Unveiled at Apple’s fall event, the 2024 iMac M4 brings power, elegance, and vibrant color options—Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Silver—making it the go-to choice for a desktop upgrade. Available starting November 8.
Introduction
The 2024 iMac M4 is Apple’s latest addition to its renowned all-in-one desktop lineup, positioned as a powerful, stylish, and highly efficient device for home, creative, and professional users. Designed to fit seamlessly into the modern workspace, the iMac M4 combines cutting-edge hardware with Apple’s exclusive AI-based Apple Intelligence, focusing on intuitive user experience and robust privacy. This product falls into the high-performance desktop class, offering comprehensive connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4 ports and advanced Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring a versatile and future-ready system for a wide range of applications.
Key Highlights
- Strikingly Thin Design: The iMac M4 sports a razor-thin 24-inch Retina 4.5K display with 500 nits brightness, True Tone technology, and P3 wide color, all wrapped in a minimalistic design with a selection of vibrant colors.
- Unmatched Visuals: Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and an advanced 10-core GPU offer immersive visuals, perfect for video editing and high-definition streaming.
- Enhanced Performance: Powered by the Apple M4 chip with up to 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, this model provides a significant boost over previous generations, enabling smooth multitasking and faster creative workflows.
- Improved Collaboration Tools: Equipped with a 12MP Center Stage camera and studio-quality mics, video calls on the iMac M4 maintain professional-level clarity and adjust focus as users move within the frame.
detailed specification comparison table with additional specification items for each configuration of the Apple iMac M4 (2024):
| Configuration | Base Model | Mid Model | Top Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Memory | 16GB unified (upgradable to 24GB) | 24GB unified (upgradable to 32GB) | 32GB unified |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (upgradable to 1TB) | 512GB SSD (upgradable to 2TB) | 1TB SSD (upgradable to 2TB) |
| Display | 24-inch 4.5K Retina, 4480×2520 resolution, 500 nits brightness, P3 wide color, True Tone | Same | Same |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage camera, 1080p HD video recording, Desk View support | Same | Same |
| Audio | High-fidelity six-speaker system, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | Same | Same |
| Microphone | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming | Same | Same |
| Connectivity | 2 Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, optional Gigabit Ethernet | 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, Gigabit Ethernet | 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, Gigabit Ethernet |
| External Display Support | Supports one external 6K display at 60Hz | Supports up to two external 6K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display at 60Hz | Same |
| Graphics Support | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Media Engine | H.264, HEVC, ProRes, ProRes RAW encoding and decoding | Same | Same |
| AV1 Decode | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard with optional Touch ID | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID |
| Mouse | Magic Mouse | Magic Mouse | Magic Mouse |
| Trackpad Option | Optional Magic Trackpad | Optional Magic Trackpad | Optional Magic Trackpad |
| Ethernet | Optional (Gigabit) | Gigabit | Gigabit |
| Color Options | Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, Silver | Same | Same |
| OS | macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence | macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence | macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence |
| Weight | 9.74 pounds (4.42 kg) | 9.79 pounds (4.44 kg) | 9.79 pounds (4.44 kg) |
| Power Adapter | 143W | 143W | 143W |
Comparison Highlights:
- Performance Across Models:
- The Mid and Top Models feature a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, providing a noticeable performance boost over the Base Model’s 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. This makes the higher configurations ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and multitasking with large applications.
- All models come with Apple’s 16-core Neural Engine, but the additional GPU cores in the Mid and Top Models enhance performance in tasks involving complex graphics and AI-driven processing.
- Memory and Storage Options:
- The Base Model starts with 16GB of unified memory, upgradable to 24GB, while the Mid Model is upgradable to 32GB. The Top Model comes standard with 32GB, offering the most robust memory for handling extensive workflows and heavy applications.
- In terms of storage, the Base Model offers a starting 256GB SSD, whereas the Mid Model doubles this with a 512GB SSD, and the Top Model starts with 1TB SSD. All models support upgrades, with the Top Model configurable up to 2TB, ideal for users who require extensive storage.
- Display Capabilities:
- All models share the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, featuring 4480×2520 resolution, 500 nits brightness, and P3 wide color with True Tone technology. This display is particularly beneficial for users working with media, delivering sharp visuals and vibrant colors across all configurations.
- However, the Mid and Top Models can support up to two external 6K displays or one 8K display, providing a significant edge for users needing extensive screen real estate for productivity or creative work.
- Connectivity and Ports:
- The Base Model includes two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, which can handle basic connectivity needs. However, the Mid and Top Models come with four Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering greater versatility and the ability to connect additional high-speed accessories or multiple monitors.
- Ethernet is optional on the Base Model, while the Mid and Top Models come with built-in Gigabit Ethernet for faster, more stable network connections.
- Special Features:
- All configurations offer the 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View and a studio-quality three-mic array, enhancing video conferencing capabilities. This feature automatically adjusts to keep users centered during calls, adding a professional touch to meetings and remote work.
- The Top Model offers the fullest configuration options and is best suited for professionals who prioritize performance, extensive storage, and maximum connectivity.
- Color Options:
- All configurations are available in Apple’s signature color palette: Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Silver. This broad range of colors allows users to personalize their device according to their aesthetic preferences, making the iMac a visually appealing addition to any workspace.
Summary:
- Base Model: Best for general users and everyday tasks, offering solid performance with a focus on affordability.
- Mid Model: Suitable for creative professionals who need a bit more processing power, memory, and storage options, with enhanced connectivity.
- Top Model: Ideal for power users and professionals handling resource-intensive tasks, offering maximum performance, memory, and display support.
Connectivity
The iMac M4 offers robust connectivity with support for up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, providing high-speed data transfer and video output. Users can connect up to two external 6K displays, making it ideal for multi-display setups. Additional features include a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 5.3, along with optional Gigabit Ethernet for stable network performance.
Limitations
While the iMac M4 excels in many areas, its limitations include:
- Lack of Internal Upgradability: RAM and storage are non-upgradable post-purchase, so users need to select configurations carefully.
- Single-Color Accessories: Accessories like the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Magic Mouse are color-matched but only come in limited colors.
- Limited GPU Options: Though powerful, the iMac M4’s GPU cannot match discrete, high-end graphics cards available on some desktop PCs.
Use Cases
- Creative Professionals: With its high-performance GPU and 4.5K Retina display, the iMac M4 is perfect for graphic designers, video editors, and photographers.
- Remote Work: The iMac’s 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality microphone, and macOS Sequoia’s advanced privacy make it ideal for high-quality video conferencing.
- Multitasking Workflows: The M4 chip, with up to 32GB of unified memory, allows seamless multitasking, enabling users to handle intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro effortlessly.
Who Is It Right For?
The 2024 iMac M4 is designed for users seeking a stylish, powerful desktop that integrates seamlessly into various environments. It is an excellent choice for professionals in creative fields, home users who value aesthetics and ease of use, and remote workers who need a reliable, high-quality setup for video conferencing and multitasking.
Conclusion
The iMac M4 (2024) marks a new era for Apple’s all-in-one desktop with a blend of power, functionality, and style. Its vibrant display, powerful processing, and improved user experience features position it as a top choice for both professionals and everyday users. With its latest M4 chip, Apple continues to push the boundaries, ensuring that the iMac remains competitive, reliable, and future-proof.
