There are plenty of reasons people buy an iMac, but subtle design is certainly high on the list. Apple has spent decades refining the all-in-one computer into something that looks almost as good switched off as it does when you're using it.
Which makes sticking a bulky desk lamp next to it, or an equally bulky monitor light on top, feel a little counterproductive. The new BenQ iScreenBar takes a different approach, because it was designed specifically for the 24-inch iMac, from its materials to its magnetic mount and macOS integration.
The accessory goes well beyond what you would expect from a third-party product. It looks and works almost like one of Apple’s own, with the lighting know-how of a company that’s been making ScreenBars for years.
Built on years of ScreenBar experience
The iScreenBar might be new, but monitor lighting certainly isn’t new territory for BenQ. The company created what it describes as the world’s first monitor light bar, the original ScreenBar, establishing a range that has since expanded to work with all kinds of monitors and desktop setups.
The latest model builds on that experience in lighting, optics and eye-care technology, but takes a much more specialised approach. Instead of creating another universal ScreenBar, BenQ has applied what it has learned over the years to design this model specifically for the 24-inch iMac.
Designed to complement every detail of your iMac
Crafted from precision-machined aluminium with a refined glass touch surface, the iScreenBar follows the same principles of simplicity and attention to detail that make the iMac so distinctive. At 50cm wide and weighing just 230g, it's also more discreet than putting another lamp on your desk.
Installation doesn't require a conventional monitor clamp, as the iScreenBar attaches magnetically to the back of compatible iMacs. It has been designed to leave the computer's camera, microphones and speakers unobstructed, and it even includes a magnetic cable organiser to help preserve that clean desktop aesthetic.
If you’re a fan of Apple, you know how important clean aesthetics are, which is why this small design detail matters so much. The best Apple accessories are the ones you stop noticing once they're installed, and that's clearly the philosophy BenQ is aiming for here.
The iScreenBar currently comes in silver, with blue and green versions expected by the end of 2026, giving owners the option of matching some of Apple's more colourful iMac finishes.
Smarter lighting without the screen glare
Of course, looking the part wouldn't mean much if the iScreenBar were simply an attractive lamp.
BenQ has equipped it with its third-generation ASYM-Light optical technology, which directs illumination down onto your desk instead of throwing it onto the display or directly towards your eyes.
The idea is to illuminate your workspace without creating distracting reflections on that glossy iMac screen, which is particularly useful for photographers, designers and anyone else who cares about what they're seeing on the display.
BenQ quotes more than 1,000 lux of central illuminance, with an 85 x 50cm area covered at 500 lux. Colour temperature is adjustable from a warm 2700K to a cooler 6500K, accompanied by stepless brightness adjustment from 0–100%.
The iScreenBar can handle some of those adjustments itself, with its ambient light sensor monitoring the room and automatically changing output to maintain comfortable illumination as daylight conditions change.
A 24GHz mmWave motion sensor adds another neat touch: approach your desk, and the light can switch on automatically. Walk away and, after detecting no significant movement for three minutes, it can turn itself off again.
It even knows which Mac app you're using
One of the coolest features of the iScreenBar isn’t its physical design or the fact that it illuminates the display exactly as it should.
By connecting it to your iMac over USB-C, BenQ's dedicated macOS software lets you control brightness and colour temperature directly from your computer. You can even assign different lighting preferences to individual applications.
The iScreenBar can not only make your display appear clear, but also make you look good on screen. It dims illumination in the centre and increases it towards the sides, helping provide softer, more flattering illumination without interfering with the iMac's camera. Video calls – sorted!
As you can tell, BenQ’s iScreenBar isn’t just another gadget that will clutter your desktop. This smart light blends in with your iMac, provides ideal lighting for long work sessions, turns off automatically, and even makes you look better on camera during calls.
For iMac users who appreciate thoughtful design, the BenQ iScreenBar feels like a natural addition to their workspace. With its refined aesthetics, intelligent lighting and seamless macOS integration, it brings comfort and functionality together in a way that feels right at home alongside the iMac.
The BenQ iScreenBar is compatible with 24-inch iMac models from 2021 onwards. It's available now for £149 directly from BenQ and selected retailers.
