Apple specs the M1 iMac as producing 7 dB at both idle and under light operation (wireless web surfing) from a "typical operator position" (see screenshot at bottom). 7 dB is really quiet (acceptable noise floor for a recording studio is 20-30 dB). The figure is not meaningful without knowing the "typical operator postion", which they don't specify, but since it's got a display we can guess it's no further than ~24". Given that, the thing should be really quiet under light load.
Alas, and in practice, the only way for you to know if there's a problem with your unit is to find a way to compare it to a second one.
Others can confirm, but I've read the reason the Apple Silicon MBP's can be completely quiet at idle is that their fans can turn off completely.
Also, a general comment on Apple engineers and Apple product design: They're experts, and should be respected as such. So you shouldn't criticize them without giving it serious consideration. But that doesn't mean Apple product design is beyond reproach when it comes to thermals and noise (I say product design, since engineers can be overruled). Those who make the final design decision, whether it's the engineers or the managers, are human, and can make mistakes and questionable judgements like anyone else.
For instance, when they released the last-generation 27" Intel iMac in late 2014 (the "Retina" iMac), its max thermal output with the upper-end chip was 288W, which led to high fan noise under load (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...or.2307038/page-6?post=30436381#post-30436381). Many have complained of this with subsequent iMacs of that generation, even though their TDP's were lower; it's also been mentioned by Lisa Gade of Mobile Tech Review, who I've found be very reasonable in her assessment of Apple products. She described it as sounding like it's "taking off". The point is Apple engineers knew what TDP they'd have to support from the start, and yet Apple didn't produce a cooling system sufficient to ensure quiet operation.
And a quiet cooling system for the iMac was readily achievable by Apple. We know this, because we have the iMac Pro, which has an even higher TDP, yet has a reputation for quiet operation. The difference in cost is small—an extra fan, some more plastic ducting, and probably a larger heat sink (and maybe some more copper tubing) (even at retail, 1/4" copper tubing is $1.20/ft; maybe you'd need special alloys or purity, but still...). So I'd say the 27" Retina iMac's thermal design represented a bad judgement on Apple's part when it came to usability and quiet operation. They could have readily, and cheaply, made it much better.
So let's respect those Apple engineers and product designers, but let's not beatify them, or ascribe to them some sort of papal infallibility
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support.apple.com
Alas, and in practice, the only way for you to know if there's a problem with your unit is to find a way to compare it to a second one.
Others can confirm, but I've read the reason the Apple Silicon MBP's can be completely quiet at idle is that their fans can turn off completely.
Also, a general comment on Apple engineers and Apple product design: They're experts, and should be respected as such. So you shouldn't criticize them without giving it serious consideration. But that doesn't mean Apple product design is beyond reproach when it comes to thermals and noise (I say product design, since engineers can be overruled). Those who make the final design decision, whether it's the engineers or the managers, are human, and can make mistakes and questionable judgements like anyone else.
For instance, when they released the last-generation 27" Intel iMac in late 2014 (the "Retina" iMac), its max thermal output with the upper-end chip was 288W, which led to high fan noise under load (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...or.2307038/page-6?post=30436381#post-30436381). Many have complained of this with subsequent iMacs of that generation, even though their TDP's were lower; it's also been mentioned by Lisa Gade of Mobile Tech Review, who I've found be very reasonable in her assessment of Apple products. She described it as sounding like it's "taking off". The point is Apple engineers knew what TDP they'd have to support from the start, and yet Apple didn't produce a cooling system sufficient to ensure quiet operation.
And a quiet cooling system for the iMac was readily achievable by Apple. We know this, because we have the iMac Pro, which has an even higher TDP, yet has a reputation for quiet operation. The difference in cost is small—an extra fan, some more plastic ducting, and probably a larger heat sink (and maybe some more copper tubing) (even at retail, 1/4" copper tubing is $1.20/ft; maybe you'd need special alloys or purity, but still...). So I'd say the 27" Retina iMac's thermal design represented a bad judgement on Apple's part when it came to usability and quiet operation. They could have readily, and cheaply, made it much better.
So let's respect those Apple engineers and product designers, but let's not beatify them, or ascribe to them some sort of papal infallibility
.iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
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