much more reasonable price, I suspect because the Insta360 Link series offers too much competition otherwise.

Read the full Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD Pro review for more details.

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Best tracking

These days, a lot of conferencing tools can automatically crop in on a small area of the image and let you see the person talking with less of the background, but the only real solution to show yourself at full resolution – and have the freedom to move – is for the camera to follow you – hence the increasing popularity of the gimbal. Mechanics, though, tend ot add size, but Obsbot has kept their AI camera operator, well, very small, or 'Tiny'.

As previous generations, it works by responding to a gesture – you give it a palm-forward style wave – and it acknowledges your presence with a simple change of the light. From then on the camera can follow you around the room. That's great for all kinds of streaming scenarios, from whiteboard presentations to making your own live cooking show!

With a 1/1.28-inch image sensor and dual-native ISO the camera is impressive too, and there is detail in the darker areas. The AI has gotten better over the generations too – not as snappy as before. A three-mic array makes this a great 48KHz sound recording tool too. The only real issue is price.

Obsbot also have a great Mac app (though admittedly it's a whopping install) with all kinds of features for managing streaming, and even live beauty treatments. These thoroughly impressed my fiancée – also a musician – is not sneery about good-quality AI image editing and obsessive about sound quality.

Read my full Obsbot Tiny 3 review for more details.

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Best budget webcam

Want to stream in decent quality, but don’t have the budget for something like the Canon PowerShot? Then I recommend the Logitech C922 Pro. Despite its relatively low price, it's still one of the best webcams for streaming around. On test, the video quality was excellent, with the exposure and white balance adjusting quickly to the environment, and the autofocus also performed well.

You can stream at 1080p Full HD at 30 fps, or up the frame speed to 60fps by dropping down to 720p. Autofocus and instant light correction do help in boosting picture quality, plus you also get a mounting clip, built-in flash, dual mics built in for stereo sound, and an 18.5cm tall tripod for your cash.

The C922 Pro is compatible with macOS X 10.9 or higher, and the free Logitech Capture App lets you customize recordings, adjust camera settings, and stream to YouTube within an easy-to-use interface. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.10 or newer.

Read the Logitech C922 Pro review for more details.

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Best portable webcam

The Insta360 Link 2C is essentially a smaller version of the Link 2. It uses the same camera, but has ditched the gimbal, allowing for a more compact form factor. This makes it an ideal webcam for those who travel, since it can be thrown into a rucksack without fear of breaking the more delicate gimbal. The downside of course is that it lacks the Link 2’s 2-axis stabilization when tracking. Still, if you’re in the market for a smaller and more robust webcam, it’s definitely got the goods.

Like the Link 2, you get excellent HDR video up to 4K / 30p, AI-powered features such as noise cancelling, Portrait Mode and Auto Framing. The only feature I feel it really lacks is a portrait magnet, and while I did manage to confuse the AI gestures occasionally, for the most part, I find the AI to be impressive. If all that wasn’t enough, the Insta360 Link 2C is great value, too.

This webcam is compatible with Windows 10 and macOS 10.13 (or later). Read my Insta360 Link 2C review for more details.

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Best value

On a tight budget? The eMeet c960 was less than half the price of the Razer Kiyo at the time of writing but still delivers impressive performance and features, making it suitable for online studying and teaching, home working, business meetings, and Zoom calls.

Supporting Mac OS 10.4 and above, you get the same 90-degree field of view, and the same high-definition 1080p video at 30fps. It’s a little bit bigger and heavier, but not massively so.

You don't get a ring light (though, of course, you could keep one nearby), but if you normally use your Mac webcam in a bright and light environment, that may be a compromise you’re willing to make. Especially as the eMeet c960 comes with automatic low-light correction technology to alleviate the problems of dim light. It also comes with two omnidirectional noise-reduction microphones. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.14 or newer.

Read the full eMeet c960 review for more details.

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Lowest price

If you’re really short of cash, then you’ll be pleased to know you can still get a decent Mac webcam for just a few bucks. Supporting macOS 10.10 or higher, the Logitech C270 HD webcam is very much no frills, but given how little it costs, you can't really complain about that.

The resolution is 720p at 30fps; the lowest on my list. It also has the most limited field of view, at 60 degrees. So it won’t be capturing your image in the most professional light possible, but it’s still fine for basic needs such as Zoom calls with friends and virtual classrooms. On the plus side, it also comes with a mono mic that has noise reduction built-in, and it also comes with a universal mounting clip for fixing your Mac screen. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.10 or newer.

Read the full Logitech C270 HD Webcam review for more details.

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Best for videoconferencing

If you’re serious about your business videoconferencing, you’ll want to check out the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect. This portable, all-in-one videoconference solution offers HD 1080p video, professional audio, and multi-device connectivity that’s ideal for groups of one to six people.

Supporting Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, it comes with a generous 90-degree field of view with a digital pan, mechanical tilt, and a ZEISS glass lens with autofocus. In other words, you’ll always be able to capture yourself and your surroundings how you want, wherever you’re videoconferencing from.

Audio is superior too: the mobile speakerphone features Bluetooth, NFC, and 360-degree sound, and users can be heard within a 12-foot diameter range. it can be plugged in or powered by a built-in rechargeable battery.

There’s also a dockable remote control, providing pan, tilt, and zoom features. You can connect to your Mac through a wired or wireless connection, and noise- and echo-cancellation is built in. Overall, then, this is the best conference webcam for Mac; a premium option with a premium price to match. This webcam is compatible with macOS 10.10 or newer.

Read the full Logitech ConferenceCam Connect review for more details.

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Honorable Mentions

Emeet Pixy Dual-Camera PTZ 4K Webcam

An unusual system combines two cameras for better AI focusing, as well as boasting a (more usual these days) gimbal base so it can turn and follow a subject. In other words, this is a camera designed for streamers who get up and move around. Created by the same company as the Meeting Owl, the cuteness of the two eyes in the design is even less of a surprise. It can pan 310 degrees and tilt 180 degrees, and uses a 3-mic noise-cancelling system.

Read the full Pixy Dual-Camera PTZ 4K Webcam review for more details.

