What are all the differences between the "2024 M4" iMac models and the "2023 M3" iMac models replaced?

There are two "2023 M3" iMac models -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) and iMac "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2023) -- and two "2024 M4" iMac models -- the iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) and iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- that replaced their predecessors.

With even a detailed review of these iMac models, it would be difficult to tell them apart, but there are some notable differences. The brief answer is that the later iMac models all have significantly faster processors/graphics processors, more default RAM, and a more advanced webcam. The higher-end "2024 M4" iMac model has some additional capabilities and options, as well. Some colors are a bit different and different models have different identifiers, too.

It is worthwhile to understand the similarities, also. Although some readers may already be satisfied with this quick answer, an in-depth evaluation still can be useful.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac 2024 M4 - Blue)

External Differences

Except for some color variations, the "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models look essentially identical externally, but there are differences.

All of these models use the same wafer thin, all aluminum design with flat sides and a light gray frame around the display and a small "chin" underneath. By default, these iMac models are mounted on an aluminum stand and are not VESA compliant, but all can, or could, be configured with a VESA mount option instead of the stand at the time of initial purchase at no extra charge.

Despite the marketing as "24-Inch" 4.5K Retina displays, all of these iMac models actually have a 23.5-Inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active matrix "Retina 4.5K" display with a native resolution of 4480x2520 at 218 ppi with "support for 1 billion colors," True Tone technology, wide color (P3), and brightness of 500 nits.

All of these models have a three-mic array and a six-speaker system, but the cameras are significantly different between lines. The"2023 M3" iMac models have a 1080p FaceTime HD camera whereas the newer "2024 M4" iMac models have a much better 12 megapixel "Center Stage" camera that automatically pans and zooms to keep subjects in frame. It also provides "Desk View" functionality that simulates an overhead camera to show both your face and a bird's eye view of your desk at the same time.

Connectivity Differences

Connectivity is a major point of external differentiation between the entry-level and higher-end models in each line and between lines, as well. All have a 3.5-mm headphone jack conveniently located on the left side of the display as well as support for Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.

The entry-level models from both lines -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) and iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) -- have two USB-C shaped Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. The earlier higher-end model -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2023) -- has four USB-C shaped ports, but two of the ports support Thunderbolt / USB 4 and the other two support the slower USB 3 standard. The newer high-end model -- the iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- on the other hand, has four USB-C shaped "Thunderbolt 4 ports" that all support the faster Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 standards.

The higher-end iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) also can support up to two 6016x3384 (6K) external displays at 60 Hz or one 7680x4320 (8K) external display at 60 Hz whereas all of these other models only support a single 6016x3384 (6K) external display at 60 Hz. This newer, higher-end model can be custom configured with a reduced glare "Nano-texture" glass option for an extra US$200, as well, whereas all of these other models cannot.

The higher-end models from each line additionally are bundled with a power supply that includes a Gigabit Ethernet port whereas the entry-level models lack a Gigabit Ethernet port by default, but either can, or could, be custom configured with the same power supply as its higher-end contemporary at the time of initial system purchase for an extra US$30.

Color Differences

The "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models formally share the same seven color options -- green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. The colors are darker on the back and sides of each system and a lighter shade of the same color on the front below the light gray bezel that wraps around the display.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac 2023 M3 Color Options)

However, there are differences between lines and colors are not the same shade from one line to another, either.

The entry-level model in the earlier series -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) -- only was available in blue, green, pink, and silver, whereas the higher-end model was offered in the same colors as the entry-level model in addition to yellow, orange, and purple.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac 2024 M4 - Color Options)

The newer "2024 M4" models all are offered in the same seven colors, but they are not exactly the same shades as their predecessors. Perhaps most notably, the green on the back is more of a "forest" compared to the closer to "aqua" green of the earlier series and the pink on the back is more of a pink compared to the closer to red color offered by its predecessor.

Included Accessory Differences

The "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models both include color-matched input accessories, but the earlier line uses Lightning connectivity whereas the later line uses USB-C. There are differences between the entry-level and higher-end models from each line and Apple changed some of the custom configuration options from one line to another, as well.

By default, all of these models ship, or shipped, with a wireless "Magic Mouse" with multi-touch surface support, but the entry-level models from both lines have a small aluminum wireless "Magic Keyboard" without "Touch ID" or a numeric keypad. The higher-end models have a small aluminum wireless "Magic Keyboard with Touch ID" , but without a numeric keypad.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad)

At the time of system purchase, the earlier entry-level model -- the Mac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) -- could be custom configured with the same "Touch ID" equipped keyboard as its their higher-end sibling for an extra US$50, but Apple removed this keyboard upgrade option for the newer entry-level model -- the iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024).

All of these models can, or could, be custom configured with a "Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad" for an additional US$80 for the entry-level models and an additional US$30 for the higher-end models from each line.

All of these models additionally can, or could, be custom configured at the time of purchase to swap out the Magic Mouse for a Magic Trackpad (which provides multi-touch input and Force Touch support) for an extra US$50. For the earlier models, Apple also offered the option of both a Magic Mouse and a Magic Trackpad for an additional US$129, but the company removed this option for the later series.

Identification Differences

The "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models are nearly impossible to tell apart without specific identification details. As the site has done for decades now, EveryMac.com has hand documented these identifiers from the hardware itself.

Model Numbers commonly are shared by multiple models and are not ideal for long-term identification, accordingly. However, the Model Numbers for the "2023 M3" iMac models actually are unique and it is possible that this trend may continue for the "2024 M4" iMac models, as well.

