Apple's new M4 iMacs are built for the era of AI computing (with a long-awaited USB-C upgrade)

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

In lieu of a dedicated event, Apple just announced a revamp of its iMac and MacBook line of devices with the new M4 processor, the latest in Apple Silicon. The new chip -- released just one year after the M3 -- aims to propel Apple back to the top by harnessing AI capabilities powered by the chip's neural processing unit (NPU), while offering next-generation performance. 

Also: The Mac Studio feature keeping me from buying a new M4 Mac Mini this fall

Starting at $1,299, the new iMac comes with 16GB of unified memory and is available for pre-order today, October 28th. General availability will begin on November 8th. Apple says the new M4 iMacs are 1.7 times faster than the current version while pushing 2.1 times faster for demanding workflows like gaming and video editing. Here are the main features: 

They're available in seven colors (green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver) with color-matching USB-C accessories.The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display comes with a new nano-texture glass option.An M4 chip with 16GB of RAM powers Apple Intelligence features on the new iMac.The new iMacs come with up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports. A new 12MP Center Stage camera that auto-centers during video calls and a wide-angle lens that can show a top-down view of the desktop geared toward educators or students.Support for up to two external 6K monitors. 

What else Apple is expected to announce  

Apple marketing executive Greg Joswiak teased a "week of announcements" on X last week, guaranteeing that new M4-armed devices were on the horizon. Today, we got the first round of announcements with all-new iMacs, and later this week, we'll be getting announcements on revamps to MacBooks, the MacBook Air line, and Mac Minis. 

Also: Apple Intelligence is finally coming to your iPhone at the end of October

Apple is overhauling its lineup of Macs with several new models armed with the M4. A few of them will be available as soon as this year, with updates to the MacBook Air lineup coming early next year. As in previous models, there's an entry-level M4 chip, an M4 Pro, and a top-of-the-line M4 Pro Max. Here's the breakdown:  

We're also likely to see a revamped Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM that's about as big as an Apple TV device. The Mini will reportedly come in both an M4 and M4 Pro processor configuration, skipping over the M3 entirely as the current on-market device is equipped with the M2.  

Also: iOS 18.1 is officially available for iPhone. How to download (and which models support it)

Despite the M4's first appearance in the new iPad Pros in May of this year, Apple has been rather quiet regarding the M4 chip, instead centering the conversation around Apple Intelligence -- the company's AI model -- at WWDC and later with its integration in the iPhone 16. 

Now is the logical time to make the announcement. Around this time last year, Apple announced the M3 processors on MacBook Pros and the 24-inch iMac. However, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported earlier this month, Apple is shifting away from the annual product upgrade cycle, opening the door for smaller, more frequent software rollouts and product launches.  

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Rumors are inconclusive about an M4 chip in a new Mac Studio and Mac Pro, but it seems likely those won't be announced until more accessible core consumer products get the new chip. 

Additionally, Gurman reports that the M4 chip isn't likely to be available in the MacBook Air line of laptops until the first part of next year. The iPad Air 11 and 13-inch models will likely also see the new chip early in 2025, along with peripherals such as a new Magic Keyboard. 

Also: Every new feature Apple unveiled for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more this fall (including AI)

Apple's "week of announcements" is being anchored by product news for its MacBook and Mac desktop lineups, but that won't be the only thing unveiled. The latest iOS version, 18.1, was also just released, including call recording and transcription features powered by Apple Intelligence. 

New Apple devices with the next-gen M4 chip would propel Apple forward in the AI race currently playing out on PCs with the explosion of Windows' Copilot+ products and Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD processors. Here's to hoping the Cupertino giant brings the firepower going into what will be a bustling holiday shopping season.