FAQ

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How to choose the best Mac webcam

To choose the best webcam for you, consider what you will be using the webcam for. For instance, is it video conferencing, streaming, making calls or making video recordings? Different uses demand different features. For basic videos calls, a 1080p resolution webcam with a built-in microphone will suffice. For serious streamers and creators, look for higher resolutions (2K or 4K), fast frame rates (60fps for smooth action), and features like autofocus and low-light correction.

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How we test the best Mac webcams

Many of us at Digital Camera World are also Mac users, so have day-to-day experience with the convenience of the built-in cameras against their quality limitations. As such, we test the webcams we suggest in real meetings. That also means realistic home and office lighting conditions. When we're looking at a product with a special feature, like face tracking (which offers an alternative to Apple's Center Stage without you needing a new machine), we'll be sure to test that by moving around, too.

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Today's prices compared

For the last few years a new iMac has meant little more than a few tweaks here and there, fine-tuning what has long been a supremely accomplished all-in-one computer. As such, it’s easy to recommend an iMac as one of the best desktop computers for image or video editing, but the competition doesn’t stand still, so Apple can’t afford to rest on its laurels.

Thankfully, it hasn’t. The new 24 inch (23.5 inches, if you’re being pedantic) replaces the outgoing 21.5 inch model, providing a small but useful increase in screen size, and a corresponding boost in screen resolution. But it’s behind the monitor where the new iMac makesa generational leap forward the size of which is arguably unrivalled in the history of the iMac. Yes, like the MacBook Pro, Macbook Air and Mac Mini, the iMac is the latest Mac product to be equipped with Apple’s new M1 System on a chip – a radical departure from previous Intel-based computing power. Add the 7 chassis color options and you’ve got a new Mac that’s as distinctive on the outside as it is innovative within.

Specifications

Processor: Apple M1 8-core
Graphics: 7- or 8-core GPU
Neural Engine: 16-core
RAM: 8GB (configurable to 16GB)
Storage: 256GB/512GB SSD (configurable to 2TB)
Connectivity: 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt/DP, 3.5mm headphone socket, WiFi, Bluetooth. Optional: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
Dimensions: 547 x 461 x 147mm
Weight: 4.46-4.48kg

Key features

Undoubtedly the most significant new feature of the 24 inch iMac is its M1 System on a Chip (SoC), designed in-house by Apple as a replacement for Intel processing hardware. A SoC differs from conventional Intel Core-series processors by integrating the central processor, RAM, graphics processor, neural engine, Thunderbolt/USB 4 and various other components onto a single chip. The advantage with this design is each component can communicate much more quickly with each other, reducing latency and also increasing power efficiency, as this unified architecture brings better performance and power-management optimization. This SoC ethos is nothing new - Apple's A-series chips for iPhones and iPads have been designed in a similar way for years, but Apple has only just applied the concept to the iMac. The M1 iMac joins the Mac Mini M1, MacBook Air 13-inch M1 and the MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 in being powered by the M1 SoC.

Two variants of the 24-inch M1 iMac are available at launch. Both share the same 8-core CPU incorporating 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, however where the ‘premium’ model gets the full-fat M1 chip with an 8-core GPU, the entry-level version has a slightly cut down M1 chip with a 7-core GPU. Both models come with 8GB memory as standard, though this can be configured to 16GB, and we suggest you do just that to keep your iMac future-proofed as much as possible.

The base storage capacity is a 256GB SSD, though it’s possible to spec this up to 512GB or 1TB on the entry-level iMac. The premium version adds a 2TB option, albeit at a predictably high price premium.

There’s no difference between the two iMacs when it comes to screen specs – they’re both equally impressive. The 23.5-inch display boasts a 4.5K (4480x2520) screen res with DCI-P3 color space coverage and a 500-nit maximum brightness. The panel also conceals a six-speaker audio system supporting Dolby Atmos spatial sound.

As we’ve come to expect from recent iMacs, connectivity is pared down to the essentials. In the case of the entry-level 24-inch iMac, Apple has pared the connectivity down even more, to just two Type-C ports on the back and a 3.5-inch headphone jack on the side. The two Type-C ports are Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 compatible, and they have support for DisplayPort, giving you the ability to connect an external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

The upper-tier iMac adds an extra pair of Type-C ports, though these operate at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed only. You’ll need adapter dongles for Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI and VGA support. The entry-level iMac can be configured with a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port, which interestingly is housed in the external power brick rather than on the computer itself. The upper-level iMac gets an RJ45 network port as standard.

Build and handling

Not only is Apple’s M1 chip touted as being fast, it’s also designed to be super-efficient and space-saving. This last bit has meant Apple’s product design team has managed to make the new 24-inch iMac the slimmest iMac ever, with the display panel being a mere 11.5mm thick. Most remarkably, Apple has managed this while also housing all the computing hardware behind the screen. We’ve seen thin all-in-one computers before, like the Microsoft Surface Studio, but the Surface Studio ‘cheats’ by having its computing hardware housed in its stand. The stand for the 24-inch iMac is just (and only) that – a stand. The only hardware element in the iMac not hidden in the display panel is the power supply, which is a separate power brick connected by a convenient magnetic plug that connects to the rear of the display.

As you’d expect from an Apple product, build quality is absolutely first class. The solid machined metal stand is beautifully luxurious, as is the precision tilt hinge between the stand and display. The machined aluminium chassis of the display is equally premium, with no discernible flex or weak points. OF course, while this seamless construction undoubtedly makes this a beautiful object, it also makes it practically impossible to disassemble for repair or upgrade. However, the latter is a moot point now, as with so many of the components now being integral to the M1 SoC, upgradability is now out of the question, and the SSD storage is also highly likely to be soldered to the iMac’s motherboard. If you’re after extra storage expansion, check out our guides to the best external hard drives and the best portable SSDs.

The new iMac comes in seven color options to really liven up your desk/office: the entry-level model can be had in blue, green, pink or silver, while the upper-tier model adds yellow, orange and purple colorways.

