I Tried Making a CHEAPER and BETTER iMac Setup Alternative

The iMac is the complete package. You get everything you need in a computer to get started. But, it can be pretty expensive. What if we tried to build something similar, but cheaper? This is what I ended up trying to do in this video.
Affiliate Links to Products Mentioned in the Video:
M4 Mac Mini: amzn.to/40HRKJi
BenQ MA270U: amzn.to/3PVnOoe
Creative Pebble Pro: amzn.to/3PVnCW2
Insta360 Link 2C: amzn.to/4jC7uX3
Logitech MX Keys Mini: amzn.to/3CzJh2W
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S: amzn.to/3CzJvXQ
M4 iMac: amzn.to/4guXQTu
Affiliate Links to Some Fancier Upgrades:
Kanto YU2 Speakers: amzn.to/42zgmGH
KeyChron Q1 HE: amzn.to/4hiGU3J
Logitech MX Master 3S: amzn.to/4ghYhQQ
Studio Display: amzn.to/40Iz8ca
Webcam: Honestly, most people don’t need to upgrade this, but if for whatever reason you believe you do and want the absolute best, your best bet is to start considering a dedicated Mirrorless Camera or action cam with support as a webcam. I’d suggest researching this further, it would clog up the entire description of the video if I continued :)

[@WanHakimi-xc8ge]

The only thing I could afford right now is Big Mac

[@JimmyTriesWorld]

You got Big Mac money? I'm on that McChicken budget!

[@WanHakimi-xc8ge]

@JimmyTriesWorld Man, McChicken ain't a lot, but definitely enough for the stomach😋

[@fjphoto23]

😆

[@samaltayr453]

The issue with technology today is that the vast majority of people absolutely don't need the specifications being promoted to them. However, because they're used to phone upgrades, and previous phones slowing down, etc, they think the same occurs with computers and laptops. I bought an M1 in 2020 and still use it now with no issues whatsoever. I've never needed to upgrade nor has it slowed down, and I do quite a bit on it. I really wish more KZbinrs focused on buying for the average person so that they could save hundreds if not thousands on their technological purchases.

[@JimmyTriesWorld]

I agree with you! Computers are so fast now and there definitely needs to be more tech content focused on average people. But I disagree about people upgrading. The all the non-techy people (at least in my own life) upgrade their computer every 5-7 years or have stopped using computers and switched to tablets altogether. It might just be everyone in tech focused circles who feel the need to upgrade more often.

[@akin242002]

Agreed. I was surprised that all anyone needs to do professional modern office work was a CPU with a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 3500 to 4000. Most mid-tier desktops nowadays can do that easily. Especially the M1 iMac or the Intel 12th gen CPU mini-PC. The M4 iMac or M4 Mac Mini is overboard for most people. The only issues are RAM, SSD storage, and iGPU for light gaming/video editing.

[@CaramelCraft]

@@akin242002The iGPU is pretty good for light gaming and video editing.

[@eduardomunhoz1581]

I feel there is also a certain disparity between what tech reviewers seek vs the average person Sure, if you're a content creator, you need something that runs your admittedly very heavy-weight suite of software to work. but most people just need something that runs Chrome/safari and syncs their passwords actually, I'm one of the people who needs that heavy-weight suite of software and I'm fine with my M1

[@Utshaw]

You can get a QD-OLED monitor for 500 USD these days. Yes, that would be 27inch 1440p. But OLED looks so good.

[@DustyKing]

Are they fully made of aluminum or are they made of cheap plastic?

[@Utshaw]

@DustyKing they are made of tiny leds that light up individually, most important part of a monitor that makes photos. If you are asking about frying pan handle, I believe thats another topic.

[@thomasw2509]

For every purpose other than serious video editing and gaming my iMac (2017) does the job. PERIOD.

[@michelemarangoni]

The tip of the balance in this whole issue is the monitor. If the 24" 4.5k isn't enough for you, you've already eliminated the iMac from the start. It's fair to compare the base Mac Mini to the $1499 iMac but you should also do the same with the monitor starting at 218 ppi. Here the Asus PA27JCV is the most coherent solution after the Studio Display and costs $799.

[@pedromartinezny]

I love and agree with alternatives solutions for giving everyone the option to decide not to overspend and able to find other products with almost exactly the same specs and save money and still work and get the job done.

[@bryans8656]

When I set up my M4 mini I coupled with with a budget 4K Samsung 28" monitor, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, and the Apple Magic keyboard with numpad. My monitor doesn't come close to your choice but it fits my budget and use case perfectly.

