Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
If you ’re looking for a new , complete Mac apparatus – a calculator , display , and input devices – the M3 iMac is a great choice . Apple stimulate the setup easy and smooth , the iMac looks good on a desk , and the newfangled M3 chip is speedy and solid for everyday use .
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The M3 iMac is the same in almost every way as the M1 iMac, except for the processor.
Best Pricing Today
Best Prices Today: Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023)
Over two days ago , during the Spring Loaded event in April 2021 , Apple ’s iconic iMac was all redesign and outfitted with a then - foreshorten - edge M1 chip . But as Apple began to phase in the M2 a year after , each clock time a new update launched , the same enquiry came up : What about the iMac ? And there was nothing .
At the final stage of October 2023 , we eventually aim an response : Apple updated the iMac with the M3 , decamp the M2 serial all . It has the same design , semblance , and features as the M1 iMac – so , an icon in Apple ’s intersection lineup engender a simple chip ascent . That ’s a good mode to make a gravid Mac even better .
Specifications
Apple offer three standard conformation of the iMac . The manikin we reviewed is the high - end example with customizations that increase the price to $ 2,859/£2,958 . Our review building block has the following specifications :
The M3 iMac is the same in almost every way as the M1 iMac , except for the CPU .
metalworks
The M3 iMac is the same in almost every way as the M1 iMac, except for the processor.
Performance
At the center of the iMac is a M3 Saratoga chip , put back the M1 from two long time ago . The M3 is the groundwork chip for the series , with the M3 Pro and Max currently available in the 14- and 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
The M3 configurations start with an 8 - pith CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores . Apple put up the M3 in the $ 1,299/£1,399 iMac with an 8 - core GPU , while the $ 1,499/£1,599 and the $ 1,699/£1,799 iMac ( the model we test ) have a 10 - gist GPU .
The M3 has a bunch of melioration and optimisation over the M1 . For details on how the M3 compares to its predecessor , read Macworld’sguide to how the M3 brings more public presentation to the Mac . Here ’s how the M3 iMac did in our benchmark tests .
This orange iMac is not available at the $1,299 price point.
Geekbench 6
Geekbenchis a popular way to gauge all - around carrying into action , and it shows that the M3 iMac ’s Multi - Core results are 45 pct quicker than the M1 iMac . In Single - Core testing , the M3 was 36 percent quicker than the M1 – Apple lay claim a 35 percent melioration .
The departure are narrower when compare the M3 to the M2 in the Mac miniskirt . The M3 ’s exclusive - Core result was 21 pct quicker than the M2 , while the Multi - Core score was 24 per centum . These types of hike are what we unremarkably expect from sequential generation .
Still using an Intel - based iMac ? Compared to one of the last 21.5 - in Intel - establish iMacs , the M3 iMac double the speed . The M3 iMac is also truehearted than an iMac Pro with an 18 - nub Intel Xeon processor – okay , sure , that ’s a 6 - year - old motorcar , but still , it ’s fun to see .
Need the iMac display to be a bit higher? Unfortunately, the stand lacks height adjustment, so you’ll need a stand, a ream of paper, or something else to give the iMac a boost.
Cinebench 2024
Cinebench 2024is a 3D rendering test that is an index number of how a chip handles a lumbering load . The previous version , R23 , was CPU - focused , but with the 2024 version , GPU testing has been reinstated . The M3 more than repeat the GPU performance of the M2 , and increases Multi Core by 27 percent . One result that stands out : the M3 actually matches the GPU performance of the M2 Pro , despite having nearly half as many cores .
Cinebench R23
The older version of the Cinebench benchmark , but without GPU examination . The M3 iMac improves by 22 percent over the M1 iMac . Overall , if you look at both the R23 and 2024 effect , you ’ll see that if you perform graphic - intensive interlingual rendition frequently , you should go with a Pro- or Max - level scrap . But the base M3 is fine for hobbyists and non - professionals who do n’t do this kind of task on a regular basis .
Handbrake 1.6 video encode
We utilise Handbrake to convert the 4KTears of Steelvideo to a 1080p H.265 Indian file . This CPU - intensive trial shows the Brobdingnagian improvement the M3 has over the M1 . The M3 is 25 percentage quicker than the M2 – there ’s that typical speed increase ordinarily from one multiplication of chips to the next .
iMovie 4K video export
When export a 4 kB ProRes picture at Best quality in iMovie , the M3 iMac is twice as fast as the M1 iMac . The M3 has an upgraded media engine , which helps the M3 iMac do better than the M1 iMac when export a 4 K video at High quality .
Blackmagic Disk Test
The M3 iMac has an SSD that offers a lowly boost in read velocity over the SSD in the . M1 and M2 . The M3 iMac ’s write upper gets a respectable increase over the M1 iMac with a 28 percent improvement .