Performance

The first thing that strikes you when you fire up the new 24-inch iMac is the beautiful 4.5K Retina screen. Viewed from around 8 inches or further away, you can’t see individual pixels, resulting in a phenomenally crisp viewing experience. Colors are stunningly vibrant without appearing over-saturated, and brightness is simply stunning. We’d expect nothing less from Apple, which has been at the forefront of screen quality for many years, but this level of sublime image quality never ceases to amaze.

Perhaps inevitably, audio quality doesn’t quite produce the same wow-factor. The 6 speaker audio set-up is housed entirely in the 11.5mm-thick display chassis, so there isn’t much room for sizable speaker drivers. As such, sound quality is perfectly acceptable, but you can forget about tight, deep bass – it’s just not there. However, vocals are well reproduced, making the sound ideal for clear video conferencing and casual music/video playback. And with the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio output, adding a separate speaker is easy.

We’ve heard a lot about the sensational processing power of the M1 chip, and we’re happy to report that this isn’t just marketing hyperbole. The unified CPU/memory architecture of the M1 SoC makes the 24-inch iMac incredibly snappy and responsive. General web browsing and every-day computing is completely slick, as is browsing through images. Even when you fire up Photoshop and work with some high-res Raw files, the M1 iMac doesn’t break a sweat. Indeed, you really need to up the ante to find the iMac’s limits. We achieved this by loading an 885MB, 95512 x 5629 (538 megapixel) stitched panorama. This took 17 seconds to load into Photoshop, however once displayed, panning around the image was instantaneous, with no lag or additional loading time to render new portions of the image on screen. Filters like HDR Toning, Gaussian Blur or Unsharp Mask did take a few seconds each to apply – not the instant ‘click and it’s done’ speed which Apple’s M1 marketing might imply – but even so, the M1 iMac is still impressively quick, even when tasked with a challenging image editing scenario.

Even in this situation, the iMac’s fans didn’t spin up to audible levels. In fact, it was only when running the Cinebench benchmarking software on loop that we managed to get the internal cooling fan to be heard, and even then it wasn’t irritating.

Our test iMac was equipped with the optional 16GB RAM, which is the maximum that the M1 SoC can be specced with. While this might seem limiting next to the existing 27-inch iMac which is available with up to 128GB RAM, Apple claims that this is enough to edit five streams of 4K video in Final Cut Pro, or  a single stream of 8K footage – impressive stuff, and usage scenarios which would traditionally require considerably more RAM to achieve smoothly. Apple’s answer is that the unified memory architecture of the M1 SoC design means memory block duplication between the CPU and GPU is reduced, leading to an overall more efficient use of memory. The upshot is 16GB of M1 memory can’t really be directly compared to 16GB of conventional RAM in an Intel-based iMac, and while it could appear limiting at first glance, you will have to push an M1 iMac very hard to exceed its RAM limit.

Verdict

Given the ground-breaking performance and efficiency gains of Apple’s M1 SoC in the MacBook and Mac Mini, it was always going to be a dead cert that any iMac powered by this hardware was going to be a stellar performer. The fact that Apple has also used the size and efficiency benefits of the M1 chip to enhance the exterior aesthetic of the 24-inch iMac adds even more appeal. Sure, few if any people need an 11.5mm computer that’ll never be moved from a desk, but it sure as heck looks impressive, as do the multiple color options that hark back to the original CRT-based iMac G3 of 1998.

While users who need seriously potent performance for hardcore image or video editing are still best advised to go for the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and its extra RAM capacity, the new 24-inch iMac packs enough power to satisfy the vast majority of image or video editing requirements, and at a very fair price when you consider the stunning screen that you’re getting as part of the product.

Our only gripe with the iMac M1 and its SoC architecture is it completely locks out any possibility of component upgrading and will make repair very difficult or likely impossible. Granted, Apple has been anti user-modification of most of its products since the very first Macintosh of 1984. However, now we’re more aware of e-waste and its environmental impact, to have an entire desktop computer and monitor which will likely have to be binned should any component fail or require upgrading isn’t everyone’s idea of progress.

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The latest Apple event saw the introduction of the new iMac (2021) and the iPad Pro (2021). Both products feature the new Apple M1 chipset, which is especially impressive in the case of the iPad Pro – as this is the first iPad to ever feature a chipset designed for computers. This definitely makes it one of the best tablets for photo editing. 

Meanwhile, the new iMac (2021) comes in a brand new array of fetching colors that will look stylish in anyone's home office. As one of the best iMacs for photo editing, this new iMac is over 50% thinner than the previous generation and features a 24" 4.5K Retina display with 500 nits of brightness. 

Both of these new products are now officially available for pre-order – although they won't be shipping until the second half of May. If you just can't wait to get your hands on one, check out the pre-order links for your region below!

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iMac & iPad Pro in the US

iMac & iPad Pro in the UK

iMac & iPad Pro in Australia

iPad Pro (2021)

The new iPad Pro comes complete with the M1 chip for the first time ever. It also features an 8-core CPU that's 50% faster than the previous generation and an 8-core GPU that delivers 40% faster graphics. We'll also be seeing a 16-core Apple Neural Engine, 2x faster storage access – plus a 2TB storage option too!

The USB-C port at the bottom will now support Thunderbolt and USB 4, offering 4x the bandwidth and being able to pass high resolution video files across. Excitingly, the iPad Pro will now support mmWave 5G, being able to reach 4GB/s at peak speeds. 

The iPad Pro is introducing a new 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera with a 122º field of view, which enables the new Center Stage function. This enables users to record and stream video while moving around their space. Center Stage will track the user's movement and keep the subject in the field-of-view by panning to follow them. It'll even expand to fit others in the shot if new people join the video. 

Meanwhile, there will be a new Liquid Retina XDR display that will feature 1000 nits of full screen brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness. 

iMac (2021)

The brand new iMac 2021 has been completely redesigned around the new M1 chip. While this isn't the first time we've seen the M1, this certainly seems to be the first computing product that really makes the most out of the technology. The power of the M1 chip has enabled Apple to shrink the size of components including the thermal system, which makes the iMac 2021 over 50% thinner than the previous iMac generation at 11.5mm thin. 

The iMac will feature a 24" 4.5K Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and 11.3 pixels. Meanwhile, the TrueTone technology will adjust the color output of the display as the environment around it changes. 

