iMac vs MacBook Pro|Macworld

We’re comparing the 24-inch iMac with all sizes of Apple’s MacBook Pro here, however there’s more to it than a simple contrast of desktop versus laptop computer. For each Apple item there are variations that fit various clients. A few of you reading this might be expecting recommendations about whether to pick a brand-new 24in iMac or a 13in MacBook Pro, while others might be trying to find a bit more power and might be questioning if there is a great factor to pick the iMac or the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro

Prior to the spring of 2022 Apple likewise offered a 27-inch iMac and in the past it has actually likewise offered an iMac Pro, these targeted Macs are no longer offered by Apple, although you might still have the ability to purchase one from a reseller who still has stock. Nevertheless, since they are powered by Intel chip instead of the Apple M-series, we would recommend versus purchasing one today. There is an opportunity that the iMac Pro may be born-again at some time in the future, however up until now that is just a report.

Historically it’s held true that a Mac laptop computer, even if it had similar specifications to a desktop, cost a bit more since you are paying additional for the compact kind element of a laptop computer. Nevertheless, that’s not always real today. When it comes to the 13-inch MacBook Pro versus the 24-inch iMac, the iMac has a greater rate in spite of having worst specifications (an M1 instead of the M2).

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro have even greater costs, however the specifications transcend and there are some other advantages compared to the iMac.

For the most recent cash off offers on any of these Macs check out:
Finest iMac offers and
Finest MacBook Pro offers

Read our evaluations of the items pointed out here:

13-inch MacBook Pro vs 24-inch iMac

We’ll begin with the consumer-oriented MacBook Pro and take a look at how it compares to the 24-inch iMac. If you are trying to find an effective Mac that does not cost a fortune then the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac are a great location to begin.

Prior to June 2022 both of these Macs included the very same Apple processor– the M1. Nevertheless, in June 2022 Apple began offering a brand-new 13-inch MacBook Pro that boasts an M2 chip, which transcends to the M1 still utilized in the iMac. Read our 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2) evaluation. The M2 MacBook Pro is the only MacBook in Apple’s lineup that includes the Touch Bar.

The 24-inch iMac was presented in April 2021. It included a total redesign compared to the previous 21.5-inch design, was available in 7 colours and included Apple’s M1 Chip. There are 3 24in iMacs to pick from with different specifications as basic (and much more develop to buy alternatives). Read our 24-inch iMac (M1) evaluation.

Both the 24-inch iMac and 13-inch MacBook Pro have good specifications, for the many part, and both have actually fairly priced entry-level designs that might suggest you do not need to surpass your budget plan. We’ll go through rate and specifications in more information listed below.

Foundry

What do you get for your cash?

In the U.S. the 13-inch MacBook Pro and iMac can be found in at the very same rate: $1,299. Nevertheless, in the UK and in other places the costs aren’t the very same. In the U.K., following rate boosts at the end of 2022, the iMac now costs ₤ 1,399 (it was ₤ 1,249) while the 13-inch MacBook Pro expenses ₤ 1,349. Following this rate boost for the iMac, the iMac it now ₤ 50 more than the MacBook Pro, where it utilized to be ₤ 100 less. In Europe the rate for the iMac is now from EUR1,549, while the MacBook Pro is from EUR1,599 (so the iMac is EUR50 less than MacBook Pro). Go figure.

Canada, Australia and other areas outside the U.S. likewise saw rate boosts, however for the most part these modifications put the rate in line with the MacBook Pro. So in Canada the iMac is now C$ 1,699 (was C$ 1,599), the like the M2 MacBook Pro A$ 1,699. And in Australia where the iMac is now A$ 1,999 (was A$ 1,899) like the M2 MacBook Pro at A$ 1,999. So, as you can see, the concern of worth for cash depends upon where you are based! In a lot of locations the iMac costs the like the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, in the U.K it costs more and in Europe it costs less …

Here’s what you get for your cash:

• 24-inch iMac, M1, 8-core CPU/7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina 4.5 K screen, for $ 1,299/ ₤ 1,399/ C$ 1,699/ A$ 1,999
• 13-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core CPU/8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $ 1,299/ ₤ 1,349/ C$ 1,699/ A$ 1,999

Keep In Mind that if you select the iMac you’ll have one less graphics core and the M1 is an older generation Apple processor than the M2 Read: Every Apple chip compared M2 vs M1 Pro, Max, and Ultra

If you have a bit more to invest you have the following options:

• 24-inch iMac, M1, 8-core CPU/8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina 4.5 K screen, for $ 1,499/ ₤ 1,599/ C$ 1,949/ A$ 2,299
• 13-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core CPU/10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $ 1,499/ ₤ 1,549/ C$ 1,949/ A$ 2,299

Once again, the rate in the U.S., Canada and Australia is the very same for the iMac and MacBook Pro, while in the U.K. MacBook Pro expenses ₤ 50 less. Here not just is the processor in the MacBook Pro much better than that of the iMac, you likewise get two times as much storage.