Geekbench 6 Compute
The Geekbench 6 Compute benchmark quiz the GPU performance using either the Metal or OpenCL genus Apis . The M3 iMac ’s scotch shows a 50 percent increase over the M1 iMac . The M3 basically has the same carrying out as the M2 in the Mac mini .
Videogame benchmarks
Rise of the Tomb RaiderandCivilization VIare older games drop a line for Intel and not optimized for Apple ’s Metal graphics API . The M3 ’s 10 GPU cores equate to the M1 ’s eight help give it a good increase in framerate .
This orangish iMac is not available at the $ 1,299 price point .
Design and build
Apple redesigned the iMac in 2021 , and since that was just two years ago , we ’re not going to see major changes — even the colors are the same . The body has two tones , with a Christ Within chromaticity on the front and a dark colour on the back . The colors are playful and brighten any elbow room , but if you ’re looking for a “ achromatic ” color , you ’ll want atomic number 47 – all iMacs are available in blue , greenish , pinkish , or silver . maltreat up to the $ 1,499/£1,599 or $ 1,699/£1,799 iMac and you’re able to also find fault orange , over-embellished , or yellow .
Every iMac has a snowy bezel around the display that complements the colouring tones best than black bezel would . But that means the lean black border between the display and bezel is seeable . If you often utilize a MacBook or an Apple external display – both of which have dim bezel – you have n’t noticed this screen borderline . You will with the iMac , but mayhap it wo n’t disoblige you .
The body itself is thin , measuring 11.5 mm , but it ’s not fragile . It ’s so slight that the 3.5 mm audio frequency jack , which is long than 3.5 mm , has to be placed on the side rather of on the back , but it still find as sturdy as if was twice as thick .
Lightning lives! The Magic Keyboard, Trackpad, and Mouse have not switched to USB-C.
One whack on the conception is that the atomic number 13 stand only pivot forward and back . The height is not adjustable , which means you ’re leave to your own devices if you need the display at a higher or low position .
Need the iMac display to be a bit higher ? Unfortunately , the stand lacks height fitting , so you ’ll need a bandstand , a ream of paper , or something else to give the iMac a hike .
Screen and speakers
Apple did not give the iMac the SDR luminosity cost increase that it gave the new 14- and 16 - in MacBook Pro , but it ’s not necessary for the iMac since it ’s a screen background machine . That means that the iMac showing ’s specifications have not changed since the M1 release : It ’s a 23.5 - inch Retina display with a native resoluteness of 4480 - by-2520 resolution , a luminousness of 500 nits , and support for one billion colors and the P3 color gamut . It ’s an excellent display for the general consumer on a desk , in a kitchen , in the bread and butter room , in a dorm , or in a kiosk , though it ’s uncommitted only with a glossy ice front , so you need to be aware of light sources in your room to forestall glare .. professional person who are doing color - critical study , video redaction , animation , or other projects that take graphical detail may favour Apple’sStudio DisplayorPro Display XDR , which can colligate to the iMac via Thunderbolt .
On the bottom edge of the iMac , you ’ll bump the six - verbaliser system and woofer that defend Spatial Audio on music or telecasting with Dolby Atmos . They ’re brawny enough to serve a room if you ’re pucker around the iMac to determine pullulate videos . The 3.5 mm audio jack on the side supports gamey - impedance earpiece .
The iMac has a three - mic raiment and you may use it for FaceTime , Zoom , and other on-line coming together berth , but as often happen with Apple ’s build - in mics , it creates a niggling bit of an replication and you get that “ mic in the midriff of the way ” sound quality . If you require to go your best in those meetups or you want to put down telecasting of yourself while in front of the iMac , you ’ll go secure if you utilize a USB - C or Bluetooth mike .
Apple put gigabit ethernet into the power adapter instead of on the iMac itself.
Lightning live ! The Magic Keyboard , Trackpad , and Mouse have not change to USB - C.
Keyboard, mouse, and trackpad
The iMac include a BluetoothMagic Keyboardand aMagic Mouse . Apple has an option to upgrade to a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad ( $ 30 more ) , as well as a Magic Trackpad ( $ 50 ) , or you could get both the Mouse and Trackpad ( $ 129 ) . Apple makes good keyboard , but a tidy sum of users are picky about the feel and how the buttons dissemble , so you might decide to go with a third - party keyboard – the same can be said for the Magic Mouse . However , no third party pee-pee a Touch ID keyboard , and if you really desire it , you must go with Apple ’s .
Touch ID can be used in many instances where macOS requests a countersign . A prompt appear when you press the Touch ID button , and when you place your finger on the push button , you are given admittance . It ’s not as quick and easygoing as Face ID , but it ’s a lot better than experience to depend up a password and then typewrite it . Touch ID is not received with the $ 1,299 iMac ; it ’s an supernumerary $ 50 .
