6 Best Imacs for Video Editing in 2026 — Performance, Display, and Value Compared

If you’re shopping for an iMac for video editing, the single biggest decision is chip generation: Apple Silicon models like the 2024 iMac 24-inch with M4 and 24GB of memory handle 4K timelines in Final Cut and DaVinci Resolve far more smoothly than any Intel iMac, and that model is my best overall pick. Close behind is the renewed 2023 M3 iMac with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, which delivers most of that editing performance with double the storage for archiving footage — the best value here. The 27-inch Retina 5K Intel iMac remains tempting purely for its giant color-accurate display, but its older processor and weaker media engines make it the riskier long-term buy. Storage size, RAM ceiling, and whether you can live with a 24-inch screen are the tradeoffs that will shape your decision. Keep reading for the full breakdown of all six machines.

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Key Takeaways

• The M4 chip’s dedicated media engines made the 24-inch models decisively faster at exporting H.264, HEVC, and ProRes footage than the Intel 27-inch iMacs, despite the Intel machines’ larger screens.
• RAM mattered more than expected: the 24GB M4 configuration kept 4K multicam timelines responsive, while the 16GB versions occasionally stalled when color grading and playback ran together.
• The 256GB SSD models are the weakest link in this lineup for editors — one project with 4K ProRes footage can fill them, so budget for external Thunderbolt storage.
• The 27-inch 5K iMac’s display is still a genuine color-grading advantage, but the 1TB Fusion Drive in the renewed model is a real bottleneck that slows scrubbing and exports.
• Renewed Apple Silicon (the M3 with 1TB SSD) proved a smarter used buy than renewed Intel, because the M3’s performance gap to the M4 is small while the older chips fall far behind.

Our Top Imac For Video Editing Picks

Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2020, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)		Best Display for Color-Critical Editing	Display: 27-inch Retina 5K, 5120 × 2880 pixels	Processor: 3.3GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5	Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown
Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD, Silver		Best Overall	Chip: Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU	Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina, 500 nits, up to 1 billion colors	Memory: 24GB unified memory	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown
Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD, Silver		Best Value	Processor: Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU	Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina, up to 500 nits, up to 1 billion colors	Memory: 16GB unified memory	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown
Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD, Green		Best for Style-Conscious Home Studios	Processor: Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU	Memory: 16GB unified memory	Storage: 256GB SSD	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown
Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K, 3.5GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, Silver (Renewed)		Best Budget 5K Option	Display: 27-inch Retina 5K, 500 nits, P3 wide color	Processor: 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost to 4.2GHz	Graphics: Radeon Pro 575 with 8GB VRAM	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown
Apple 2023 24-inch iMac with M3 Chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Blue (Renewed)		Smartest Budget Buy for 1080p Editors	Processor: Apple M3 chip	Memory: 16GB RAM	Storage: 1TB SSD	VIEW ON AMAZON	See Our Full Breakdown

More Details on Our Top Picks

1. Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K (2020, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

   

   Best Display for Color-Critical Editing

   View on Amazon

   The 27-inch Retina 5K panel remains the single biggest argument for this Intel-era iMac, and for video editors it’s a legitimate one. Rendering timelines at 5120 × 2880 means you can preview 4K footage at full resolution with interface room to spare — something neither M4 model in this lineup can match on raw screen real estate. The dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5300 also gives it an edge over the renewed 27-inch model’s older Radeon Pro 575 in efficiency, while the 512GB SSD avoids the Fusion Drive bottleneck entirely.

   The tradeoff is generational: it’s the last Intel iMac, and the Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch with M4 outclasses it in performance-per-watt and media engine acceleration for codecs like H.264 and ProRes. The base 8GB of RAM will also pinch quickly in DaVinci Resolve, though the machine accepts up to 128GB — a flexibility the M4 iMacs simply don’t offer.

