The iMac M1 for gaming: all you need to know

The iMac on the M1 is the image computer for those who want “everything at once”. With it, you don’t need to buy a speaker, webcam, monitor, or keyboard. There’s no need to litter your desk with dozens of boxes. Instead, it’s a single monoblock that has everything you need for work and play.

So what about gameplay? Since the iMac is a home computer, you’re bound to want to play some games. Plus, the hardware’s potential seems to allow it. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning on buying a gaming PC.

Impressive performance

Apple has revolutionized the performance switching from Intel to its own ARM processor architecture, the Apple Silicon. This is essentially the generic name for a ‘system on chip’ (SoC), where one small chip incorporates a central processing unit and graphics accelerator, as well as a neural network engine, system memory (so it can’t be further expanded) and other components. “Tight proximity” on a single contact pad allowed for a significant boost in Mac performance. 

Apple’s new Mac is built on an advanced 5-nanometer processor with 16 billion transistors. That means the transistors responsible for the operations are even smaller and spaced as tightly as possible. The result is higher signal throughput rates. 

The M1 chip’s 8-core CPU uses the fastest processing cores of any low power chip. And the 8-core GPU (7 cores in the base version) is the fastest integrated graphics processor used in a PC. In addition to that there is the high chip efficiency, the unified memory architecture, and Apple’s 16-core Neural Engine. That’s why iMac 24″ is a huge improvement over its 21.5-inch predecessor.

• The CPU is up to 85 percent more powerful.
• The GPU in the M1 is up to 50 percent faster than the most powerful discrete graphics processor in the iMac 21.5-inch max configuration. That gives you a faster graphics performance up to 2 times.
• Machine learning is up to 3 times faster in applications using the 16-core Neural Engine built into the M1 chip.

Wow design and ultra-slim body

The iMac on the M1 chip is super-slim: just 11.5 millimeters. That’s about as thin as two iPhones stacked on top of each other. For a computer with that kind of “stuffing”, that’s just wow!

You might not know much about computers, but you’ll recognize the new iMac from a thousand. For the first time Apple has presented a monoblock in 7 colors at once:

• yellow;
• orange;
• blue;
• pink;
• purple;
• green;
• silver.

The colors appear muted at the front and bright and lush at the back. You don’t have to lean it against a wall, as you would normally do with a computer. Instead, it can be placed right in the middle of the room, making it look appropriate and stylish.

The iMac is now flat, with minimal bezels around the display. At the bottom of the screen is the ‘chin’ hiding all the hardware. Unlike previous iMacs, the front panel is covered edge-to-edge with glass.

Anyone who cares about looks and technology will love the iMac accessories. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad take on the same color scheme as the computer. So is the braided cable for the power supply, which, incidentally, is remote rather than built-in. The unified color of the monoblock and all accessories looks fresh and very special.

Large display and speakers with surround audio support

Apple computers have always had good displays, but this time Apple engineers have gone over the top. The 24-inch iMac features a Retina 4.5K display with 11.3 million pixels. And with P3 color gamut, over a billion colors, and brightness of 500cd/m², it’s never been more realistic.

The display also includes True Tone technology, a lifesaver for those who spend a lot of time at the computer. True Tone adjusts the color temperature of the screen to the surrounding light. The result is less strain on the eyes and less fatigue. And the special anti-reflective coating of the display lets you fully immerse yourself in the game even in bright sunlight. And you don’t have to draw the curtains at the same time.

To get a separate monitor with the image quality of the 24″ iMac, you’d have to spend a lot of money.

Apple claims it has the best sound system in Mac history. It comes with six speakers. Two pairs of woofers run out of phase with respect to each other – eliminating resonances in the low-frequency range and creating a crisp, deep bass. Two other drivers are responsible for the midrange and treble. There’s Dolby Atmos surround audio support – just like on AirPods Pro.

Is the Apple iMac suitable for gaming?

