Apple’s new iMac with the M4 chip brings impressive upgrades to the popular all-in-one desktop computer. The sleek, ultra-thin design now comes in fresh color options, adding a touch of style to any workspace. The M4 chip delivers a significant performance boost, making the iMac up to 1.7 times faster for everyday tasks and 2.1 times faster for demanding work like photo editing and gaming compared to the M1 model.
The 24-inch iMac features an upgraded 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage technology, improving video call quality. Apple has also introduced a nano-texture glass option for the display, reducing glare and reflections. These enhancements make the new iMac a versatile machine for both work and creative pursuits.
Release Summary
The new iMac with the M4 chip and Apple Intelligence was announced on October 28th, 2024.
Here’s a summary of what was announced:
- M4 Chip: This new iMac features Apple’s latest M4 chip, which promises significant performance improvements over the previous generation. Apple claims it’s up to 1.7x faster for everyday tasks and up to 2.1x faster for demanding workflows like photo editing and gaming.
- Apple Intelligence: This is a new suite of AI-powered features that are deeply integrated with the M4 chip. It aims to enhance productivity, creativity, and communication while protecting user privacy.
- Nano-texture Display: A new nano-texture glass option is available for the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, which helps reduce glare and reflections.
- New Colors: The new iMac comes in a range of vibrant colors, including new shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue, along with the classic silver.
- Updated Accessories: Apple has also updated the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad with USB-C charging ports for a more streamlined experience.
The new iMac is available for pre-order starting today and will be officially released on November 8th, 2024.
iMac Gets a Major Upgrade with M4 Chip and Apple Intelligence
The M4 Chip: A Performance Powerhouse
Apple’s new iMac boasts the impressive M4 chip, a significant upgrade from the previous generation. This chip delivers a remarkable boost in performance, making everyday tasks up to 1.7 times faster. For demanding workflows like photo editing and gaming, the speed increase is even more dramatic, reaching up to 2.1 times faster than before.
M4 Chip Performance Gains:
| Task | Performance Increase |
|---|---|
| Daily Productivity | Up to 1.7x faster |
| Photo & Video Editing | Up to 2.1x faster |
| Gaming | Up to 2.1x faster |
| AI Tasks (Neural Engine) | Over 3x faster |
Apple Intelligence: Your Personal AI Assistant
The new iMac also introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered features designed to enhance your productivity and creativity. This personal intelligence system transforms how you work, communicate, and express yourself, all while prioritizing your privacy.
Key Features of Apple Intelligence:
- Systemwide Writing Tools: Refine your writing with AI-powered assistance for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text.
- Redesigned Siri: Interact with Siri using your voice or keyboard, and get answers to thousands of questions about your Mac and other Apple products.
- Image Playground (coming in December): Create unique and fun images with AI-powered tools.
- Genmoji (coming in December): Generate custom emoji in seconds.
- ChatGPT Integration (coming in December): Access the expertise of ChatGPT directly within Siri and Writing Tools.
A Visual Feast: Stunning Display and Vibrant Colors
The new iMac features a beautiful 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, offering crisp visuals and vibrant colors. For those who work in bright environments, a new nano-texture glass option is available to minimize glare and reflections. And speaking of colors, the new iMac comes in a range of eye-catching shades, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue, along with the classic silver.
Enhanced Features for a Seamless Experience
The new iMac is packed with additional features to improve your workflow and enjoyment:
- 12MP Center Stage Camera with Desk View: Enjoy more engaging video calls with Center Stage, which keeps you perfectly framed. Desk View lets you show off your workspace during calls.
- Advanced Connectivity: Connect all your peripherals with four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Touch ID: Enjoy secure login and authentication with Touch ID, which also supports Fast User Switching.
- Color-Matched Accessories: Complete your setup with a color-matched Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad, all featuring USB-C charging.
macOS Sequoia: The Perfect Companion
The new iMac runs macOS Sequoia, which introduces features like iPhone Mirroring, enhanced Safari browsing, Distraction Control for focused work, improved gaming capabilities, and a redesigned Passwords app.
Pricing and Availability
The new iMac starts at $1,299 and is available for pre-order today, with availability beginning Friday, November 8th.
