M3 iMac Features: Another update of the iMac using an M1 processor and a brighter look was unveiled by Apple during its Spring Loaded event in April 2021. It took almost two years to receive its first upgrade, which came with the M3 chip in October 2023. All the information you want regarding the upcoming 2023 iMac is provided here.
24-inch M3 iMac: Release date
At its “Scary Fast” Mac presentation on October 30, which took place almost 30 months after the M1 model’s release, Apple unveiled the M3 iMac. Preorders for the new M3 iMac are already open, and delivery is scheduled for November 7.
At that time, Apple may also be releasing an even more recent model. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, a 30-inch or larger-display iteration of the iMac Pro is being developed. The bigger iMac will probably be released concurrently with the upcoming 24-inch iMac upgrade, as he stated that it won’t be available until 2024 or 2025.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Design
Apple took the all-in-one concept to the next level with the 2021 iMac, which had a bigger 24-inch screen that was even thinner than the previous model at 11.5mm (0.45 inches). The new iMac also came with a variety of duo-color choices.
While there are certain features we’d like to see, including a stand that can be adjusted in height and a smaller chin, they won’t be available for some time. The colors and design of the new M3 iMac are identical to those of the M1 model. On the other hand, Apple unveiled a brand-new Space Black hue for the MacBook Pro that may appear on the much-discussed big-screen iMac.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Display
The 4.5K Retina display on the 24-inch iMac has True Tone, anti-reflective coating, and 500 nits of brightness. Promotion to the iMac is something we’d want to see, but because it’s more of a high-end feature, we’ll probably have to wait for the bigger iMac or iMac Pro, if that ever happens.
As with the MacBooks, Apple may eventually increase the screen size to 25 inches by reducing the bezels and adding a notch for the FaceTime camera, but because the M3 model has already been released, it will probably be at least two years before a new model is released.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Price
Like the M1 model, the M3 iMacs start at $1,299 or £1,399 in pricing. (the U.K. price is still the same despite a £150 hike from the M1 debut price in January 2023; regrettably, Apple hasn’t adjusted its pricing in response to lower iPhone costs outside of the U.S.). Configurations with more storage and connections are available for purchase beginning at $1,499/£1,599 and $1,699/£1,799 from there.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Ports
Higher-end versions contain two more USB 3 ports, while the entry-level M3 iMac has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone socket integrated into the side. Additionally, in the more expensive models (which come with higher specifications and cost an additional $30 on the entry-level model), the power adapter has a gigabit Ethernet connection integrated into it. It’s doubtful that the iMac will ever include an SDXC card port or HDMI, like the MacBook Pros and Mac Studio, due to its skinny design.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Camera
The 1080p FaceTime HD camera seen in the M1 model is also included in the M3 iMac. We hoped the iMac would come with more recent capabilities like Center Stage and wide-angle, but unfortunately, it did not.
Apple 24-inch M3 iMac Specs and Processor
Up to 16GB of RAM, an 8-core CPU, and an 8-core GPU were available in the M1 iMac. Apple went right to the M3, which has the following specifications, eschewing the M2:
- 16-core Neural Engine
- 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- 8-core CPU
- 8-core GPU
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- 8GB/16GB/24GB RAM
Although the M2 and the don’t appear to be all that different, Apple states that the M2 is significantly quicker and has more powerful graphics. It also supports AV1, has a faster Neural Engine, and an encode and decode engine for ProRes.
- Previously: 256GB of storage, 8GB of unified memory, 7-core CPU, and 8-core GPU. 256GB of storage, 8GB of unified memory, 8 cores for the CPU, and 8 cores for the GPU.
- Before: 256GB of storage, 8GB of unified memory, 8 cores for the CPU and GPU. Right now: 256GB of storage, 8GB of unified memory, a 10-core GPU, and an 8-core CPU.
- 512 GB of storage, 8 GB of unified memory, and an 8-core CPU and GPU were present. Right now: 512GB of storage, 8GB of unified memory, a 10-core GPU, and an 8-core CPU.
The only additional features are Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E, both of which Apple included in its other M2 Macs earlier this year.
Conclusion
Apple unveiled the M3 iMac, a 24-inch model with an M1 processor and a brighter look, at its “Scary Fast” Mac presentation on October 30, 2021. The 24-inch iMac has a thinner 11.5mm screen and a variety of duo-color choices, with a 4.5K Retina display with True Tone, anti-reflective coating, and 500 nits of brightness. The M3 iMac may also be releasing a larger iMac Pro model, likely available in 2024 or 2025.
Preorders for the M3 iMac are open, with delivery scheduled for November 7. The larger iMac may be released concurrently with the upcoming 24-inch iMac upgrade. The M3 iMacs have a starting price of $1,299/£1,399, with higher-end versions featuring two more USB 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone socket. The M3 iMac also includes the 1080p FaceTime HD camera, but it lacks recent capabilities like Center Stage and wide-angle.
FAQ
Is Apple M3 Max worth it?
When compared to the M2 Max, Apple claims that the M3 Max provides 20% better GPU performance and 50% faster CPU performance. That translates to around double the M1 Max’s performance in practical applications, such as MathWorks and Maxon Redshift.
Is M3 chip better than M1?
Performance and efficiency cores are both architecturally improved in the next-generation CPU in the M3 series. Apple claims that the performance cores are now up to 30% quicker than those in the M1 series.