Apple just dropped a duo of new Mac releases, the M4 iMac and Mac Mini—and they did it without the usual fanfare, just a couple of press releases. Skipping a full-on launch event feels like a new era in Apple’s marketing playbook, but don’t be fooled—these updates are legit next-gen devices.
First up, we have the M4 iMac, the all-in-one that’s been turning heads for decades. For anyone who’s ever owned (or wanted to own) an iMac, it’s still that magical combo of screen, CPU, keyboard, and mouse in one sleek design. And right on its heels, Apple unveiled a new M4 Mac Mini—half the size of its predecessor but with a little extra thickness. And yes, as we suspected, they’ve finally bid farewell to USB-A ports.
So, why should you care? Well, here’s five reasons to get excited (or at least mildly intrigued). Let’s jump in!
1. A 24-Inch 4.5K Retina Display (Plus Nano-Texture Option for the Glare-Haters)
The iMac’s iconic display just got even better with this 24-inch Retina stunner, featuring Apple’s shiny new M4 chip. It’s built for homes and small offices but feels like it’s made to grace a gallery. With seven color choices—Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Silver—it’s like Apple’s put out a desktop for every personality type.
And yes, this iMac is smaller than the previous 27-inch version, but don’t start complaining yet. The 24-inch display has a 4.5K resolution that’ll blow most other displays out of the water, not to mention HDR, 500 nits of brightness, and a wide color range. If screens could flex, this one would.
If reflections drive you crazy, Apple offers a nano-texture glass option to cut down on glare, giving you an ultra-crisp view even under bright lights. And for memory, Apple’s starting things off with 16GB of unified memory, doubling what used to be standard. No more basic specs for your basic tasks.
2. Cameras, Mics, and Speakers That Bring It
Apple’s going all out with the iMac’s media setup. The 12MP Center Stage camera keeps you in frame even when you move, and it smoothly adjusts when more people join. Desk View mode is back too, giving a top-down view of your workspace while you stay on screen. Perfect for remote meetings or showing off your doodles to friends.
Audio gets a major upgrade, too. Studio-quality mics paired with a six-speaker sound system that features Spatial Audio promise that every video call, playlist, and movie will sound just as good as it looks. Apple’s MacBook Pros have already set a high bar here, so we’re expecting greatness. Even with the slim profile, this iMac can blast out premium sound.
3. The M4 Mac Mini: Mini Size, Major Power
The new M4 Mac Mini is a desktop that would fit in your lunch bag, no joke. It’s just 5 x 5 inches, or about half the size of the previous model. But don’t let its size fool you. Inside, it packs either the M4 or M4 Pro chip, making it a powerhouse that could give a lot of larger desktops a run for their money.
Its power efficiency and low heat make it a serious contender to replace bulky Windows machines, all while saving space and running quieter. And yes, we did see this one coming—Apple has entirely ditched the USB-A ports in favor of all USB-C. If you’re still hanging on to older peripherals, you might need a dock to bridge the gap.
A funky characteristic of the Mac mini is that its power button is located on the bottom side of the chassis. Whether this was done intentionally by Apple to pay homage to the bottom side USB C slot on the Magic Mouse, or there is a functional element in this design, will always remain a mystery.
4. Unified Memory Starts at 16GB: A Long-Awaited Upgrade
Finally, Apple’s upped the minimum unified memory to 16GB across all M4 models. And about time! The increased memory is likely to support Apple Intelligence, the brand’s evolving suite of advanced AI features. So if you’ve been eyeing the new M4 iMac or Mac Mini, know you’re getting a major spec boost from the get-go.
5. Value: Apple’s New Macs May Actually Be Affordable
Starting at ₹59,900, the M4 Mac Mini is the most wallet-friendly way to get into the M4 generation. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll still need a display, keyboard, mouse, and maybe a webcam. Even so, for an M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 256GB SSD storage, this is solid value. Higher-end options go up to the M4 Pro chip, 24GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage at ₹1,49,990. Fully loaded, you can configure up to 64GB of memory and an 8TB SSD, with the total topping out at ₹4,69,900.
As for the iMac, the price-to-value ratio looks pretty attractive too. The base model starts at ₹1,34,900 and comes complete with a 16-core M4 chip, 16GB memory, and 256GB SSD. If you need more power, the 20-core M4 variant is just ₹20,000 more, and you can scale up to 32GB of memory and a 2TB SSD for ₹2,14,900. With the iMac, you’re also getting top-tier Apple peripherals—keyboard, mouse, speakers, camera, and mic, all built-in and ready to go.
For an in-depth review of the M4 Macs in action, stay tuned to iLLGaming, where we’ll dive into all the performance details.
