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What is the Best Apple Desktop Computer?
Apple's desktops are some of the highest-performing machines on the market. This means that whether you're checking email or rendering entire movies on your desktop, any of the computers here will meet the demand. The most important deciding factors will be budget, space, and peripherals. If you already own a desktop computer, then the best choice for you will be different than if you're looking to buy an entirely new machine. For the purpose of this review, we took a look at five of Apple’s best desktop computers, comparing their main features, in order to help you decide which one is the right choice for your needs.
Note: We are working on an update to include Apple's newest desktop computers, the Apple iMac Pro and Mac Pro Desktop Tower. In the meantime,
you can check them out on Amazon.
Our Top Choice
The Apple MK482LL/A iMac All-in-One Desktop PC is a powerful computer with high resolution for exceptional display. If you prefer an Apple Desktop with a smaller screen and different processor speed, opt for the
Apple MMQA2LL\/A iMac 21.5 Inch Desktop Computer.
Apple iMac 27-Inch Retina 5K Display Desktop - Intel Quad-Core i5 3.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 2TB Fusion Drive, Mac OS X, Available in 8 Buying Options
Features
The first Apple iMac was introduced in 1998, and used a similar design as the classic Macintosh computers of the 1980s. Apple went back to its “all-in-one” approach to desktop computing, and it has proven to be very popular to this day, with many competitors choosing to follow Apple's footsteps. The compact design does not detract from the computer's functionality at all.
The Apple MK482LL/A iMac All-in-One Desktop PC is powerful and versatile to accomplish various tasks. The Apple iMac has been in production for almost two decades and is one of the most popular products Apple produces. At its core, this is an all-in-one desktop computer. The world-famous iMac has a breathtaking 5K 27-inch display. This desktop can likely do anything you need it to and more.
The 3.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor ensures that you will have lightning-fast performance for even the most demanding tasks, such as video rendering. The 5K 5120 x 2880 resolution screen is one of the best currently available, and will make your movies, photos, and videos look truly breathtaking. For comparison, a standard laptop or desktop screen is about half the resolution on offer here.
The features on this particular iMac include:
- 27-inch 5K Retina Display
- Built-in webcam and microphone
- Includes Macintosh OS X El Capitan
- 5120 x 2880 Resolution
- 4 USB 3.0 ports
- 2 GB of GDDR5 Memory
- 3.3 GHz CPU
- Up to 32GB RAM capability
This is a high-end consumer desktop with a lot of power, but it may be more than you need. If you're someone who spends a great deal of time on the computer for work or personal use, this may be your best option. On the other hand, this is available in 7 other buying options with varying features—why not take a look?
Best Value
The Apple Mac Mini MGEQ2LL/A Series A 1347 Desktop PC is a more affordable, but more stripped-down iMac. Don't forget to
pick up a Apple Magic Mouse while you are at it.
Apple Mac Mini MGEQ2LL/A Series A 1347 Desktop PC with a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core, Silver (Newest Version) - Available in 3 Processor Speeds & 2 Style Options
Features
Apple has been on the market for decades, manufacturing exceptional tech-savvy products to meet the varied needs of its users. This is another of Apple's all-in-one desktop mini Macs. It is a more stripped-down model, but still packs a lot of power for the price. The 15-inch screen is still plenty to enjoy all of the media you normally watch and listen to on a desktop.
In fact, it's probably going to look much better on the retina display than it does on any standard PC. What’s more, you're still getting a powerful processor that clocks over 3 GHz, including a 15-inch display. If you want the full capabilities of Mac OS X's interface features, make sure you also have a Magic Mouse in addition to the regular track pad as only one is included with the purchase of a Mac.
Like always, with Apple, you definitely get what you pay for, including:
- 2.8 GHz processor
- Bluetooth capability
- Turbo speed up to 3.3 GHz
- 1TB fusion hard drive
- 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports
- 4 USB 3.0 ports
- Mac OS X El Capitan
- Intel Iris graphics
- Users’ guide & accessory kit
Choose from 1.4GHz, 2.6GHz, or 2.8GHz processor speeds, and desktop or desktop with mouse and keyboard style options.
