New M3 iMac announced at Apple's 'Scary Fast' event — 3 new features
Apple just dropped a new iMac and it's packed with the next-generation processor: the M3 chip. For the uninitiated, the iMac may seem like nothing more than a monitor, but don't let its sleek display fool you. It's actually an all-in-one PC packed with a processor and graphics, as well as memory and storage.
It's about time that Apple upgraded the M1 iMac, which was introduced at Apple's Spring Loaded event in 2021. Now, we have a refreshed iMac with a wealth of new features. Check out the 3 new features of the new M3 iMac.
3 new features of the M3 iMac
The new iMac is not massively different from the previous version; it features the same size, design, and even the colors have remained the same. Here are three standout features:
1. That M3 chip
The new M3 chip is Apple's first 3-nanometer chip for desktop computers. It's faster while being less power-hungry. To be precise, an iMac with an M3 chip is up to two times faster than the prior iMac generation with an M1 chip. The star of the show is the new, 10-core GPU, which will bring up to 50% faster frame rates in games. The new iMac also supports up to 24GB of unified memory.
2. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
One small, but important change for those who need fast wireless connectivity is the freshly added support for Wi-Fi 6E, which enables download speeds that are twice as fast as the previous generation, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.3, replacing Bluetooth 5.0 on the previous model.
3. Up to 24GB of memory
The new iMac can now be had with 24GB of memory, instead of only 16GB.
And while not technically new or a feature, you'll probably be happy to know that the starting price for the iMac is still the same: $1,299.
Other than the above, it's worth noting that the iMac is not available with the new M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. You can only get it with the vanilla M3 variety. And yes, it still only comes in one size – a 24-inch display.
If you want a beefier iMac, you can have it with 24GB memory, a 10-core GPU (instead of the starting 8-core GPU) and 2TB of storage, though that will cost you a total of $2,699.
As for the colors, your choices are (still) green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
Most of the other details have remained the same, including the 4.5K Retina display, 1080p webcam, six-speaker system, three mics, and up to four USB ports.
Finally, Apple says that the new iMac is better for the environment, with a stand that uses 100% recycled aluminum, while the gold in the plating of "multiple printed circuit boards" inside is also 100% recycled.
The new iMac can be ordered now and will start shipping on Nov. 7.
Topics Apple
Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.
