The things you may have missed from Monday's M4 iMac announcement

Jump to First Reply
AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware

The 24-inch iMac has been upgraded with the M4, but more than a simple chip update was revealed on Monday. Here's what you might have missed.

A glowing gradient square features a metallic Apple logo and the text M4 against a dark background.
The iMac has received Apple's M4 chip.



Apple revealed a straightforward spec upgrade to the 24-inch iMac, which has received the M4 chip previously used only in the iPad Pro.

While the new iMac has no visible differences compared to its M3-powered predecessor, the computer did receive meaningful hardware enhancements. Some of Apple's accessories also received a minor update.

The new M4-powered iMac supports 8K 120 Hz display output



Higher-end 10-Core GPU configurations of the new-and-improved iMac support 8K display output at 120Hz for a single external display, which has never been possible on any Mac up to this point.

Alternatively, with the new iMac, users also have the option of connecting two 6K displays with a refresh rate of 60 Hz instead of a single 8K 120 Hz display. A significant upgrade versus previous external display limitations for base M-series chipsets.

Entry-level Mac computers such as the Apple Silicon equipped iMac and MacBook Air have typically supported only one external display unless a DisplayLink adapter is used. The only outliers in this regard are the M3-equipped MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which can use two external displays, albeit only when the device lid is closed.

Future Macs with similar hardware configurations will also likely support the same types of display output, as Apple is expected to unveil more M4-powered computers during its week of announcements.

The Mac Pro now comes with USB-C accessories



While the main focus of Monday's announcements was undoubtedly the iMac, Apple also introduced minor upgrades to its existing accessories -- the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse.

The updated Magic accessories are included with the purchase of a new iMac with the M4 chip, or the existing Mac Pro. While the Mac Pro did not receive a hardware upgrade like the iMac, it did get the upgraded peripherals.

A hand holds a wireless mouse upside down, with a charging cable connected at the bottom.
The Magic Mouse charging port is still on the bottom.



The new accessories now charge via USB-C, while the previous versions featured a Lightning port. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse can also be purchased separately.

The USB-C charging port for the updated Magic Mouse is still located on the bottom of the device, though, which has proven unpopular with users.

More Mac-related announcements are scheduled for the remainder of the week, as the MacBook Pro and Mac mini are both expected to receive the M4 chip. Also on Monday, Apple released iOS 18.1, which finally makes select Apple Intelligence features available to the general public.




Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    jdwjdw Posts: 1,472member
    Rather than fix the mouse, Apple went on the cheap and swapped out the connector, in the same horrible location.  Horrible because even though it hides the connector from view for an aesthetically pleasing look, you can't use the mouse with a charging cable attached.  So when the mouse isn't charging it looks fabulous.  And when it is charging, you're the laughing stock of the office, not only because it looks stupid, but because you can't use your computer during the charging period.  And yes, we all know it only takes a couple minutes of charging to get a couple hours of use out of it, then you can charge the rest over night.  But the fact remains that this horrible design isn't acceptable.  

    I guess you can say the hockey puck mouse was worse because it had to do with how you used the thing, but still.  It's yet another Apple design failure that no Apple fan should ever try to justify.  We are Apple fans because Apple gets a lot right compared to other computer makers, and of course because we like their operating systems.  But when they fail, let us never shy away from calling it like it is: a BIG FAIL!
    argonautmuthuk_vanalingambeowulfschmidt
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 6
    michelb76michelb76 Posts: 737member
    jdw said:
    Rather than fix the mouse, Apple went on the cheap and swapped out the connector, in the same horrible location.  Horrible because even though it hides the connector from view for an aesthetically pleasing look, you can't use the mouse with a charging cable attached.  So when the mouse isn't charging it looks fabulous.  And when it is charging, you're the laughing stock of the office, not only because it looks stupid, but because you can't use your computer during the charging period.  And yes, we all know it only takes a couple minutes of charging to get a couple hours of use out of it, then you can charge the rest over night.  But the fact remains that this horrible design isn't acceptable.  

    I guess you can say the hockey puck mouse was worse because it had to do with how you used the thing, but still.  It's yet another Apple design failure that no Apple fan should ever try to justify.  We are Apple fans because Apple gets a lot right compared to other computer makers, and of course because we like their operating systems.  But when they fail, let us never shy away from calling it like it is: a BIG FAIL!
    I have a logitech mouse with a charging port in the front, so I can charge it and use it. In the past 5 years that I have this mouse, I have never done that, or have had to do that. Having the port on the front means it's always filled with dust, something I never had with my magic mouse.

    Redesigning a fairly insignificant product is a dumb business move. So yeah, the design is totally acceptable.
    thtsphericmike1williamlondonwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 6
    Stabitha_Christiestabitha_christie Posts: 724member
    jdw said:
    Rather than fix the mouse, Apple went on the cheap and swapped out the connector, in the same horrible location.  Horrible because even though it hides the connector from view for an aesthetically pleasing look, you can't use the mouse with a charging cable attached.  So when the mouse isn't charging it looks fabulous.  And when it is charging, you're the laughing stock of the office, not only because it looks stupid, but because you can't use your computer during the charging period.  And yes, we all know it only takes a couple minutes of charging to get a couple hours of use out of it, then you can charge the rest over night.  But the fact remains that this horrible design isn't acceptable.  

