After the iMac jumped from the M1 to M3 chip in late 2023, Apple has launched the newest version of its all-in-one desktop with its latest custom silicon and more. Here’s what’s new and improved with the M4 iMac vs M3 iMac plus a buyer’s guide.
Table of contents
M4 iMac vs M3 iMac
CPU, GPU, memory, neural engine
Improvements beyond the speed and efficiency bump of the M4 chip CPU include memory up to 32GB, memory bandwidth increasing to 120GB/s, and a faster neural engine (3x over M1).
| M4 iMac | M3 iMac | |
| CPU | 8 or 10-core | 8-core |
| GPU | 8 or 10-core | 8 or 10-core |
| Media engine | Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW Video decode engine Video encode engine ProRes encode and decode engine AV1 decode | Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, Video encode engine, ProRes encode and decode engine, AV1 decode |
| Storage | Up to 2TB SSD | Up to 2TB SSD |
| Memory | Up to 32GB | Up to 24GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 120GB/s | 100GB/s |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Apple Intelligence | ✅ | ✅ |
While Apple Intelligence is a highlighted feature of the new M4 iMac, keep in mind the M1 and later iMacs get support for this.
While the M1 to M3 jump brought a 2x increase in speed, the M4 brings more subtle gains. Apple says productivity is up to 30% faster for apps like Excel.
However, if you’re coming from an Intel iMac – 2019 and earlier – you should see 6x faster overall performance (Apple is likely talking about the 21.5-inch models).
And Apple says the M4 iMac is up to 2x faster than the M1 iMac.
Meanwhile, the media engine remains the same between the M4 and M3 iMacs.
Display
The M4 iMac features almost the exact same display as the M3 iMac. That includes a great 4.5K resolution Retina display, P3 wide color, True Tone, and 500 nits brightness.
The one new addition here is the option of a nano-texture display finish for $200. As has been available with Studio Display and Pro Display XDR, Apple says the nano-texture “drastically reduces reflections and glare, while maintaining outstanding image quality.”
| M4 iMac | M3 iMac | |
| Size | 24-inch | 24-inch |
| Resolution | 4480 x 2520 (4.5K) | 4480 x 2520 (4.5K) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Retina display | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 wide color | ✅ | ✅ |
| True Tone | ✅ | ✅ |
| LED-backlit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Nano-texture option | ✅ | ❌ |
M4 iMac vs M3 iMac I/O
The Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 layout is tweaked with the M4 iMac. On the two-port model they’re both Thunderbolt 4/USB 4. And on the four-port model, they’re all Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 (M3 iMac four-port was two Thunderbolt 4/ USB 4 and two USB 3 ports).
The M4 iMac includes external display support for up to two 6K at 60Hz or one at up to 8K at 60Hz on the mid and top-end models.
And there’s also a new 12MP Center Stage camera for FaceTime calls with Desk View support.
| M4 iMac | M3 iMac | |
| Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 | 2 or 4 | 2 |
| USB 3 Type-C | ❌ | 2 on mid and high-end models (0 on base models) |
| USB-A | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Yes on mid and high-end models (no for base models) | Yes on mid and high-end models (no for base models) |
| 10Gb Ethernet | ❌ | ❌ |
| SDXC slot | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi | WiFi 6E | WiFi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Touch ID | Optional with base models, included with mid models and up | Optional with base models, included with mid models and up |
| ‘Hey Siri’ support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View with 1080p HD video recording | FaceTime 1080p HD |
| Video output | Base model: One external display up to 6K at 60Hz / Mid-tier and up: Up to two external displays up to 6K at 60Hz or one external display up to 8K at 60Hz | One external display up to 6K at 60Hz |
| 6-speaker system | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wide stereo sound | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dolby Atmos support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Studio-quality 3-mic array | ✅ | ✅ |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | ✅ | ✅ |
Another update is Apple going with USB-C for the Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad.
The speaker and mic system are the same with a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system, wide stereo sound, Spatial Audio support, a studio-quality triple mic array, and “Hey Siri/Siri” support.
Colors and size
Colors for the M4 iMac are the same as M3 but with lighter hues for each variant.
New this time is Apple has made all seven colors available in both the two and four-port models (M3 iMac two-port models were restricted to limited colors).
Overall dimensions are exactly the same and the weight has been decreased by 0.08 pounds.
| M4 iMac | M3 iMac | |
| Colors | blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, purple (all w/ white bezels) | blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, purple (all w/ white bezels) |
| Weight | 9.79 pounds (4.44 kg) | 9.87 pounds (4.48 kg) |
| Height | 18.1 in (46.1 cm) | 18.1 in (46.1 cm) |
| Width | 21.5 in (54.7 cm) | 21.5 in (54.7 cm) |
| Depth with stand | 5.8 in (14.7 cm) | 5.8 in (14.7 cm) |
Price
Apple kept the price the same with the M4 iMac at $1,299 starting price for the base model, $1,499 in the middle, and $1,699 on the high-end.
The maxed-out M4 iMac is a bit more expensive than the M3 was with the new $200 nano-texture upgrade.
| M4 iMac | M3 iMac | |
| 2 port base | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| 4 port base | $1,499 | $1,499 |
| 4 port mid | $1,699 | $1,699 |
| 4 port maxed out | $2,899 | $2,699 |
M4 iMac vs M3 iMac buyer’s guide
Reasons to buy
If you’ve outgrown or worn out your existing iMac and love the all-in-one form factor, the M4 iMac is a solid, yet iterative update. As most 4.5k or 5k external displays sell for $1,000 on their own, the M4 iMac with a sharp display and modern Apple Silicon starting from $1,299 is a solid value.
The main improvements are:
- Faster and more capable M4 chip
- Memory options up to 32GB
- Dual external display support
- Nano-texture display option
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- All ports are Thunderbolt 4/USB 4
- USB-C Magic Keyboard/Mouse/Trackpad
Reasons to pass
If your M3, M1, or other iMac is working fine, it might make sense to hold out on buying the M4 iMac. Alternatively, you can hang on to see the other new M4 Macs that are announced this week.
Spec advice
If you do pick up an M4 iMac, keep in mind you can’t upgrade the chip, memory, or internal storage after the fact. So if you can afford it, get it specced out exactly how you want (thinking about how long you’d like to keep it may help).
You can order the new M4 iMac at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and more.
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