Apple has concluded a three-day release of the first Macs to use the M4 chip family, which debuted earlier this year with the iPad Pro. The updated iMac and MacBook Pro retain the same industrial designs as in the past, while Apple took a shrink ray to the Mac mini.
These are highly compelling Macs, with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips providing best-in-class performance; the iMac and MacBook Pro gaining an iPhone-like 12-megapixel Center Stage camera; Thunderbolt 5 offering faster data transfers; and a nano-texture glass option available for those battling glare and screen reflections. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional in need of top-notch performance, or someone just starting with Apple products, there’s a lot to explore in this update. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at what the M4 lineup offers and who might benefit most from these upgrades. If you’re pondering your next Mac, here’s what you can look forward to.
iMac Adds M4 Chip, 12MP Center Stage Camera, and Nano-Texture Glass
Apple’s colorful all-in-one iMac is popular as a public-facing Mac or household workhorse. With the M4 update, Apple has taken it up a notch without altering its sleek 24-inch, 4.5K Retina display design. The M4 chip packs even more power into the iMac’s svelte frame without changing its low starting price of $1499 ($1299 for a two-port model with several odd limitations). To ensure optimal performance with Apple Intelligence, the company increased the base memory from 8 GB to 16 GB, and you can up that to 24 GB for $200 more or 32 GB for $400. Here’s what’s new:
Improved M4 Chip Performance: The M4 chip provides twice the speed of the original M1, making this model ideal for users who need to run multiple apps or edit media files smoothly. With options to upgrade from the standard 16 GB to either 24 GB or 32 GB of memory, the new iMac is also capable of handling more intensive workloads.
12MP Center Stage Camera: For video calls, Apple replaced the previous 1080p camera with a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera. This feature uses machine learning to keep you centered in the frame as you move, making it perfect for those who are on video calls throughout the day and want more flexibility.
Thunderbolt 4 and Nano-Texture Glass Option: The higher-end iMac model includes four Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer, and for an extra $200, you can add nano-texture glass to minimize glare from bright lights or windows—ideal for users in well-lit spaces.
The iMac still boasts a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display that provides crisp text and vibrant graphics. For $200, you can get it with nano-texture glass that cuts down on reflections and glare from windows or bright lights. Apple also replaced the 1080p FaceTime HD webcam at the top of the screen with a new 12-megapixel Center Stage camera that pans and zooms to keep you in the frame as you move around during video calls. (Not having to sit perfectly still makes those lengthy virtual meetings easier to handle.)
Lastly, the M4 chip supports Thunderbolt 4, so the higher-end model of the M4 iMac gives you four Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of the two Thunderbolt and two USB 3 ports in the previous model.
Along with the new colors, Apple is shipping color-matched versions of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse. They all now charge using USB-C rather than the outdated Lightning. Apple left the Magic Mouse’s charging port on the bottom, which prevents it from being used while plugged in.
While the M4 is roughly twice as fast as the M1, most current users probably won’t benefit greatly from upgrading, and it’s even less of an improvement over the previous M3 iMacs. So who is this model for? The M4 iMac suits students, light general users, professionals who need a reliable office machine for email and word processing, and those upgrading from Intel-based Macs.
Smaller Mac mini Gains M4 and M4 Pro Chips, Plus Thunderbolt 5
The entire point of the Mac mini is the “mini” part—it’s supposed to be small and inexpensive. True to its name, the Mac mini is small but powerful. With the new M4 Mac mini, Apple has reduced its footprint even more, dropping its depth and width from 7.7 to 5.0 inches. To maintain airflow, Apple had to add some height, so it’s now 2.0 inches tall, up from 1.4 in the previous model. This model now comes in two versions: the base M4 and the more powerful M4 Pro.
Compact Design with High-Performance Options: The base model with the M4 chip offers twice the speed of the M1 Mac mini, while the M4 Pro is two to three times faster than the M2 Pro model. This makes the Mac mini ideal for those handling resource-heavy tasks like video editing or programming.
User-Friendly Front Ports and Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro: Apple positioned two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front, making it easier to connect accessories. The M4 Pro model supports Thunderbolt 5 for rapid data transfers, up to 120 Gbps, which benefits users managing large files or utilizing external GPUs.
Three-Display Support: The M4 Mac mini can handle up to three external displays, a huge plus for professionals needing extra screen space.
The price for the base M4 model remains $599, and it now includes 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. The M4 Pro model has increased by $100, now starting at $1,399 for 24 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage. You’ll still need to supply your own keyboard and mouse, but Apple updated the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse to charge using USB-C rather than Lightning.