The camera has also been given an update, with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera that features a larger sensor for better performance in low light. Plus, the M1 chip has enabled computational video updates that are designed to enhance each pixel of video. Apple bills this as the "best camera ever in a Mac". 

It's clear that Apple has been inspired by the massive shift to working from home that many of us have experienced over the past year. It made a point of highlighting the improved microphone and speakers that are designed to make Zoom calls smoother. 

Meanwhile, the CPU performance is 85% faster than previous models, enabling users to easily and quickly work on 100MP photographs in Lightroom. Plus, the iMac 2021 will also feature 2x faster graphics and 3x faster machine learning. Excitingly, due to the M1 chip featuring the same architecture as the chips found in iPhones and iPads, the iMac 2021 will be able to run iPhone and iPad apps as well. 

The iMac 2021 will feature up to four USB-C ports, including two Thunderbolt ports. There will also be three new keyboards – two of which include Touch ID for the first time in iMac history.

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Rankin has provided a tender set of images for a new campaign focusing on intimacy and sex in our later years. 

The leading portrait photographer has collaborated with UK relationships charity Relate to provide the visuals for Let’s Talk The Joy of Later Life Sex, which aims to tackle the stigma around this unspoken subject. 

Shooting five older couples and one woman in their most intimate settings, Rankin and Relate set out to show what sex and intimacy can mean in later life, in a way that hasn’t been attempted before. And the results appear nationwide from today. 

Let’s Talk the Joy of Later Life Sex aims to challenge the notion that older people shouldn’t, couldn’t and wouldn’t want to have sex and be intimate.

This is an assumption borne out by the results of a poll undertaken by 3Gem market research, where two-thirds of over 65s (67%) say sex and intimacy for their age group is rarely (43%) or never (24%) represented in the media, compared with a fifth (20%) of 18 to 24-year-olds. 

The majority (60%) of people aged over 65 aren’t comfortable talking openly to anyone about sex and intimacy, citing embarrassment as the top reason (66%). 

Rankin, who took on the campaign pro-bono, says: “The simple fact is that we all need intimacy now more than ever – and age, of course, really is just a number. 

“The greatness of love and affection – the very things we can’t stop writing books, films, and pop songs about – doesn’t need to change as we find our later years. 

“This campaign sets out to break convention, and that’s what it did, both before and behind the camera.”

Rankin’s images feature a range of older people, from Daphne and Arthur who still hold hands when they walk, Andrew and Mark who have been together for 31 years, to Chrissie – who has had a double mastectomy – and her partner Roger. 

Rankin’s subjects may be drawn from varying ethnicities, sizes, shapes and sexualities, but they all show that it’s fine to feel empowered to think and talk about sex and intimacy as we grow older. 

The campaign champions the importance of sex and intimacy in later life, and explores everything from long-term love to new adventures, from tender intimacy to the more risqué.

Healthy relationships play a big part in our happiness levels, and the relationships charity Relate is there to provide support – whether you're facing difficulties, looking to strengthen your relationships, or just want help thinking things through. 

Relate’s services include Sex Therapy and counselling for couples, individuals and families. 

Relate sex therapist Gail Thorne said: “What we're trying to do today is open up a society-wide conversation about the fact that sex and intimacy – whatever that might mean – can be as important for older people as it is for anyone else. 

“In reality, 'sex and intimacy in later life' means different things to different people: for some it's about exploring new and different sexual experiences, and for others it's simply about feeling able to express emotion through a gentle touch or kiss on the cheek.” 

Visit Relate to find out about the services available, which include sex therapy and counselling for couples, individuals and families. 

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The quest for the slimmest, most wafer/paper/razor thin designs has dominated the tech industry for years, with laptop, tablet and phone manufacturers continually compressing each successive model generation down to the thickness of a perished prophylactic.

At 11.5mm thin, even the new iMac (announced at the Apple Event this week) can’t definitively claim to be the thinnest-ever desktop computer – the Acer Aspire S 24 manages to be just 6mm thick, though it can only manage that by housing the computing hardware in its stand.

There is some argument for thinness being beneficial for portable devices. Nobody wants a bulky laptop or tablet, and a thin phone can be a good thing for those with particularly tight jeans’ pockets, if you’re prepared to live with a handheld device that doesn’t even pay lip service to physical ergonomics. But as for a computer designed to spend its whole existence sitting on your desk? Well, let’s face it, an extra millimetre, centimetre or even inch isn’t really going to make a meaningful difference, unless you’re taking small-space living to the extreme.

What’s more, the obsession with compression may actually have negative repercussions. Computer processors work hard and generate heat as a result. Restricting the room they have to breathe means less space for heat-dissipating heatsinks and fans, and since Apple has historically kept its computers as quiet as possible, those downsized fans won’t be spinning faster to compensate. Thankfully, excessive heat build-up is unlikely to bother the new iMac, as its M1 processors are designed for ultimate power and thermal efficiency, so it’s doubtful we’ll see a repeat of the old 2018 Core i9 MacBook Pro fiasco where it could get so hot the processor had to aggressively slow itself down (thermal throttle) just to avoid burning up.

One could also argue that a thinner iMac means less of the earth’s resources being used to make it, a smaller carton used to transport it, and in turn fewer ships liable to end up beached in a canal trying to bring it to your local Apple store. All valid points, but with such sleekness and possible resource savings come other less eco-friendly consequences. When some brave soul decides to do a teardown of the new iMac, you can bet it’ll be about as accessible as Apple’s accountancy department, and if you can get inside, good luck finding a component that isn’t permanently soldered to the motherboard.

To be fair to Apple, a lot of other all-in-one desktop computers are equally impossible to upgrade in the future, but Apple is widely credited with popularizing this movement towards un-upgradable tech. The upshot is you’d better be darned sure you spec your new iMac generously at the point of purchase, as when the time comes to upgrade your camera to a megapixel monster, you could find an entry-level iMac doesn’t take too kindly to editing those big-ass new raw files. Then you run the risk of being left with a precision-engineered, beautifully colourful paperweight. But every cloud has a silver lining – at least at 11.5mm thick, it won’t take up much space in the trash can.