That depends on the game. It’s not a gamer’s computer, because the macOS operating system itself isn’t popular with game developers. This is because the system architecture is different. In addition, the M1 chip is only available in 2020: it’s so new that not all games can make full use of it yet. But progress isn’t standing still: in the spring of 2022, cloud gaming service GeForce Now added support for the Apple M1 SoC to its official app. 

So if you’re not an avid gamer and just want to relax after a day at work, you’ll find games to your liking. For example, World of Warcraft got native support for the M1 on the day of its release. And the game runs at a near perfect 60 FPS on high graphics settings, even in 2K. The legendary game Myst on the 24″ iMac runs at 4K resolution with high texture quality.

Apple Arcade: over 200 games with no ads or in-app purchases

Apple’s proprietary service gives you unlimited access to a collection of games: puzzles, strategy, simulation, sports, banners, racing and more. And these aren’t the same apps you can find on the top App Store. The games for Arcade are selected by a dedicated Apple team. And the list of partners working on them includes serious companies like Konami, Sega, Capcom, Ubisoft, Gameloft and Lego.

The benefits of Apple Arcade:

• There are over 200 games of different genres. And the collection grows all the time.
• You’re not dependent on the Internet: all games work even offline, provided that they’re offline games.
• Apple Arcade games work and look the same on all Apple devices. You can start playing on an iMac and continue on an iPhone or iPad. Saves are in the cloud.
• There is a family subscription with no extra charge. Base price already includes access for you and 5 other family members.
• No ads. And no extra buys – especially important if you have a child playing on the computer.

Popular games in Apple Arcade include the famous Hot Lava, which makes you forget about time, and Oceanhorn 2, LEGO® Brawls, Creaks and more. 

For subscription terms and conditions, visit the Apple website.

You can also download games for macOS from the App Store. For example, DOOM 3, Euro Truck Simulator, The Sims 2, Monkey Island Secret Special Edition, World of Tanks Blitz, Civilization V and others are at the top. There are both paid and free games in the App Store.

You can plug in a gamepad

Turn an iMac into a console in just two minutes. To do so, you’ll pair your Mac with a wireless controller from an Xbox, PlayStation, or other MFi-certified Bluetooth controller. 

You can run games on Intel processors

Apple’s proprietary ARM-architecture chip doesn’t allow you to run Windows on a Mac using Boot Camp. You can’t plug in an eGPU, either. And in general, the M1 doesn’t work the same way as Intel.

To let you run Intel-centric applications on the 24″ iMac, Apple has developed an integrated Rosetta 2 utility. It converts Intel programs to M1 programs in the background. In doing so, about 15-20% of performance is lost. That’s not a bad thing, because the M1 is initially faster than most Intel-based Macs. Through Rosetta 2 you can play Dota 2 on medium-high graphics settings, as well as League of Legends, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Borderlands 3 and others. 

By the way, if you really want to run Windows on your iMac, you can do so with CrossOver. This program allows you to run most applications using virtualization. When it comes to games, it even allows you to play things like Metro Exodus or The Witcher 3.

Conclusion

The iMac on the M1 is an iconic monoblock in a slim aluminium enclosure. It’s got everything you need for life: a reference display, a wireless keyboard, a mouse with multi-touch gesture support. And best of all, it has plenty of performance hardware with room to spare for years to come. 

And while the iMac isn’t exactly a gamer’s computer, you can still play a lot of popular games, at medium to max settings and on a bigger screen. That’s why the 24-inch iMac is a great choice if you want a gaming computer that’s also perfect for other scenarios. It’s not just great for gaming, but also for working and watching movies.

Specifications and prices

Apple has introduced the iMac on the M1 in basic and advanced versions. They differ in the number of GPU cores, memory capacity, number of ports and equipment.

Buy an Apple M1 iMac in the iSpace shop. They’re on display in our shop so you can get up close and personal with macOS. The price of the basic version starts at 824,900 AMD. Our sales assistants will help you choose the right specification for your task.