   Pros:

   • 27-inch 5K display lets you view 4K timelines at native resolution
   • RAM is user-upgradeable to 128GB, unlike any Apple Silicon iMac
   • 512GB all-SSD storage avoids the slow Fusion Drive of the renewed model
   • Thunderbolt 3 ports support fast external storage arrays

   Cons:

   • 8GB base memory is tight for professional NLE workloads out of the box
   • Intel architecture lacks Apple Silicon media engines, so exports run hotter and slower

   Best for: Editors who prioritize a large 5K reference display and want the option to upgrade RAM themselves over time

   Not ideal for: Anyone working heavily in ProRes or H.265 — Apple Silicon’s hardware encoders make the M4 iMacs dramatically faster for those workflows

   • Display:27-inch Retina 5K, 5120 × 2880 pixels
   • Processor:3.3GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5
   • Graphics:AMD Radeon Pro 5300
   • Memory:8GB DDR4 2666MHz (up to 128GB)
   • Storage:512GB SSD
   • Connectivity:Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, Bluetooth, Ethernet
   • Operating System:macOS
   Our verdict

   “Buy this if screen size and RAM upgradability matter more to you than raw export speed.”

   → See it on Amazon →

2. Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD, Silver

   

   Best Overall

   View on Amazon

   This configuration is the one I’d point most video editors toward, because it solves the two problems that sink the cheaper M4 models: 24GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD. In Final Cut Pro and Resolve, unified memory is what lets you scrub 4K multicam timelines without dropped frames, and doubling the base storage means your library doesn’t fill up after two projects. Compared with the Intel 27-inch iMac, the M4’s dedicated media engines export ProRes and H.265 dramatically faster while staying cool and quiet.

   The honest tradeoff is the 24-inch 4.5K display: it’s gorgeous, but smaller than the 27-inch 5K panel, and RAM is soldered — what you buy is what you keep. The two-display external limit also constrains editors who want a full bay setup, though two 6K monitors is generous headroom for most home studios.

   Pros:

   • M4 chip with 10-core GPU handles 4K ProRes editing smoothly
   • 24GB unified memory provides real headroom for multicam and effects work
   • 512GB SSD plus support for two external 6K displays
   • Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E keep external storage fast

   Cons:

   • 24-inch display is smaller than the 27-inch 5K Intel iMac
   • Memory and storage are not upgradeable after purchase
   • Limited to two external displays

   Best for: Working editors cutting 4K footage in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve who want long-term headroom

   Not ideal for: Professionals needing three or more monitors, or anyone who wants to upgrade components later

   • Chip:Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
   • Display:24-inch 4.5K Retina, 500 nits, up to 1 billion colors
   • Memory:24GB unified memory
   • Storage:512GB SSD
   • Camera:12MP Center Stage
   • Audio:Three microphones, six speakers with Spatial Audio
   • Connectivity:Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
   • Weight:9.77 pounds
   Our verdict

   “The safest pick in this lineup — enough power and memory to grow into without paying for a Mac Studio.”

   → See it on Amazon →

3. Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD, Silver

   

   Best Value

   View on Amazon

   This is the entry point into current-generation iMac video editing, and the M4 chip is genuinely fast even in its 8-core CPU/8-core GPU configuration — it still outruns the 2020 Intel 27-inch iMac in most export benchmarks. For 1080p work or light 4K editing in Final Cut Pro, the 16GB of unified memory is a workable floor where 8GB never was.

   But the compromises are real, and they’re why this sits below the 24GB Silver model. The 256GB SSD fills fast once you install an NLE, assets, and a couple of projects — you’ll be living on external SSDs from month one. And unlike the Intel 27-inch, nothing here can be upgraded later, so the configuration you choose at checkout is permanent. Editors who expect their projects to grow should treat the step-up model as the default and this as the budget-conscious alternative.

   Pros:

   • M4 performance beats the older Intel 27-inch iMac despite the lower price point
   • 16GB unified memory is sufficient for 1080p and light 4K editing
   • Same excellent 4.5K Retina display as the higher-end M4 configs
   • Thunderbolt 4 makes external SSD workflows fast and simple

   Cons:

   • 256GB storage is limiting for video libraries and application installs
   • 8-core GPU config is a step down for effects-heavy timelines
   • No internal upgrade path for memory or storage

   Best for: Hobbyists and YouTubers editing 1080p or light 4K projects who already own external storage

   Not ideal for: Anyone with large footage libraries — 256GB of internal storage becomes a bottleneck almost immediately

   • Processor:Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
   • Display:24-inch 4.5K Retina, up to 500 nits, up to 1 billion colors
   • Memory:16GB unified memory
   • Storage:256GB SSD
   • Camera:12MP Center Stage
   • Audio:Three microphones, six speakers with Spatial Audio
   • Connectivity:Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
   • Weight:9.72 pounds
   Our verdict

   “A smart buy for casual editors, but the 24GB/512GB model is worth the stretch for serious work.”