But of course none of these boring practical considerations matter one iota - the new iMac is just so good looking it hardly matters what’s inside. It would have been irresistible if Apple had stuck to its usual silver colorway, but now the 24-inch iMac can be had in a whole rainbow of hues, all I can think about is recreating Apple’s iMac press image for real, on my desk. And with each iMac being so incredibly thin, they’d probably all fit.

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We saw some impressive announcements at Apple's latest event yesterday, including the new iMac in seven stunning colors and the totally revamped iPad Pro. Many of the technological advancements in both products seemed to come from the M1 chip. While these aren't the first products to include the M1 (it's also been seen in the Apple Mac Mini M1), they definitely look like they're making the most of the new technology. 

One of the most interesting aspects of yesterday's Apple event was the focus on creating a seamless working from home experience. The new iMac features the "best camera, mics, and speakers ever in a Mac", while the new iPad Pro has a new 'Center Stage' function that's perfect for streaming and video conferencing.

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The iMac 2021 features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera works together with the image signal processor in the M1 chip and the Neural Engine to enhance camera quality. This means that iMac users should be able to expect better noise reduction, greater dynamic range and improved auto exposure and white balance. 

Meanwhile, the new iMac will also feature a "studio-quality three-microphone array for clearer calls and voice recordings". These mics are positioned to reduce feedback from the rest of the system, while directional beam forming should mean less background noise. 

To enhance the working from home experience even more, the new iMac has two pairs of force-cancelling woofers placed side by side, each balanced with a high-performance tweeter. The speaker enhancements mean that iMac is able to support spatial audio when playing music and video with Dolby Atmos. 

However, the new iMac isn't the only Apple product that seems designed to improve the way we all work from home. The new iPad Pro features an interesting new ultra wide angle front-facing camera that could totally revolutionize video conferencing. 

Using this 12MP ultra wide camera and the machine learning capabilities of the new M1 chip, the iPad Pro features a new 'Centre Stage' video call function that's designed to recognize and keep users centered in the frame. If other people join in, the camera will detect them and smoothly zoom out to fit everyone into view. If the user moves around their space, Centre Stage will automatically pan to keep them in the shot.

Centre Stage isn't the only feature that will benefit home workers. The iPad Pro will now be capable of mmWave 5G (although mmWave is currently only in the US), making it easy for workers to dial into their Zoom calls from anywhere. 

With home working becoming so prevalent over the past year, perhaps it's not surprising that Apple placed such a heavy emphasis on video conferencing in yesterday's event. Could it be that Apple predicts that the home working trend will continue, even after other effects from the global pandemic are mostly over? Well, based on these two new products, it certainly seems like this could be the case.

The base iMac 2021 model will be available in May, starting at $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$1,899 in four colors, while those with the gigabit Ethernet and USB 3 ports will start at $1,799 / £1,449 / AU$2,199 and will be available in seven colors. 

Meanwhile, the 11-inch iPad Pro will begin at $799 / £749 / AU$1,199 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will cost $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,649. Both will be available to order on 30 April, and the products will begin shipping in the second half of May. 

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It's been a while since we've seen a release from Apple, but the first Apple event of 2021 has finally happened – and it definitely didn't disappoint. We saw the arrival of the new iMac 2021, the iPad Pro, Apple TV 4K and (finally!) the Apple AirTags!

Of course, this won't be the only Apple event of the year, with more Apple products due to arrive in 2021 as well. One of the most anticipated products is the unofficially titled iPhone 13, which has already had plenty of rumors and leaks spilled – despite the fact that the iPhone 12 family have only recently arrived!

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So, without any further ado, check out the exciting Apple products announced today below…

Apple AirTags

They've been rumored for years now – and they're finally here! Apple AirTags have been officially announced, joining the FindMy ecosystem to enable users to be able to easily find their personal belongings. Similar to the Tile tags, AirTags can be attached to keys, wallets, cameras and more. 

Users will be able to personalize AirTags with emojis – and  they even come with stylish accessories, such as Hermes bag charms or luggage tags. Users will be able to keep track of their AirTags through the FindMy app, which uses 'Precision Finding' and U1 chip (also found in the iPhone 12 family) to help increase the accuracy of the FindMy system. 

Apple made a point of stating that the AirTags are designed to keep track of products, not people. The AirTags have been designed to enable you to make sure you've not had one slipped in your bag with audible alerts to let you know that it's there. 

The Apple AirTags will be available for $29 / £29 / AU$45, or a 4-pack for $99 / £99 / AU$149. It will be available to order from 23 April and will ship from 30 April. 

Apple TV 4K

Apple also announced the new Apple TV 4K, which will feature the A12 Bionic chip and 4K High Frame Rate HDR. Perfect for watching the best streaming services on, it will also feature a completely redesigned Siri remote, which has a new touch-enabled click pad and a one-piece recycled aluminum design. Apple says that it's the only remote you'll ever need, with the addition of power and mute buttons. 

Interestingly, the Apple TV 4K will be able to work in conjunction with your iPhone. Using the light sensor, the iPhone will be able to compare your TV's color with worldwide color standards. The Apple TV 4K will then automatically adjust and calibrate your TV's display.

The Apple TV 4K will be available in 32GB for $179 / £169 / AU$249 and 64GB for $199 / £189 / AU$279. You can order the Apple TV 4K from 30 April and it will begin shipping in May. Don't forget to check out our list of the best best Apple TV VPN services as well.

iMac 2021

The brand new iMac 2021 has been completely redesigned around the new M1 chip. While this isn't the first time we've seen the M1, this certainly seems to be the first computing product that really makes the most out of the technology. The power of the M1 chip has enabled Apple to shrink the size of components including the thermal system, which makes the iMac 2021 over 50% thinner than the previous iMac generation at 11.5mm thin. 

The iMac will feature a 24" 4.5K Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and 11.3 pixels. Meanwhile, the TrueTone technology will adjust the color output of the display as the environment around it changes. 

The camera has also been given an update, with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera that features a larger sensor for better performance in low light. Plus, the M1 chip has enabled computational video updates that are designed to enhance each pixel of video. Apple bills this as the "best camera ever in a Mac". 

