The new M1 iMac has a completely new design, with seven different colors to choose from. One of the most subtle changes is that the headphone jack has been moved from the back of the iMac to the side, and as it turns out, there’s a specific reason for this.
One of the major design changes with the new iMac is how thin it is on the side. Apple says the new iMac measures 11.5mm thick at first spotted by Marks Brownlee, this means that the iMac is too thin to accommodate a headphone jack on the back.
As MKBHD explains, the typical headphone jack has a depth of 14 mm, so physically there is not enough space to accommodate a headphone jack. For this reason, Apple was probably forced to move the headphone jack to the side of the iMac with this redesign.
There are many practical advantages to moving the headphone jack. Side positioning makes it easier to access the 3.5mm port without having to reach behind the iMac, which is especially difficult if the iMac is supported by a wall.
What do you think about this change? What do you think about redesigning the iMac? Tell us in the comments!
FTC: We use revenue-generating automatic affiliate links. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: