iMac 24″ M1 8-Core CPU8-Core GPU/8GB/256GB Purple

Apple iMac 24-inch with M1 chip (Model: Z13000GL/A)

iMac 24″ M1 8-Core CPU8-Core GPU/8GB/256GB Purple is priced at Kes 135,000  here at Novelty Tech Solution in Nairobi, Kenya

Quick Summary

This is the base model of the 2021 24-inch iMac in the vibrant Purple color. It’s designed as an all-in-one desktop for everyday users, families, students, and professionals who need a powerful, elegant, and space-saving computer.

Model Identification

• Marketing Name: iMac 24″ with M1 chip

• Model Identifier: iMac 21,5″ (M1, 2021) *[Note: The screen is 24-inch, but the internal model identifier is “iMac21,1” or “iMac21,2”]*

• Model Number: Z1300LL/A (This is the US/Canada model number for the Purple base model. The GL in your code might indicate a different region, like Hong Kong or Singapore, but the specs are identical).

• Color: Purple (comes with a matching purple braided USB-C to Lightning cable and keyboard/mouse/trackpad color)

Key Specifications Breakdown

• Chip: Apple M1

  • CPU: 8-core (4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores)

  • GPU: 8-core

  • Neural Engine: 16-core

• Memory (RAM): 8GB unified memory (soldered, not upgradeable after purchase)

• Storage: 256GB SSD (soldered, not upgradeable after purchase)

• Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display (4480 x 2520), P3 wide color, True Tone

• Ports:

  • Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports (up to 40Gb/s)

  • Two USB 3 ports (up to 10Gb/s)

  • Gigabit Ethernet port (on the power adapter)

  • 3.5mm headphone jack

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0

• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera

• Audio: Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers. Supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.

• Included Accessories: Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID) and Magic Mouse (all in matching purple).

Who Is This Model For?

This base model is an excellent all-in-one computer for specific users:

• General Home Users: Perfect for web browsing, email, video calls (the 1080p camera is great), managing photos, and streaming.

• Students: Excellent for research, writing papers, creating presentations, and light creative projects.

• Casual Creators: Handles photo editing in apps like Pixelmator or Affinity Photo and light 1080p video editing in iMovie very well.

• Office Workers: A fantastic machine for productivity suites (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), communication apps (Slack, Teams), and general office tasks.

Potential Limitations & Considerations

Before buying, consider if this base configuration meets your long-term needs:

1. 8GB RAM: This is the most significant consideration. While the M1’s unified memory is very efficient, 8GB can feel limiting if you are a power user. If you frequently run many apps at once, use virtual machines, work with large datasets, or do professional-grade video/photo editing (4K video, complex layers in Photoshop), you will benefit greatly from 16GB of RAM. Unfortunately, this must be configured at the time of purchase.

2. 256GB Storage: For many, 256GB will fill up quickly with photos, videos, and applications. You will likely rely on external SSDs or cloud storage (iCloud, Google Drive) for extra space. If you have a large local media library, consider the 512GB or 1TB option.

Verdict

The iMac 24″ M1 (8/8/8/256) in Purple is a beautiful, powerful, and incredibly user-friendly all-in-one for the everyday user. It delivers a stunning design, a brilliant display, and more than enough performance for the majority of tasks.

Buy it if: Your primary uses are general computing, web browsing, media consumption, light creativity, and office work.

Consider upgrading if: You are a professional content creator, a developer, a heavy multitasker, or you plan on keeping the machine for many years and want to future-proof it. In that case, the upgrade to 16GB RAM is highly recommended.

It’s a fantastic computer that brings a joyful splash of color and immense capability to any desk.

Key Features & Strengths

• Stunning Design: The colorful, ultra-thin design is a major aesthetic upgrade and a centerpiece for any desk.

• Excellent Display: The 4.5K Retina display is sharp, bright, and color-accurate, perfect for creative work, media consumption, and everyday use.

• Powerful M1 Chip: The Apple M1 provides more than enough performance for the vast majority of users, including web browsing, office applications, photo editing, and light video editing.

• Great Audio and Video: The 1080p camera and six-speaker system are significant improvements over previous iMac models, making it ideal for video calls and entertainment.

• Clean, Wireless Setup: The magnetic power cord and minimal ports contribute to a very clean and wireless-focused desk setup.

Target Audience

This specific base configuration is ideal for:

• Home Users & Families: For everyday tasks, web browsing, email, and media consumption.

• Students: Great for research, writing papers, and creative projects.

• Office Workers: Perfect for video conferencing, productivity suites, and general business applications.

• Hobbyist Photographers & Creators: The display and M1 chip can handle photo editing and light 1080p video editing.

Important Considerations & Limitations

• Non-Upgradeable RAM and Storage: The 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD are soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded after purchase. It is crucial to consider your future needs. 8GB/256GB can feel limiting if you work with large files or run many applications simultaneously.

• Port Selection: The base model has only two Thunderbolt ports, which can feel restrictive. The higher-end models add two additional USB-C ports on the side.

• No Touch ID: The base model comes with a Magic Keyboard without the Touch ID sensor, a convenient feature found on the higher-tier models.

• Current Status: This model has been succeeded by the 2023 iMac with the M3 chip. However, it remains a very capable and excellent computer for its target audience and can often be found at a good value on the refurbished or used market.

In summary, the iMac 24″ M1 (8-Core CPU/8-Core GPU/8GB/256GB) in Purple is a beautifully designed, all-in-one computer that offers a fantastic user experience for general computing, backed by the power and efficiency of the M1 chip. The main decision points are the non-upgradeable 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.