Apple has unveiled the new iMac as part of a string of Mac-focused announcements throughout this week.
The new iMac is based on the company’s very latest Apple M4 chipset. This brings with it up to a 10-core CPU with 4Performance + 6Efficiency said to be 1.7x faster than the M1 model and 1.3x faster than the previous M3 model. There’s also a new GPU up to 10-cores and 2x faster than the M1 GPU and 1.1x faster in gaming compared to the M3’s. The improved Neural Engine is also present in the M4, which is over 3x faster than the M1 NPU.
Unlike on the iPhone, where only phones launched in the past two years will support Apple Intelligence, all of Apple’s computers with the M1 chip and newer since 2020 are capable of running the company’s AI.
Apple Intelligence will allow users to rewrite, proofread or summarize text. For example, you might highlight the text of an email and use Apple Intelligence to make it sound more professional or more concise. It also lets users type to Siri, which now provides more answers about Apple products. Apple plans to release another version of Apple Intelligence in December that adds OpenAI’s ChatGPT support into writing tools and Siri.
Also retained are 16GB system memory by default, with options for 24GB and 32GB. For the storage, the base starts at 256GB and up to 2TB.
The new iMac still sports the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, but now Apple offers an option for a nano-texture glass that should greatly reduce glare compared to the default glossy option. That glass is another $200 extra and requires configuration while purchasing. Note that this is not an option on the base model.
The premium model gets four Thunderbolt 4 ports with Ethernet support and can output to two 6K 60Hz or one 8K 120Hz external displays. However, the base model only gets two Thunderbolt 4 ports without Ethernet, although that’s configurable separately for an extra $30, and only single 6K 60Hz external display support.
A new front webcam, sporting a 12MP 1080p sensor, enables Apple’s Center Stage feature and Desk View feature: using the ultrawide field of view to capture what’s on your desk below the iMac screen.
Apple has also refreshed the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and optional Magic Trackpad with USB-C ports, color matched to the iMac, like before. Added shades include green, yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
Pricing for the 2024 iMac begins at $1,299 for the entry-level model with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage and two USB ports. The model with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, four ports and a nano-texture glass option begins at $1,499.