Luca said:
Having two computers, like a Mac and a Windows PC, doesn’t make much sense.
You should just get the MacBook and do everything with it.
I must be crazy; I own seven computers if you count my Raspberry Pi. I actually use them all for different jobs; I’ve even got four tablets. Anyone remember Crazy Eddy? Pure madness. LOL.
@Hayes
Well, I have a server and many Raspberry Pis too. But I wonder why you need both a laptop and an iMac. When you have an external monitor for your MacBook, the iMac might not be necessary.
However, if you want a computer in several rooms, that’s your choice. I’m not here to judge anyone’s decisions. 
Based on what you said, I think an iMac might not be the right choice for you. For many people, it’s a great machine though. I have an M1 Mini and I’m quite pleased with it.
Crosby said:
Based on what you said, I think an iMac might not be the right choice for you. For many people, it’s a great machine though. I have an M1 Mini and I’m quite pleased with it.
Is it possible to find an external monitor under $500 that connects to a MacBook that is close to the quality of screen/display on the iMac?
@Vale
It really depends on what you mean by ‘close’; for some, it might seem similar while others might find it lacking. You can likely find something decent for under $500. TrueTone isn’t a must-have for everyone, but finding something with a similar size and resolution might take some effort, especially at that price. You might have to compromise a bit on size or quality depending on what you need.
Crosby said:
Based on what you said, I think an iMac might not be the right choice for you. For many people, it’s a great machine though. I have an M1 Mini and I’m quite pleased with it.
If you need portability, the M2 Air seems like a solid choice.
My 27 inch iMac has been my go-to for graphic design and audio work for the last 8 years. I usually upgrade about every four years. Even with my new MacBook Air, I still find the iMac much better for performance and speed. I use the MacBook Air for travel.
@MegWhitgal
Is it possible to find an external monitor under $500 that connects to a MacBook that is close to the quality of screen/display on the iMac?
I bought an M1 iMac with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. We share it among four users, and it’s definitely worth it with everything included—camera, speakers, and just one cable.
I notice a lot of people are still buying iMacs. The newer M1 iMacs seem to be everywhere in stores.
I’ve been using a mid-2012 MacBook Pro with an ultrawide monitor and a mouse and keyboard. I just got a MacBook Air and I wouldn’t think about getting an iMac.
If you’re thinking about a desktop Mac, just go for the Mac Mini.