Apple’s New M4 iMac Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Powerhouse.
By Aidan Raymond
11/12/2024
The new M4 chip is a serious powerhouse, turning Apple’s iMac into a machine that handles nearly any task you throw at it with ease. Although it may not be ideal for hardcore gaming, it performs exceptionally well for casual games and multitasking, showing its versatility for users who need reliable, everyday performance. For a photographer like me, it’s perfect — offering the balance of speed and visual quality that creative work requires.
Design and Display Excellence for Visual Work
The display on this iMac is nothing short of stunning. At 4480 x 2520 resolution, it delivers an impressive 4.5K clarity, with an optional nano-texture glass to cut down on glare for well-lit environments. This is more than just a beautiful screen — it’s built for precision, making it perfect for photography and design.
The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the details are sharp enough for intricate photo editing. As a photographer, I can confidently say this screen provides the quality needed for professional retouching, color grading, and portfolio curation. The purple model I chose looks fantastic on my desk, enhancing both form and function.
Additionally, the iMac comes bundled with Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, both color-matched to the iMac you choose. However, I recommend opting for a more Mac-compatible mouse, as I find the Magic Mouse less than ideal for basic tasks. In my experience, it can be frustrating for everyday use. That said, I do find it useful for my photography work in Pixelmator Pro, where its design offers some unique advantages.
Performance and Multitasking Capabilities
For everyday and creative tasks, this desktop is a dream. I highly recommend the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU model, which includes four Thunderbolt 4 ports, and gigabit Ethernet — features not found on the base model. These additions make multitasking and handling demanding applications feel almost effortless.
The 16GB of RAM is particularly noticeable here, enabling a smooth, lag-free experience that medium-level PC users will appreciate. Whether I’m editing high-resolution images in Pixelmator Pro or running multiple creative applications simultaneously, this iMac keeps up effortlessly.
Integrated Apple Ecosystem and macOS Advantage
One of the standout joys of this iMac is its seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. iPhone mirroring is especially useful for when you want to use your phone, but don’t feel like picking it up, I use this feature to text back friends and family. MacOS has evolved significantly, now offering an experience that, in my view, surpasses Windows in reliability, user-friendliness, and versatility, something you wouldn’t catch me saying just five years ago.
The M4 chip also allows for certain iPhone apps to be run directly on the iMac, adding another layer of convenience and accessibility that makes creative workflows easier.
Center-Stage Camera and Audio Quality
For photographers who need to collaborate with clients or teams virtually, the iMac’s 12MP Center-Stage camera is a welcome addition. It keeps me centered during FaceTime or Zoom calls, making video calls more engaging and professional. The onboard microphones are equally impressive, delivering high-quality audio for video calls, voice memos, and even amateur podcasting. However, if high-quality audio recording is essential, an external microphone is a good investment.
Apple Intelligence Potential for the Future
The M4 iMac is marketed as an Apple Intelligence machine, though it currently includes only a few early features, like an enhanced Siri interface, notification summaries, and writing tools. However, the upcoming MacOS Sequoia 15.2 promises a much larger suite of AI tools that will further enhance its creative potential.
Planned updates like ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, and an image playground are exciting additions for creatives, potentially streamlining tasks and bringing new creative options to the forefront. Apple has also hinted at even bigger updates slated for spring, promising more advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Environmental Impact and Final Thoughts
Apple’s environmental consciousness is reflected in their decision to phase out the traditional stickers. Initially, I missed them, but as an environmentalist, I can appreciate the move toward sustainability. This shift aligns well with my values and Apple’s broader commitment to reducing waste, and it’s a reminder of the steps big tech companies can take to make a positive impact.
For photographers, creatives, and general users alike, this iMac with the M4 chip is an ideal desktop, delivering power, design, and functionality all in one. If you’re coming from an M3 or M2 model, the upgrade might only be worth it for the nano-texture display.
But for anyone ready to make the change, the M4 iMac is a versatile, beautiful, and reliable choice that can handle any task, from daily work to high-level creative projects. For users needing even more power for professional-level work, the MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro or Max chips or a Mac Mini with the M4 Pro could be better fits. But for photographers like myself, this iMac strikes the perfect balance of speed, quality, and Apple ecosystem magic that makes it hard to beat.