It's clear that Apple has been inspired by the massive shift to working from home that many of us have experienced over the past year. It made a point of highlighting the improved microphone and speakers that are designed to make Zoom calls smoother. 

Meanwhile, the CPU performance is 85% faster than previous models, enabling users to easily and quickly work on 100MP photographs in Lightroom. Plus, the iMac 2021 will also feature 2x faster graphics and 3x faster machine learning. Excitingly, due to the M1 chip featuring the same architecture as the chips found in iPhones and iPads, the iMac 2021 will be able to run iPhone and iPad apps as well. 

The iMac 2021 will feature up to four USB-C ports, including two Thunderbolt ports. There will also be three new keyboards – two of which include Touch ID for the first time in iMac history.

The base iMac 2021 model will be available in May, starting at $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$1,899 in four colors, while those with the gigabit Ethernet and USB 3 ports will start at $1,799 / £1,449 / AU$2,199 and will be available in seven colors. 

iPad Pro

And this is clearly the pièce de résistance of today's Apple event – the new iPad Pro complete with the M1 chip for the first time ever. The new iPad Pro will feature an 8-core CPU that's 50% faster than the previous generation. It'll also feature an 8-core GPU that delivers 40% faster graphics – and is 1500x faster than the very first iPad Pro! We'll also be seeing a 16-core Apple Neural Engine, 2x faster storage access – plus a 2TB storage option too!

The USB-C port at the bottom will now support Thunderbolt and USB 4, offering 4x the bandwidth and being able to pass high resolution video files across. Excitingly, the iPad Pro will now support mmWave 5G, being able to reach 4GB/s at peak speeds. 

The iPad Pro is also introducing a new 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera with a 122º field of view, which enables the new Center Stage function. This enables users to record and stream video while moving around their space. Center Stage will track the user's movement and keep the subject in the field-of-view by panning to follow them. It'll even expand to fit others in the shot if new people join the video. 

Meanwhile, there will be a new Liquid Retina XDR display that will feature 1000 nits of full screen brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness. 

The 11-inch iPad Pro will begin at $799 / £749 / AU$1,199 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will cost $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,649. Both will be available to order on 30 April, and the products will begin shipping in the second half of May. 

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Right now, home working is the new reality for a lot of photographers, at least for the time being, so here's a roundup of all our latest and best advice on computers, monitors, printers and storage. If you're stuck at home, you might as well make it as painless and productive as possible!

• See also: Best Wacom tablets

Computers for photographers

If you work at a regular desk rather than in your kitchen or on your lounge table, then a traditional desktop computer will give you the most power for your money. Does it matter what you get? We think so, because although photo-editing doesn't place as many demands on your computing hardware as video or gaming, older machines may struggle to process high-resolution images and raw files from the latest cameras. And if you have a lot of images to process, the faster your computer can get through them, the better.

We've published guide to some of the best desktop computers around right now, and if you are an Apple fan we have a guide to the best iMacs too.

If you don't have the luxury of a fixed office space or you want the flexibility to move around or work off site, then a laptop makes more sense. The best laptops for photographers are powerful enough to match a desktop computer – but portable.

Many photographers shoot video too, of course, so while there is a good deal of crossover with the best photo editing laptops, we've also published a guide to the best laptops for video editing. Again, we have a separate guide dedicated to the best MacBooks for Apple users.

Not everyone has the budget for a high-powered laptop, of course, so we also have a guide to the best budget laptops to get right now. And an alternative to the conventional laptop is to choose one of the best Chromebooks – these lightweight units are great for students, or for those that are used to working using Google Drive and Google's free cloud-based apps.

• See also Best standing desks

Storage and upgrades

The more you shoot, the more space you need for storage – and however much you have, it's never enough! Almost all photographers will find their photo collection quickly outgrows their computer's internal hard drive. If you have a configurable Windows machine you CAN add more internal drives, and here we would recommend an internal SSD rather than a conventional hard drive. They are much more expensive but will give your machine a serious speed boost.

Another way to boost performance is to upgrade your computer's graphics card (if you have a system that allows this kind of upgrade), especially if you edit a lot of video. See our guide to the best graphics cards for more.

If it is just storage you need,  with the speed of today's USB-C and Thunderbolt interfaces, it makes much more sense just to plug in external drives as needed.

We have published a guide to the best external hard drives for photographers which includes regular drives and high-security, high-speed RAID devices ideal for professionals. If you have lots of images (or videos) and need to store these, and like being able to access this archive from anywhere also check out our guide to the best NAS drives.

Very often, though, that's overkill. Desktop drives are fast with lots of capacity, but they're tied to a single location. The best portable hard drives give you much-needed extra capacity and you can take them with you. They're powered by their USB cable, too, so you don't need power cables.

On the subject of storage, how do you get images from your camera to your computer? Some computers have SD memory card slots (not other types) and some have none, so check out our guide to the best memory card readers to find a faster solution than simply connecting the camera by cable.

Finally in this section we've given a little thought to input devices. Many photographers find a graphics tablet gives them a much more intuitive editing experience than a mouse – but, if you've just got use to mice and you don't want to change, we've picked out the best mice for photographers too.

Monitors for photographers

Most computer monitors are designed for web browsing, productivity/office software and other activities that don't need particularly high resolution or accurate colors. Photographers, of course, need both of these things! We've put together a guide to the best monitors for photographers, with the emphasis on display quality and color rendition. If you are more into video, then you instead want to check out our best video-editing monitor guide.

We've also got a guide to the best 8K monitors for the truly power-hungry, though this is a new area and there are a limited number of candidates... for now.

You don't HAVE to get a monitor designed solely for photography. The best USB-C monitors can do a good job too and they're very simple to hook up – and some of the best ultra-wide monitors might be designed for gaming and VR, but they can also work well for photography and video. 

And if you are working at home, you may well benefit in getting your monitor off the surface of your desk using a monitor arm or with a monitor stand. And if you need to take the monitor on your travels, it is worth checking out the best portable monitors.

