Gadgets

Mac: The Complete Overview

Mac:desktop computers are user-friendly,pleasant working, the operating system macOS, and there is a suitable model for everyone.

With a Mac you might think of the iMac, but Apple also brings other models such as the Mac Pro and the Mac mini on the market. These desktop computers are user-friendly and there is a suitable model for everyone. In this overview you can read everything about the different models.

Why a Mac?

Apple’s desktop computers are very popular for several reasons:

  • They look beautiful, luxurious and timeless thanks to their aluminum and glass housing.
  • They keep their value for a long time and always do well second-hand.
  • They are easy to use and contain everything you need, such as a calendar, browser and photo editor.
  • Apple has coordinated the hardware and software like no other manufacturer, so that everything works well together.
  • You get years of support with free software updates from macOS.

Four models are available:

  • iMac
  • iMac Pro
  • Macmini
  • Mac Pro

iMac – the all-in-one desktop

The iMac is the best-known desktop computer in Apple’s range. For the vast majority of people, this is the model that is most interesting. The big advantage of the iMac is that you are ready in one go. The computer is integrated in the screen, so you don’t have to place a separate cupboard on the floor or on your desk. The iMac also includes a keyboard and a mouse or trackpad.

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The current design of the iMac dates from 2012. The iMac consists of an aluminum housing with a glass plate at the front of the screen. The screen is quite thin and all computer components are located behind the bulge on the back. You can tilt the screen slightly with the aluminum base. The iMac comes in 21.5 and 27 inches.

iMac Pro – the professional version of the iMac
Professionals looking for an all-in-one desktop can turn to the iMac Pro . The first model was released in 2017 and was updated in 2020. It is now standard equipped with a 10-core processor from Intel. In terms of color, the iMac Pro is immediately recognizable: this is the only iMac that is available in space gray. The format is always the same: 27-inch.

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The iMac Pro comes standard with a 10-core Intel Xeon processor. You can expand this to as many as 18 cores. Other specifications of the iMac Pro have remained unchanged from the 2017 model. A 1080p camera was already present on this model, as well as a T2 chip. The iMac Pro lacks the option for a glass with nano-texture, while that is available as a paid option with the normal iMacs.

The iMac Pro is intended for professionals who are mainly busy with graphics applications such as video and photo editing.

Mac mini – Apple’s cheapest

The Mac mini is Apple’s cheapest Mac. This is mainly because there is no screen or keyboard. It is a mini computer to which you have to connect the necessary peripherals yourself. The Mac mini was loved and used a lot as a server for years, but Apple neglected this model. Since 2018, the Mac mini is up to date again, with a new design in space gray and improved specs. In 2020, the Mac mini has been updated with standard 256GB storage. The base model comes with a 3.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i3 processor of the 8th generation.

The Mac mini can also be used as a server thanks to macOS Server . It is also a practical entry-level model if you want to switch from Windows to Mac, for example, because you can take your familiar screen, mouse and keyboard with you.

Mac Pro – for the real professionals

The Mac Pro is Apple’s most modular, advanced, and most powerful Mac in the entire range. The Mac Pro is primarily for graphics professionals who want to easily upgrade their Mac with new components and better specifications. The latest Mac Pro 2019 consists of a larger cabinet (possibly with wheels) that you can place both horizontally and vertically.

The Mac Pro has a distinctive design that is somewhat reminiscent of a cheese grater. You do have to connect your own screen to it. If you really want to go pro, Apple has the Pro Display XDR for that.

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The Mac Pro has a Xeon processor with a maximum of 28 cores, up to 1.5TB of RAM and is equipped with 8 PCie expansion slots. The Mac Pro can work with up to 4 GPUs (also external) and has up to 2 built-in Radeon Pro II Duo GPUs. With up to 8TB SSD storage, the Mac Pro is a real baking beast and you pay for that. The Mac Pro is therefore not suitable for the ordinary consumer.

General features

With a Mac desktop you can do everything from browsing to video calling and from photo and video editing to playing games. It is praised for its accessibility, pleasant working and beautiful design. Characteristic is the operating system, macOS. Every Mac comes with the latest version of macOS as standard and will receive free software updates for years to come.

It is made of high-quality materials to last. You don’t buy a Mac desktop for a few years, because you know for sure that you can use it for many years to come. All recent Macs are equipped with USB-C and Thunderbolt, so you can easily connect external screens. Ethernet, USB 3 and an SD card slot are also often included. So you can easily connect a printer or other devices to it. The models without a screen are equipped with HDMI 2.0.

It is an eye-catcher in your living room or office. They are reliable, look good and an investment for the future. The operating system is versatile, although Windows users may have to get used to the operation at first. A disadvantage is that not all software is available for macOS, although this has been the case much less often in recent years.