Apple’s M4 iMac hasn’t modified all that a lot.
Apple’s refreshed M4 24-inch iMac sports activities a quick chip, however that is not the solely cause to improve. Here is how the recent new mannequin compares to the year-old M3 iMac that it replaces.
Apple’s launch of the brand new M4 iMac comes months after the chip first debuted within the 2024 iPad Professional. It additionally arrived in identical week that the M4 Mac mini and M4 MacBook Professional had been unveiled.
This refreshed M4 iMac replaces the M3 iMac that went on sale in October 2023. With a well-known design, it is honest to say that every one the most important adjustments are on the within.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Specs
| Specs | 24-inch iMac (2023, M3) | 24-inch iMac (2024, M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning launch value | $1,299 (2-port), $1,499 (4-port) Greatest M3 iMac costs |
$1,299 (2-port), $1,499 (4-port) Greatest M4 iMac costs |
| Processor | 8-core M3, 16-core Neural Engine |
8-core M4, 10-core M4, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Graphics | 8-core M3 GPU (2-port), 10-core M3 GPU (4-port) |
8-core M4 GPU (2-port), 10-core M4 GPU (4-port) |
| RAM | 8GB unified reminiscence, Configurable as much as 24GB |
16GB unified reminiscence, Configurable as much as 24GB (2-port), Configurable as much as 32GB (4-port), |
| Inner storage | 256GB SSD Configurable as much as 1TB SSD (2-port) Configurable as much as 2TB (4-port) |
256GB SSD Configurable as much as 1TB SSD (2-port) Configurable as much as 2TB (4-port) |
| Show | 4,480 x 2,520 Retina 4.5K LED show, Broad colour (P3), True Tone, 500 nits |
4,480 x 2,520 Retina 4.5K LED show, Broad colour (P3), True Tone, 500 nits, Nano-texture glass (Non-obligatory) |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 Gigabit Ethernet (Non-obligatory on 2-port) 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt 2xUSB 3 (4-port) 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone help |
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 Gigabit Ethernet (Non-obligatory on 2-port) 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (2-port) 4x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (4-port) 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone help |
| Digital camera and Audio | 1080p FaceTime Digital camera with M3 ISP Studio High quality, three-mic array with directional beamforming Six-speaker system with force-canelling woofers |
12MP Heart Stage digital camera with M4 ISP Studio High quality, three-mic array with directional beamforming Six-speaker system with force-canelling woofers |
| Video output | One 6K show at 60Hz | One 6K show at 60Hz (2-port) Two 6K shows at 60Hz or one 8K show at 60Hz (4-port) |
| Particular options | Hey Siri help Magic Keyboard with Contact ID (Non-obligatory on 2-port) |
Hey Siri help Magic Keyboard with Contact ID (Non-obligatory on 2-port) |
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Design, weight, dimension
Apple’s refreshed M4 iMac is strictly the identical dimension because the outgoing mannequin, albeit a machine that’s lighter by simply 0.08 kilos. That is 9.79 kilos for the M4 iMac vs the 9.87 kilos of the M3 iMac.
With that in thoughts, it is no shock that the 2 iMacs look equivalent on the skin.
Whereas the 2 iMacs are supplied in the identical colours, that does not imply they appear equivalent. Consumers will discover that the inexperienced, pink, silver, orange, yellow, blue, and purple have completely different hues in comparison with the earlier mannequin.
The M3 24-inch iMac.
By way of precise dimensions, the iMac measures 18.1 inches tall by 21.5 inches large. The depth with the stand included is available in at 5.8 inches.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Show
This upgraded M4 iMac’s equivalent design to the earlier mannequin additionally implies that the show is identical as effectively. It is a 24-inch panel with a 4.5K decision and a brightness of 500 nits.
As has turn into the norm for Apple’s Mac shows the M4 iMac consists of each P3 large colour and True Tone help.