The Apple iMac MNE92LL/A Desktop PC Computer has a vividly shiny retina display and high pixel density for sharp, crystal-clear viewing. You may also want to
check out the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 — it's both wireless and rechargable.
Apple iMac MNE92LL/A All-in-One Desktop PC Computer with 3.4GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5 Processor – Available in Multiple Sizes
Features
Apple is a pioneer in the technology industry. It continually invents innovations and technologies to produce better products with the capability of meeting the ever-changing needs of users. It releases product and OS updates regularly to keep its products functional and relevant on the highly-competitive market, atop fixing existing bugs. Whether you’re looking for a personal computer or smartphone with the latest features on the market, Apple has you covered.
The Apple iMac MNE92LL/A Desktop PC Computer is a powerful all-in-one machine. It has the hardware to really do just about anything, be it high-end gaming, video rendering, and so on. This computer is for someone who is serious about their computing. Further, you will get a very long service life out of an iMac, especially with how frequently Apple releases operating system updates. The P3 coloring on display gives real-world colors on the screen.
The iMac design is quite elegant, with a modern silver minimalist look. One of the things that stands out compared to many others is its shape. Unlike the Mac Pro’s cylinder design with rounded edges that don’t even “look like” a computer, the iMac comes in a traditional rectangle with squared-off sides. Apple has stuffed a lot of great features into this powerful silver box, including:
- 3.4 GHz processor
- 8 GB RAM
- 27-inch retina 5k display
- Mac OS X Yosemite
- 1TB Storage
- 4 USB 3.0 ports
- 2 Thunderbolt 2.0 ports
- HDMI 1.4 capability
Probably the most impressive feature of this machine is that it runs practically silently—around only 12 decibels. If you need a Mac that can really knock it out of the park, this is it. And even better, you can get this desktop in two screen sizes and five processing speeds—take your pick!
The Apple MK452LL/A iMac All-in-One Desktop PC is built with Thunderbolt 2 ports for faster data transfer. Need storage on the go? Take a look at the Apple USB SuperDrive. .
Apple iMac 21.5-Inch Desktop with 4K Retina Display and an Intel i5 Quad-core 3.1GHz Processor – Available in Multiple Buying Options
Features
Apple does not manufacture any “cheap” products as everything it produces is meant to be of high quality, and provide an exceptional experience unlike the competition. It has years’ worth of experience and boasts a team of professionals with specialty either in software or hardware development. This is a standard Apple iMac, but it still has a lot of capability.
The Apple MK452LL/A iMac All-in-One Desktop PC is one of the more basic iMacs that Apple sells. You're still going to be well-off, however. It packs a 3.1 GHz processor which is above average for PCs in this price range. You also get a large 1 TB hard drive which will take a long time to fill up. With this iMac, if you want to work with CDs or DVDs, you'll need an Apple Super Drive. It also connects easily to the iCloud for extra storage space.
You never have to worry about getting a low-quality product with Apple, and this iMac is no exception.
- 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 Processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz
- 21.5-inch 4k retina display
- Full HD 4096 x 2304 screen resolution
- Facetime HD Camera
- 2 Thunderbolt 2 Ports
- 4 USB 3.0 Ports
- Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
- Mac OS X El Capitan
If you're looking for a refurbished computer for your family, this could be the perfect choice for you. It's reasonably-priced and capable, so you don't have to worry about buying more than you need. And you can even purchase this device in an array of buying options to suit your needs even better!
The Apple MGEM2LL/A Mac Mini Standalone Desktop PC Computer is perfect if you're replacing a desktop. If you're starting fresh, you'll need to start with a keyboard. The
Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad is a great wireless and rechargeable option.
Apple Mac Mini Desktop - 1.4 Ghz Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM, 500 GB HDD, Mac OS X Yosemite Operating System
Features
Apple cares about its consumers. It boasts a number of tech employees who are dedicated to designing exceptional products. The company produces products meant to help users solve known problems such as easy access to the internet on the go. It caters for the needs of both commercial and individual clients who need mobile or fixed smart products depending on their area of application.
