Apple 24″ iMac with M3 Chip (Z19E001JY) Review: A Powerful and Stunning Desktop
The Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is a sleek and powerful all-in-one desktop that’s designed to deliver exceptional performance for both everyday tasks and demanding creative workflows. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the features, performance, and overall user experience of this latest iMac model.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is the latest iteration of Apple’s popular all-in-one desktop computer. It boasts a stunning 4.5K Retina display, an 8-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU, all powered by the new M3 chip. This combination promises to deliver unparalleled performance for a wide range of tasks, from web browsing and productivity to demanding creative workflows like photo editing and video editing.
Features
The Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is packed with impressive features, including:
- Stunning 4.5K Retina Display: The 24-inch display boasts a resolution of 4480 x 2520, delivering incredibly sharp and vibrant visuals. The wide color gamut and support for P3 color space make it perfect for creative professionals who need accurate color reproduction.
- Powerful M3 Chip: The M3 chip is Apple’s latest and greatest, combining an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU for blazing-fast performance. The integrated Neural Engine accelerates machine learning tasks, making everything from photo editing to video editing a breeze.
- Generous RAM and Storage: The model we reviewed comes with 24GB of unified memory, ensuring smooth multitasking and quick app launches. The 2TB SSD provides ample storage space for your files, applications, and media.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: The included Magic Keyboard features Touch ID for secure and convenient logins. The addition of a numeric keypad is a welcome improvement for users who frequently work with numbers.
- Magic Mouse: The Magic Mouse offers precise tracking and intuitive gesture support for smooth navigation.
- macOS: The iMac runs Apple’s latest macOS operating system, which is known for its user-friendliness, security features, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Performance
The Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is a true powerhouse, delivering outstanding performance across all tasks. The M3 chip handles demanding applications with ease, whether you’re editing 4K video, working on complex design projects, or running multiple applications simultaneously. I was particularly impressed by its responsiveness and smoothness when multitasking, thanks to the generous amount of RAM. The 2TB SSD ensures quick boot times and lightning-fast file transfers, significantly enhancing the overall user experience.
In real-world usage, the iMac excelled in various tasks:
- Web Browsing: The iMac effortlessly handled multiple browser tabs and extensions without any lag or slowdown. The smooth scrolling and responsive page loading made browsing a pleasure.
- Productivity: I had no issues running demanding productivity applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat. The iMac’s performance enabled me to work efficiently and effortlessly complete tasks.
- Creative Workflows: The iMac’s 10-core GPU and M3 chip accelerated complex image and video editing tasks in popular software like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The experience was incredibly smooth and efficient, significantly speeding up my workflow.
- Gaming: While not a dedicated gaming machine, the iMac could handle casual games and even some moderately demanding titles with acceptable performance.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip:
Pros:
- Stunning 4.5K Retina Display with accurate color reproduction
- Powerful M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU for exceptional performance
- Generous 24GB of RAM for seamless multitasking
- Spacious 2TB SSD for quick boot times and fast file transfers
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and numeric keypad
- Magic Mouse for smooth and precise navigation
- macOS operating system for a user-friendly experience
- Sleek and stylish design
Cons:
- Relatively high price point compared to other all-in-one desktops
- No upgrade options for RAM or storage
- Limited connectivity options, only two USB-C ports on the back
- No dedicated Ethernet port
Final Verdict
The Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is a compelling all-in-one desktop that delivers an exceptional user experience. Its stunning display, powerful performance, and seamless integration with other Apple devices make it an ideal choice for creative professionals, professionals who need a high-performance desktop for work, and users who value a premium and stylish computing experience.
While the price point might be a deterrent for some, the performance and features of the iMac are unmatched in its class. If you’re looking for a powerful, sleek, and user-friendly desktop computer, the Apple 24″ iMac with the M3 chip is a top contender.
Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | macOS |
| Processor | Apple M3 |
| GPU | Apple (10-Core) |
| Total Installed Memory | 24 GB |
| Storage | 2 TB |
| Display | 23.5″ 4.5K Retina Display |
| Resolution | 4480 x 2520 |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Inputs/Outputs | 2 xUSB-C (Thunderbolt 3 / USB4)2 xUSB-C 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with MU-MIMO Support |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |