Laptops & Computers
Apple iMac 24-inch (M3) Review: The Best iMac Yet, With Familiar Trade-offs
- Brand:
- Apple
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-29
The verdict
The M3 iMac is a genuinely strong all-in-one for everyday computing and light creative work, wrapped in Apple's best industrial design in years — just budget past the $1,299 entry configuration, since 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage are tight even for typical use.
Pros
- M3 chip brings a real generational leap in benchmark performance over the M1 iMac it effectively replaced
- 4.5K Retina display at 500 nits brightness is sharp, color-accurate, and genuinely good for everyday and light creative use
- All-in-one design with a six-speaker sound system and included Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse keeps desk clutter minimal
- Wi-Fi 6E and hardware-accelerated ray tracing support keep it current with modern connectivity and graphics standards
Cons
- Entry $1,299 configuration includes only 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, both stingy by 2026 standards and expensive to upgrade
- The cheaper two-port model drops Ethernet and one Thunderbolt port compared to the four-port version, which costs $200 more
- 1080p FaceTime camera is behind current webcam standards found on many competing all-in-ones
- As an all-in-one, nothing beyond RAM and storage configuration can be changed or upgraded later — the whole unit is replaced when it's time to upgrade
This review reflects Apple's published specifications for the M3 24-inch iMac and the consistent conclusions from independent reviews and benchmark testing since its 2023 launch, evaluated as an all-in-one desktop for home and light professional use.
A real performance and display upgrade
Benchmark testing shows a substantial jump from the outgoing M1 iMac to the M3 chip, in both single-core and multi-core scores, translating to noticeably snappier everyday use and better headroom for photo editing and light video work. The 4.5K display continues to be one of the best all-in-one screens available at this price.
The base configuration is the catch
As with most current Macs, the $1,299 entry price hides real limitations — 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage are tight for anyone doing more than browsing and office work, and Apple's upgrade pricing for memory and storage is steep. The cheaper two-port model also drops Ethernet, which matters for anyone wanting a wired connection.
Who it's for
Best for home users, students, and light creative professionals who want a clean, all-in-one desktop with a great display and don't need to expand or upgrade hardware later. Skip it if you're budget-focused and would rather put money toward RAM and storage, or if you need a dedicated GPU for serious creative or gaming work — look at the Mac Studio or Mac mini paired with a separate monitor instead.
Frequently asked
- How much RAM and storage does the base iMac M3 have?
- The entry $1,299 configuration includes 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD storage, both of which are on the low side and can't be upgraded after purchase — consider the higher configurations if you expect to keep it for years.
- What's the difference between the two-port and four-port iMac models?
- The cheaper two-port model omits Ethernet and one Thunderbolt port compared to the four-port version, which also includes a 10-core GPU instead of 8-core and costs $200 more.
- Is the iMac M3's webcam good?
- It's a 1080p FaceTime camera, which is serviceable for video calls but behind the resolution and low-light performance of some competing all-in-ones and external webcams.
- Is the Apple iMac 24-inch (M3) worth buying?
- Yes, for home and light professional use where a clean all-in-one design and a great display matter more than raw expandability. It's a weaker pick if you're on a tight budget, since the base RAM and storage require costly upgrades to feel comfortable long-term.
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