The iMac costs the very same (or ₤ 50 more in the U.K.) and provides even worse specifications, so the option is clear: The 13-inch MacBook Pro is better worth, unless you discover a truly bargain on a brand-new iMac

Foundry

14-inch & & 16-inch MacBook Pro vs 24-inch iMac

If you need a more effective Mac, and have the budget plan, then in the past you may have thought about the 27-inch iMac, or perhaps the iMac Pro, however Apple has actually ceased both of these designs, presenting the Mac Studio rather. See: Is Mac Studio a deserving replacement for a 27-inch iMac?

The Mac Studio is an excellent alternative if you require an effective Mac, as is the Mac mini with M2 Pro or M2 Max, however if you are trying to find a Mac with an integrate in screen the Mac Studio does not have one. If an integrated in screen is very important to you might well be thinking about the iMac due to it’s 24-inch screen in contrast to the bigger MacBook Pro designs that use 14-inch and 16-inch screens.

Likewise checked out: Mac mini vs Mac Studio

What you get for your cash

You could think about either of the iMacs we’ve pointed out above, however with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro having a greater beginning rate than both of these alternatives, we will compare the MacBook Pro with the more costly iMac alternative listed below:

• 24-inch iMac, M1, 8-core CPU/8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Retina 4.5 K screen, for $ 1,699/ ₤ 1,799/ C$ 2,199/ A$ 2,599
• 14-inch MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, 8-core CPU/14-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $ 1,999/ ₤ 2,149/ C$ 2,599/ A$ 3,199

The least expensive 14-inch MacBook Pro costs more than the most costly iMac– is it worth the money? One consider favour of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is the M2 Pro, which is an exceptional processor to the M1 in the iMac. For additional information read What Mac processor do I require?

One consider favour of the iMac– most likely the only element– is the screen, which is a 4.5 K screen. The ceased 27-inch iMac had a 5K screen. The screen on the 24.5-inch iMac is fantastic, however not vital considered that you can plug in extra screens to your MacBook Pro. See our assemble of the finest screens for a Mac

If you require an effective device then the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro is the one to pick. There truly is no leaving the reality that if you require a high specced device, the iMac and MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max do not compare extremely positively today. Nevertheless, that might alter if Apple reintroduces the 27in iMac. Check out what we anticipate Apple to do with the professional variation of the iMac

Find Out More about the distinctions in between the 13-inch, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Decision

Today we would advise all designs of the MacBook Pro over the 24-inch iMac.

If you have more to invest and require an effective device then it deserves thinking about the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Nevertheless, the MacBook Pro isn’t always the very best Mac laptop computer you might purchase– the MacBook Air may get the job done simply as well for even less cash, in which case, read our contrast of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

Finest costs today:

13-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core, 10-core, 256GB– MSRP $1,299/ ₤ 1,349

13-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core, 10-core, 512GB– MSRP $1,499/ ₤ 1,549/ C$ 1,949/ A$ 2,299

24-inch iMac, M1, 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 256GB SSD– MSRP from $1,299/ ₤ 1,399/ C$ 1,599/ AU$ 1,899

24in iMac, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB SSD– MSRP $1,499/ ₤ 1,599/ AU$ 2,199

24in iMac, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB SSD– MSRP $1,699/ ₤ 1,799/ AU$ 2,499

$ 1699.00

$ 1699.99

14in MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, 10-Core CPU/16-Core GPU, 512GB– MSRP: $1,999/ ₤ 2,149

EUR2399.00

14in MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU, 1TB– MSRP: $2,499/ ₤ 2,699

EUR2161.10

EUR2771.00

14in MacBook Pro, M2 Max, 12-Core CPU/30-Core GPU, 1TB– MSRP: $3,099/ ₤ 3,349

EUR3238.97

EUR3238.98

EUR3266.51

EUR3329.00

EUR3401.80

EUR3469.00

EUR3501.99

EUR3699.00

EUR3699.00

EUR3699.00

16in MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU, 512GB– MSRP: $2,499/ ₤ 2,699

16in MacBook Pro, M2 Pro, 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU, 1TB– MSRP: $2,699/ ₤ 2,899

EUR2794.99

EUR2799.00

EUR2823.80

EUR2899.00

EUR3016.99

EUR3094.52

16in MacBook Pro, M2 Max, 12-Core CPU/38-Core GPU, 1TB– MSRP: $3,499/ ₤ 3,749

$ 3499.00

$ 3499.00