This week, Apple unveiled its refreshed lineup of Mac devices, including updates to the iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro, all now powered by Apple’s new M4 chip. Here’s a breakdown of everything announced:
iMac
The iMac, Apple’s all-in-one PC, received its annual update, now featuring the M4 chipset. Last year’s color options are back—blue, purple, red, orange, yellow, green, and gray—now with stronger, more vibrant tones.
The iMac retains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, and buyers can opt for the Nano Texture Glass, which debuted on the M4 iPad Pro models.
Significant improvements include an upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera, a welcome step up from the previous 1080p HD webcam, along with enhanced speakers and studio-quality mics. The Magic Mouse and Keyboard that come with the iMac have also been updated to use USB-C, moving away from the old Lightning connectors.
The base M4 iMac is equipped with four USB-C ports, including Thunderbolt 4 for faster data transfer, making it easier to connect external storage devices, docks, and up to two 6K displays.
Under the hood, the M4 chip features a 10-core CPU, providing performance boosts of 1.7x and 1.3x compared to the M1 and M3 iMac models, respectively. With a faster GPU, enhanced Neural Engine, and 16GB of base RAM for Apple Intelligence, the iMac supports all Apple Intelligence features on macOS Sequoia 18.1. The base price remains at $1,299 for the 16GB/256GB configuration. As part of Apple’s carbon-neutral goal by 2030, the packaging is now made from fiberglass.
Mac Mini
Apple’s Mac Mini, known for its compact size and powerful performance, has received a long-awaited update since its last iteration with the M2 chip in 2022. The new M4 Mac Mini is even smaller, with a reduced footprint of 5×5 inches, compared to the previous 7×7 inches. This redesign brings an improved thermal cooling architecture to maximize performance within its compact form factor. The Mac Mini now comes in two configurations: M4 and M4 Pro.
The M4 version features a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and starts with 16GB of unified memory, ensuring smooth performance for tasks like software development and video editing. Notably, the Mac Mini now has front-facing ports for the first time, including two USB-C ports supporting USB 3 and a headphone jack for high-quality audio. At the back, users will find three Thunderbolt 4 ports (Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro variant) for fast data transfers. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port, upgradeable to 10 Gigabit, along with an HDMI port for monitor or TV connectivity. The M4 model can support up to two 5K displays, while the M4 Pro can handle up to two 6K displays.
The M4 Mac Mini starts at $599, with the M4 Pro model priced at $1,399.
MacBook Pro
Apple also introduced the new MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, featuring three Thunderbolt 4 ports, 16GB of memory, and the robust performance of the M4 chip. The 14- and 16-inch models equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max offer Thunderbolt 5 for faster data transfers and advanced connectivity.
All MacBook Pro models come with Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR display, which now includes an optional Nano Texture Glass for reduced glare. With brightness up to 1,000 nits for SDR content, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, and up to 24 hours of battery life—the highest ever seen on a MacBook—these devices offer a complete package for power users. The new M4 models also see a significant upgrade in unified memory, with the base now starting at 16GB while keeping the same price as before.
Why No New MacBook Air and Mac Studio?
Apple decided not to refresh the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. Instead, the base memory configuration for the M2 and M3 MacBook Air models has been upgraded to 16GB, while prices remain the same at $1,099 and $999, respectively.
As for the Mac Studio, which was rumored to get an M4 Ultra update, Apple has yet to make an announcement.
Final Verdict
Is it worth upgrading from previous Mac models? For users of Intel-based Macs, this lineup is an excellent opportunity to transition to Apple Silicon for significantly better performance and productivity. However, if you already own a Mac with an M-series chip, the new M4 models may be more of a “want” than a “need.”
Among the new lineup, the Mac Mini with M4 stands out as the best value for money. Paired with a quality 4K monitor, it offers an exceptional desktop experience at a competitive price.
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