What to anticipate from Apple’s new all-in-one desktop, the iMac.
Macworld
The iMac was revamped by Apple at their Spring Loaded event in April 2021, featuring a fresh and vibrant design and the M1 chip. It has been two years since the new iMac was released, and we are anticipating an update with a new chip by the end of 2023. This would align with 25 years since the first G3 iMac was introduced by Apple in 1998.
The update may occur soon. Apple is scheduled to host an event on October 30, during which it may reveal new MacBook Pro versions and a new iMac. It is possible that an iMac Pro with an M3 Pro processor could also be announced.
The iMac is in need of an update. Apple is currently in the process of releasing the second generation of their Apple silicon, starting with the M2 in June of 2022. The M2 Pro and M2 Max will follow in January of 2023, with the M2 Ultra arriving in June. As a result, the 24-inch iMac is one of the few remaining M1 Macs.
Stay tuned to this page for updates on the latest Apple event news.
New 24-inch iMac: Release date
In the summer of 2022, Apple unveiled the M2 chip in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. As a result, it is logical to assume that Apple will also release an updated version of the iMac. However, sources indicate that instead of using the M2, Apple may opt for the M3 chip for the next iMac.
The M3 is anticipated to be featured at the October 30th event, nicknamed ‘Scary Fast’ by Apple. The iMac is also expected to be a highlight of this second Fall Apple event.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in a March 2023 newsletter, the development of new M3-powered Macs was in its final stages. He also mentioned that mass production of the iMac was not expected for at least three months and that it would not be shipped until the second half of the year at the earliest.
According to a newsletter released in June 2023, Gurman announced that Apple is getting ready to release two new 24-inch iMacs in late 2023 or early 2024. By August 2023, Gurman hinted that the M3 may be unveiled in October of that year. This was mentioned in a newsletter from July, where Gurman mentioned that Apple plans to launch an M3 iMac, M3 MacBook Pro, and M3 MacBook Air in the autumn of 2023.
Gurman confirmed in a weekend newsletter on October 29 that there will be significant updates to the top-of-the-line MacBook Pros and the first update to the iMac since spring 2021 at the October 30 event.
According to Gurman, a new iMac Pro with a 30-inch screen is currently in development. However, it may not be released until a later date, possibly at the October 30 event.
The cost of the new 24-inch iMac.
The price of iMacs is significantly higher than other Macs with similar specifications. The starting model costs $1,299/£1,399, which is £150 more than the initial launch price in the U.K.
If Apple were to continue offering the M1 iMac, it could offer an iMac for a price below $1,000. This could potentially result in a price increase for the M3-powered range, unless there is a major redesign similar to the MacBook Air (which is not expected). We anticipate that the next model will have a similar cost, unless there are significant changes. With the recent price hikes in 2022 outside of the U.S., it is possible that Apple may consider reducing prices in those regions.

Foundry
The 24-inch iMac has a new design.
The latest edition of the 24-inch iMac features a fresh design.
In 2021, Apple unveiled the latest iMac model, featuring a sleek all-in-one design with various two-tone choices and a bigger 24-inch display that measures a mere 11.5mm (0.45 inches) in thickness, making it even thinner than its predecessors.
Although we would appreciate certain features, like a stand that can be adjusted for height and a smaller chin, we do not anticipate major changes to the design. The only potential difference could be the addition of new color choices.
According to Gurman’s March 5 newsletter, there will be minimal changes to the appearance of the iMac. The screen size and color options are expected to remain the same as they are currently.
Gurman hinted at potential design modifications to the internal components of the product, specifically mentioning that they may be relocated and redesigned. Additionally, he disclosed that the process for attaching the iMac’s stand will be different based on his sources.
The latest 24-inch iMac features a new display.
The 24-inch iMac features a 4.5K Retina display with a brightness of 500 nits, along with an anti-reflective coating and True Tone technology. While the newest MacBook Pros have upgraded to miniLED and ProMotion screens, it is unlikely that the iMac’s display will see significant changes in its second generation. While it would be great to have ProMotion on the iMac, it may be reserved as a high-end feature for the larger iMac or potential iMac Pro in the future.