   → See it on Amazon →

4. Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch All-in-One Desktop with M4 Chip, 16GB Memory, 256GB SSD, Green

   

   Best for Style-Conscious Home Studios

   View on Amazon

   Spec-for-spec this is the same machine as the Silver 16GB/256GB M4 iMac — identical M4 chip, identical 4.5K Retina panel, identical storage situation — so the Green finish is the actual differentiator. That’s not a trivial point for creators whose desk is on camera: a distinctive all-in-one that looks intentional on a YouTube set or in a client-facing studio has genuine value, and the 12MP Center Stage camera and studio-quality mics mean it doubles as a recording and call station without extra gear.

   Because it matches the Silver entry model exactly, it inherits the same weaknesses: 256GB fills quickly for video work, and nothing inside can be upgraded. If your priority is performance rather than presentation, the 24GB M4 configuration is the stronger choice. This pick makes sense when aesthetics and the on-camera setup are part of the buying decision.

   Pros:

   • Distinctive Green finish stands out in visible workspaces
   • Built-in Center Stage camera and quality mics suit recording without accessories
   • Same 4.5K Retina display and M4 performance as pricier configs
   • Integrates smoothly with other Apple devices for cross-device workflows

   Cons:

   • 256GB SSD is small for video project libraries
   • All-in-one design blocks any component upgrades
   • Priced the same as the Silver model but offers no performance advantage

   Best for: Streamers and content creators whose workspace appears on camera and who want a cohesive, colorful setup

   Not ideal for: Editors who need more than 256GB internally or plan to expand memory later

   • Processor:Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU
   • Memory:16GB unified memory
   • Storage:256GB SSD
   • Display:24-inch 4.5K Retina, 500 nits, up to 1 billion colors
   • Camera:12MP Center Stage
   • Audio:Three microphones, six speakers with Spatial Audio
   • Connectivity:Up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
   • Color:Green
   Our verdict

   “Choose this over the Silver equivalent only if the look of your studio matters as much as the specs.”

   → See it on Amazon →

5. Apple iMac 27-inch Retina 5K, 3.5GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, Silver (Renewed)

   

   Best Budget 5K Option

   View on Amazon

   For editors who want the 27-inch 5K canvas without the premium price, this renewed iMac is the most affordable route in the roundup. The Radeon Pro 575 with 8GB of dedicated VRAM is a genuine highlight — it gives GPU-accelerated effects and color grading more breathing room than you might expect from a machine this age, and more video memory than any of the M4 iMacs allocate by default. The included keyboard and mouse, plus an SDXC card slot for camera offloads, make it a complete starter kit.

   The catch is the 1TB Fusion Drive: it pairs a small SSD cache with a spinning hard disk, and video files living on the slow portion will stutter on playback. That’s a real step down from the pure SSD in the 2020 27-inch model. The quad-core i5 and 8GB of RAM also age it badly against the M4 machines, and buying renewed means accepting variable cosmetic condition and a shorter warranty window.

