Apple upgrades iMac with M4 chip: Top features customers should know

The iMac 2024 was unveiled on Monday and is the first of several announcements Apple has scheduled for the Diwali week. This new iMac features an upgraded chip, along with some minor enhancements that Apple claims will improve the desktop experience. Additionally, Apple has introduced new colour options. The starting price for the new iMac is Rs 1,34,900, and it is now available for pre-order. Before customers begin purchasing it online and in stores when sales officially kick off on November 8, here are the key features of the iMac 2024 they should be aware of.

M4 chip

Launched earlier this year on the iPad Pro, the M4 chip has now been integrated into Macs. The iMac is the first model to showcase the M4 chip, which the company states provides up to 1.7 times quicker performance in applications such as Microsoft Excel and up to 1.5 times improved browsing speed in Safari when compared to the iMac with M1. Gamers can experience a notable increase of 2 times in frame rates in games compared to iMacs powered by M1. According to Apple, the M4-equipped iMac delivers up to 2.1 times faster performance in photo and video editing when applying intricate filters and effects in applications like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro, compared to the M1-powered iMac.

More memory

The entry-level iMac now comes with 16GB of unified memory, an upgrade from the 8GB offered in earlier models. The inclusion of Apple Intelligence in the iMac 2024 might be one reason for the increased memory. The standard setup features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU with 256GB of storage, but it can be configured with up to 24GB of unified memory and 512GB of SSD storage.

Better connectivity

The M4 chip in the iMac allows for Thunderbolt 4 support on all four USB-C ports, enabling users to connect more accessories, including up to two 6K external displays. The earlier version only supported a single 6K external display. The iMac also continues to have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity.

Nano-texture version

In addition to the standard model, the M4-equipped iMac has a nano-texture display option. Apple asserts that this optional enhancement “drastically reduces reflections and glare, while maintaining outstanding image quality.”

Better camera

Apple has enhanced the iMac by introducing a new 12MP Center Stage camera that features Desk View, allowing it to display both the user and an overhead perspective of their desk using the wide-angle lens.