Apple announced the new M4-powered iMac on October 28, 2024. The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display all-in-one computer introduces several notable features, including Apple Intelligence, a Nano-texture glass option, a new 12-megapixel Center Frame camera with Desk View support, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and increased unified memory configurations.
Performance and Specifications
The new iMac comes with M4 chip configurations in three variants:
- 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB unified memory
- 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory
- 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory All models feature a 16-core Neural Engine specialized for AI processing.
Compared to the M1 iMac, the M4 iMac delivers:
- Up to 1.7x faster performance in apps like Microsoft Excel.
- Up to 1.5x faster Safari browsing performance.
- Up to 2x higher frame rates.
- Up to 2.1x faster performance when editing photos and videos with complex filters and effects in apps like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro.
When compared to competitors, the new iMac is up to 4.5x faster than the most popular 24-inch all-in-one Windows PC with the latest Intel Core 7, and up to 6x faster than the most popular Intel-based iMac model.
Display and Design
The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display introduces the Nano-texture glass option (except on the base model), which significantly reduces reflections and glare while maintaining image quality. This allows users to place their iMac in more locations, such as sunlit living rooms or bright storefronts.
Available colors include Silver, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Blue, with bold colors on the back and softer tones on the front to help users focus on their work.
Camera, Audio, and Connectivity
The new 12-megapixel Center Frame camera features Desk View, which uses the ultra-wide lens to simultaneously show the user and an overhead view of their desk. Video recording remains at 1080p specification. The system includes a studio-quality three-mic array with beamforming and an immersive six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers and spatial audio support with Dolby Atmos.
Models with four Thunderbolt 4 ports can output to two external displays at up to 6K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, or to one external display at up to 8K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, making it the first Mac capable of such output. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with Gigabit Ethernet port (in power supply unit) remaining optional for the base model.
Similar Posts
Storage and Configuration Options
The M4 iMac will be available in these configurations:
- 8-core CPU/GPU base model: 256GB to 1TB storage, 16GB to 24GB RAM, two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 10-core CPU/GPU models: 512GB to 2TB storage, 16GB to 32GB RAM, four Thunderbolt 4 ports
Apple Intelligence and Software
Apple Intelligence requires macOS Sequoia 15.1 and is currently only available when the device and Siri language are set to English (US). Japanese language support is planned for April 2025, with additional language support for Chinese, Korean, French, German, and other languages expected throughout 2025.
Initial Features include:
- Writing tools (rewriting, proofreading, summarizing)
- New Siri capabilities.
- Photos app enhancements.
- Mail app improvements.
- Notification management.
- Notes and Phone app features.
Upcoming Features (planned for December release):
- Image Playground.
- Enhanced writing tools with ChatGPT integration.
- Camera app improvements.
- Advanced notification features.
- Siri on-screen recognition.
Environmental Impact
The M4 iMac demonstrates environmental consciousness with:
- 100% recycled aluminum in the stand.
- 100% recycled gold in multiple printed circuit board platings.
- 100% recycled tin and copper in soldering.
- Mercury, BFR, and PVC-free construction.
- All-fiber packaging materials, advancing Apple’s goal to eliminate plastic packaging by 2025.
Pre-orders are available now, with release scheduled for November 8.