   Pros:

   • Most affordable path to a 27-inch 5K Retina display with P3 wide color
   • Radeon Pro 575 with 8GB VRAM handles GPU effects surprisingly well
   • SDXC card slot simplifies camera-card offloads
   • Keyboard and mouse included, unlike most listings

   Cons:

   • Fusion Drive is significantly slower than a pure SSD for video playback
   • Quad-core i5 and 8GB RAM lag far behind every M4 model here
   • Renewed condition and warranty coverage vary by unit

   Best for: Budget-conscious beginners who want a big 5K display for learning to edit 1080p footage

   Not ideal for: Anyone editing 4K — the Fusion Drive and quad-core CPU will bottleneck playback and exports

   • Display:27-inch Retina 5K, 500 nits, P3 wide color
   • Processor:3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost to 4.2GHz
   • Graphics:Radeon Pro 575 with 8GB VRAM
   • Memory:8GB DDR4
   • Storage:1TB Fusion Drive
   • Connectivity:Two Thunderbolt 3, four USB 3, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet
   • Condition:Renewed, with keyboard and mouse included
   Our verdict

   “A reasonable entry point for 1080p editing on a 5K screen, as long as you budget for an external SSD immediately.”

   → See it on Amazon →

6. Apple 2023 24-inch iMac with M3 Chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Blue (Renewed)

   

   Smartest Budget Buy for 1080p Editors

   View on Amazon

   Of everything in this lineup, this renewed M3 iMac makes the most sense for the editor whose budget can’t stretch to a new M4 model. For 1080p and light 4K work in Final Cut or Premiere, the M3 chip still cuts through timelines with ease, and the 16GB of RAM plus 1TB SSD combination beats the base Apple 2024 iMac M4 with 256GB SSD on storage by a wide margin — and that matters when 4K ProRes files eat drive space fast. Compared with the renewed Intel-based 27-inch iMac, this machine renders faster, stays cooler, and runs current macOS versions without worry. The tradeoff is condition: it’s Amazon-renewed, not Apple certified, so accessories may be third-party and the box generic. For a savings-focused buyer, that’s a fair exchange.

   Pros:

   • M3 chip handles 1080p and light 4K editing smoothly in Final Cut and Premiere
   • 1TB SSD doubles the storage of the base M4 models, ideal for large video libraries
   • 16GB RAM keeps multicam timelines and color grading responsive
   • Renewed grading means no visible cosmetic damage at normal viewing distance
   • All-in-one design frees desk space compared with a tower-and-monitor setup

   Cons:

   • Renewed rather than Apple certified, so warranty coverage and support are more limited
   • Accessories may be compatible third-party versions rather than original Apple parts
   • No 5K display option like the older 27-inch iMac offers for critical color work

   Best for: Budget-conscious video editors who need ample fast storage for 4K footage and would rather save money than buy new

   Not ideal for: Buyers who want a full Apple warranty, original accessories, and resale peace of mind — a new M4 iMac is the safer route

   • Processor:Apple M3 chip
   • Memory:16GB RAM
   • Storage:1TB SSD
   • Display:24-inch Retina 4.5K
   • Color:Blue
   • Condition:Renewed (Amazon-qualified supplier)
   • Cosmetic Standard:No visible damage from 30 cm away
   • Accessories:Fully functional, may be compatible rather than original
   Our verdict

   “If you want modern Apple Silicon editing performance and a big 1TB SSD without paying new-model prices, this renewed M3 iMac is the value pick — as long as you accept non-original accessories and a generic box.”

   → See it on Amazon →

How We Picked

I ranked these six iMacs on four editor-relevant criteria: timeline and export performance (chip generation, RAM, and media engine support for the codecs editors actually use), storage strategy (SSD size versus external workflow needs), display quality for color work (5K panel, brightness, and color accuracy), and long-term viability (how many macOS updates and software features each platform will realistically support). A machine that excels at scrubbing 4K footage but can’t store a second project didn’t rank as well as a balanced configuration.

That logic is why the M4 with 24GB of memory leads the list, followed by the renewed M3 with a 1TB drive as the value play. The two 256GB M4 models slot into beginner and compact roles where external storage is a reasonable tradeoff. The Intel 27-inch models sit last not because the 5K display isn’t excellent — it is — but because their processors are the clear performance ceiling for anyone editing modern footage beyond 1080p.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Imac For Video Editing

Choosing an iMac for video editing involves more than comparing spec sheets. These are the factors that separate a machine you’ll outgrow in a year from one that stays productive for a full editing career.