[@WatchSparkkTV]

So you mentioned the LG Ultrafine 5K 3:58 mark. It's not actually 5 years old, I actually just bought one back in December when they were on sale for $899 on BH. It's actually a new model and comes with a 3 year warranty now. LG still makes them even though Apple no longer sells them. It's either the 3rd or 4th refresh (there's some questions into one of the models if it counts as a refresh or not). So they first came out in 2016 (ghosting issues model), then the 1st refresh was in 2019 (with an updated version in 2020 to fix the Thunderbolt port issues) and the newest refresh was in 2021 with the current model. But it's still manufactured by LG, mine actually says June 2024 as the manufacture date. So like I said even though they were pulled from the Apple Store when Apple launched the Studio Display (which might be the same exact LG panel), LG never stopped making them, only the smaller 24" version is gone. And there are only a few differences between the latest model LG Ultrafine 5K and the Apple Studio Display. Namely 500nits vs 600nits, HDR support and the speakers. If you can live with 100 nits less brightness, no HDR and crappy 10w dual speakers, and save $300-$500 based on sale prices then the LG Ultrafine 5K is a great option still. And when I hooked mine up back in December, I downloaded the LG Display Manager app (made only for Apple version Ultrafine's) from the App Store and it had a firmware update dated from May of last year. So they still update the firmware also.

[@ivomeadows]

great monitor but it's only 60hz. should be at least 120hz for me to consider buying it

[@WatchSparkkTV]

@@ivomeadows That's where to catch-22 comes in. Do you want more hz but need 3rd-party software to control, your monitor (keyboard controls, etc...) which may break in an OS update... Or do you want a monitor made for Apple that works out of the box with everything that you know won't have issues with any OS updates. At the end of the day is always personal choice for everyone...

[@akin242002]

Recommendations: iMac for those that are not tech savvy and don't have clumsy kids in the house. That career single uncle/aunt or grandparents. Mac Mini or mini-PCs in general for those that are tech savvy, that have clumsy kids that could break a part, and those obsessed with customization.

[@DustyKing]

Just buy the iMac.

[@akin242002]

@DustyKing Not for me. I like customized setup and I'm a parent.

[@JimmyLamStudio]

I went through the same headache going from the 2017 iMac to a refurbished M1 Mac Studio. Got an LG and Samsung M8, both $400 each, both terrible in comparison to the 2017 iMac display. Got some PreSonus Speakers which are serviceable. The Mic and Webcam on the M8 Monitor are trash so I just use my iPad for any FaceTiming instead. My next monitor would probably be a studio display if I could find reasonable price.

[@dontpaytheboatman]

If you still have your 2017 iMac you can convert it into a monitor, however it does require disassembling the iMac.

[@ASignOfTheThymes]

This wasn't at all the video I was expecting but I perhaps come to this from a different angle. One of the big reasons for going for a Mac over, say, a Hackintosh 'Mac' that runs MacOS, is aesthetics. Apple make gorgeous looking tech. So, if trying to make an iMac alternative, a big part is matching the clean, uncluttered aesthetic. For instance, dispense with the stand by instead wall mounting the monitor on a swing out arm that caters for tilt and maybe even slight height adjustment and already, if inexpensive, you're one up on the Mini with its infuriatingly limited stand. Velcro the Mini to the back of the monitor, though be aware that the adhesive can dry out and your precious Mini could fall off. I'm writing this as someone who has a lot of mixed experiences with so-called industrial strength Velcro, rather than just regular Velcro. Your mileage may vary. Generally with non-waxy plastics the bond is impressively strong, at least with the industrial-strength version. Perhaps a better alternative would be putting the Mini under the desk, or in a drawer that has a hole for cable passthroughs. Find ported speakers with the width of the mini and industrial-strength Velcro them back there, too. At least if the Velcro adhesive dries out and they fall off, they're probably not going to suffer much damage unless they fall to the floor. If they're decent, and you're not constantly running them at high volume where the bass/vibration might, long term, damage something in the monitor, you're probably going to have better bass response than the iMac. Another advantage. We know the irritancy with the Magic Mouse, that you have to turn it upside-down to charge it with a cable, so incredibly annoying, so right away any mouse trumps that! but I would shop around to try and get products that match each other aesthetically! - maybe pop them in a draw when not in use, for that super clean desktop look. Not everyone loves Mac keyboards. There are some great clicky mechanical keyboards that are very satisfying to type on, so again, if you can find something in a sale, that's a bit of a win for the iMac alternative. Aesthetics are great so obviously shop around but, I need my clicky mechanical keyboard! It's amazing what you can get used to but not everyone loves the white bezels of the iMac's screen, especially when watching movies but you could, for instance, use a skin or wood veneer on your monitor's frame. And let's face it, many, many people say they want a bigger screen iMac, so even if you don't get as eye-searingly (uncomfortably) bright screen as the iMac comes with, you could give yourself the pleasure of greater screen size, which in turn can be better for watching movies, especially if you have a small room and don't want a separate TV or screen for watching 'television'/movies/media. I think in those ways you beat the iMac, plus if one component goes wrong, it's easily replaced. If something goes wrong with the iMac, where everything internally, computer wise, is soldered to one board and therefore I assume very expensive to replace, that's got to be annoying. Might want to factor in the price of Apple care to extend the warranty! Also, you can periodically upgrade the Mini when Apple releases later iterations, as opposed to having to upgrade the entire iMac. Forgive my writing a novel, the iMac is very cute but it's not without its limitations and annoyances that makes a video like this one, very welcome and enjoyable.

