The iconic iMac is back with a vengeance, showcasing Apple‘s brand-new M3 processor. After two years of silence, this M3-powered desktop computer has created quite a buzz in the tech world. Notably, it marks the first time Apple introduces its cutting-edge three-nanometer architecture to a desktop computer. However, beneath this exciting change lies a host of other improvements and innovations. In this post, we’ll conduct a head-to-head comparison between the new M3 model and its 2021 predecessor.
Base Models: iMac M3 vs. iMac M1 Dual-Port
Both the M3 and M1 iMacs come in two categories, with the basic version offering two Thunderbolt ports at the back, and are available in vibrant colors such as Blue, Green, Pink, and Silver. Exterior dimensions, screen size, and resolution remain identical across both models. However, it’s when we delve under the hood that the differences emerge:
| iMac M3 | iMac M1 |
|---|---|
| CPU: 8 cores | CPU: 8 cores |
| GPU: 8 cores | GPU: 7 cores |
| RAM: Up to 24GB configurable | RAM: Up to 16GB configurable |
| SSD Memory: Up to 1TB configurable | SSD Memory: Up to 1TB configurable |
| Touch ID: No (keyboard with TouchID purchased separately) | Touch ID: No (keyboard with TouchID purchased separately) |
What the New M3 Brings to the Table
The 2023 iMac featuring the M3 processor introduces various key features not present in the 2021 iMac model, including:
- Hardware acceleration for ray tracing (Ray Tracing).
- Impressive 100 GB/s memory bandwidth.
- Hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, with the 2021 iMac offering support for H.264 and HEVC only.
- ProRes encoding and decoding engine.
- AV1 decoding.
- Enhanced RAM options – up to 24GB configurable, compared to the M1’s maximum of 16GB.
Higher Models: iMac M3 vs. iMac M1 Quad-Port
The top-tier iMac models stand out with even more robust technical specifications. Furthermore, they feature two additional USB Type-C ports alongside the existing two Thunderbolt ports. These models also offer an expanded color palette, including Orange, Yellow, and Mauve, and a Gigabit Ethernet connection included in the box. Here’s a comparison of these higher-end iMacs:
| iMac M3 | iMac M1 |
|---|---|
| CPU: 8 cores | CPU: 8 cores |
| GPU: 10 cores | GPU: 8 cores |
| RAM: Up to 24GB configurable | RAM: Up to 16GB configurable |
| SSD Memory: Up to 2TB configurable | SSD Memory: Up to 2TB configurable |
| Touch ID: Yes (comes on the keyboard) | Touch ID: Yes (comes on the keyboard) |
The M3’s Notable Additions
The top-tier iMac models powered by the M3 processor extend the capabilities we already know, boasting more GPU cores, expanded RAM support, and greater SSD capacity. In addition, they incorporate Ray Tracing, a 100GB/s bandwidth, and multimedia engines also found in the basic M3 iMac.
The external specifications remain unaltered, presenting a powerful evolution of the 2021 flagship version, now even more potent than ever.