Key Takeaways
- The new iMac features the powerful M4 chip for improved performance
- A 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage enhances video calling
- Fresh color options and a nano-texture display option are now available
Design and Display
The new iMac boasts a sleek design and impressive display features. It combines a thin profile with a large screen, offering both style and functionality.
Nano-Texture Glass Option
Apple now offers a nano-texture glass option for the iMac’s display. This special glass reduces glare and reflections, making it easier to see the screen in bright rooms or near windows. The nano-texture surface scatters light to minimize shine without affecting image quality.
Users who work in bright spaces or deal with lots of sunlight may find this option helpful. It can reduce eye strain and improve viewing comfort.
Color Options and New Design
The iMac comes in a range of vibrant colors, letting users pick one that fits their style. Color choices include blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple. This variety adds a fun, personal touch to the computer.
The new iMac keeps its ultra-thin design, measuring just 11.5 mm thick. This slim profile helps it blend into any workspace. The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display offers sharp, clear images with over 11 million pixels. Text looks crisp, and colors appear bright and true-to-life on this high-resolution screen.
Performance and Specifications
The new iMac with M4 chip brings significant upgrades in processing power, memory, and storage options. These improvements enhance overall system performance and capabilities for users.
Power of the M4 Chip
The M4 chip is the heart of the new iMac’s performance boost. It features a 10-core CPU with four high-performance cores and six efficiency cores. This setup allows for better handling of demanding tasks while maintaining energy efficiency.
The chip also includes a 10-core GPU, which improves graphics performance for tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Apple’s Neural Engine is built into the M4, speeding up machine learning tasks.
The M4’s unified memory architecture lets the CPU and GPU share system memory. This design reduces data transfer time and improves overall system speed.
Enhanced Memory and Storage
The new iMac offers more memory options than its predecessors. Users can choose between 16GB and 32GB of unified memory. This increase in RAM allows for smoother multitasking and better performance in memory-intensive applications.
Storage options have also expanded. The base model starts with 256GB of SSD storage. For users who need more space, options go up to 2TB. The fast SSD storage helps with quick file access and system boot times.
Comparative Performance Metrics
Apple claims the new iMac with M4 is up to 1.7 times faster than the iMac with M1 chip. This speed boost is noticeable in everyday tasks like web browsing and using multiple apps at once.
For more demanding workflows, the performance gain is even more significant:
- Video editing: Up to 2x faster
- 3D rendering: Up to 2.5x faster
- Photo processing: Up to 1.8x faster
These improvements mean less waiting time for complex tasks to complete. Users can work more efficiently, especially on projects that involve large files or data sets.
Connectivity and Accessories
The new iMac with M4 chip offers a range of connectivity options and accessories. It features advanced ports, wireless capabilities, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
Available Ports and Expansion
The iMac includes multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, providing fast data transfer and versatile connectivity. These ports support high-speed devices and external displays. Users can connect storage drives, cameras, and other peripherals easily.
USB-C ports are also present, offering compatibility with a wide range of devices. These ports can charge accessories and transfer data quickly. The iMac’s slim design doesn’t compromise on connectivity options.
For expansion, users can add external storage or connect to high-resolution displays. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support daisy-chaining multiple devices, increasing flexibility for workspace setups.
Wireless Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi 6E is built into the new iMac, enabling faster wireless speeds and improved performance in crowded networks. This advanced Wi-Fi standard allows for smoother streaming, faster downloads, and better online gaming experiences.
Bluetooth 5.3 is included for connecting wireless peripherals. This latest Bluetooth version offers improved range, speed, and reliability. Users can easily pair headphones, speakers, and other accessories without wires.
The wireless capabilities make the iMac ideal for clean, cable-free desk setups. It supports AirDrop for quick file sharing with nearby Apple devices.
Compatibility with Apple Ecosystem
The iMac works seamlessly with other Apple products. It supports Handoff, allowing users to start tasks on one device and finish on another. AirPlay lets users mirror their iPhone or iPad screen to the iMac’s display.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad are designed to work perfectly with the iMac. These accessories connect instantly and offer a smooth user experience. The Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse now feature USB-C charging ports for easy recharging.
iCloud integration syncs files, photos, and settings across all Apple devices. This makes switching between the iMac and other Apple products simple and efficient.
