The slew of updates the Mac line got last month means that we need to start thinking about which Mac desktop should we buy! This is my Winter 2025 Mac Desktop Buyer's Guide, with a Winter 2025 MacBook Buyer's Guide coming up soon. You will need to answer a couple questions before we start to define which Mac is best for you.
What type of user are you?
Regular
What form of Mac do you prefer?
All-in-one
Modular
Professional user
How much of a professional are you?
Normal
Serious
Ultra
(keep in mind that there are no all-in-ones for professionals in Apple's lineup, only modulars)
If you chose...
Regular, All-in-one
If these are what you chose, then the new $1,299 M4 iMac is best for you. Really, if you are any type of person and want an all-in-one, this is the choice, because it's the only all-in-one in the lineup. Now, the recommended configuration (according to The New York Times' Wirecutter) is bringing up to a 10-core CPU and GPU (with the extra benefits of Ethernet and four USB-C/Thunderbolt ports), which brings it up to $1,499. Keep in mind that there isn't anything other than USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, so if you need anything else, you'll have to buy a dongle or dock.
Regular, Modular
Chose these? The new, $599 M4 Mac mini is right for you. Wirecutter says that you don't need to change the config unless you need more storage, either. This is actually a good pick over the iMac for anyone (especially those who want an extra USB-C/Thunderbolt port, an Ethernet port, and/or an HDMI port), given that people on a budget can get the full setup for around 30% cheaper than the iMac. Also, even some very mild professionals can buy this model, because of how powerful the M4 is.
Professional, Normal
If you chose these, try the new, $1,399 M4 Pro Mac mini. In the same small package as the M4 Mac mini, you get much more oomph (starting at a 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU of oomph), and the ports are Thunderbolt 5, 3x faster than Thunderbolt 4. Configuration can stay the same.
Professional, Serious
Those who need even more performance (along with even more ports: the Mac Studio has an extra two USB-A, one USB-C/Thunderbolt (although they are only Thunderbolt 4), and a 10Gbps Ethernet port) can get the modular, $1,999 M2 Max Mac Studio, with more video encoding engines and GPU (overall, it's a 12-core CPU and 30-core GPU). Also, other than video encoding, the M4 Pro Mac mini is actually the better choice, since the Studio is from the M2 generation and the mini is from the M4 generation. Configuration can stay unless you need more storage.
Professional, Ultra
Still not enough for you? Try the modular, $3,999 M2 Ultra Mac Studio (with a 24-core CPU and 60-core GPU). Configuration can be upgraded (the base is 1TB storage and 64GB RAM) as needed.
By Leo
