Apple’s latest announcement brings a fresh iteration of their iconic all-in-one desktop computer – the iMac with M4 chip. As someone who has never ventured into the world of Apple desktops, this new release presents an intriguing combination of cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design choices. From its thin profile to its advanced AI capabilities, the 2024 iMac merits a closer look at what it brings to both casual users and professionals alike.
M4 Chip: The Heart of Innovation
As someone new to Apple’s all-in-one desktop computers, the newly announced iMac with M4 introduces several noteworthy innovations. The headlining M4 chip promises substantial performance gains – up to 1.7x faster for everyday tasks and 2.1x faster for demanding work like photo editing and gaming compared to the M1 model. Its Neural Engine is now also over 3x faster, positioning this machine at the forefront of AI computing.
A Display That Demands Attention
While the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display was already impressive, the new nano-texture glass option is a game-changer for those working in bright environments. Combined with the new 12MP Center Stage camera and Desk View functionality, the iMac seems perfectly equipped for today’s hybrid work environment.
AI Integration: The Future is Now
Apple Intelligence integration is another crucial advancement. The system promises enhanced writing tools, a redesigned Siri experience, and upcoming features like Image Playground and Genmoji. The announced December integration with ChatGPT, is accessible without requiring an account, suggesting that Apple is serious about making AI tools more accessible while maintaining privacy.
Connectivity: Power at Your Fingertips
The new iMac now has up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports on higher-end models, supporting speeds up to 40Gb/s. The ability to connect two 6K external displays creates an impressive potential workspace of over 50 million pixels. The standard 16GB of unified memory (upgradeable to 32GB) and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are future-proof measures that are also nice to have.
Philippine Pricing Analysis: Which Model Should You Choose?
In the Philippine market, the iMac M4 comes in four distinct configurations:
| Feature | Entry | Mid-tier | High Storage | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | PHP 84,990 | PHP 96,990 | PHP 108,990 | PHP 120,990 |
| CPU/GPU | 8-Core | 10-Core | 10-Core | 10-Core |
| Memory | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB | 512GB | 512GB |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 | Four Thunderbolt 4 | Four Thunderbolt 4 | Four Thunderbolt 4 |
| Ethernet | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Standard Magic | Magic with Touch ID | Magic with Touch ID | Magic with Touch ID |
Our Recommendation
For most users, the mid-tier model at PHP 96,990 presents the optimal value proposition. Here’s why:
- The upgrade to 10-Core CPU/GPU provides significant performance benefits
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports vs. two on the base model
- Inclusion of Gigabit Ethernet and Touch ID keyboard
- The price jump justifies the feature set
While it has an attractive at PHP 84,990, the base model lacks several key features that might prove limiting in the long run. The high storage model at PHP 108,990, on the other hand, might be a bit overkill given the availability of external storage solutions at more competitive prices.
The premium 24GB memory model at PHP 120,990 is best suited for power users who work with memory-intensive applications or heavy multitasking.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
