Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The climb to the M4 , the fresh 16 GB RAM touchstone , the execution of Thunderbolt across the display board , the improved FaceTime camera , and the Nano - texture glass choice are all winning move by Apple . The compounding of features , design , and carrying out makes this the best iMac Apple has produced .
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The M4 iMac looks like the M3 and M1 iMacs but it has several upgrades that make it a better value.
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Best Prices Today: Apple iMac (M4, 2024)
The 2023M3 iMacwas one helluva Mac . Its performance was leading for the general consumer . Its design , while a couple of years old , was still relevant , attractive , and operative . And its toll was pretty decent , too .
Could Apple do anything to make the iMac an even effective deal ? Yes , it could . It did n’t reinvent the wheel , but legion diminished changes make Apple ’s all - in - one even well at the same terms . The silicon chip is even quicker , the rearward larboard configuration is smarter , it makes you look even better on video yell , and it supports more external displays . In all , the iMac butt on as an icon for the company , and it has the features not just to back up its lofty status but also enkindle it .
This reappraisal is structured based on how the major update will influence your buying conclusion . We first look at the M4 chip and its performance first , come after by , the projection screen and photographic camera , the Thunderbolt port , and other factors . you’re able to utilise the board of Contents link at the top of this clause to pass over around . First , here are the point of our review unit .
The M4 iMac looks like the M3 and M1 iMacs but it has several upgrades that make it a better value.
M4 iMac: Our model’s specifications
Apple offer three received configuration of the iMac . We review the in high spirits - end model with customizations that increase the price to $ 2,379/£2,379 . Our review building block has the following specifications :
M4 iMac: Performance
The M4 take a shit its way into the iMac afterdebuting in the iPad Prothis past spring . Apple offer two variants of the M4 in the iMac : An 8 - core CPU ( four performance and four efficiency cores ) , 8 - core GPU in the low - end ( $ 1,299/£1,299 ) iMac , and a 10 - centre CPU ( four performance and six efficiency cores ) , 10 - kernel GPU in the $ 1,499/£1,499 , $ 1,699/£1,699 , and $ 1,899/£1,899 mannequin . As noted above , the M4 in this inspection is the 10 - effect CPU/10 - core GPU version .
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The micro chip rise come with a major variety forallMac models : now they all amount received with 16 GB of unified memory , double the previous 8 GB . It ’s a change that users have been require and a long sentence come . The best thing about the upgrade ( besides the in effect general public presentation ) is that Apple did n’t increase the prices of its Macs . Oh yeah !
The M4 iMac looks like the M3 and M1 iMacs but it has several upgrades that make it a better value.
The M4 offer many improvements over the M3 : improvedbranch prediction , increased storage bandwidth , updated video processing , and more . ( you’re able to learn more about the M4 here.)While we tend to look at the generation - to - coevals improvements in our Mac reviews , it ’s significant to keep in mind the overall picture : this is the 4th contemporaries of the M - series microchip in the Mac ( though just the third for the iMac ) , and it has now hit a Leontyne Price / functioning point that ’s more attractive than ever . The base M4 offer impressive speed and isfastfor world-wide consumer .
If you do n’t have an M - series Mac and you ’re marvel if you should invest in the M4 iMac from a virginal performance position , you absolutely should . If you already have an Apple silicon iMac , you might want to . Here ’s how the M4 iMac compares to the iMacs that preceded it .
Geekbench 6.3 CPU benchmarks
Results are verbalise as Geekbench scores . high score / long bars are dissolute .
In ourGeekbench 6.3testing for all - around CPU performance , The M4 iMac was 16 and 21 pct faster than the M3 iMac in Single - Core and Multi - Core benchmark . That ’s the improvement we usually see from one chip contemporaries to another .
The results are more impressive if you wait at how the M4 does against Intel chips . The M4 iMac is a rapid 53 percentage quicker than an iMac Pro , and 137 percent quicker than an Intel Core i7 iMac . If you ’re still using an Intel iMac , you ’re squander metre .
The new Nano-texture glass option (left) does a better job of diffusing glare and reflections than the standard glossy glass (shown on the MacBook Air, right). You can see how the Nano-texture glass diffuses the white wall behind me, while it is clearly shown over my shoulder on the glossy display.
Cinebench 2024
final result are evince as Cinebench grievance . high-pitched scores / longer bars are fast .
WithCinebench 2024 , we escort a 20- . 32- , and 23 - percent increment over the M3 iMac in the GPU , CPU Multi Core , and CPU Single Core benchmarks , severally . We do n’t have data point for the M1 chip , but we do for the M1 Pro , and the comparison is interesting : the M4 and M1 Pro central processor Multi Core outcome are similar but the M4 has a well-defined edge in GPU carrying into action .
Handbrake 1.8.2 video encode
Results are times in seconds . Lower times / shorter cake are firm .
We convert the 4KTears of Steelvideo to a 1080p H.265 file usingHandbrake 1.8.2 . Back when we tested the M3 iMac , we find a 25 per centum improvement over the M2 and the storey ingeminate itself with the M4 versus the M3 .
iMovie 4K video export
When the M3 iMac was released , it double over the performance of the M1 iMac in our iMac 4 K ProRes export test , thanks to improved codecs in the chip . The melioration is even more oculus - opening between the M4 and M1 iMacs . When exporting the video at the High , the M4 improvements are n’t as striking , hovering around the typical upticks we see from genesis to generation of each microchip .
Blackmagic Disk Test
Results are megabytes per secondly . Higher charge per unit / longer bars are faster .
I ’m not certain what to make of the SSD results from theBlackmagic Disk Test , which has fundamentally shown the same performance through each chip ( There ’s a 10 percent dispute between the M3 and M4 iMacs ’ write scores , but that ’s within the standard departure . ) Not that this is tough , but that I trust to seesomethingafter four generations of Apple atomic number 14 . Though , this is in all probability more an reading of the development of SSD engineering than anything else .
Geekbench 6 Compute
The Geekbench 6 Compute benchmark tests the GPU functioning using either the Metal or OpenCL APIs – Metal is Apple ’s 3D graphic API , but a lot of marquee games practice OpenCL . The M4 iMac ’s score shows an 18 percent step-up over the M3 iMac , but its results over the M1 iMac are 75 percent skilful .
Videogame benchmarks
event are frames per second . Higher rate / long bar are dissipated .
We still test withRise of the Tomb RaiderandCivilization VIeven though they are older games written for Intel and not optimise for Apple ’s Metal graphics API . Both game have built - in benchmark tools that make it prosperous to guess performance , but they also extend insight as to how older top title will race . The good news is that performance continues to improve and not plateau .
M4 iMac: Display and camera
The iMac has a 23.5 - column inch Retina exhibit with a native resolution of 4480 - by-2520 resolution , a brightness of 500 nit , and supporting for one billion coloration and the P3 semblance gamut . It comes stock with a glossy glass front , but Apple introduced a newNano - grain glassoption ( $ 200/£200 ) that essentially gives it a lusterlessness last . If you are implicated with glower , the Nano - texture is $ 200 well spent , but keep in creative thinker that it does dampen the vividness of the display a turn .
The new Nano - texture glass choice ( left ) does a good Book of Job of pass around limelight and contemplation than the standard glossy methamphetamine hydrochloride ( bear witness on the MacBook Air , veracious ) . you could see how the Nano - grain glass interpenetrate the white wall behind me , while it is clearly shown over my shoulder on the glossy display .
The display ( glossy or Nano - texture ) is a oecumenical - purpose , consumer - level showing that ’s suitable for most users . master who are more demanding about the colouring material and image quality will want to link up an outside show . There ’s some good news there too : the iMac can run up to two external displays at a upper limit of 6 K resoluteness at 60Hz for each , or only one outside presentation at 8K/60Hz . That ’s another upgrade from the M3 iMac , which supported only one external display at 6K/60Hz . All external video display connect to the iMac via Thunderbolt .
The ports on the M4 iMac are unlabeled but they’re now all of the Thunderbolt 4 variety.
The M1 and M3 iMacs have a 1080p FaceTime television camera that was … o.k. . It worked , but it was n’t impressive . With the M4 iMac , Apple finally upgraded to a 12MP Center Stage photographic camera , the same one Apple enclose to the Mac lineup in 2022 through itsStudio Display . Why we had to waitress over two year to see it on an iMac only Apple roll in the hay , but it ’s here and it ’s fantastic . The telecasting below is a demonstration of it in military action in Zoom .
Center Stage keeps you in the inwardness of the frame ; switch to either side , and the camera follows you . The camera also supports Desk View , which can show the outer space in front of the iMac . Apple tweak the camera to produce better low - light images than the Studio Display . If you do a lot of telecasting conferencing , these features will make your experience much well .
M4 iMac: Ports and connectivity
The $ 1,299/£1,299 iMac has two Thunderbolt 4 port . But the rearward interface of the iMac in this review boast a major change by Apple . On the $ 1,499/£1,499 and higher models , Apple is now implementing four Thunderbolt 4 ports , which is much better than the previous apparatus of two USB - C ports and two Thunderbolt port . With Thunderbolt , you’re able to connect Thunderbolt or USB - C equipment , while with USB - 100 , you’re able to only connect USB - degree centigrade equipment . The modification means users no longer fret over connecting their devices to the right embrasure .
The port on the M4 iMac are untagged but they ’re now all of the Thunderbolt 4 kind .
The $ 1,499/£1,499 and higher iMacs have gigabit ethernet with the port built into the great power arranger ( which costs $ 30 on the entry level mannikin ) . The iMac also includes Wi - Fi 6E ( 802.11ax ) and Bluetooth 5.3 , which is the same as the M3 iMac . Wi - Fi 7 is now the current measure and Apple uses it in the iPhone 16 lineup but did n’t add it to any of the M4 Macs . It ’s not a big pile because you need an expensive router to take advantage of it , but , curiously , Apple decided not to time to come - proof its new Macs as much as it could have .
The iMac’s 35mm headphone jack is on the side of the display.
M4 iMac: Design and build
Apple insert the iMac pattern with the M1 in 2020 and has hold fast with it , for a good grounds : it ’s a great combination of functionality and elegance . Macworld readers have severalize me that they like that Apple would create an iMac purpose that makes it almost completely indistinguishable from a computer display – in other words , get disembarrass of the iMac ’s “ chin . ” I ’m indifferent about that .
The iMac ’s 35 mm earpiece jack is on the side of the display .
One change I wish Apple would make is with the atomic number 13 stand , which only pivot forward and back . It does n’t offer height fitting or an work up - to - order pick to do so like the Studio Display , and I wish well it did so I can finally get rid of my2001 San Francisco Pacific Bell White Pages phone bookthat I utilize to shore it up .
Apple includes USB-C accessories that match the color of the iMac.
Apple offers the iMac in drab , green , orange , pink , over-embellished , yellow , and silver , and all the vividness are usable on every role model . Apple previously appropriate orange tree , purplish , and xanthous for the higher - terminal model . Our review unit is sorry and it ’s nice , but I ’d choose either an Orange River or light-green one rather .
Apple include USB - century accessories that match the color of the iMac .
M4 iMac: Keyboard, mouse, and trackpad
Apple still includes a Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard with the iMac , and they still come in match colors . The one major change with these devices is that they no longer have a Lightning port . They now have USB - C port for charging and Apple admit a USB - century charging cable . The switch to USB - C is generally a estimable thing ; it ’s more various than Lightning at this item , and the USB - vitamin C plug is much sturdier ( I ’ve seen a fair parcel of crumpled Lightning connexion ) .
Apple includes a Magic Keyboard , but the one in the $ 1,299/£1,299 model does not have Touch ID . If you do need Touch ID ( I highly recommend it ) , you must opt for the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for an extra $ 80/£80 – Apple eliminated the $ 50/£50 option to buy the Touch ID Magic Keyboard without the Numeric Keypad . Interestingly , the higher - priced iMacs do include a Touch ID keyboard without a numeric computer keyboard , which costs an extra $ 30/£30 .
Yes , we ’re still doing this .
Yes, we’re still doing this.
The Magic Mouse come standard , but if you ’d rather have the Magic Trackpad , it ’s an extra $ 50/£50 . Apple no longer has the option to get both the Magic Mouse and Trackpad for $ 129/£129 .
M4 iMac: Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence , the AI - base features work up into macOS Sequoia , runs on any M - series Mac . However , thefirst shipments of M4 Macs have macOS Sequoia 15 install , which does n’t have Apple Intelligence . Customers will take to head up over toSoftware Updateandinstall the 15.1 update , which has the first set of Apple Intelligence feature film .
All M - series Macs accompaniment Apple Intelligence .
Apple will bereleasing Apple Intelligence featuresover time . The first useable set now includes written material tools ; Mail , Messages , Notifications , and Safari sum-up ; a cleanup tool in Photos ; and Siri sweetening . Another set will be available with macOS Sequoia 15.2 is released in December and includes image generation , ChatGPT integration , Swift Assist , and more . Apple has put a lot of feat into promote Apple Intelligence and there ’s no doubt that the feature are useful . We have disjoined coverage of ourimpressions on the first bent of Apple Intelligence features(that article is concenter on iOS 18.1 , but the same sentiment utilise to macOS Sequoia 15.1 ) .
All M-series Macs support Apple Intelligence.
Geekbench AI 1.0
TheGeekbench AIbenchmark for gauging the performance of the check ’s Neural Engine was turn last August so our dataset for equivalence is modified . Frankly , you wo n’t notice the departure with this first set of Apple Intelligence features . When the feature become more and more generative , the departure will be more ostensible .
Should you buy the M4 iMac?
Yes , you should , it ’s that simple . The upgrade to the M4 , the new 16 GB RAM standard , the implementation of Thunderbolt across the display board , the improved FaceTime camera , and the Nano - grain glass choice are all come through moves by Apple . I ’ll even go so far as to say that even though the M4 iMac does n’t have the personality of the iMac G4 ( I ’ve previouslyproclaimedthat one as the greatestMacever ) nor the diachronic significance of theoriginal iMac , its combining of features , purpose , and carrying into action have it the good iMac Apple has ever made .
The M4 iMac is a first-class value for the oecumenical consumer .
That being say , if you have an M1 or M3 iMac , you do n’t need to festinate out and supervene upon it with the M4 iMac . chance are , you think that its performance is fulfil , so it becomes a query of whether you really desire the fresh camera and/or the Nano - grain glass . Those are n’t trivial features ; they do work your productivity and are worth considering .
The M4 iMac is a excellent value for the general consumer.
If you have an Intel iMac and you ’ve been put off an rising slope , now ’s the time to do it . You ’re going to see a huge performance improvement , you may apply Apple Intelligence , and you ’re going to appreciate the many other changes . You will have to buy USB - C transcriber for your USB - A equipment , though .
There ’s one reason for not buy the M4 iMac : you need a bigger one . Rumor has it that it could appear in 2025 but we ’ve not heard of any substantial written report of such an iMac . If that ’s what you really want , you ’ll have to continue to admit out andtrack the rumors .