[@Steve-racer]

This just proves how good the iMac is and how good the value is. It also proves how Apple is over charging if you want to build with Mac mini then buy the monitor then buy the keyboard then buy the mouse, but with the iMac you get all that. Still using a four year-old iMac 27 for this reason.

[@crobat.3]

your dry humour just sends me bro 😭😭😭

[@AdelAlberk]

idk why but the base make mini is 500 on apple website .. lucky me (i bought it) .. i kinda did the same … my mac mini is on its way and the reason is i just can replace the “brain” every 5 years or so my accessories logitech mx keys + mx master 3 mouse (bought YEARS ago) 2k monitor (new / 300usd) + Logitech Z207 Speakers

[@vjekoslavperisa3280]

Great work!

[@AsiefD]

iMac is 4.5k display, not 4k

[@npc-drew]

This BenQ monitor is not a true Mac display replacement, it's only 400 nits, or 80% of true Mac-like displays. Every other spec looks amazing, and for the price if you don't mind looking at more dimmed monitor, then sure.

[@WebdevPath]

Where did you get the desk pad on your table?

[@Alertacobra12]

I thought you were going to design your own All-in-one with either a old macbook with a broken screen or a hackintosh with a framework laptop motherboard

[@miteshsawantdesai9824]

So this setup is like a nockoff farari with an original engine but looks worst , and you are paying the same price?, Is it even worth it at this point ?

[@Deanfyi]

Whats the black trolley?

[@quadsnipershot]

I work for a company that sells as a vendor for school choice programs and the amount of "kids" buying these spec apple products is too damn high.

[@DustyKing]

Not really that expensive

[@NurmYokai]

Buy a used iMac 2019 5K 27" for $400-$600? Need more than 16GB memory. Pack the 2019 with up to 128GB memory. To slow to run everything? Buy two. One for the grinding applications, and one for the other mundane applications.

[@hirunguyen4522]

is the samsung s9 equal to this imac screen? 24 inch is not working for me

[@techhubwiltsuk]

Really fun cool project and I’m glad you admitted defeated at the end but you gave it a good go

[@smgumbycat]

Good video

[@piggyooi]

4:16 How does your monitor automatically change its rotation?

[@JimmyTriesWorld]

The Benq monitor has an app for MacOS/Windows (Display Pilot 2) that enables this function!

[@domainanimation5405]

U should try Redmi A27-Type C

[@DustyKing]

Aluminum iMac > Plastic monitor

[@snazzysailor]

Isnt imac 4,5k?

[@francyong]

nope

[@TheDanEdwards]

Basically, yes.

[@LumpyMoose]

Great video, but I’ll never buy anything else other than an iMac. You missed a few other iMac benefits. Your comparison setup is worse than the iMac, kinda close but a nope in my book.

[@Wade_Adakai]

I know it’s not the point of this video, but everyone get the Apple Studio Display, it worth it 🙌🏾

[@yakeshimi8886]

i MAC design looks so dogshit. your the first person ive ever heard who said it looks good.

[@CaramelCraft]

It looks good

[@realshakeeb8106]

Scaling issue you guys need to stop recommending this without talking about it.

[@techhubwiltsuk]

Really fun cool project and I’m glad you admitted defeated at the end but you gave it a good go