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New Base M4 iMac Comes With 16GB of Unified Memory

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Apple has equipped its just-announced M4-powered iMac with 16GB of Unified Memory as standard, up from 8GB of RAM in the previous model. The new iMac starts at $1,299.

Apple iMac M4 lifestyle 24 inch Retina display
As rumored, Apple has upped the base memory configuration of at least one of its latest Macs. It is the first time that the company has offered the ultra-thin all-in-one desktop computer with a minimum of 16GB of memory.

All of Apple's upcoming new Macs this year are likely to have at least 16GB of RAM pre-installed as standard, breaking a years-long tradition of Apple offering just 8GB of RAM in most of its base Macs and forcing customers to pay out an extra $200+ for additional memory.

The new iMac is available in a range of new colors, and the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display offers a new nano-texture glass option. The iMac also features a new 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View, up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, up to 32GB of Unified Memory, and color-matched accessories that include USB-C.

The new iMac is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning Friday, November 8. Apple is expected to announce new MacBook Pro models and a new redesigned Mac mini later this week.

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Top Rated Comments

B
brofkand
22 months ago
I’m baffled they could afford to do this.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
Velli
22 months ago
Cue complaints that it’s not 32.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
btbeme
22 months ago
A powerful computer, with an outstanding display, intended to be the hub of your digital world, appropriate for editing your photos, creating your digital video content, and the centerpiece of your computing experience across all your devices.

In what world is 256gb of storage appropriate for that? 512? Do I really have to pay double the cost of the base machine in order to simply have 2tb of storage?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
shurcooL
22 months ago
Woohoo! About time. Glad to have 16 be the new minimum. 👏

Any predictions when the next bump will be? 24 or 32? In 2030-2039 or 2040+?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
NachoNoir
22 months ago
The problem has never been the base config in terms of RAM and storage. I understand that there's probably people well served by 8GB/256GB and they don't need to pay more (maybe not now with AI, but bear with me). The problem is the insane price of even the minimal upgrades.

Getting to 16GB/512GB from the base config should have always been much more reasonable, and that's the reason we're happy that 16GB is now standard; no need for a ridiculous $200 (230€) upgrade to get there. It's absurd that a Mac Mini is $600 (at least today) but you need to pay TWICE as much to get 16GB/1TB, which is a very standard configuration nowadays.

So, regardless of the 16GB base RAM, Apple has decided to stay at 256GB SSD once again. It's 2024, for crying out loud. Giving users a measly 512GB can't be that hard. Instead, Apple has chosen to leave base storage at the same point as a Pro iPhone, and to keep charging $200 (230€) to get to 512GB, or $400 (460€!!) for just 1TB. In 2024. Insane.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
greenbreadmmm
22 months ago
256gb is there to keep the upsell alive after going to 16gb ram. I'm surprised so many people are confused by this.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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