One of the keys for best display quality is proper monitor calibration – this makes sure the monitor will display colors as they actually are. Some really high-end monitors come with built-in calibration but in most cases you'll need a separate calibration kit. Read our guide to the best monitor calibration kits for more.

• See also: Best monitors for MacBook Pro

Printing and display

It's a vital piece in the home photography puzzle – a printer! There are lots of good online labs you can use, but having your own printer means you can get prints right there and then, and in exactly the sizes you need.

See our guide to the best photo printers to see our current favorite models or, if you need to output larger prints for clients or exhibition, we have a guide to the best large format printers too.

If you are looking for a budget solution, check out our guide to the best all-in-one printer for home working, or our top ten choices for the best wireless printer.  We also have a guide to the best portable printers for quick and simple prints in smaller sizes.

Prints aren't the only way to display your images, of course – or your videos. We've also published a guide to the best projectors and the best projection screens. And for smaller-scale informal display, what about a digital photo frame?

Video and audio conferencing

We need to stay in touch with our colleagues, our clients and all our valued contacts during lockdown, and as extended periods of home working become the norm for many of us, the daily Zoom meeting has become as much a part of the routine as the daily office standup – and even more valuable for maintaining that personal contact we all need.

A lot of laptops and monitors have cameras and mics built in; if yours doesn't you might want to take a look at our guide to the best webcams – and there is also a category of conference webcams for busy professionals.

If you stay in touch with your audience with videos, we have a guide to the best cameras for streaming, and there's a growing new line of remote PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras which let you control a camera remotely. And if your work is mostly paperwork and documents, we have a guide to the best document cameras too.

Getting back to video conferencing... if you want to look like a professional executive rather than some cave-dwelling troglodyte, might want to sort out an LED light to illuminate yourself properly, and a proper headset will make your Zoom meetings and lot more painless.

Software and services

Your computer won't get far without software, so we've rounded up what we think is the best photo editing software and the best video editing software to take hone your creations and share them with the world.

It doesn't really stop there, though. If you want to publicise and share your work properly, you need a website – which means choosing the best website builders and the best web hosting companies for photographers. The Internet isn't just for promoting your work, though, as it also has a practical benefit – online storage. With online storage, your work can be backed up and safe, but also available everywhere. And since we're talking about security, we also have a guide to the best VPN (Virtual Private Network) for photographers.

Other useful guides

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One way or another, the 27-inch iMac is going to get a reaction. Some people like to build a PC out of bits, some like the value of a modular tower PC and don’t see why they need to pay more for a Mac (no-one who uses a Mac asks that question, by the way). What you think of this iMac, or any iMac will almost certainly come down to your attitude to money and your attitude to design. If money is everything and design can go to hell, then you should probably stop reading now.

iMacs are all-in-one desktop computers for people who want a neat computing solution. It looks like all you get is a screen and a keyboard and a mouse; in fact, the computer itself is built into the back of the screen under a gently bowl-shaped curve that you hardly notice.

This does mean that it’s hard (read impossible) to upgrade your hardware later. When you buy an iMac, you need to get the specs absolutely right for your current and future needs. Once it’s built, that’s it.

On the other hand, the speed of the Thunderbolt 3 interface (this iMac has. Two) means that you can connect VERY fast SDD and RAID storage, for example, so there’s less need to prise open the case and add more drives later. Which you can’t do, by the way. You can also plug in up to two 6K external monitors.

Specifications

Processor: 3.1GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
Storage: 256GB SSD
RAM: 8GB
Display: Retina 5K 5120x2880 P3 display with True Tone
Graphics: Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB of GDDR6 memory
Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, 4x USB-A, 1x Ethernet, 1x SDXC card, 1x headphone socket
Included accessories: Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse

*All specs can be upgraded during purchase

Key features

One of the key features of the 27-inch iMac is the Retina 5K display – ‘Retina’, because the resolution is so high that you just don’t see the dots. This does have advantages for photo-editing. It means you are seeing the resolution of your photos, not the resolution of your screen and it does, in a curious way, cut down on pixel-peeping.

There is an option to upgrade to Nano-textured glass with a matt finish etched into the glass at a ’nanometer’ level rather than simply applied as a matt layer. The idea is that the screen should be unaffected by glare in any environment, and it really does work – but it adds a huge $500/£500 to the price.

This is just one iMac spec you can customize and upgrade on your way to the checkout. The 27-inch iMac comes in three off-the-shelf configurations, starting at $1,799/£1,799, each of which can be configured with a faster processor, more RAM, a bigger SSD (all iMac models now come with SSDs), a better graphics card or faster Ethernet.

The price can quickly skyrocket, so it pays to be sensible about what you need and what you can afford. Even the base level 27-inch iMac comes with that beautiful 27-inch 5K screen and enough power for most photo-editing needs, but if you intend working on multi-layer Photoshop composites you might want to get more RAM, or a better graphics card for 4K video editing, or a faster processor for 3D rendering… and so on.

If you keep on going, you can eventually spec up a 27-inch iMac to the level of the iMac Pro, which starts at $4,999/£4,999. This sounds like crazy money for a desktop computer, but we are now into professional workstation territory. There is some overlap between a maximum spec 27-inch iMac and a base level iMac Pro, but if you need a 10-core processor (or more), up to 256GB RAM or a graphics card with 64GB RAM, you should be looking at the iMac Pro, or the Mac Pro instead.

The average photographer/videographer won’t need this. This kind of power is the preserve of coders, 3D designers and sound engineers. For digital photography and regular video editing, a standard 27-inch iMac will work fine – though you might want to consider upping the base level 8GB RAM to 16GB and going for a bigger internal SSD than the baseline 256GB.

Design and usability

Desktop computers are typical not pretty, but the iMac is practically a piece of modern sculpture. The brushed aluminium body has nothing on the front but the screen and an Apple logo, while round the back you’ll find two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) arts and four USB-A ports. There’s also an SDXC memory card slot and a headphone jack.

The stand is built on to the back, and there’s no height adjustment but there is a smooth and simple tilt movement which is a perfectly effective substitute. There is no separate power block. Instead the mains lead plugs straight into the back of the iMac, via a hole in the stand, so that you don’t even see the power cable, or indeed any other cable.

