M1 vs. M3 iMac Buyer's Guide: 15+ Differences Compared

[subjonas]

Somewhat controversial, perhaps. But:
The iMac is a broken concept.

A Studio Display + a Mac mini is a much better and much more sustainable setup.

Generally I think modular is better but I think AIO makes sense for a fair share of cases. My parents have a Mac mini and monitor but I want to get them an iMac so they don’t ever have to worry about making sure what’s plugged into what (eg. when they move or rearrange furniture). Plus it’s cleaner and takes up less space which they have very little of.
It’s also good for businesses that want to present a sleek image.

I do wish it had target display though.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I like the white bezels on this. I actually wish the whole thing was white (at least ONE model, for nostalgia's sake).

But I agree with some that believe the iMac is a relatively obsolete idea, which is why I believe that this may be the last design iteration we will see with these.

All of you expecting a 27 or 30" iMac are going to die waiting.

And the screen specs are just not up to par. Apple has the iMac in an almost SE/legacy device category that is out there to simply fill an older-user niche.

At its peak the iMac was a powerhouse, and a HUGE bang for the buck.

But I think Apple will eventually kill it, along with the Mac Pro, in lieu of the Mac Mini and Studio respectively.

I hope not, but this is what it looks like to me.

 

[Steve121178]

Ordered mine this morning, Silver M3/1TB/24GB config. Delivery November 20-22. Can't wait! My 2012 iMac can then earn a well deserved rest.

 

[CoreForce]

Apple these days makes it mind boggling easy to skip over generations of iMac. Let’s see what next year brings to maybe replace my now limping iMac 27” from 2014. But it’s not going to be a 24” screen for sure. Once you go black, you never come back.

 

[OrenLindsey]

Apple these days makes it mind boggling easy to skip over generations of iMac. Let’s see what next year brings to maybe replace my now limping iMac 27” from 2014. But it’s not going to be a 24” screen for sure. Once you go black, you never come back.

You don't have to get an iMac, just get an external display and a Mac mini or even a Studio. In total, you can get a similar, if not better monitor and a better spec-ed Mac mini for less than the equivalent iMac.
I don't see why everyone insists on getting the iMac and only the iMac, when you can get better stuff (and a better setup, since you can upgrade the computer without upgrading the display) for a lower price.

 

[Agincourt]

Notice that people that actually own these iMacs all universally say they are great machines that are fast, silent and attractive on the desk.

So you chose to use the sample of people that actually bought these, as opposed to those that chose something else?

History shows that iMac sales have dropped considerably partly because there are no 27 models, but also likely because they cost too much for what you get. Worse is that their max capacity is extremely limited, negating most professional users. As a result this once mid to high tier machine is now low-end or consumer grade without a significant reduction in price.

 

[pstevem]

I really like the upgrade of the M3 iMac!
Sure, the iMac isn't cheap. For me personally, the solution is better than an Apple Cinema Display and a Mac Mini.
With the iMac24, 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD you will be well prepared for the future.

That's my feeling. I have a 2017 17" iMac. I've boosted the RAM to 32GB and replaced the "fusion" drive with a 2TB SSD, but this one still seems right to me; I'm due to retire soon, so lots of stuff I used the big RAM for (VMWare, Docker) won't be so important to me going forward.

 

[cbaca51]

The M1 lines are so impressive that no one is really upgrading to the 2 or 3.

 

[BeatCrazy]

The iMac could easily be just as sustainable if Apple re-implemented target display mode.

Assuming you're staying in the Mac ecosystem, the display screen sharing feature (in high performance mode) is a very effective target display mode substitution, in my experience.

 

[BillyBurke]

This iMac is an absolute joke.

• Terrible design with white bezels and pastel colors
• Odd screen size with only 60Hz and no local dimming/HDR support
• 8GB RAM in almost 2024?!
• 256GB base storage in almost 2024?!
• \

• This iMac is an absolute joke.
  
