Apple iMac 21.5-inch 4K (2019)

Gorgeous Retina display. Time-tested, stylish exterior and high attention to detail. macOS Mojave packs lots of useful basic functionality.

Expensive as configured. Relatively slow Fusion Drive in test model. Thick screen borders, relative to panel size. No dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort video output.

Bottom Line: The 2019 reboot of Apple's iMac 21.5-inch is worth a look if you need a small-screen all-in-one desktop. On the whole, though, its 27-inch sibling is more versatile and a better performance value.

Excellent multi-core performance ; Elegant all-in-one design

Unimpressive single-core performance improvement over comparable 2017 model ; RAM is not user upgradeable

Sleek aluminum design Vivid 4K display Strong performance

Thick bezels No height adjustment Shrill speakers

Get it. If you're a fan of the old iMac and want faster performance, then this all-in-one is right for you. Just bring your own pair of speakers.

CPU and GPU refreshes offer decent performance boost ; Screen is superb for designers and creatives ; Varied configuration options

Monitor's bezel looks outdated

Refreshes to the CPU and GPU might not be enough to persuade Apple iMac 2017 owners to upgrade, but the alterations do ensure the iMac remains one of the best all-in-one desktops for creative-minded professionals

Superb 4K display with wide color gamut Reasonable selection of high-spec ports

RAM not user-upgradeable Underwhelming storage options Weak graphics processor for 3D

The iMac 21.5-inch (2019) that should be for everyone isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. There’s one surprisingly capable component, but that’s about it. More than that is desirable for which you’ll run up the cost to get an iMac that’s a truly...

Powerful hexa-core 8th Gen Intel Core i processors Super display in Retina 4K format Plenty of ports to cover all bases

The bezels are massive by today's standards Basic model has some poor specs Competition more intense than ever Expense of upgrades

As Apple acknowledges with the different versions of the 21.5-inch iMac, there are many different users who are attracted to this series. Although you can get cheaper all-in-ones, the iMac isn't overpriced – unless you go wild on the upgrades (which...

Snappy Processor; Stunning display; Beautifully classic design

Thick bezels

A snappy processor and vibrant display are welcome upgrades to everyone's favourite desktop PC from 2012. Like 'S' model iPhones, the new iMac is an improvement on what you probably already have.