iMac Buying Guide: Is the M4 iMac worth upgrading?

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Until October 2023, the iMac hadn’t seen an update for over 900 days. Now we’ve had two new iMacs within the same calendar year! The M3 iMac came out in January 2024 and Apple has now announced the M4 iMac to be released on 8th November.

Back in 2021, the M1 iMac was a top contender for those wanting to buy a new Apple computer. But after the M2 MacBooks and M2 Mac Minis were released, the rationale for buying an iMac faded. Why buy an M1 iMac when an M2 Mac Mini does a better job for less money?

But then came the M3 iMac which remedied that and brought Apple’s desktop all-in-one back up to speed. That seemed like it would be good enough for a year at least. But here we are with another new iMac with an M4 chip.

So is there any need to upgrade from the M3 iMac to the M4 iMac? And is it worth even considering an M1 iMac anymore? Read on for our comprehensive iMac comparison!

Specs at a glance

Here’s a handy table featuring all the specs of the last three iMacs compared to each other:

Unified Memory

Besides the M4 chip, which we’ll get to later, the big headline from the M4 iMac release is the 16GB base level of unified memory.

For years, Apple has stuck to providing 8GB as the standard level of memory in its devices like the MacBook Pro. But now, the lowest amount you can get on the M4 iMac is 16GB. And that’s a big deal.

For the same price as the M1 and M3 iMacs upon release, or £100 less if you’re in the UK, you get double the amount of unified memory.

You can read about what unified memory does in more detail, but simply put it is a combined memory pool. The CPU and GPU can access the same stored data at the same time leading to faster execution of tasks compared to standard RAM.

More memory means the CPU can handle more data at the same time. That increases the iMac’s multitasking capabilities. More unified memory = a faster and more efficient computer.

That means, not only does the M4 iMac have a faster chip, but it also has more memory at the base level. Therefore, it is a more capable computer overall. The 10-core CPU/10-GPU version of the M4 iMac can also support a maximum of 32GB of unified memory, more than ever before.

If you don’t own an iMac now but want to buy one, then the base-level M4 iMac is the obvious choice. But if you own an M1 or M3 iMac, then it probably isn’t worth upgrading just for the unified memory boost alone, unless you are noticing the lack of power.

Chips

The most significant upgrade in the M4 iMac is the M4 chip. The chip is also the largest difference between the M3 and M1 iMac.

M1 vs M3

The M3 was the first 3-nanometer computer chip and saw a significant performance improvement over the M1, making the M3 iMac a faster computer by about 40%. This translates to a CPU that is 35% faster than the M1 iMac’s and a GPU that is 65% faster.

This all means that the M3 iMac is faster at executing tasks, has reduced loading times and enhanced graphics capabilities compared to the M1 iMac.

But what about the M4 chip?

M1 and M3 vs M4

It goes without saying that the M4 chip is far superior to the M1 chip. In benchmarks, speeds for the M4 chip are up to 60% faster compared to the M1. Impressively, the M4 has about a 75% higher memory bandwidth than the M1. That means it can more efficiently access and store memory.

Compared to the M3 chip, the gains are more modest. Single-core performance for the M4 chip is about 27% faster and it only has a 17% higher memory bandwidth. The M4 chip does have ten cores compared to the eight found in the M1 and M3 though.

Bottom line; the M4 chip is marginally faster than the M3 and much faster than the M1. But there’s more than just speed.

Apple Intelligence

Apple says the M4 chip is optimised for Apple Intelligence. That’s mainly down to a faster and more capable Neural Engine; the bit of tech that handles AI features. Now, this does not mean only the M4 chip can use Apple Intelligence. Far from it.

Apple Intelligence can be used on the M1, M3 and M4 iMac. It may just be that the M4 iMac finds it easier to cope with some AI tasks.

There is a huge caveat to all of this. Yes, the M4 chip is the fastest, and by some way compared to the M1. But it is so powerful that most everyday users will struggle to notice the difference. If you have an M1 iMac and aren’t having any issues with performance, then there is no urgent need to upgrade to the M4 iMac.

If you’re a power user and do things like export long videos or work in graphic design, then the more power the better. The M4 will be a better iMac for you than the M1 and it might be worth upgrading, especially if you want that extra unified memory.

But if you own an M3 iMac, there is absolutely no need to rush to upgrade. It uses a highly capable chip and will serve you well for five years at least. There isn’t enough new or improved hardware in the M4 iMac to justify the upgrade.

Cores

Let’s start by looking at the specifications of all three Apple Silicon iMacs side-by-side.

As you’ll see, there isn’t a massive difference.

The base-level M1 iMac features an 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU compared to the M3 iMac which has an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. The standard M4 iMac also comes with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU.

