Customer Ratings & Reviews

This model performs great for the user who does more than the basics of just emailing and web browsing, yet who is not a power user into high-end graphics and gaming. It is the next model up from the preconfigured basic model that Best Buy sells and the model below their high-end configuration. I could have purchased an iMac from the Apple store with basically the same configuration by custom configuring. However, it would have taken 2-3 weeks to receive and would not have saved me any money. This configuration includes a faster processor, double the RAM memory (at 8GB up from 4GB) and double the storage memory (at 1 Terabyte up from 500GB). After studying the configurations I felt that 4GB of RAM was minimal and might prove to be too slow. It does not come with a DVD drive, but one can be purchased as an option. So far, we have found that we do not need one, as virtually everything we need from Apple is downloadable or already included on the iMac (e.g. email, word processing, notes, iPhoto, calendar, iBook; etc.). I also chose to buy the Time Machine to perform backups, which are performed seamlessly in the background. After a demonstration of the Magic Trackpad, it was an easy decision to purchase one to use in lieu of the standard mouse. It gives the user the "power" and flexibility of a touch screen without having to use a touch screen. I say that, because one of my other computers has a large screen with touch screen capability, yet I find I prefer not to use it that way, like I would my tablet. So the trackpad on the iMac gives the user the best of both worlds. While I am a Windows user, I bought this for my wife, who has an iPhone and an iPad. While iOS still has some learning curve, it has been more intuitive and user-friendly for someone of her mindset. She has actually enjoyed taking (free) classes at Best Buy and learning more about what she can do on the iMac. I like the fact that she is not exposed to the operating system and can operate the computer like she would her own car. The initial setup was a breeze with its automated transfer of data, utilizing the included iMac Migration Assistant, from her old Windows-based computer. So far, she has not missed the Microsoft Office with Outlook she used to run due to the applications already provided on the iMac. We have found the iMac version of other programs to work as well, if not better, as the Windows version. My only "hiccup" so far has been interfacing with my Buffalo 1TB network drive. It reads the volumes on the drive and can pull up the directories of the small volume which does not contain all of my data. The iMac has a difficult time pulling up the directories of the large external data volume (even though both the iMac and the network drive are hard-wired to the network). After talking to Buffalo tech support, it is probably because of the iMac's propensity to index everything in a drive for fast searches later. Aside from that, the iMac has easily found and networked with the other computers on our local network, which are all Windows-based. It easily shares data with her iPhone and iPad. It was a cinch finding our network printers and installing the drivers for them. However, there is no place for default printer settings. For example, in Windows Control Panel, we can pre-set our printers to print draft and double-sided printing, which can be changed at print time. The iOS does not have exactly the same option, although one will find pre-set configurations in the print menus, which can be used at print time. Technical support from Apple and Best Buy's Geek Squad, while not perfect, has been very good. I don't think one can go wrong purchasing the Geek Squad Protection Plan. I purchased the one-year (nonrenewable plan) which also includes free Internet Security Software and other things. I also purchased the AppleCare support, which includes extended warranty for three years. The difference in hardware support between the two is that, with Geek Squad's plan, you can simply take in your unit for replacement or repair without having to ship it in, as I understand it. The Geek Squad plan also includes many useful training videos.

The only real downside I have is that you have to buy an external disc drive. This computer is blazing fast and it is well designed. We got it after replacing our 2008 model which was running really slow and was maxed out on space. We copied over our settings onto this computer and it has no problems.

Very easy to use, liked the size, nice graphics, neat wireless mouse!

This is a great computer with an excellent screen. Does the job and does it well. Don't expect to play video games on this since this machine is not built for it. I would also commend the quality of the built in speakers. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to differentiate between 320KBps vs lossless on them. Pretty nice computer, happy with the purchase.

Works great, fast, smart, and compact. Smart buy worth the price.

After getting this iMac, I have repeatedly asked myself the question, "Why did I ever own a PC?". The setup is simplicity itself, basically just plug it in, answer a couple of questions, and you're on your way. The interface is very intuitive, and the overall design is very sleek. As far as speed goes, I have been extremely pleased with the responsiveness and multi-tasking ability...much better than I have ever experienced on a comparably-priced PC. Overall, a great purchase which I am looking forward to enjoying for years to come.

