6 Differences Between iMac M4 and iMac M3: Is Apple's New Monobloc Really Better?

Introduction

Apple recently unveiled the latest iteration of its iMac, the iMac M4. This new model boasts several upgrades and improvements over its predecessor, the iMac M3. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between the iMac M4 and iMac M3 and explore whether the new monobloc truly offers a superior experience.

1. Processor

The most significant difference between the iMac M4 and M3 lies in their processors. The M4 is equipped with Apple's latest M2 chip, while the M3 features the older M1 chip. The M2 chip offers improved performance in both single-core and multi-core tasks, making the M4 a more powerful machine overall.

2. Graphics

The iMac M4 also boasts a more powerful graphics card than the M3. The M4 comes with an 8-core GPU, while the M3 has a 7-core GPU. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphics-intensive applications, such as video editing and gaming.

3. Memory

The iMac M4 offers more memory options than the M3. The M4 can be configured with up to 16GB of unified memory, while the M3 is limited to 8GB. Unified memory is a type of memory that combines system memory and graphics memory into a single pool, which can improve performance.

4. Storage

The iMac M4 also comes with more storage options than the M3. The M4 can be configured with up to a 2TB SSD, while the M3 is limited to a 1TB SSD. SSDs (Solid State Drives) are much faster than traditional hard disk drives, offering faster boot times and application loading.

5. Display

The iMac M4 and M3 share the same 24-inch Retina display with a resolution of 4.5K. However, the M4 features a slightly brighter display with a maximum brightness of 500 nits, compared to the M3's 400 nits.

6. Operating System

The iMac M4 and M3 both run on macOS Monterey. However, the M4 is expected to receive support for macOS Ventura, which is Apple's latest operating system, later this year. macOS Ventura includes several new features, such as Stage Manager and Continuity Camera.

Conclusion

The iMac M4 offers several significant upgrades and improvements over the iMac M3, including a more powerful processor, better graphics, more memory, more storage, a brighter display, and the potential for macOS Ventura support. While the M4 comes with a higher price tag, it is a more capable machine that is better suited for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming.