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These great multimedia features have yielded a big, unexpected benefit - my work area is now more minimalist than ever. I can’t wait to turn my iMac into even more of an entertainment center when macOS Monterey arrives this fall, as I’ll be able to beam songs and movies from my phone right to the desktop via AirPlay, all without having to touch a mouse or keyboard. The iMac’s booming speakers have become my preferred way to jam out to pop-punk tracks when it’s time to get ready for the day, or winding down with some Julien Baker while staring at the ceiling in bed. When I’m listening in on meetings, colleagues’ voices sound so loud and clear that they may as well be in the same room as me. I’ve been chatting with colleagues and taking briefings using the built-in iMac microphone for weeks, and haven’t gotten a single complaint about my voice quality.īut it’s the iMac’s six built-in speakers that have really stood out over the past few weeks. Thanks to its sharp 1080p lens and some M1-enabled software tricks, the iMac’s camera makes me look brighter and livelier than even my trusty Logitech C920 - especially when I’m under less-than-ideal lighting. The webcam, mic and speakers are perfect for working from homeĮven as someone whose home office is flooded with the best webcams and best microphones around, I still find myself taking most calls using the camera and mic built right into the new iMac.

But now that I’ve lived with the new iMac for about a month, certain benefits (and drawbacks) are starting to stand out more than others. I’ve covered most of what makes Apple’s latest desktop so great in my 24-inch iMac review, where I praised the all-in-one for its impossibly slim design, gorgeous Retina display, great accessories and powerful multitasking capabilities made possible by the M1 chip inside. Here’s what it’s like to make the switch to iMac as a longtime PC user - and why I can’t completely abandon Windows just yet. Between its superb display, excellent webcam and the everyday benefits of macOS I’d been missing out on as an iPhone user, the latest iMac (starting at $1,233 and ) comes dangerously close to being the only desktop computer I need. I’ve been using Apple’s new desktop almost exclusively ever since I got it in for review, and barring a few exceptions, I’m not in a huge rush to go back to my PC. Between my computer’s powerful specs, my versatile dual-monitor setup and my comfort level with Windows 10, it’s been hard to make the switch to anything else - until the 24-inch iMac landed on my desk. I’m constantly testing all kinds of laptops and desktops, but none of them have been able to replace my custom Windows gaming PC as my main machine for work and play. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