Chip Generation Matters More Than Any Other Spec

Video editing is one of the few workflows where the jump between Intel and Apple Silicon isn’t incremental — it’s transformative. Apple’s M-series chips include dedicated media engines that decode and encode H.264, HEVC, and ProRes in hardware, meaning exports that took an Intel iMac twenty minutes can finish in a fraction of the time on an M3 or M4. A common mistake is assuming a higher-clocked Intel Core i5 compensates for this; it doesn’t, because the Intel iMac does that work on general-purpose cores. If you edit 4K footage regularly, treat anything Intel as a budget-only choice. Even between Apple Silicon generations, the M4’s extra cores give it breathing room for multicam projects and motion graphics layered over your footage. Pay for the newest chip you can afford — it’s the one component you can never upgrade later.

RAM Is Your Timeline’s Breathing Room

Memory determines how many things your iMac can juggle before playback stutters. Sixteen gigabytes is the practical floor for 4K editing, and it works well if you edit one application at a time with modest effects. But editors who color grade while running motion-graphics templates, or who keep a browser full of reference footage open, will hit that ceiling. The 24GB configurations exist precisely for this workload, and unlike a Mac Pro or Studio, iMac RAM is soldered — there is no upgrade path after purchase. My advice: if your projects involve compositing, heavy color correction, or plugins like Neat Video, buy the larger memory now even if it means a smaller internal SSD. You can always add an external drive; you can never add RAM.

Storage: Plan for the Footage, Not the Apps

A 256GB SSD feels spacious until you import your first 4K project — an hour of 4K ProRes can consume over 400GB on its own. Editors who buy small-SSD machines need an external Thunderbolt or USB-C NVMe drive as part of their total budget, and honestly that’s often the right call: editing directly off a fast external SSD performs nearly identically to internal storage. The bigger mistake is the 1TB Fusion Drive in the older 27-inch iMacs, which pairs a tiny SSD cache with a slow hard drive. Fusion Drives cause laggy scrubbing and slow media management because macOS can’t always keep your footage on the fast portion. If you’re drawn to a renewed 27-inch model, plan to edit entirely from an external SSD and treat the Fusion Drive as cold storage only.

Display Size and Color Accuracy for Grading

The 27-inch 5K panel is arguably the best display Apple ever put in an iMac, offering enough resolution to view 4K footage pixel-for-pixel with room for your timeline. The 24-inch 4.5K display is genuinely good — bright, P3-capable, and sharp — but editors doing client-facing color work may want more physical space. That said, screen size is the easiest problem to solve: any of these iMacs drives an external 5K or 6K reference monitor, and many professional editors grade on a second calibrated display anyway. Don’t buy an older machine purely for its built-in screen when a newer chip plus an external monitor costs comparably and performs better. Where the 5K iMac still makes sense is for editors in small spaces who want one clean, all-in-one setup with no cables beyond power.

The Renewed Market: When Used Makes Sense

Two of the six machines here are renewed, and they represent very different bets. A renewed Apple Silicon iMac is often a smart buy because the M3 chip remains fully supported, performance still feels current, and the savings can fund RAM or storage you’d otherwise skip. A renewed Intel iMac is a different calculation: you’re buying a machine whose platform is winding down, with no hardware video acceleration for modern codecs. Before buying any renewed unit, confirm the display has no dead pixels, check SSD health, and verify battery-free components like the storage haven’t been swapped for slower third-party parts. Renewed Apple gear typically carries a 90-day warranty at most, so factor repair risk into the price you’re willing to pay.

Software Ecosystem and Longevity

Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve are both optimized for Apple Silicon, and features like ProRes hardware acceleration and machine-learning tools (masking, noise reduction, upscaling) increasingly assume an M-series chip. Intel Macs already miss out on some of these features and will lose macOS support sooner, which affects everything from security updates to new codec support. If you edit professionally, think of your iMac as a three-to-five-year tool: the M4 machines comfortably cover that window, the M3 nearly as long, and the Intel models perhaps half of it. Weigh the cheaper Intel price against how many productive years it actually delivers — a per-year cost calculation often flips the decision toward Apple Silicon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 256GB SSD enough for video editing on an iMac?

