Apple's 2023 M3 iMac vs. 2021 M1 iMac: A Giant Leap in Specs and Silicon

pcmag.com:

Apple today announced its new M3 processing platform, which will launch inside fresh iMac and MacBook Pro models, available for order now. The iMac is, for now, exclusively a 24-inch model based on the new M3 chip, starting at $1,299.

In the fast-moving world of computing, two years is a long time, and that’s how long we’ve been without an update to Apple’s famous iMac all-in-one desktop line. New models were last released in the spring of 2021, based on the then-new M1 silicon, but Apple skipped the M2 generation with the iMac entirely. We reviewed that 24-inch iMac at the time.

Unlike past generations, Apple launched the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max here at the same time, whereas the more powerful Pro and Max chips were launched later previously. For the time being, the M3 Pro and M3 Max will only be available in the updated MacBook Pro models, while this 24-inch iMac is sticking to the M3.

Still, it sounds like even the base chip represents a notable performance increase over the base M2. While the design remains the same—unlike the more major design leap from the 2020 to the 2021 iMac—you'll find some new features to examine. Let’s put them head to head to see what has changed in two years.

It’s pretty difficult to miss, but with the 2021 model, one of the main attractions beyond the new processor was a wide array of color options. iMacs of the more distant past embraced color, but the de facto look in more modern times was the signature all-silver design. The 2021 edition came in green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and, if you still wanted it, silver. More companies have ramped up their color offerings, and it mirrors the more fun iPhone stylings, too.

The 2023 iMac is evidently not shying away from this decision,