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Apple opened its M4 Mac announcements on October 28, 2024, with a refreshed 24-inch iMac in updated colors. The familiar all-in-one gained an M4 chip, 16GB of starting unified memory, a 12MP Center Stage camera, optional nano-texture glass and USB-C accessories. U.S. launch pricing started at $1,299; preorders began that day, with availability scheduled for November 8, 2024. This is a dated launch story, not a claim about current availability or pricing.
A specification refresh, not a redesign
The M4 iMac retained the 24-inch all-in-one form and 4.5K Retina display of its predecessor. Apple refreshed the color treatments—blue, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow and silver, with options depending on configuration—but did not introduce a larger-screen model or a new chassis. It also did not bring back the discontinued 27-inch iMac, add a touchscreen, or turn the display into a standalone monitor for another computer. Apple’s announcement framed the update around M4 and Apple Intelligence, but the practical changes extend beyond the chip and colors.
What changed inside
The M4 iMac was offered with configurations up to a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, plus a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple said it could be up to 1.7 times faster for everyday productivity and up to 2.1 times faster for demanding tasks such as photo editing and gaming than the original M1 iMac. Those are Apple’s comparisons, not independent benchmark results, and performance varies by task. The numbers also compare against the M1 iMac, not the immediately preceding M3 model.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For office work, browsing and general home use, the newer chip offers a more capable platform; photo, video and gaming workloads can benefit too. But the iMac remains a thin, integrated desktop, not a workstation. Its memory and storage are selected at purchase rather than designed for user upgrades, so choose capacity with the workload and expected lifespan in mind. Unified memory is shared by the CPU and GPU. The 16GB starting point is a useful increase over the 8GB base configurations criticized on earlier Apple-silicon iMacs, but heavier creative work may justify selecting more. Exact storage, memory combinations and upgrade prices depend on the configuration and region; check the applicable Apple store listing rather than assuming a single price ladder.
#1 Best Overall
- BRILLLLLLIANT — iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
- FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE — The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — Get more done faster with the Apple M4 chip. From editing photos to creating presentations to gaming, you’ll fly through work and play.
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY — The industry-leading 24-inch 4.5K Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and supports up to 1 billion colors.*
Apple Intelligence was part of the launch pitch, but it was not exclusive to the M4 iMac: compatible earlier Apple-silicon Macs also support Apple Intelligence when the required software, language and regional conditions are met. The M4’s Neural Engine is relevant to machine-learning tasks, but the announcement did not create an M4-only AI ecosystem.
A better camera for calls and demonstrations
The 12MP Center Stage camera was one of the most immediately useful upgrades. Center Stage can keep a person framed as they move during a supported video call, while Desk View uses software to show a view of the desk or an object in front of the user. Desk View is not a second physical camera. The higher-resolution sensor is a meaningful step beyond the 1080p camera in earlier Apple-silicon iMacs, particularly for people who regularly use FaceTime, Zoom, Teams or similar apps. Results still depend on lighting, software and app support; resolution alone cannot guarantee a good image in a dim room.
Rank #2
- BRILLLLLLIANT — iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
- FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE — The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — Get more done faster with the Apple M4 chip. From editing photos to creating presentations to gaming, you’ll fly through work and play.
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY — The industry-leading 24-inch 4.5K Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and supports up to 1 billion colors.*
Glare control is optional
Apple added nano-texture glass as an option for the 4.5K display. It is a specialized etched-glass treatment intended to reduce reflections, not simply a generic matte film. Reviews found it effective against glare, while noting that it subtly changes the screen’s appearance and feel. At launch, MacRumors reported the option at $200.
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It is most compelling if windows, bright lights or reflections regularly interfere with your work. In a controlled or dim room, or if you prefer the look of glossy glass and want to keep the cost down, standard glass may make more sense. Nano-texture is an environmental choice, not an automatic picture-quality upgrade for everyone.
Rank #3
- BRILLLLLLIANT - iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
- FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE - The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE - Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data - not even Apple.*
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 - Get more done faster with the Apple M4 chip. From editing photos to creating presentations to gaming, you’ll fly through work and play.
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY - The industry-leading 24-inch 4.5K Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and supports up to 1 billion colors.*
Ports and external displays vary by configuration
The entry configuration has two Thunderbolt 4 ports; higher-end configurations offer four. On the applicable 10-core configuration, external-display support reaches one display up to 8K at 120Hz or two displays up to 6K at 60Hz. These capabilities should not be assumed for every model: check port count and display support against the exact configuration. A USB-C-shaped connector is not necessarily Thunderbolt, either.
The iMac’s built-in panel remains its primary screen. It is not a flexible external monitor with broad video inputs, and the M4 model did not adopt Thunderbolt 5. That distinction matters because some higher-end Macs announced during the same M4 rollout did move to Thunderbolt 5.
Rank #4
- BRILLLLLLIANT — iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
- FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE — The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — Get more done faster with the Apple M4 chip. From editing photos to creating presentations to gaming, you’ll fly through work and play.
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY — The industry-leading 24-inch 4.5K Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and supports up to 1 billion colors.*
USB-C reaches the color-matched accessories
The included Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard switched from Lightning to USB-C charging; the optional Magic Trackpad also received USB-C. The accessories remain color-matched to the computer. The Magic Mouse’s basic design did not change, however, and its charging port is still on the underside, so charging means turning the mouse over and pausing use. A Trackpad may suit people who prefer gestures, and buyers should check the selected bundle for details such as Touch ID or a numeric keypad.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsLaunch price and who the update suited
The U.S. starting price was $1,299 at launch. That is the historical launch figure, not a statement of the iMac’s price or availability in 2026. Memory, storage, display finish, Ethernet and accessory configuration can affect the total. Apple’s live store listing is the place to check current configurations and prices.
Best Value
- BRILLLLLLIANT — iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
- FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE — The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — Get more done faster with the Apple M4 chip. From editing photos to creating presentations to gaming, you’ll fly through work and play.
- IMMERSIVE DISPLAY — The industry-leading 24-inch 4.5K Retina display features 500 nits of brightness and supports up to 1 billion colors.*
The M4 iMac made the most sense for buyers who wanted a complete, tidy desktop: computer, sharp display, webcam, speakers and input devices in one setup. It was a natural candidate for families, home-office users, frequent video callers and people replacing an older Intel Mac. The 16GB base memory, better camera and M4 are more consequential than the refreshed colors.
Choose another setup if the trade-offs do not fit. A Mac mini paired with a monitor and peripherals can be more flexible, particularly if you already own those pieces, but it does not provide the iMac’s integrated screen and camera. A MacBook Air is the better direction for portability. People who need a larger screen, more expansion or workstation-oriented performance should consider a separate Mac and display rather than expecting a 24-inch all-in-one to fill that role. The iMac’s simplicity comes at the cost of modularity: its screen and computer are tied together, and the memory and internal storage are not user-upgradeable.
In short, Apple’s first M4 Mac announcement of that week put meaningful internal and day-to-day improvements into a familiar all-in-one. It was an evolution of the 24-inch iMac, not a new design; the camera, starting memory and M4 are the stronger reasons to care than the colors alone.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Sources: Apple’s October 2024 announcement; MacRumors launch specifications; MacRumors review; Wired review.
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