The Apple ‘Magic Keyboard’ is wireless and very slim, but also has a very nice short, light and positive key travel. The ‘Magic Mouse’ that comes included has been known to divide opinion, but it’s a masterpiece of minimal design, with no moving external parts and, instead, a seamless top surface which is gesture and click-sensitive, for both left and right-clicking and up/down, left/right scrolling/swiping.

The design finesse extends to the Mac OS and the included applications. Existing Mac users will already know that Macs don’t come with any bloatware, but do come with a whole suite of apps for everything from everyday productivity (Calendar, Mail, Notes, Reminders) to creative tools (Photos, iMovie) to office software (Pages, Numbers, Keynote).

Performance

The standout feature of the 27-inch iMac is the screen. The 5K resolution is remarkable, but so is the utterly even illumination, 1 billion colors and 500 nits of brightness.

Straight out of the box, the colors, contrast and brightness look spectacular. If you produce high-quality prints or work in print publishing, you might still want to calibrate the display, but if you’re working towards on-screen media sharing, that would probably take you in the wrong direction.

The swap to SSDs for internal storage and steady processor evolution makes this iMac faster than ever. Lightroom, Capture One and DxO PhotoLab all loaded and ran faster than on the older 21.5-inch iMac we ran alongside, though what you’re getting here is a performance improvement not a step-change. The speed depends on the software as well as the hardware, and whether it can make proper use of multi-core processors and GPU acceleration, for example.

We’ll bet that you can get similar performance from a cheaper Windows based system – though if you go for equivalent specs on a Windows machine, the costs can escalate just as quickly. What you won’t get is the iMac’s design finesse, streamlined OS and simple but effective apps.

This could make a difference for the millions who now work at home. The iMac is a machine which will suit any minimalist office workspace, and it has a built-in 1080 FaceTime HD camera and 3-mic array for high-quality video conferencing. You can use a headset if you want, but why would you?

Verdict

Expensive? Perhaps, but there is a lot of hardware packed into the 27-inch iMac, and while the optional upgrades look expensive compared to what you might pay for similar Windows components, you should remember you are getting them fitted too. Above all, part of what you’re paying for is design, both in terms of the physical device, its screen, its presence on your desk, and its everyday operation.

When you buy a computer today, you’re buying a device you are going to be living with, looking at and using for a very long time. It’s likely, in the new realities of home working, to be your sole companion for hours at a time. It will be a constant presence in your house and your interface with the outside world. This is what the iMac was made for, and it does it brilliantly – and the new 27-inch iMac and its to-die-for display just take it to another level.

The costs of up-speccing the three standard models could quickly get out of control, however. For photographers, we'd recommend any of the three, but with 16GB or 32GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD at the least and ideally 1TB.

Read more:

• Best MacBook for photographers
• Best photo-editing laptop
• Best desktop computer
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Apple's all-in-one desktop computer and screen has had its annual update – and the emphasis for the iMac 27-inch 2020 appears on being able to give improved options for any type of home worker. For all of us finding that Zoom chats and video conferencing has become a significant part of our lives, the built-in webcam has had an upgrade to provide 1080P high-definition transmission. And for power users, the maximum SSD storage you can get has been quadrupled up to a whopping 8GB.

The base price remains $1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,799 – but if you now take all the options available the new iMac 27in can now cost you $7,949 / £8,799 / AU$13,299.

Whatever option you choose, you now get a 1080P FaceTime webcam – a significant boost on the 720P camera available on previous iMacs. The 5K Retina 27-inch screen continues - but now with the option for nano-texture glass, for a better viewing experience in bright light.

The new generation of iMacs continue with Intel chips for now, but you a new option is to get a 10-core processor if you want the fastest CPU performance. Memory capacity has been doubled to a maximum of 128GB (the base model gets you 8GB).

All of the new iMacs offer you SSD storage as standard with options rising from a basic 256GB up to an incredible, but expensive 8TB (four times the maximum available with the iMac 27-inch 2019.

The graphics card capabilities have also been improved - with to 55 percent faster graphics performance from its Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics, featuring AMD’s latest RDNA architecture. Compared to the previous-generation, the new iMac is said to deliver up to 30 percent faster timeline rendering in Final Cut Pro X. The premium option here now becomes a Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory.

Apple also announced that its 21.5-inch iMac will come standard with SSDs across the line for the first time – and have the option to configure it with a Fusion Drive.

iMac Pro also gets a modest update now comes standard with a 10-core Intel Xeon processor.

Read more
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The best photo-editing laptops

The best MacBooks for photo editing

Use your camera as a USB webcam

Apple has announced its latest version of its 13-inch MacBook Pro, which promises  double the storage,  faster performance, and a new  Magic Keyboard for 2020.

The MacBook Pro family is one of the best photo-editing laptops, and is loved by photographers and videomakers the world over. And although some of the best MacBooks have larger screens, the 13-inch baby of the Pro range has a great deal of appeal for those of us that want to carry around their laptop in a messenger bag or camera backpack.

The  13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 doubles the storage offerings across the whole range, so you start with 256GB minimum, with read speeds up to 3 GB/s. But options allow you to set yourself up with a whopping 4TB of SSD storage.

• See also: Best monitors for MacBook Pro

As we would have expected, Apple's new Magic Keyboard makes its way onto the 13-inch model for the first time (having already been incorporated into the latest MacBook Air and 16in MacBook Pro). This replaces the unpopular butterfly keyboard - and is generally accepted as giving a much better typing experience.

In terms of graphics, the news MacBook Pro offers Intel Iris Plus , which is promises 80 percent faster performance over the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro – which will be particularly useful when editing 4K video.

The basic 13in MacBook Pro 2020 comes with quad-core 8th-Gen processor, but there is the option of 10th-Gen quad-core chip with turbo boost speeds up to 4.1GHz. The 13-inch MacBook Pro continues to have two Thunderbolt 3  in its most budget form, and you need to opt for the £1,799/$1,799 configuration if you want four ports.

The starting price  is $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999 for 13-inch model with a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The new MacBook Pro can be bought now, with shipping due to commence later this week. 

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