Apple has been switching its iPhones , iPads , AirPods , and other devices from having Lightning connectors to USB - C , or else they ca n’t sell its good in the European UnionHowever , the Magic Keyboard , Mouse , and Trackpadstill have Lightning ports . Apple does n’t have to make the variety to these gadget since they existed before the European Union ’s jurisprudence go into force , but if everything else is flip , why not the Magic devices ? For now , iMac exploiter have to keep a Lightning cable’s length around ( which is include ) for charge – if you ’re still using an honest-to-goodness iPhone or iPad with Lightning , that ’s not such a big deal , but when you upgrade those token you ’ll be using USB - nose candy , but you need to keep the Lightning transmission line for the Magic devices .
The $1,499 and $1,699 iMacs include four ports: 2 USB-C only, 2 Thunderbolt 4/USB-C.
Ports and connectivity
The iMac in this review has four ports : two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and two USB 3 ports . Apple puts the port on the back of the iMac , on the lower right side when you ’re in front facingt the blind . If you have sure-enough devices that apply USB - A connectors , you ’ll need USB - C to USB - A adapter . Apple has one for $ 19 but you’re able to find more affordable ones on Amazon or other retailer . For lesson , I ’ve boughtNonda USB - century to USB arranger ; you get two for $ 11 in the U.S. , and they work great . ( Check out ourThunderbolt adapter guideto aid you find the arranger you call for . ) The $ 1,299 iMac has just two USB - C port wine , so if you get that model , plan consequently and think about buy a USB hub .
Apple put Gb ethernet into the power adapter instead of on the iMac itself .
The $ 1,499/£1,599 and $ 1,699/£1,799 iMacs have gigabit ethernet with the embrasure progress into the power adaptor . The iMac also include Wi - Fi 6E ( 802.11ax ) and Bluetooth 5.3 , both upgrades from the 2021 example .
The power transcriber ’s cable is colorise to match the iMac , and it has a magnetic connective – but it ’s not MagSafe . It ’s not made to conk out away like MagSafe on a MacBook ; it last out in situation firmly and tightly .
Camera
Apple has n’t done anything to the photographic camera with the M3 iMac . It ’s still a 1080p equipment with an image signal processor with computational video , and it ’s still a good television camera that produces range of a function caliber that wo n’t be embarrassing in video conference or FaceTime chats .
If you want even better simulacrum quality , you canuse your iPhone as a camera through Continuity Camera . you could apply a backing such asBelkin ’s iPhone Mount with MagSafe($39.95 ) to place the iPhone at the top of the iMac .
Price and availability
Apple offers three stock configurations of the iMac . All have the M3 ship , but the base model is missing a lot of feature found in the mid - level and high - end model . Here are the prices and a breakdown of the feature that are different between the three standard configurations . All the models can be tailor-make with more computer memory , a braggart SSD , etc .
The $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 iMacs include four porthole : 2 USB - hundred only , 2 Thunderbolt 4 / USB - C.
Should you buy the M3 iMac?
If you ’re looking for a raw , staring Mac setup – a calculator , display , and input signal devices – the M3 iMac is a great alternative . Apple makes the setup so darn promiscuous and still , the iMac look good on a desk , and the raw M3 chip is speedy and satisfying for casual use .
This M3 upgrade replaces the M1 iMac that is over two yr old . Most people who ’ve invested in the M1 iMac are n’t in a production environment ; they ’re mostly home federal agency drug user and general function worker who use productivity apps , reach the internet , and use consumer - level substance - creation apps such as iMovie , GarageBand , or Adobe Photoshop Elements . If that sounds like you , upgrading is a matter of your budget . I think most can stick with the M1 iMac for a fiddling while longer , maybe even until Apple upgrades the iMac again .
If you are an M1 iMac proprietor and you are convinced that you require the M3 iMac , you should see what Apple will offer in itsTrade In Programto help offset the cost .
But if you ’re using an Intel - based iMacs , the M3 is a no - brainer . The speed gather ca n’t be cut any longer – you’re wasting time that you could spend on other things .
Finally , if you want an iMac bigger than the 24 - inch model the company propose , you could be expect for a while . Apple incur a mickle of interrogation about a 27 - in iMac — which has been the subject of rumors for years — and want me to tell you that it has no plan for a 27 - inch iMac with Apple silicon . Instead , you should consider a 27 - in Studio Display with a Mac miniskirt or a Mac Studio . However , Apple was very specific about a 27 - column inch sieve and did n’t specifically dismiss rumors of aniMac Pro with a 32 - inch display . Stay tune .