Nevertheless, other identifiers commonly are better for more specific identification. In software, the Model Identifier is sufficiently unique for just about all purposes. The EMC Number also tends to be more specific than the Model Number as it always is less likely to be shared by future models using the same case type. However, it is buried in software rather than externally located on the underside of the iMac "foot" like the Model Number.

These identifiers for all of these iMac models are as follows:

24" iMac	Subfamily	Model	EMC	Model ID
"M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU	M3 2023	A2874	8207	Mac15,4
"M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU	M3 2023	A2873	8206	Mac15,5
"M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU	M4 2024	A3247	8531	Mac16,2
"M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU	M4 2024	A3137	8532	Mac16,3

Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify all of these iMac models by other identifiers, as well.

Internal Differences

The "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models share a variety of internal components, but the later models have a faster CPU/GPU architecture, more default RAM, and the newer higher-end model -- the iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- has the option of additional RAM via custom configuration, as well.

The "2023 M3" iMac models are powered by a 4.05 GHz Apple M3 processor with 8 CPU cores. The entry-level model has an 8-core GPU and the higher-end model has a 10-Core GPU.

The "2024 M4" iMac models, on the other hand, use 4.4 GHz Apple M4 processors with either an 8 CPU/8 GPU core combo or a 10 CPU/10 GPU core combo.

In practice, benchmarks show that the entry-level "2024 M4" iMac -- the iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) -- is around 23% faster in single core tasks and 18% faster in multicore tasks than its predecessor and the higher-end model -- the iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- is around 22% faster in single core tasks and 26% faster in multicore tasks than its predecessor.

All of these models have "unified" onboard memory and SSD storage that cannot be upgraded at all after the initial system purchase.

"2023 M3" & "2024 M4" iMac Comparison Charts

The major differences between the "2023 M3" and "2024 M4" iMac models -- processors/graphics processors, connectivity, webcams, memory and storage options, and more -- are summarized below:

Entry-Level Models

	2023 2 Ports	2024 2 Ports
Architecture:	Apple M3	Apple M4
Processor Cores:	8 Cores	8 Cores
Graphics Cores:	8 Cores	8 Cores
Thunderbolt / USB 4:	2 (USB-C)	2 (USB-C)
USB 3:	None	None
Gigabit Ethernet:	None*	None*
Webcam:	FaceTime HD	Center Stage
Nano Texture:	No	No
Ext. Displays:	6016x3384	6016x3384
Color Options:	Blue Green Pink Silver	Blue Green Pink Silver Yellow Orange Purple
Std. Keyboard:	No Touch ID	No Touch ID
Std. RAM:	8 GB	16 GB
Max. RAM:	24 GB**	24 GB**
Std. Storage:	256 GB	256 GB
Max Storage:	2 TB†	1 TB†
Wi-Fi:	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth:	5.3	5.3
Model Number:	A2874	A3247
Model ID:	Mac15,4	Mac16,2
EMC Number:	8207	8531
Original Price (US):	US$1299	US$1299
Original Price (CA):	C$1699	C$1699
Original Price (UK):	£1399	£1299
Original Price (AU):	A$2199	A$1999
Original Price (SG):	S$1899	S$1799

Higher-End Models

	2023 4 Ports	2024 4 Ports
Architecture:	Apple M3	Apple M4
Processor Cores:	8 Cores	10 Cores
Graphics Cores:	10 Cores	10 Cores
Thunderbolt / USB 4:	2 (USB-C)	4 (USB-C)
USB 3:	2 (USB-C)	None
Gigabit Ethernet:	Yes	Yes
Webcam:	FaceTime HD	Center Stage
Nano Texture:	No	Optional
Ext. Displays:	6016x3384	6016x3384 x2
Color Options:	Blue Green Pink Silver Yellow Orange Purple	Blue Green Pink Silver Yellow Orange Purple
Std. Keyboard:	Touch ID	Touch ID
Std. RAM:	8 GB	16, 24 GB
Max. RAM:	24 GB**	32 GB**
Std. Storage:	256 GB, 512 GB	256 GB, 512 GB
Max Storage:	2 TB†	2 TB†
Wi-Fi:	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth:	5.3	5.3
Model Number:	A2873	A3137
EMC Number:	8206	8532
Model ID:	Mac15,5	Mac16,3
Original Price (US):	US$1499 US$1699	US$1499 US$1699 US$1899
Original Price (CA):	C$1949 C$2199	C$1949 C$2199 C$2449
Original Price (UK):	£1599 £1799	£1499 £1699 £1899
Original Price (AU):	A$2499 A$2799	A$2399 A$2699 A$2999
Original Price (SG):	S$2199 S$2499	S$2099 S$2399 S$2699

* Gigabit Ethernet is provided via the power supply. The entry-level models can, or could, be custom configured to include the same Gigabit-equipped power supply as the higher-end models for an extra US$30.

** At the time of purchase, all models can, or could, be custom configured to include more RAM than the default configuration. RAM cannot be upgraded subsequently.

† Both models can, or could, be custom configured with more storage at the time of system purchase at additional cost. Storage cannot be upgraded subsequently.

Ultimately, the "2024 M4" iMac models look like a relatively modest update compared to their predecessors upon first glance, but with 18%-26% more performance, twice the default RAM, a better webcam, and improved connectivity, they actually are a notable improvement and are offered for the same starting price.

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