According to predictions by David Hsieh of Omdia, there is speculation that a larger iMac with a 30-inch, 32-inch, or possibly even a 42-inch display could be released in the future. This would mark the return of the 27-inch iMac, but the 42-inch model may not be available until 2027.
If Apple incorporates the FaceTime camera into a notch, similar to the MacBooks, we may notice a small growth in screen size. The iPadOS beta already displays a MacBook symbol with Universal Control, which may also be added to the iMac.
Rephrased: Specifications and Processor for the New 24-inch iMac
According to Gurman, Apple will skip the M2 chip and go directly to the M3 chip for the upcoming 24-inch iMac. Sources suggest that the new chips will be manufactured using a more advanced 3nm process, resulting in better performance and energy efficiency. This jump over a generation will lead to a significant upgrade for the next iMac compared to the current model.
The current M1 and M2 chips have certain features and capabilities. After examining the specifications of these chips and gathering information about a possible M3 Pro that has been observed in testing, we can make predictions about the potential capabilities of the M3.
The M1 has an 8-core CPU and can have up to 8-core GPU and 16GB of RAM. The M1 Pro has the option for a 10-core CPU, up to 16-core GPU, and up to 32GB of RAM.
The M2 model includes a CPU with 8 cores, a GPU with up to 10 cores, and a maximum of 24GB of RAM. The M2 Pro model offers a CPU with either 10 or 12 cores, a GPU with up to 19 cores, and a maximum of 32GB of RAM.
Gurman discovered developer logs containing essential settings for the M3 series and utilizes them to make the following forecasts regarding the lineup:
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The device has a total of 8 CPU cores, divided into 4 high-performance cores and 4 energy-efficient cores, along with 10 GPU cores.
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The M3 Pro has either 12 or 14 CPU cores, with 6 or 8 dedicated to performance and 6 for efficiency, along with 18 or 20 GPU cores.
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The M3 Max features a total of 16 CPU cores, with 12 dedicated to performance and 4 dedicated to efficiency. It also has either 32 or 40 GPU cores.
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“The M3 Ultra has a total of 32 CPU cores, divided into 24 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores. It also features either 64 or 80 GPU cores.”
The M3 is expected to have a similar appearance to the M2, but it will utilize a new 3nm technology that allows for a higher number of transistors. This should result in significantly faster performance compared to the current generation. Additionally, the M3 may support a larger amount of memory. While the M2 can be configured with 24GB of unified memory, the M3 may potentially offer options for 36GB and 48GB, as suggested by Gurman’s report of testing.
, microphone, and
The latest 24-inch iMac features enhanced camera, microphone, and audio capabilities.
The iMac comes with a high-definition 1080p FaceTime camera, while Apple has recently added a powerful 12MP Ultra Wide camera with a 122-degree viewing angle to the Studio Display. This is expected to be included in the new iMac, along with Center Stage, a feature that keeps you in the center of the frame even as you move. Apple has received feedback about the Studio Display camera’s quality and we anticipate that they will address these concerns with the M3 chip’s image signal processor.
It is improbable that the MacBook will include Face ID, however, there have been speculations in June 2023 (based on a patent discovered by Patently Apple) that it may potentially be added.
The latest 24-inch iMac: Connections
The base model iMac has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the side. The more advanced models have two extra USB 3 ports and a Gigabit ethernet jack built into the power adapter for an additional $30. Due to its slim design, it is unlikely that the iMac will have HDMI or an SDXC card slot like the MacBook Pros and Mac Studio.
The newest models of Mac computers come equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which we anticipate will be included in the iMac. As for the audio capabilities, the iMac currently has a six-speaker sound system that is compatible with spatial audio. It is unlikely that there will be any changes to this, but there is a possibility that it could gain dynamic head tracking when paired with AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.