The place issues do differ is the choice for a nano-texture end on the M4 iMac’s show. The end diffuses mild to reduce reflections nevertheless it does price a further $200 so it will not be for everybody.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Efficiency
The M4 chip is the large information right here and it is supplied in 8-core and 10-core CPU configurations. 4 of these are efficiency cores no matter which chip you select, however the 10-core chip has two further effectivity cores for a complete of six in comparison with the 8-core’s 4.
Each of the M4 chips supplied include a 10-core GPU, matching the previous-gen M3 chip. The older chip is simply obtainable with eight CPU cores, nevertheless.
By way of different key specs, M4 iMac consumers can configure as much as 32GB of RAM in comparison with the 24GB restrict of the M3 iteration. The bottom configuration has additionally been doubled to 16GB for the M4 iMac, up from simply 8GB within the M3 variant.
That reminiscence can be sooner with a reminiscence bandwidth of 120GB/s topping the M3 chip’s 100GB/s whereas each machines have the identical 16-core Neural Engine. Apple’s M-series Media Engine is unchanged and retains help for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC help, amongst others.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Digital camera and audio
Whereas the built-in digital camera may not be a key cause for many individuals to purchase a brand new iMac, the M4 variant does provide a notable improve. Whereas the M3 iMac has a FaceTime 1080p HD digital camera the M4 iMac options an upgraded 12-megapixel Heart Stage Digital camera.
The brand new digital camera means consumers can sit up for help for Desk View and 1080p video recording in an iMac for the primary time.
A detailed-up of the show and webcam of the M3 24-inch iMac
The identical six-speaker audio system with help for large stereo sound and Dolby Atmos has made the change from the M3 iMac to the M4 iMac.
A built-in 3.5mm headphone jack and a studio-quality microphone array are additionally current, too.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Storage, connectivity, peripherals
These shopping for the M4 iMac can select as much as a 2TB SSD which is identical because the earlier mannequin — albeit provided that you select the four-port mannequin. The bottom 256GB mannequin additionally stays with 512GB and 1TB choices additionally obtainable.
Equipment offered embody a Magic Keyboard and a Magic Mouse, with a Magic Trackpad are additionally obtainable. All of those equipment provide USB-C connectivity and charging.
The rear port number of the four-port M3 24-inch iMac variant.
Connectivity choices are additionally the identical throughout the board, with the M4 iMac that includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) wi-fi networking and Bluetooth 5.3 help.
Across the again, the two-port M4 iMac has a pair of Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports which can be upgraded to 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports when selecting the upgraded mannequin.
Gigabit Ethernet is a configurable possibility on the two-port mannequin whereas it is normal on the four-part iMac. This all intently mimics that of the M3 iMac though the older mannequin is proscribed to 2 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and two USB 3 ports when consumers select the four-port configuration.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Pricing
Apple has caught to the $1,299 beginning value for the M4 iMac whereas upgrading to the four-port mannequin means paying a further $200.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M1 24-inch iMac – The Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse
Upgrading to 24GB of RAM prices $200 whereas a 512GB SSD prices the identical $200. A bigger 1TB possibility is offered for a further $400.
These searching for essentially the most storage can select the 2TB mannequin for a further $600 however, once more, this selection is simply obtainable on the $1,699 four-port M4 iMac.
Apple ships the M4 iMac with a Magic Keyboard as normal however an additional $30 might be handed over to obtain a Magic Keyboard with Contact ID and Numeric Keyboard as an alternative.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – Which to purchase?
The best method to selecting a brand new iMac is to purchase the most recent mannequin wherever attainable. The M4 iMac comes with some good upgrades, not least that new chip with extra cores and improved efficiency.
Apple’s determination to not improve the worth of the iMac with this refresh additionally makes the M3 model much less interesting. There are cases the place issues may not fairly be that easy, nevertheless.
Third-party retailers usually promote older fashions at a reduction to create space of their warehouses. Which means you would possibly discover an ideal deal on an M3 iMac whereas shares final.
Whereas the M4 iMac is undoubtedly the higher mannequin we’d suggest checking M3 iMac sale costs earlier than putting your order. Particularly should you do not discover the brand new upgrades compelling.
M4 24-inch iMac vs M3 24-inch iMac – The place to purchase
