Comparison: M4 iMac Vs M3 iMac - News and Improvements.

M4 iMac vs M3 iMac: What's New?

The launch of the iMac M4 brings with it a series of improvements and new features compared to its predecessor, the iMac M3.

One of the most significant updates is the increase in performance thanks to the new M4 chip, which offers greater processing speed and energy efficiency.

This translates into a smoother experience, especially when performing intensive tasks such as video editing or graphic design. Additionally, the iMac M4 features improvements to the display quality, providing more vivid colors and improved contrast.

They have also been carried out optimizations in the sound system, offering a more immersive listening experience.

In terms of design, although it maintains the slim and elegant aesthetic of the previous model, the iMac M4 introduces new color schemes and customization options.

These improvements make the iMac M4 an attractive option for those looking for a powerful, modern computer.

Key Points

The 2024 iMac features a new M4 chip, featuring an improved CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, as well as more memory, faster connectivity options, and a new front camera that supports Center Stage.
The iMac M3 remains a competitive option as an all-in-one PC, with AI features Apple such as Writing Tools, improved Siri, and notification summary.
The new M4 iMac is priced at $1,299 for the base model, the same as the launch price of the M3 iMac.

A series of incremental improvements to Apple continúa con el iMac 2024. Esta vez, el todo en uno de Apple presenta el último chip M4 y un par de otras actualizaciones dignas de considerar. Aquí están las novedades del iMac M4 y cómo se compara con el iMac M3 de la generación anterior.

A Similar Design With Slightly Different Colors

The iMac M4 family.

Apple

Like the M3 iMac, the M4 iMac is also available in seven colors: blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, and silver. However, Apple has used slightly lighter shades for all the colors, giving them a different appearance. Beyond the colors, the overall dimensions and weight of the iMacs remain similar (except that the M4 iMac is 1.28 oz lighter).

The M4 iMac Offers an Optional Display Upgrade

The iMac M4 features the exact same display setup we saw on the iMac M3. It uses a 23.5-inch Retina display with a 4,480 x 2,520 resolution (with a pixel density of 218 PPI), 500 nits of peak brightness, and P3 wide color. As with other devices, Apple has also equipped the iMac M4 with its technology True Tone display. So what's changing?

The iMac M4 is configurable with nano-texture glass for an additional cost of $200. For those who are update, the Cupertino team introduced nano-texture glass with the M4 iPad Pro that went on sale earlier this year. Etched at the nanoscale, the glass disperses ambient light, making distractions like reflections or glare significantly less visible “without lose a quality of exceptional image.

Nano-texture glass on the iMac M4. — Apple

While not a huge improvement, nano-texture glass could give buyers the flexibility to place their iMac anywhere in a room without worrying about glare and reflections due to ambient lights, windows, or skylights.

Both iMacs come equipped with a high-fidelity six-speaker system for wide stereo sound (with support for Spatial Audio) and a three-microphone setup for studio-quality audio.

M4 iMac vs M3 iMac: Incremental Speed Improvements

M4 iMac vs M3 iMac: Incremental Speed Improvements Bajo el vibrante exterior, el iMac 2024 funciona con silicio M4. De hecho, el dispositivo presenta dos variantes del chip M4: una con un CPU de ocho núcleos (cuatro núcleos de rendimiento y cuatro de eficiencia) y un GPU de ocho núcleos, y otra con un CPU de 10 núcleos (dos núcleos de eficiencia adicionales) y un GPU de 10 núcleos. Un dato curioso: hay una tercera variante de M4 que alimenta el iPad Pro 2024; features a nine-core CPU.

Compared to the M4 iMac, the 2023 iMac featured an M3 chip with an eight-core CPU and either an eight- or ten-core GPU. Additionally, the new iMac features 16GB of unified storage (configurable up to 32GB), double the 8GB of storage available on the previous-generation iMac (configurable up to 24GB). However, base storage remains the same for both models at 256GB (configurable up to 2TB).

Screenshot from Apple's launch event showing all the features of the new M4 Silicon chip. — Apple

The iMac M4 also features a 16-core Neural Engine, which is up to 2x faster than the one in the M3 chip. This will help the CPU handle all of Apple’s intelligence features (as they arrive) well. Finally, memory bandwidth on the M4 has been improved to 120GB/s (up from 100GB/s on the M3). The iMac M4 has the same multimedia engine as its predecessor.

Thanks to more CPU cores, a better GPU (with a tracing engine of rays 2x faster) and more RAM, the M4 chip in the latest iMac should offer appreciably better performance. But is it enough to upgrade? In my opinion, you should only update if there's any aspect of the M3 iMac that's holding you back. Otherwise, the 2023 iMac is still a beast of a performance.

I/O, External Displays and Camera

Rear of the M4 iMac showing the four Thunderbolt 4 ports. — Apple

The highest-spec iMac M4 (with 10 cores) CPU and 10 GPU cores) offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40 Gbps), USB 4 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 connections (up to 10 Gbps). The all-in-one PC is also configurable with a port Ethernet Gigabit. In contrast, the iMac M3 had two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 3 ports, even on the highest-spec version.

However, both models feature a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones. Wireless connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.3 on both. Additionally, both computers come with the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse in the box, with the option to upgrade to the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad and Magic Trackpad (all upgraded to USB-C).

24-inch M4 iMac with Retina display, with children nearby using accessories and an animated movie on screen — Apple

While the M3 iMac supports one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, the base M4 iMac also supports the same. However, the upgraded M4 iMac can drive up to two external displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz or one external display with 8K resolution at 60Hz. This could be a worthwhile upgrade, especially for users who need to work with multiple devices. monitors.

The 1080p FaceTime HD camera on the M3 iMac has been replaced by a 12MP camera with Center Stage on the M4 iMac. For those unaware, Center Stage is a feature that keeps your face in the center of the screen by making real-time framing adjustments. Additionally, the new camera supports Desk View, a feature that allows users to record an overhead view of their desktop.

Both iMacs Support Apple Intelligence

iPhone, iPad and Mac showing features of Apple Intelligence. — Apple

With macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple has launched the first set of its AI features, called Apple Intelligence. Right out of the box, these include system-wide Writing Tools, improved Siri, notification and email summary, and a couple of other additions.

While the M4 iMac will come with macOS 15.1 out of the box, the M3 iMac can install the update over the air. In theory, both iMacs support macOS 15.1. Apple, but given the better Neural Engine in the M4, GenAI features should be a bit faster on the new machine.

The iMac M4 Costs the Same as the iMac M3

El iMac M4 base, con un CPU de ocho núcleos y un GPU de ocho núcleos, tiene un precio de $1,299. Aunque el iMac está disponible para pre-pedido en el sitio web oficial de la compañía, estará a la venta a partir del 8 de noviembre de 2024.

Last year, the iMac M3 was also launched with the same launch price for the base variant with an octa-core CPU and a GPU eight-core.

Apple has been on a roll since September. First, it launched the iPhone 16 with the A18 processor and a new camera control button. The September launch was followed by the new iPad mini, M4 iMac, new Mac mini, and now some new MacBook Pro models.