As with the iMac, the M4 model is roughly twice as fast as the M1 version of the Mac mini, and Apple says the M4 Pro is two to three times as fast as the M2 Pro it replaces. It’s probably not worth upgrading for performance alone unless you’re coming from an Intel-based Mac or relying on resource-intensive apps.
As much as the new Mac mini is an impressive and inexpensive package, it has a few trade-offs compared to the previous model. Along with the M4 Pro model’s price increasing by $100 and the possible annoyance of plugging speakers into the front, the previous M2 Pro Mac mini had four Thunderbolt ports, one more than in the new version. Plus, it had two USB Type-A ports, which remain popular despite the ascendance of USB-C. But the strangest thing? The power button is on the bottom, so you must pick up the Mac mini to turn it on or off. (I might know a person that can print a 3D "adapter" so you dont have to pick it up to use the power button)
Even if current Mac mini users don’t have much incentive to upgrade, the M4 Mac mini is compelling for anyone still using an Intel-based Mac. In particular, those still using 27-inch iMacs would do well to consider an M4 Mac mini and Apple Studio Display—the performance gains will be incredible.
Powerful MacBook Pros Leverage M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max Chips, Add 12MP Center Stage Camera and Thunderbolt 5
Apple’s final announcement of the week put all the pieces together. The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models feature:
Flexible Configurations: The MacBook Pro offers options from the standard M4 to the powerhouse M4 Max, with up to 128 GB of memory for high-end configurations. This flexibility makes the MacBook Pro a strong contender for anyone from students to professionals to high-performance users like developers and video editors.
12MP Center Stage Camera, Thunderbolt 5, and Nano-Texture Display: Like the iMac, the MacBook Pro now has a Center Stage camera, Thunderbolt 5 for high-speed data, and a nano-texture glass option for better readability in bright light.
Enhanced Liquid Retina XDR Display: Apple boosted the brightness on its XDR screens to 1000 nits for outdoor use, perfect for users who frequently work outside or in bright conditions.
Thunderbolt 5 in the M4 Pro and M4 Max models for high-speed data transfers
Along with those improvements from the iMac and Mac mini releases, Apple also added some welcome tweaks specific to the MacBook Pro:
All models of the M4 MacBook Pro feature brighter Liquid Retina XDR screens rated at 1000 nits outdoors, up from 600 nits.
The M4 14-inch MacBook Pro now includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a step up from the two ports in the M3 version.
The M4 14-inch MacBook Pro can now drive two external displays along with its built-in screen. The M3 version could do that only if you closed the lid.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 with an M4, $1,999 with an M4 Pro, and $3,199 with an M4 Max. The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 with an M4 Pro and $3,499 with an M4 Max.
These new MacBook Pro models are nearly ideal. (More ports would always be welcome, but a Thunderbolt hub will help.) The only hurdle is the price, which increases rapidly as you choose faster M4 chips, more memory, and additional storage. You can’t swap chips or expand memory later, but you can save some money by putting less storage onboard and expanding capacity with inexpensive external SSDs.
MacBook Air Models Now Start with 16 GB of Memory
Finally, we can expect Apple to upgrade the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro to the M4 family sometime next year. Until then, however, Apple has quietly raised the base level of memory for its M2 and M3 models of the MacBook Air from 8 GB to 16 GB. That’s likely to ensure optimal performance for Apple Intelligence, which is rather resource-intensive. Whatever the reason, the M2 MacBook Air still starts at $999 and the M3 model at $1,099, both with 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. They’re great little machines, but if you can wait, the M4 version can’t be too many months away.
Summary: Should You Upgrade?
If you’re currently using an Intel-based Mac, any of these M4 models will be a substantial upgrade. The improved performance, connectivity, and camera quality are worthwhile, especially for professionals or users with resource-intensive tasks. However, if you already have an M2 or M3 Mac, consider waiting unless you need the new Thunderbolt 5 speeds or enhanced camera functionality.
In summary:
iMac: Great for home and office users; worth upgrading if you’re on an Intel Mac.
Mac mini: Ideal for budget-conscious users and those in creative fields needing more screen space.
MacBook Pro: Excellent for students to high-end professionals, with configurations to fit every performance need.
Whether it’s time to upgrade depends on your current setup and needs. Feel free to reach out and we can discuss your upgrade options. The new M4 family makes these Macs faster, more connected, and more capable than ever, setting a strong standard for Apple’s future.
(Featured image based on originals by Apple)
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