  

  • Terrible design with white bezels and pastel colors
  • Odd screen size with only 60Hz and no local dimming/HDR support
  • 8GB RAM in almost 2024?!
  • 256GB base storage in almost 2024?!
  • Accessories still have a Lightning port
  • Very minor upgrade in a few years time where only the chip changed
  • And despite all of the above, a starting price of EUR 1,560 (USD 1,660) in Europe.

  
  
• I suggest you not buy one then. Voila ! Problem solved.

• 
  
• Very minor upgrade in a few years time where only the chip changed
• And despite all of the above, a star

 

[BillyBurke]

Maybe but there are buyers who are looking for a computer that blends in with their furniture. Remember when Steve Jobs introduced the first colorful iMac’s and mentioned that they didn’t look like your typical beige box? So they might have a purpose for some buyers. I personally prefer the Mac Mini with a 4K monitor.

You guys appear oblivious to the “value” concept. Fully functional, nice display, color choice APPLE QUALITY for $1299.

 

[Chazak]

Somewhat controversial, perhaps. But:
The iMac is a broken concept.

A Studio Display + a Mac mini is a much better and much more sustainable setup.

Far from a broken concept. Not even close.

Sustainable setup for who?

The iMac is an excellent option for offices and any operation based on Macs that does not have a heavy tilt to processor intensive functions. The investment and maintenance in the setup you describe is a nightmare for most businesses. Why would a business make that investment for office and administrative work? Additionally, the setup you describe is a nightmare for IT departments.

 

[T-Flame]

While 8/256 on all models is frustrating, I'm just not buying most of the negative comments here. They mostly boil down to "I wish this was a different computer."

The mini, studio, and external monitors exist, so there's not reason for this to be the same machine as any of those. A new 27-32 iMac would cost 3500 at least. I've owned 3 iMacs (including my current 2017 on which I currently type). It's been long enough and this seems a suitable replacement more so than a bunch of separates. My other two iMacs were both sold cheaply to people for whom they still represented an upgrade, so they didn't hit a landfill just because I was done.

Just let it be what it is and stop comparing it to some fictional machine that has more power than a Mac studio, a 32" 6k monitor, and starts at $1499. That machine doesn't exist.

 

[jouster]

The iMac could easily be just as sustainable if Apple re-implemented target display mode.

Given how much they have been emphasizing their green credentials of late, it's amazing to me that they do not implement this.

 

[flofixer]

A nice machine let down by white bezels, older connectivity (lightning), screen size…

I think they could have made improvements in these other places other than the CPU and had a machine that would make a great proposition for many to upgrade.

For the target user of this device, M3 doesn’t really bring much to the table.

IMac used to be about exciting design for those wanting a first Mac, someone just wanting a nice PC for family use etc.

The price is way too high. You’d be better off getting base Mac mini and spending the saved money on a really great monitor, keyboard and trackpad/mouse… and still have money left over.

Just a small amount of money left over I would think, but M2 instead of M3

 

[UnbreakableAlex]

My biggest complain except for the small sized screen is the lacking 120Hz. Why the hell does it not come with pro motion? Is the m3 cpu too weak?

 

[jimimac71]

You believe the 24" iMac is their most important machine, and therefore didn't upgrade it so they wouldn't embarrass themselves? Really?

The most important machines from Apple do not plug into electricity full time.

 

[jimimac71]

I was fortunate enough to get a maxed-out M1 iMac (4-port 16/2T) for only $400 from a client that upgraded to a Studio with a fancy, self-calibrating monitor. I likely won’t need to upgrade for a decade!

It’s the world’s best AIO; the difference between M1 and M3 is mostly pointless. You don’t need a Ferrari if you already have a Porsche.

The best AIO because the others are Windows.

 

[Chuckeee]

Put the ethernet port back on the device versus the abysmal location on the power supply. Put on at least one USB-A port and an SD-card slot. The lack of connectivity on the current iMac and the odd form over function design choices make the current iMac unpalatable. At least with previous iMacs, they were both nice to look at AND functional. I think the current model is borderline checking the nice to look at box and completely missing the functional box. It is like a crippled MacBook Air at present; in the fact that is has basically the same ports and expandability but not mobile.

I suspect the current iMac is too thin for a traditional RJ-45, USB-A or SD card reader in either the front or the back. It might’ve been possible to include a USB-A and/or SD card reader on the side, similar to the installation of the 3.5mm audio jack port. That probably would not have worked for a traditional Ethernet port. There are low profile Ethernet ports but the are fragile and are a reliability nightmare.

 

[Chuckeee]

It is disingenuous to not mention the SSD size in either the chart

Possibly because there was no differentiation between the M1 and M3?That it is the same SSD options for both.

 

[femike]

The computer part, 'chin' on the iMac should be designed to be replaceable/upgradeable to stop it being disposable at the end of its supported life. It could even be made thicker to have fans for better performance or for those wanting to upgrade to a M3 Pro on the iMac. Apple could easily do this and still maintain the same look while giving options, better thermals and sustainability. Also, the stand should be height adjustable.

 

[jaybar]

While 8/256 on all models is frustrating, I'm just not buying most of the negative comments here. They mostly boil down to "I wish this was a different computer."

The mini, studio, and external monitors exist, so there's not reason for this to be the same machine as any of those. A new 27-32 iMac would cost 3500 at least. I've owned 3 iMacs (including my current 2017 on which I currently type). It's been long enough and this seems a suitable replacement more so than a bunch of separates. My other two iMacs were both sold cheaply to people for whom they still represented an upgrade, so they didn't hit a landfill just because I was done.

Just let it be what it is and stop comparing it to some fictional machine that has more power than a Mac studio, a 32" 6k monitor, and starts at $1499. That machine doesn't exist.

I agree completely. I really like the iMac 24. We have it with 8GB of RAM and 512 storage. We are light users in terms of workload demand. Our most intensive task is MS Word for my husband’s larger documents and charts. We look at YouTube and browse safari. Of the 512GB of storage we have used 155GB and we can delete if need be. I might order a new iMac 24 when my AC expires in May of 2024. Maybe not. If I were to get another machine I would order with 16 or 24 GB. Not that i really need that much. I work remotely and logging into my office computer does not take much resources.

We have a limited number of outlets, so having an iMac with fewer power cords makes life easier. We did considerable renovation over the last three years. We have a smaller custom made desk, so the smaller size iMac fits better on the desktop than would have my old 27. Lastly, I am fairly nearsighted and sit close to the monitor. With the 24 inch iMac I am moving my head less from left to right. We have no need for a second monitor. I don’t use my iPad Pro with my iMac at the same time. I do a fair bit of work related Zoom meetings but that does not stress the computer at all. Lastly, I define my “professionalism” by my essential job duties and not my the specs of my current or wished for computer. I would have liked USB-C accessories, but even that is not essential. I have a lightening to USB-C adapter to use during the times I want to charge my new iPhone at the desk using my existing lightening cable. Otherwise I use the USB-c to lightening cable at the desk to charge my keyboard and mouse. No big deal.

In summary our M1 iMac suits us well and for us, Apple nailed it.

 

[Warped9]

Yeah, I've yet to see any of the bright coloured 24 inch iMacs in any establishments where I live. Frankly I think they're most popular with families with teenagers.

If Apple simply introduced a 24" iMac in space grey colour, I think they'd see an uptick in sales to small businesses.

Something wrong with Silver, a very neutral colour?

 

[Spock]

Speak for yourself. While I do find that design rather charming even to this day, you can't deny the practical benefits of the 'all in one' design. Imagine trying to equip a 27 inch display on a comparable design to the G4 iMac and the base would have to be about as large around as the depth of the stand... otherwise it would fall on its face due to the weight distribution.

Technology has changed in the 20+ years since the iMac G4, they could easily have a larger screen with same size base if not smaller.

 

[WC7]

Buying … with M1 iMac trade-in. Net cost $1299 - $430 = $869 before taxes