What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon iMac?

There are no custom processor options for any Apple Silicon iMac models at the time of purchase. The processor cannot be upgraded later, either.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon iMac - Orange)

The initial "M1, 2021" Apple Silicon iMac models -- the iMac "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU/2 USB-C Shaped Ports (2021) and iMac "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU/4 USB-C Shaped Ports (2021) -- both are powered by a 3.2 GHz Apple M1 processor (SoC) with eight cores (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores).

The subsequent "M3, 2023" Apple Silicon iMac models -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) and iMac "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2023) -- both are powered by a 4.05 GHz Apple M3 processor (SoC) with eight cores (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), but the higher-end model has ten GPU cores whereas the entry-level model only has eight GPU cores.

The current "M4, 2024" Apple Silicon iMac models -- the iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) and iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- have different processors. Both have a 4.4 GHz Apple M4 processor (SoC), but the entry-level model has eight processor cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency) as well as eight GPU cores whereas the higher-end model has ten processor cores (4 performance, 6 efficiency) and a ten core GPU.

What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon iMac use? Can it be upgraded?

The original Apple Silicon iMac (M1, 2021) models have 8 GB of "unified" RAM integrated with the SoC. At the time of system purchase, they could be custom configured with 16 GB of RAM for an additional US$200.

The subsequent Apple Silicon iMac (M3, 2023) models also have 8 GB of "unified" RAM integrated with the SoC. However, at the time of system purchase, these models could be custom configured with 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM for an additional US$200 or US$400, respectively.

The current Apple Silicon iMac (M4, 2024) models have 16 GB or 24 GB of "unified" RAM integrated with the SoC, but both models also can be custom configured with additional RAM at the time of system purchase. The entry-level iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) has 16 GB of RAM by default and can be custom configured with 24 GB of RAM for an additional US$200. The higher-end iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) has 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM by default and can be custom configured with 32 GB of RAM (which also requires the SSD to be increased to 512 GB or larger capacity).

The RAM cannot be removed and upgraded after initial system purchase in any Apple Silicon iMac models.

What type of internal storage does the Apple Silicon iMac use? Is it possible to upgrade it?

The Apple Silicon iMac models all have integrated storage that only can be upgraded at the time of initial system purchase. Internal storage cannot be upgraded after purchase. By contrast, some earlier "Tapered Edge" iMac models have upgradable internal storage.

iMac M1, 2021 Models

The original entry-level Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU/2 USB-C Shaped Ports (2021) -- was equipped by default with 256 GB of onboard SSD storage but could be upgraded to 512 GB or 1 TB SSD for an extra US$200 and US$400, respectively.

The original higher-end Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU/4 USB-C Shaped Ports (2021) -- was equipped by default with a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD. It could be custom configured at the time of purchase with a 1 TB or 2 TB SSD at additional cost.

iMac M3, 2023 Models

The subsequent entry-level Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2023) -- was configured by default with an onboard 256 GB SSD. It could be custom configured at the time of purchase with a 512 GB or 1 TB SSD for an extra US$200 and US$400, respectively.

The subsequent higher-end Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2023) -- was equipped by default with either a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD. It could be custom configured at the time of purchase with a 1 TB or 2 TB SSD at additional cost.

iMac M4, 2024 Models

The current entry-level Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M4" 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24" (2024) -- is configured by default with a 256 GB SSD but can be custom configured at the time of purchase with a 512 GB or 1 TB SSD for an extra US$200 or US$400, respectively.

The current higher-end Apple Silicon iMac -- the iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) -- is equipped by default with either a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD. It can be custom configured at the time of purchase with a 1 TB or 2 TB SSD at extra cost.

Also see: What external storage options are available for the Apple Silicon iMac? Should I buy USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 external storage?

What are the custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon iMac?

For all Apple Silicon iMac models, Apple offers, or offered, the option of additional RAM and SSD storage:

Custom Configuration Options

iMac	RAM	SSD	Processor
M1 2021	16 GB	512 GB 1 TB 2 TB	None
M3 2023	16 GB 24 GB	512 GB 1 TB 2 TB	None
M4 2024	24 GB 32 GB*	512 GB 1 TB 2 TB*	None

* 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD options only available on the higher end iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024). 32 GB of RAM also requires a 512 GB or larger SSD. This higher-end iMac "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24" (2024) additionally can be custom configured with a reduced glare "Nano-texture" glass option for an extra US$200.

Apple offers a choice of color and a variety of keyboard and input options, as well. For the entry-level model in either line, Ethernet is, or was, an option via an upgraded power brick for an extra US$30, too.

Where can I buy an Apple Silicon iMac?

In the US, you always can buy a new Mac directly from Apple, but you often can get a better deal by buying your new Apple Silicon iMac from an Apple Authorized Reseller like site sponsor Adorama. Adorama commonly has deep discounts on recently discontinued models, too.

In the US, for used and refurbished iMac models, try site sponsor Other World Computing for bargain prices with free shipping.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells a good selection of used iMac models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery.

Where can I sell an Apple Silicon iMac?

Like selling anything else, you generally can make the most money by selling an Apple Silicon iMac directly on an online auction or classifieds site, but doing so is time consuming and may or may not be worth the trouble for you.

If you need to sell an iMac, consider A+ BBB-rated site sponsor Cash for Your Mac. Cash for Your Mac provides an instant cash offer and free and insured FedEx shipping.

Who designed the Apple Silicon iMac?

Of course, all of Apple's Macs have been designed by hundreds of hardworking employees, but the company's industrial design for many years has been performed entirely in-house by Apple's Industrial Design Group, formerly led by Jony Ive. Although Jony Ive no longer works at the company, he reportedly was involved in the design of the Apple Silicon iMac specifically, as well.

For the "guts" of the Apple Silicon iMac, Apple's "Hardware Technologies" group, led by Johny Srouji, also deserves a great deal of credit, too.