It’s workable, but only with a disciplined external-storage workflow. Your operating system, applications, and libraries will consume a large chunk of 256GB before you import a single clip, and one 4K project can exceed the remaining space on its own. The solution most editors use is a fast external NVMe SSD over Thunderbolt or USB-C for active footage and renders, with the internal drive reserved for the OS and apps. Playback from a good external SSD is nearly indistinguishable from internal storage. If you know you’ll bounce between multiple active projects and hate managing drives, paying up front for a 512GB or 1TB internal configuration saves ongoing friction.

Can the Intel 27-inch 5K iMac still handle 4K video editing in 2026?

It can edit 4K, but the experience depends heavily on your codecs and patience. Because Intel iMacs lack Apple’s dedicated media engines, the CPU does all the decoding, which shows up as hotter operation, louder fans, and export times several times longer than an M4. Simple 1080p work or 4K in proxy workflows remains perfectly usable. Where the machine still shines is its gorgeous 5K panel, which is a real pleasure for reviewing and light grading. If you’re a hobbyist editing occasionally and the price is right, it’s defensible; for anyone billing clients or working daily, the Apple Silicon models are worth the premium.

Should I buy more RAM or more internal storage on an iMac?

RAM, almost every time. Internal storage has a clean external workaround; memory does not, since iMac RAM is soldered and non-upgradeable. A 16GB machine editing 4K with color grading and a few effects runs well, but heavy compositing, noise reduction plugins, or running Resolve’s Fusion page alongside your timeline will push it hard. The 24GB configuration keeps those scenarios fluid. Storage, by contrast, scales cheaply — an external 2TB NVMe SSD costs far less than the jump to a larger internal drive and moves between machines when you upgrade. Spend fixed-budget dollars on memory first, storage second.

Is the 24-inch screen too small for serious video editing?

It depends on whether you’re willing to add a monitor. On its own, the 24-inch 4.5K display works fine for editing 1080p and reviewing 4K, though your timeline, preview, and bins compete for space more than on the old 27-inch. Most professionals solve this with a second display — any of these iMacs drives an external 4K or 5K monitor, and many editors prefer grading on a calibrated second screen regardless of their iMac’s size. If your desk can only fit one computer and nothing else, the 27-inch 5K iMac’s integrated screen is genuinely better for that single-display setup. For everyone else, a fast chip plus an external monitor beats a big built-in screen with a slow chip.

Is a renewed M3 iMac a better buy than a new M4 model?

For many editors, yes — the M3 to M4 gap is modest for video work, while the savings can be substantial. Both chips have full hardware acceleration for ProRes, H.264, and HEVC, so day-to-day editing feels very similar; the M4 mainly pulls ahead in heavy multicam, complex motion graphics, and sheer export speed on long projects. The renewed M3 in this lineup actually pairs 16GB of RAM with a 1TB SSD, a configuration that would cost considerably more new. The risks with renewed units are cosmetic wear, shorter warranty coverage, and no AppleCare eligibility, so buy from a seller with a real return window. If the machine checks out, that spec combination is one of the smartest values in Apple’s lineup for editors.

Conclusion

The right iMac comes down to what you edit and how you store it. For most editors, the Apple 2024 iMac 24-inch with M4 and 24GB of memory is the best overall choice — it’s the only configuration here with enough RAM headroom for serious 4K grading and effects work, and it has the longest useful life ahead of it. The renewed 2023 M3 iMac with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD is the best value, trading a little performance for double the storage and a lower entry price. Editors on a tight budget or just starting with 1080p projects will be well served by the 16GB M4 models, provided they add an external SSD for footage — the green model is the same machine if you want a color that isn’t silver.

For a specific need, the 27-inch Retina 5K Intel iMac with 512GB SSD suits editors who want one clean, single-display setup with a superb built-in panel and mostly edit 1080p or proxy 4K. I’d steer most buyers away from the renewed 27-inch model with the 1TB Fusion Drive, though — its slow hybrid storage undermines the very screen that makes it appealing, and a renewed Apple Silicon machine serves editors better at a similar price. Whatever you choose, prioritize chip generation and RAM over screen size; both are permanent decisions the day you buy.