Apple iMac 24 (M4, 16GB, 256GB)

Apple iMac 24 (M4, 16GB, 256GB)

By Apple · Desktop Computers · Phones & Computers

  • Apple M4 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
  • 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, 500 nits brightness
  • 16GB unified memory
  • 256GB SSD

Lowest price seen
$1,359.99
from $1,359.99 at Costco · Checked Oct 7, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact 24-inch all-in-one for home and office desks, built around Apple’s M4 chip with 16GB of memory and a sharp 4.5K screen. Check the storage before you buy: the base 256GB SSD is small, and moving up a tier costs extra.

Strengths

  • The 4.5K Retina panel is sharp and color-accurate, and measured 507 nits in testing.
  • A fanless design runs silent through everyday work.
  • 16GB of memory is now the floor, a real gain at the same starting price.
  • The six-speaker system is louder and more detailed than typical laptop audio.
  • The bundled Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse are the best accessories in their class.
  • Seven colors are available across the range, including the base model.

Weaknesses

  • The 256GB base SSD is undersized for most people and expensive to expand.
  • There are only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, and Ethernet costs extra on the 2-port model.
  • The 60Hz panel is poor for serious gaming, and there is no Wi-Fi 7.
  • There is no Face ID, and Touch ID needs the upgraded keyboard.
  • The Magic Mouse charges from the bottom, so it cannot be used while charging.
  • You cannot feed another computer into the iMac’s screen and use it as an external monitor.

Verified specifications

Model24-inch iMac with M4 chip, 16GB unified memory and 256GB SSD, the 2-port baseline.
ProcessorApple M4 with an 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency cores), 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
Memory bandwidth120GB/s; memory configurable to 24GB at purchase.
Storage256GB SSD; configurable to 512GB or 1TB at purchase.
Display23.5-inch 4.5K Retina, 4480x2520, 218 ppi, 500 nits, P3 wide color and True Tone.
Refresh rate60Hz, with no ProMotion option.
Camera12MP Center Stage with Desk View and 1080p video recording.
Audiosix-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.
Microphonesstudio-quality three-mic array.
Ports (2-port model)two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and configurable Gigabit Ethernet.
External displayone display up to 6K at 60Hz on the 2-port model.
WirelessWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.
InputMagic Keyboard and Magic Mouse included; Touch ID keyboard or Magic Trackpad optional.
Power143W adapter; 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz.
Dimensions21.5 × 18.1 × 5.8 in (54.7 × 46.1 × 14.7 cm) with a 5.1 in (13 cm) stand.
Weight9.74 lb (4.42 kg).
Operating temperature50-95°F (10-35°C).
In the boxiMac, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, 143W power adapter, 2m power cord and USB-C charge cable.
ColorsBlue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green and Silver.
SupportAppleCare+ is available, with authorized service through Apple Stores and providers.
Full research notes and sources

Storage and upgrade costs

The 256GB base SSD is the one spec worth arguing about. CNET calls it undersized and notes it stays standard at both the launch and later price points, while Wirecutter calls it the bare minimum. Apple’s own upgrade ladder is steep: $200 to go from 256GB to 512GB, another $200 to 1TB, and $400 from 1TB to 2TB. Memory steps cost $200 each as well, and the nano-texture glass is a $200 option.

If you shoot photos or video, plan the storage up front. A 512GB build adds real headroom, and the 1TB tier is where the machine stops feeling cramped. Because everything is soldered, there is no later expansion.

Performance and the M4 chip

The M4 handles everyday work, photo editing and casual gaming without breaking a sweat. CNET’s test build reached a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 14,890 and a Metal GPU score of 55,513, which put it well ahead of the M3 generation. That build used the 10-core chip with 24GB of memory and a 1TB SSD, so the 8-core, 16GB, 256GB model here will trail it on multi-core and GPU tasks.

For browsing, documents, streaming and light creative work, the 8-core chip is more than enough. Wirecutter calls it almost certainly enough for basic tasks with few accessories and no external monitor. The 60Hz refresh rate and the thin macOS game library are the real limits, not the processor.

Which model this is

This page covers the 2-port baseline: M4, 16GB, 256GB, hardware model identifier B0DL75531G. It has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and configurable Gigabit Ethernet.

Don’t confuse it with the 4-port model, which adds a 10-core CPU and GPU, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, standard Ethernet, dual external display support and a Touch ID keyboard. The 512GB and larger builds use the same chassis but different storage.

ASIN B0DL75531G

Is it worth it?

At the original $1,299 launch price the M4 iMac was strong value: 16GB of memory, a 4.5K display, good speakers and premium peripherals in one box. After Apple raised the base price by $200 in June 2026 to about $1,499, the value narrows. Wirecutter puts the iMac at nearly $500 more than comparable Windows all-in-ones, and estimates a Mac Mini plus a 27-inch monitor at around $1,150.

The 8-core model makes sense if you want a quiet, compact desktop and do not need extra monitors or Ethernet. If you need more than one external display, Gigabit Ethernet or the nano-texture screen, step up to the 10-core model. Storage and memory upgrades above 512GB are hard to justify once the total climbs past $1,699.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

  • No owner threads for this exact model were accessible during research.

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