That means the M3 and M4 iMacs are marginally more capable at performing graphic-intensive work. Like with unified memory, the M4 iMac can be customised with up to 10 CPU cores which you can’t do on the M3 or M1 models.

The 16-core Neural Engine on all three iMacs is the same at first glance, but Apple says the one in the M4 iMac is faster and more optimised for Apple Intelligence.

So, if you really need better graphics processing, for something like intense video editing or 3D graphics rendering, the M1 iMac’s lower amount of GPU cores is less suitable. You’d be better off opting for either the M3 or M4 iMac.

SSD Storage

Comparing SSD storage between the three iMacs is easier than the memory.

All the iMac generations start with a 256GB SSD, customisable up to a maximum of 2TB SSD. Once you buy an iMac, you can’t customise it. So what you buy is what you are stuck with, unless you use something like an external hard drive to expand your storage space.

Could Apple have added more memory to their base-level M4 iMac? Sure could have. Should they have? Well, it certainly would have made the M4 iMac more of a bargain.

256GB of storage isn’t much at all. Especially for users who do things like video editing where space gets used up very quickly by large files. The average user can get by with 256GB, but it would be nicer to have more wiggle room with a base level of 512GB.

Unfortunately, most people who use iMacs are often video editors and graphic designers. If that is you, you will want to buy more SSD storage than 256GB, no matter the iMac generation you buy.

Display and Design

This is an easy one. In terms of design, the M3 iMac and M1 iMac are identical.

The 24-inch Retina display with a resolution of 4480 x 2520 pixels, P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone technology, and 500 nits of brightness remains unchanged between those two iMacs.

This is the same for the M4 iMac barring one difference; nano-texture glass. If you opt for the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU version of the M4 iMac, you then also have the option to add nano-textured glass.

Nano-textured glass is a special matte finished glass that helps to reduce glare and reflections in harsh conditions like direct sunlight. It doesn’t impact the vibrance of colours or brightness of the display and is the same thing found on the new M4 iPad Pro.

This means we still don’t get the Liquid Retina display on iMac which is disappointing.

The M4 iMac retains the sleek and ultra-thin profile, although this time around it is supposedly even thinner than the M3. Although, it’s hard to tell with the naked eye. The colour options are also virtually identical for all three generations of the iMac too.

No pressing reason to upgrade to the M$ iMac here then.

Ports

In terms of connectivity, both all three iMac generations offer a similar selection of ports. However, there are some minor differences.

All base-level models feature two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, allowing for high-speed data transfer. The M1 and M3 iMacs have the option to add two more USB 3 ports on higher-end variants, whilst the M4 iMac can be configured with up a maximum of four Thunderbolt USB 4 ports.

The M3 and M4 iMac have the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. This enables faster wireless connectivity and improved compatibility with the latest accessories and devices compared to the M1 iMac which uses WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.

As the only big point of difference here, the M4 iMac can support up to two 60Hz external displays compared to only one in the M3 and M1 iMacs.

Price

Let’s keep this nice and simple.

The base-level M4 iMac with no additions starts at $1,299/£1,299. For those in the UK, this is £100 cheaper than when the M3 iMac was released. This gets you an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB unified memory and 256GB SSD storage.

If you want the 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU M4 iMac, it will cost $1,399/£1,499. This also gives you 16GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD. This also represents a $100 price fall for those in the USA compared to the M3.

If you want to add additional storage or memory, the incremental jumps will cost you an extra $200/£200 each time.

That means if you buy an M4 iMac, you are getting more for your money than ever before.

But a new release also means that older models get discounted which means you’ll be able to pick up M1 models for much cheaper than a new M4 model. It is worth weighing up your needs and seeing if you can settle for a bargain.

Although, I’d argue that $1,299/£1,299 is already a bargain for the M4 iMac.

Should you upgrade to the M4 iMac?

The answer to this question is of course down to your personal needs, but there are some straightforward answers.

If you own an M3 iMac then no, you definitely do not need to upgrade. That computer will serve you well for a very long time. The only consideration may be if you feel like you don’t have enough memory. In which case, that 16GB base level is tempting.

If you own an M1 iMac then there is more of a case to upgrade.

The M4 chip is significantly faster than the M1, but not that much more so than the M3. It will be equipped to perform AI tasks too. But, most people won’t really notice the difference. Noticing a slowdown in your workflow? Then upgrading to the M4 will certainly solve your problems. But if you aren’t then there is no rush to upgrade.

If you don’t own either and just want to buy an iMac, then the M4 iMac offers by far the best value. There’s no need to even think about it, buy one now! Just make sure to opt for enough unified memory storage for your needs

Will you be picking up the M4 iMac? Let me know below!

More from Mark: M3 MacBook Pro Buying Guide