Apple iMac 24 (M4, 16GB, 256GB): problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-18

Summary

The complaints are about value and connectivity rather than hardware failure: the 256GB base SSD is undersized and expensive to expand, the 2-port model has limited ports, and the 60Hz panel rules out serious gaming. There are no user-serviceable consumables, so running cost is electricity alone and no annual figure is published. It is a good buy near the original $1,299 launch price; after the June 2026 increase to about $1,499 the value narrows, and past $1,699 the upgrades are hard to justify.

Common problems and fixes

Storage and RAM upgrades are expensive — $200 to go from 256GB to 512GB, another $200 to 1TB, $400 from 1TB to 2TB, and $200 per memory step from 16GB to 24GB or 24GB to 32GB; the nano-texture glass adds $200. The workaround is to buy the configuration you will need for the life of the machine. [2]
Only two ports on the 2-port model — two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack, with Gigabit Ethernet only as a configurable option, so owners needing more connectivity require a dock or dongles. The 4-port model doubles the ports and adds standard Ethernet. [1][2]
Magic Mouse charges from the bottom — it cannot be used while charging, and CNET’s reviewer found it a bit undersized and preferred the Magic Trackpad, a $50 upgrade. [2]
60Hz refresh rate limits gaming — no ProMotion option and a thin macOS game library make it unsuitable for serious gaming; Shadow of the Tomb Raider measured 40 fps average at 1080p highest settings. [2][4]
No Wi-Fi 7 and no Face ID — wireless is Wi-Fi 6E only, and Touch ID requires the upgraded Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($30). [1][2]
Cannot be used as an external monitor — you cannot feed another laptop or PC into the iMac’s display and use it as a screen for other devices. [4]
June 2026 price increase — Apple raised the price by $200 due to an AI-related component shortage, bringing the base model to about $1,499. [4]

Parts and consumables

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad — $30 upgrade at purchase; Apple Store launch pricing, October 2024. [2]
Magic Trackpad (replacing the Magic Mouse) — $50 upgrade at purchase; Apple Store launch pricing, October 2024. [2]
Storage configuration at purchase — $200 from 256GB to 512GB, another $200 to 1TB, $400 from 1TB to 2TB; soldered, so this is a one-time decision with no later expansion. [2]
Memory configuration at purchase — $200 per step from 16GB to 24GB or 24GB to 32GB; Apple Store launch pricing, October 2024. [2]
Nano-texture glass — $200 option at purchase; Apple Store launch pricing, October 2024. [2]
No replaceable consumables — the all-in-one has limited user-serviceable parts; Apple provides authorized service through Apple Stores and authorized providers, and AppleCare+ pricing is not detailed on the public specs page. [1][3]

Yearly running cost

No consumables, pods or subscriptions: there is nothing to replace on a schedule and no lock-in. The iMac is ENERGY STAR certified. [1][2]

When it is a good buy

Apple Store pricing history: the base 16GB/256GB model launched at $1,299 in October 2024, and Apple raised the price by $200 in June 2026 to about $1,499 amid an AI-related component shortage. At $1,299 it was strong value; at about $1,499 the value narrows, and Wirecutter now puts the iMac nearly $500 more than comparable Windows all-in-ones. Past $1,699 the storage and memory upgrades are hard to justify — at that point compare a Mac Mini plus a 27-inch monitor, which Wirecutter estimates at about $1,150. Within the line, choose the 4-port 10-core model (launched at $1,499 in October 2024) if you need two external displays, standard Gigabit Ethernet, Touch ID or the nano-texture screen; the 8-core 2-port model is enough only for basic tasks with few accessories and no external monitor. [1][2][4]