Apple delighted Mac desktop enthusiasts with exciting updates at its “Scary Fast” event. One of the highlights was the introduction of the new 24-inch iMac, powered by Apple’s latest M3 chipset. During the event, Apple unveiled that this new model would offer up to twice the speed of its predecessor, which featured the M1 chipset. In addition, those transitioning from Intel-based iMacs can expect the new model to be up to 2.5 times faster than some of the popular 27-inch models.
The M3 chipset boasts an eight-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. It also supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray-tracing for enhanced graphics performance. The chip features a 16-core Neural Engine and can accommodate up to 24GB of unified memory, making it a powerhouse for various tasks.
Compared to the M1 iMac released in 2021, the M3-powered version brings significant improvements. Apple claims that users can experience a 30 percent speed boost in Safari and productivity apps like Microsoft Excel. Gamers will benefit from up to a 50 percent improvement in frame rates, while creatives can edit and play back up to 12 4K video streams, three times more than before. Furthermore, image processing in apps such as Adobe Photoshop and video projects in Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro will be up to twice as fast.
While the new iMac doesn’t see many upgrades apart from the powerful M3 chipset, it does retain the impressive 4.5K Retina display. However, there are some notable changes in connectivity options. The latest model supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, an improvement from the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 in the M1 iMac. These enhancements, coupled with the performance boost from the M3 chipset, make the upgrade worthwhile for users clinging onto older iMac models.
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Starting today, customers can place orders for the M3 iMac, and it is set to ship on November 7. The base model includes an eight-core GPU, two Thunderbolt ports, a Magic Keyboard, and a Magic Mouse. However, it only offers 256GB of SSD storage and 8GB of unified memory, which may not be sufficient for all users. The price for this variant is $1,299, with a discounted price of $1,249 for education recipients. It comes in a range of colors, including green, pink, blue, and silver.
For those seeking additional power, there’s an option to upgrade to the M3 iMac with a 10-core GPU, starting at $1,499 ($1,399 for education). This model provides two extra USB 3 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. However, the storage capacity and RAM remain the same as the base model, with 256GB and 8GB respectively. It is available in a wide array of colors, such as green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
Apple also unveiled new MacBook Pro models with the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chipsets, targeting users who prefer a laptop setup. More details on these models can be found in the dedicated announcement.
To stay updated with all the news from Apple’s “Scary Fast” October event, be sure to follow the coverage on Engadget.
In conclusion, Apple’s “Scary Fast” event brought a Halloween treat for Mac desktop enthusiasts with the introduction of the new 24-inch iMac powered by the M3 chipset. This impressive hardware upgrade promises significant speed boosts, improved graphics performance, and enhanced capabilities for various tasks. Whether users are looking for a powerful desktop experience or a laptop upgrade, Apple offers compelling options with its latest lineup.