    I guess you can say the hockey puck mouse was worse because it had to do with how you used the thing, but still.  It's yet another Apple design failure that no Apple fan should ever try to justify.  We are Apple fans because Apple gets a lot right compared to other computer makers, and of course because we like their operating systems.  But when they fail, let us never shy away from calling it like it is: a BIG FAIL!
    You doing okay?
    mike1williamlondonwatto_cobra
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 6
    keithwkeithw Posts: 168member
    I don't care WHERE the charging port is on the "Magic Mouse," because I don't use it.  I still have a brand new one in the box that came with my 2017 iMac Pro.  I find the Apple mouse useless.  I currently use a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse.  I also use a mechanical keyboard and not the "chicklet" keyboard we used to complain about in the early days of desktop/personal computing. 
    williamlondon
     0Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 5 of 6
    Alex_Valex_v Posts: 282member
    jdw said:
    Rather than fix the mouse, Apple went on the cheap and swapped out the connector, in the same horrible location. [snip]  But when they fail, let us never shy away from calling it like it is: a BIG FAIL!
    Huh!!?? The Apple Magic Mouse is a spectacularly excellent mouse. Its comfort and intuitive ease-of-use is unequaled. Scrolling, up, down, sideways, brilliant! It integrates perfectly with the OS productivity functionality, like Mission Control, Exposé, Launchpad etc. Recharging the mouse upside down once every two-three months does not reach the level of a first-world problem. 
    williamlondonthtwatto_cobra
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 6
    jdwjdw Posts: 1,472member
    Have zero idea what Michelb76 is talking about because I too have a Logitech Mouse with charging port, but my charging port is on the BACK side (facing the computer, away from me), and when the battery is low I plug in the cable and continue using it, and no, that port never fills with dust.  Zero problems. The point here being that I have experience with non-Apple Mice which have a port, and that experience over YEARS of time has shown me it's not bad at all.  In other words, Apple doesn't have to keep the charging port on the bottom of the mouse.  It can succeed by having the charging port elsewhere, or make it wirelessly chargeable.

    Stabitha_Christie, yes I am doing quite well, thank you for asking.  (Very nice of you for asking!)

    Alex_V Not sure why you fake confusion with your "Huh!!??", but you clearly are using that "SPECTACULAR mouse" emphasize to draw attention from the ONE GLARING FLAW.  You also seem ignorant of the fact that I too use those charging port on the bottom Magic Mice daily and enjoy using them ALL EXCEPT FOR the stupid charging port on the bottom.  Overall, I like the mouse IN SPITE OF its flawed charging point LOCATION. So no need for the "Huh!!??" when it's pretty clear I am talking about ONE ASPECT that is a BIG FAIL.  And that remains true even if I think EVERYTHING ELSE about the mouse is SPECTACULAR.  Why I must write 10 paragraphs about what I like about something in order to pacify the nit-pickers in this forum is beyond me.  But since you people deliberately provoked me, here are a few more paragraphs...

    Unless you have your head firmly buried in the sand when it comes to the tech news, you surely know that I am not the lone Mac lover on this planet who has RIGHTFULLY chastised the Magic Mouse design AS IT PERTAINS to the charging port on the bottom.  So when you seek to battle me on this point, you battle all the other people who are like-minded, and I assure you, they are in the majority here.  
     
    This forum is known for Cupertino Worshippers. I have identified them as such, and it's pretty easy to spot them. Those are people who PRAISE EVERYTHING Apple does.  The same people lambasted me some years back in this very forum for daring to call Apple out on the BAD butterfly keyswitches, the HORRIBLE decision to remove the SD card slot on the MacBook Pro, and the STUPID abandoning of MagSafe.  Those folks decided to pile onto me because they DEFEND CUPERTINO AT ALL COSTS.  They said to me that no manner of crying on my part would ever make Apple change course and the changes were here to stay.  Well, I disagreed with that and chose to write lots of Feedback wot Apple privately.  And so did a lot of other intelligent Apple fans, it would seem, because those forum nuts were all wrong.  Apple got rid of the Butterfly keyboard, brought back the SD card slot, and restored MagSafe (albeit a new version, as required).  I was outnumbered in this forum by people who later were proved to be FLAT OUT WRONG.

    You don't need to worship every decision Apple makes to continue being a lover of Apple and its products, AND continue to use and praise the good aspects of those products.  Indeed, breaking out of the worshipper mentality will help you write some pointed feedback to Apple at times, suggesting to them where they may have gone wrong.

    And there you have it.
    muthuk_vanalingam
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
Sign In or Register to comment.