The iMac with M4 chip is the most powerful Apple Silicon all-in-one yet. The new generation takes another step forward in terms of speed, graphics… and yes, the long-awaited RAM memory that finally starts at 16 GB in the base model. But the question that remains is: what are all the differences between the iMac M4 and the iMac M3? In this article, We will analyze all changes point by point which has existed from one generation to the next. Whether you’re considering the change or you’re hesitating between buying the M4 iMac or getting the previous generation, the iMac with the M3 chip.
Comparison table iMac M4 vs iMac M3
|
IMAC M4 (2024) |
IMAC M3 (2023) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT |
54.7 x 46.1 x 14.7 cm 4.4kg |
54.7 x 46.1 x 14.7 cm 4.4kg |
|
SCREEN |
24 inch LCD screen 4.5K resolution of 4480 x 2520p 218 points per person 500 nits brightness 60Hz refresh rate True Tone Technology Nanotexturing option |
24 inch LCD screen 4.5K resolution of 4480 x 2520p 218 points per person 500 nits brightness 60Hz refresh rate True Tone Technology |
|
PROCESSOR |
Apple M4 |
Apple M3 |
|
MEMORY |
16 GB / 24 GB / 32 GB |
8 GB / 16 GB / 24 GB |
|
STORAGE |
256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
|
CAMERA |
1080p with centered frame |
1.080p |
|
AUDIO |
Six high-fidelity speakers Forced cancellation on woofers Dolby Atmos sound Spatial audio support Triple microphone with studio quality and beamforming |
Six high-fidelity speakers Forced cancellation on woofers Dolby Atmos sound Spatial audio support Triple microphone with studio quality and beamforming |
|
PORTS |
Two or four Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB 4 ports 3.5mm headphone jack |
Two or four Thunderbolt 3 compatible USB 4 ports 3.5mm headphone jack |
|
ACCESSORIES |
Magic Mouse 2 with USB-C or Magic Trackpad with USB-C Magic Trackpad with Touch ID and USB-C |
Magic Mouse with Lightning or Magic Trackpad with Lightning Magic Trackpad with Touch ID and Lightning |
|
CONNECTIVITY |
Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth5.3 |
Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth5.3 |
|
OPERATING SYSTEM |
macOS 15 Redwood |
macOS 15 Redwood |
|
POWER ADAPTER |
143 W with Gigabit Ethernet jack option |
143 W with Gigabit Ethernet jack option |
|
PRECIO |
From 1,519 dollars |
From 1,619 dollars |
Performance differences between the iMac M4 and iMac M3
The M4 chip is Apple’s most advanced processor and is finally coming to the iMac after surprising everyone on the iPad Pro. Improvements of the M4 chip compared to the M3 They mainly focus on greater energy efficiency, better heat dissipation, graphics and high performance in AI tasks. Hence the importance given to Apple Intelligence.
The M4 and M3 chips are manufactured using a 3-nanometer process; however, the M4 uses a second generation manufacturing process. While the M3 has an 8-core processor (four for performance and four for efficiency), the M4 takes that to 10 cores (three or four for performance and six for efficiency).
|
Processor |
manufacturing |
processor cores |
GPU cores |
RAM speed |
Transistors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
M1 chip |
5 nanometers (1st generation) |
8 |
7 or 8 (depending on configuration) |
50 GB/s |
16 billion transistors |
|
M2 CHIP |
5 nanometers (2nd generation) |
8 |
8 or 10 (depending on configuration) |
100 GB/s |
20 billion transistors |
|
M3 chip |
3 nanometers (1st generation) |
8 |
8 or 10 (depending on configuration) |
100 GB/s |
25 billion transistors |
|
M4 chip |
3 nanometers (2nd generation) |
10 |
8 or 10 (depending on configuration) |
120 GB/s |
28 billion transistors |
The graphics jump from the M4 chip promises to be one of the biggest incentives when replacing an M3 iMac with an M4 iMac. And the progress is really great in this area. Additionally, for the first time, Macs include 16 GB of base RAM. Something that will undoubtedly be noticed in the performance of macOS Sequoia and Apple Intelligence itself.
Design and colors of the iMac M4 vs iMac M3
In terms of design, the iMac M4 makes its color debut compared to the iMac M3. It still maintains the same base, but with different shades. The rest, like screen size, white frames, etc. are identical. And the iMac It has already been completely redesigned with the arrival of the M1 chip. Four generations later, the iMac is still just as spectacular, with its remarkably thin design and inimitable 4.5K Retina display.
The novelty in the appearance of the screen comes with the nanotextured finish. Something we already have in the Apple Studio Display and iPad Pro M4. For the first time, it is this iMac for reduce glare and reflections without sacrificing visual quality. If we want to have it, we will have to add 230 dollars to the iMac model we have chosen.
On this same screen is the 1080p camera, or 12 megapixels. What’s new about the iMac M4 compared to the M3 in the camera department is that it has a centered frame. So It will “follow” us wherever we move in the living room.
The arrival of USB-C accessories to iMac
The change many of us expected was that accessories like the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad would feature USB-C. And so it was. The iMac M4 brings this new generation, although just change this connector. Comparing it to the iMac M3, the accessories are the same except for the color which matches the finishes of the iMac M4.
The position of the connector on the Magic Mouse remains the same and The expected backlit keys didn’t arrive either. so I can write better at night. A development “required” by European regulations.
The decision between an iMac M4 and an iMac M3
The choice between an iMac M4 and an iMac M3 will mainly depend on the use you plan to make of it. If you are looking for a computer for daily tasks and you don’t need the latest performance or graphics processing, the iMac M3 is still a great machineso it won’t be worth changing it.
However, if your work involves heavy applications, multiple tabs and open programs, or you need greater capacity for creative tasks such as video editing or graphic designThe iMac M4 justifies the change with processor improvements and, above all, the increase in base RAM.
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