This is my 3rd iMac I've owned. I upgrade about every 4 years. Sure macs get a bad rep from college hipsters. They really are great machines, I do a lot of photo editing, mess around w/Mayan, so it's great for me. I love the screen size, it really is helpful w/my work.

Originally purchased the 27" iMac & was too big for my everyday needs. Returned & purchased this & I am very pleased. After owning other Apple products, I decided it was the time to switch from Windows 8 products to this. User friendly, great customer service when needed, screen is clear & images are amazing. No problems thus far. Great purchase!

I was worried about switching to a Mac from PC. Glad I made the switch best computer I've ever had. User friendly. Slim size. Great picture quality and size. Music sounds clear. Doesn't have a CD/DVD drive. Batteries died fast in first week for keyboard and mouse. Service Protection is kind of expensive, almost 200 dollars for 3 years.

great grafics, sharp screen, nice space saver, good speed

Fast, reliable and easy to work with. Light and versatile

well i have had an i mac 13 inch laptop for 8 years and i loved it....no problems... easy and hassle free......I'm 63 and my eyes aren't great.....This screen is big and clear with good definition........the computer is set up so anybody can figure out the photo menu.....I mean come on.....this computer is for dummies.....very classy looking .....i say top of the line for me.......I don't need to carry around my lap top so again this is a perfect computer.......you wouldn't be sorry if you bought one.....they're not cheap.......but it's worth the money........back to my hearts game that i can see.......

Thought about buying a Mac many times over the years and never wanted to spend the extra money so I always went with PC computers. Right out of the box just plug the Mac in and off you go. I had everything set up in 20min that included my network. Time will tell if it was worth the money. I love the ease of use with the Mac.

Overall, my first experience owning/using a Mac has been positive. I have not experienced too much of a learning curve after exclusively using Windows. It is quick and has a nice large screen. The keyboard is slightly different from what I am used to; I prefer the numbers along the side as well as up top. Overall, I like the Mac.

I loooove my Apple products. Phone, iPad, laptop and iMac all work great, and are super easy to use. Got this as a gift for school and it's been super helpful with my school work. No more working on a small screen, yay! No problems so far. Great product!

love my mac, great,fast,big, lot of fun times with

Definitely recommend any apple product to anyone. Very user friendly, easy to navigate every program. I have a mac book pro that was purchased from best buy in 2007, which I still use daily. This one was purchased mainly for homework assignments as well as Internet browsing. I am very pleased with the product.

Great computer with great specs. Spec out a Windows machine with similar spec as this IMac and the prices are close. I was raised on Windows but couldn't tolerate Windows 8. Making the switch was easy and I find the OS to be very intuitive. This was the final piece in completing my Apple ecosystem. I'm glad I did.

Like many other reviewers on here, I find this computer to be amazing. I was a lifetime Windows user and loyal to Dell, and then decided to switch to Mac when I purchased this iMac. I tried Windows 8 and 8.1 and they are awful. A lot of my friends have Macs, and I love my iPhone, and plus, the iMacs are so beautifully designed, that it was hard to resist. This computer is so quiet you never even hear it running! It is fast and runs seamlessly; when you turn it on, it is ready to go with no waiting. It never slows down to run things in the background like Windows computers do. The screen is so clear. Not only do photos look great on it, but you will not get eye strain from using Word or other programs on it all day. There is of course a learning curve when you first switch to Mac, but once you start learning everything, you will not want to go back. Macs make everything easy, and I learn something new everyday on this computer. The only thing I don't like is that the USB ports are in the back, so it's kind of annoying that you have to reach around to the back of the computer every time you want to plug a flash drive in. But, I think they did this for the design of the computer; it's so thin that you wouldn't be able to have USB ports on the side. I gave it a 4 on reliability simply because I've never had a Mac before so I don't know how long they last. But really, if you're contemplating or hesitating making the switch to Mac, go for it! It took a lot of convincing for me, but once I got this computer, I was sure!

I have owned Apple computers for well over 5 years. I have to say that this is the best one that I have owned. Having the updated graphics card makes it even better if you want to be able to play games on the device. I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a computer for the whole family to have.