M4 24-inch iMac – Image courtesy of Apple
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Apple's new M4 24-inch iMac shows the all-in-one desktop still has a loyal following, with every reviewer enjoying it too brighter colors new model.
At the end of October, Apple held a “week of exciting announcements,” unveiling three updated Mac models. Among them was an update to its beloved iMac.
While the iMac mostly got a spec bump, it’s good to see Apple considering the all-in-one as a worthy addition to the Mac lineup.
This year’s iMac now features the M4 chip, an upgrade from last year’s M3. It’s worth noting that the iMac can’t be upgraded to the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips like the Mac mini or MacBook Pro.
Like the M3 version, the M4 iMac comes in two flavors. One includes an 8-core M4 and 8-core GPU, while the other has 10-core counterparts.
Apple claims the M4 chip has the world’s fastest CPU core, delivering 1.7x the performance of the M1 iMac. The M4 chip also delivers 2.1x better graphics performance, especially for gaming and photo editing, than the M1.
The iMac starts with 16GB of unified memory, up from 8GB before, and tops out at 32GB. Storage starts at 256GB, with configuration options up to 2TB.
The 24-inch display remains the same, with a resolution of 4,480 by 2,520. It has the same 500 nits of brightness, Wide Color (P3), and True Tone as the previous version.
New to the M-series iMac this year is a Nano Texture Glass option. First introduced in the Pro Display XDR, this glass option minimizes on-screen reflections and improves image clarity.
Like its predecessor, the 2024 iMac still features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. It also boasts the same high-quality six-speaker system with force-canceling woofers and Spatial Audio support for media using Dolby Atmos.
As for ports, users will get either two or four Thunderbolt ports on the back, depending on the configuration they choose. As with previous models, the 3.5mm headphone jack is still on the side.
Apple opened pre-orders for the iMac on October 28, with the first units expected to ship to customers by November 8. The base model M4 iMac is available for $1,299.
Reviewers have had a chance to test the new iMac ahead of its launch and have begun sharing their thoughts on the hardware. Here's what the tech media is saying about Apple's latest iteration of its colorful desktop.
Everyone Likes It, Not Everyone Loves It
“The M4 iMac is a good computer,” shrugs Ars Technica in its review. “[But] Apple’s addition of 16GB of RAM to the $1,299 base model makes it much more appealing to most people who just want to take a computer out of the box, put it on a desk, and get things done.”
“This year’s iMac’s colors are more vibrant, but otherwise everything looks pretty much the same as last year’s model,” Forbes says in its review. “But you get twice the RAM for your money in the base model, faster Thunderbolt 4 connections, and, most importantly, the super-fast M4 processor.”
“The M4’s speeds are plenty fast for most people,” it continues, “and Apple’s Intelligence runs like a dream.”
The Best All-Rounder
All reviewers mention the colors, but most also say the performance is noticeably better. And iJustine on YouTube says it makes a significant difference in people's buying decisions.
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“Expectations have been exceeded with this M4 chip,” says iJustine. “Especially with the iMac, because it's an all-in-one thing, you don't have to choose anymore, 'Do I want an iMac or not?'”
With performance like this, she continues, “you essentially get the best of both worlds in one, and that's the joy of the iMac.”
The Best Colors
“Look at this, the most perfect pink ever,” continues iJustine. “Beautiful pink iMac, I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Its colors and slim design make it more than just a computer, it’s a conversation piece,” says Six Colors. “(It’s the rare Mac that flashes bright colors—I wish Apple did that more often.)”
Six Colors’ Jason Snell titled his article “The M4 iMac: The Penultimate Computer?” However, there will likely be more after this one.
But there may not be many computers that offer such a combination of style and substance. “[It’s] a gorgeous reimagining of Apple’s venerable all-in-one,” continues Snell.
“It’s colorful (if you want it to be), powerful (enough), and designed to show off at home and in public,” he says.
The M4 iMac is available now — in seven vibrant colors. It’s available for pre-order from Apple Authorized Reseller B&H Photo, and Payoo cardholders are eligible for instant sales tax refunds in eligible states.
Expect retailers to offer discounts on the 2024 models, especially with Black Friday approaching. You can shop the best iMac deals from the new lineup in our M4 iMac Price Comparison Guide.
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