Apple iMac with M4 Chip - Expert Review

Legend has it that once you start using an iMac, there’s no going back, and we’re happy to vouch for that. Especially after the release of the latest Apple iMac M4, we’re convinced that Apple has finally achieved something big here. 

It’s common knowledge that iMacs have taken over industries, offices, and institutes within a short span of time. However, with the iMac M4, these all-in-one monitors are taking over homes as well. So, what’s new in this computer that urged people to quit upgrading their beloved MacBooks to instead buy an iMac? Our good guess is the gorgeous Barbie pink color, but surely that’s not it. 

If you’re also curious about this ‘why’, we’re about to dissect the iGeneration’s most sought-after monitor at the moment. So hop along, it might have something in store for you. 

Apple iMac with M4 Chip - Overview

iMac M4, the ultimate device of the decade, was launched on November 8, 2024, with a bang. The first thing that hooked the audience was the color selection that had never been seen before, by Apple or any other tech company. With its bold hues, the thin, minimal display looked gorgeous. 

Yet, credit for the success of this monitor solely goes to the M4 chip. As seen before in the recent versions of the iPad Pro and MacBooks, this transputer chip enables extraordinarily fast processing. This chipset comes with its fair share of positives, including data transfer, storage, and amped-up AI performance. 

Below are the specs of the iMac with the M4 chip:

Pros and Cons of Apple iMac M4:

Review of the new Apple iMac with M4 Chip

Design

All-in-One PCs by Apple are known for their strikingly thin builds, which most competing companies fail to achieve. We’re pleased to report that this Apple computer is thinner, sleeker, and chicer than ever, with dimensions measuring 21.5”x18.1”x5.8”. The average weight of 9.79 pounds (due to the aluminum-glass chassis) makes this machine easy to install, even for a single petite person. 

Now, for the moment, you’ve been waiting for the much-anticipated color selection. In addition to the civilized silver, this baby is available in blue, purple, orange, yellow, green, and pink. We love how the braided wire, power button, and accessories are also color-coordinated. It's the first time the company has introduced such colors in this product, creating all the hype. However, we still think this design could use some more ports for connectivity. 

Display

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the display is the face of your Desktop PC, so it needs to be spot on. Size-wise, the 23.5-inch screen (mistaken for 24 inches) is a delight, and so is the 4.5K Retina Display. Based on an OLED panel, this screen has wide viewing angles, a 4480x2520 pixel resolution, and True Tone color technology. With this display, you get the best of visuals, thanks to the P3 technology that produces vibrant, true-to-life graphics. 

Moreover, the surface of the screen features an anti-reflective finish, ensuring reduced eye strain and low maintenance. The 500 nits brightness might sound like a bummer to some, but considering iMacs are installed indoors, we don’t find it a big deal. There’s also an option of nano-textured glass (with additional cost), which mattifies the screen further, allowing you to view the screen in brighter lighting conditions. 

Performance

We’ve established that the M4 chipset is responsible for the smooth running of the latest iMac, but how? For starters, the CPU, with 10 cores, has four performance and six efficiency cores. This is why, compared to the iMac with an M1 chip, this one performs 1.7 times quicker for routine tasks. 

Similarly, the GPU (10 cores) and Neural Engine (16 cores) ensure multitasking during graphic-intensive tasks is hurdle-free. Due to this, the M4 performs twice as well as the iMac with the M1 chipset. This also has a lot to do with Apple Intelligence, which simplifies everyday tasks, allocating more resources for the complex work. 

Sound System

The sound profile of your PC makes a huge impact on the overall experience. Like the previous Mac, this one also features a six-speaker system, so compared to its forerunner, there aren’t any major developments in this area. However, on its own, the audio system of this monitor deserves a round of applause. 

With Dolby Atmos, the support for Spatial Audio is beyond better, it’s exquisite. There’s also a slight noise-cancellation effect which ensures clear sound waves are delivered. These speakers are ideal for video calls, especially in a home office setup. 

Software

The previous version of the iMac had macOS Sonoma, which was not only costly but also felt restricted, with minimal program support and upgrade options. This iMac features a new software dubbed macOS Sequoia, portrayed to be the best Macintosh application yet. As an improvement from its predecessor, it allows smooth upgrades from the System Settings or Software Update pane. 

The iPhone mirroring option is a genius move, especially for content creators, while the new split-screen windows enhance productivity. And don’t you get us started on the password manager. That leaves us with the cons: you cannot access the Clipboard History anymore, or control the menu bar icons. Also, if you want to install any non-Apple-notarized apps, the process might be lengthy. 

Webcam

If you’re conducting frequent online meetings, a quality webcam is non-negotiable. The webcam of the Mac M4 is like nothing we’ve witnessed before in a computer, and we mean it in a good sense. This 12MP lens has a pixel count of 4000x3000 for allowing intricate zoom-ins without compromising the live picture quality. 

The Center Stage camera, a unique feature of most Macintosh devices, keeps you in the centre of the frame regardless of the motion surrounding the video. As for video recording, the 1080p Full HD setting will bring the fine details in at a crisp note. Lastly, the image signal processor of the lens will capture your raw, unfiltered image and touch it up lightly to deliver high-quality yet realistic results. 

Price & Accessories 

From a price point of view, Apple always seems so unfair to its customer base. However, this time, it finally seems to have cracked the pricing model. Its starting price is $1300 and can go up to $1900, which, according to some, is still unjustifiable. However, we consider this starting range reasonable for the number of innovative features the device comes with. 

Unlike other Apple products, the Mac comes with a range of high-profile, high-value accessories. Upon unboxing, you’ll find a color-matched Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, a color-matched Magic Mouse, a 143W power adapter, a 2m power cord, and a USB-C charging cable. If you opt for a nano-textured glass display, you’ll also get a complimentary polishing cloth worth $19. 

Final Verdict - Yay or Nay

So is the iMac M4 worth its $1000+ price tag? For sure! The M4 chip alone makes it worth more than $600 minimum, add on the luscious display and accessories. Despite the marketing revolving around its color, this monitor is not all about its looks. While the compactness contributes hugely to its design, the performance is what matters the most and everyone knows the performance of the M4 chip. If you’re hesitant about investing in this piece, consider this review a green signal.