The Apple MGEM2LL/A Mac Mini Standalone Desktop PC Computer is Apple's most affordable option. The Mac Mini has all the capability of a desktop in a small, super-compact size. Because we understand that many people shopping for a computer are on a tight budget, for the purpose of this review, we chose to feature one of the least expensive models in the line. We were quite impressed with the number of features that Apple packed into this affordable and compact desktop computer.
Let’s take a look at what the Apple MGEM2LL/A Mac Mini has to offer:
- 1.4 GHz Intel Core i5 processor
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- 2 Thunderbolt II Ports
- Intel HD Graphics 5000
- Very small; only 7.7 inches square, 1.4 inches tall
- 500 GB Hard Drive
- SDXC Card Slot
- Turbo boost up to 2.7 GHz
This PC doesn't come with any peripherals, so it’s a great affordable option if you're replacing an older desktop PC and already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If you're starting fresh, you would probably be better off with the iMac.
How to Choose an Apple Mac Desktop — Should You Get an Apple Desktop Tower, an iMac or a Mac Mini?
Apple products have been around for a while now and the Apple desktop computers have seen a huge upgrade ever since the first one called the Apple 1. There are three variants of the Apple desktop that you can get on the market today. There is the
iMac,
iMac Pro, and the
Mac Mini. The choice of which one to purchase really depends on how much computing power you need.
The Mac Mini, for instance, is the most affordable of the Apple desktop computers but does not offer high-end features or high computing power. For the pro users who have high graphic needs and need for super-fast machines, then there is the iMac Pro to cater for their needs. It is the best Apple desktop on the market as of now, especially for
use as a gaming desktop.
Almost everyone needs a computer in this time and age. Apple desktop computers are excellent because they have a design that saves on space. They have everything integrated into a reliable and simple design that keeps your workstation organized and spacious. Apple desktops are also some of the
most powerful desktops on the market, with even the Mac Mini competing well against other computers such as
Windows Dell desktops.
Apple desktops are updated after a number of years to keep the products up with the needs of the market and have them include the latest technologies as they come up. Recently, the new machines come with thunderbolt slots, SSDs, lightning cables, fusion drives, and many other new technologies in computing.
Mac Tutorial for Beginners - Switching from Windows to macOS 2019
Tutorial covers an overview of the basics of using macOS. | Courtesy of Anson Alexander
Price
When purchasing an Apple Mac Desktop, it’s essential that you understand your computing needs. This is because Apple products are not the most affordable on the market and the prices get higher as the specs change. For machines with high-end features such as the iMac Pro, expect to pay $1700, averaging $1750. Further, the budget-friendly Mac Mini goes for $999 on the maximum. On the other hand, moderately-priced Apple desktops cost anything between $1000 and $1700. To ensure that you get the best Apple desktop on the market, avoid the cheap ones because they are not upgraded versions.
Features
When buying an Apple desktop computer, performance is of great essence. When you have established your computing needs, you should only purchase the computer that’s able to meet those needs. Here are some of the features you should look out for:
- Ability to upgrade the computer
- A decent display
- The processor clock speed
- The amount of RAM available
- Enough storage capacity for your needs
- Good graphics for videos and games
- The CPU performance of the desktop
- Availability of different ports
- The performance of the ports
- Connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
How to use Split View on your Mac
How to enter, exit, and switch between apps in Split View on your Mac screen. | Courtesy of Apple Support
Construction and Design
Shopping for an Apple desktop? Here are some factors to help you make an informed buying decision:
- Display - The display of a desktop is important because it determines how well you will be able to see what you need to see. There are advancements in displays now and the latest iMac comes with a 5K display. The iMac Pro also has the 5K display that can support a billion colors. Although most of the displays are decent even in the Mac Mini, different needs will require different kinds of displays. If you work a lot with photographs and video content or you’re a gamer, you surely need a high-quality display.
- Processor – The clock speed of the processor is crucial when buying an Apple desktop, and it is given in GHz. It determines how fast the computer is able to perform a certain task. The higher the number, the better, but the speed is also based on a few other factors such as random access memory, the number of cores present, and the like. Choose a machine that has a high clock speed. You can get all the details on the clock speeds of the different Apple desktops on its website or on other websites that test the machine. Be keen also to look at the turbo boost technology which boosts the speed of the processor when you’re dealing with heavy computing tasks.
- Memory – The random access memory is given as a number measured in GBs. The higher the RAM, the better your machine performs. The amount of RAM on any computer should match the processor speed so that the machine can perform well for you. For instance, a machine with a small processor speed and a lot of RAM will not perform well because the processor cannot utilize the entire available RAM. Some of the machines are upgradeable, meaning you can add more RAM to improve performance.
- Storage – Do you store lots of videos and other space-demanding programs on your computer, or are you just a writer with lots of documents? The storage space determines how much information you can store in your computer. A higher storage is good because it means you can have everything you need in one place without the need for external drives. However, most Apple desktops come with the ability to access external drives for more storage. When deciding on the machine, however, it’s best that you choose one with the storage you deem adequate for your needs.
- Graphics – If you have to do a lot of video editing work, loading videos, loading high-resolution images, and playing games then you need a computer with high graphic capabilities. Usually, the graphics card of the computer comes pre-installed and the card used is given in the specs sheet of the machine. However, it’s possible to upgrade the graphics for some Apple desktop computers. Also, not all computers have the same graphics capabilities. For instance, some of the latest desktops come with AMD Radeon Pro Graphics cards with 8GB of VRAM, which is an excellent option.
Performance and Ease of Use
To ensure that your machine works well, its casing is of essence. It determines how well air flows into the components of the CPU to cool it down and enhance performance. A good machine is designed to cool properly. Desktop computers come equipped with operating systems, so all you have to do is know
how to use the MacOS, which is not hard and so you’re good to go.
Also, the iMac and the iMac Pro come with keyboard and mouse peripherals so you don’t need to buy anything else to enjoy using the machine. They also come equipped with front-facing cameras, many ports—some of which you might never use—speakers, and built-in microphones to make Apple desktops stand out from the rest. Only the Mac Mini is sold as a CPU, so you need to have your display, keyboard, and mouse bought separately.
Get the Best Apple Desktop of 2020!
Apple's desktops are some of the most well-designed computers on the market both aesthetically and in terms of performance. It's easy to see why Macintosh computers are everywhere today, from school libraries to art studios to small businesses. They're reliable, powerful, and not to mention elegant. Regardless of which one you choose, you're not just getting a great computer—you're getting a piece of art.
Our Top Choice
Apple MK482LL/A iMac All-in-One Desktop PC
Best Value
Apple Mac Mini Quad-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i3
Apple iMac MNE92LL/A Desktop PC Computer
Apple iMac All-in-One Desktop PC
Apple 6-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5
Apple Desktop FAQs
What is the newest apple desktop computer?
Apple’s latest desktop is the Mac Pro which is the company’s most powerful machine so far. It has a rectangular shape with a simple aluminum casing which can be turned to 360 degrees to access the system. It has a RAM of 1.5 TB and a 28 core Intel Xeon processor. It comes with a 32-inch Pro Display XDR monitor with a 6K Retina resolution. It also comes with Apple’s MPX Module which is one of the world’s most powerful graphics cards.
How to turn on Apple computer desktop?
The power button in a Mac desktop is a circular button at the back For Mac Pro, the power button is on the lower-right corner. To switch on the desktop, just press this button. The best way to shut down a Mac is by clicking shut down on the Apple menu.
How do I reset my Apple desktop?
To factory reset your Apple desktop, hold the Command + R button and let go when the Apple logo appears on the screen. Select your preferred language and click on Disk Utility to continue. Choose Macintosh HD which is the startup disk then click erase. Once erased, continue to click on MacOS Extended and click Erase on the drop-down menu. When asked for a password, choose GUID Partition Map. Click Erase and finish with Done. Once you exit the window, click Reinstall Mac OS and follow the prompts.
