iMac M3 (2023): the complete technical sheet, with the price and our opinion

The design doesn't change, and that's not a problem

To begin with, you should know that the iMac M3 retains the design of its predecessor. This offers a sufficient thicknessmincefor the all-in-one, which integrates the motherboard and other components behind the panel.

The manufacturer offers several colors to choose from, knowing that three of them are only available with the most expensive processor configuration.

A very efficient machine

The iMac M3, as its name suggests, is powered by the eponymous processor.

TheM3 chipis composed of an eight-core CPU and a graphics card with eight cores as well, or ten with its maximum configuration. A sixteen-core Neural Engine is also included. This part improves the processing speed of operations, thanks to an algorithm using artificial intelligence.

The amount of RAM in the 2023 iMac also changes depending on the configuration chosen. Users can choose between eight, sixteen or twenty-four gigabytes. As for the memory bandwidth, this is content with100 Go par second, regardless of the model chosen.

The iMac M3's screen is the largest of all Apple computers available today. Its diagonal reaches no less than twenty-four inches.

The display offers a 4.5K definition (4,480 x 2,520 pixels), at 218 ppi. Considering the size of the panel, it's quite little and you can quickly see the pixels with the naked eye: you have to know that.

Brightness reaches five hundred nits with the iMac M3, and True Tone technology adapts colors according to surrounding brightness. In total, a billion colors are supported.

Price of the iMac of 2023

The base price of the iMac M3 is set at1 599 euros. In maximum configuration, the price can reach more than 3,900 euros.

The amount to pay varies according to the storage capacity of the SSD, according to the volume of RAM, according to the number of cores of the graphics processor and according to the pre-installed software. The accessories provided in the box can also change the amount.

Apple does not offer a financing option for the 2023 iMac. But you can buy it in installments on certain specialized sites. To do this, do not hesitate to take a look at the comparison table below.

Sockets and sensors

Audio

The iMac M3 includes:

• a three-mic set with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
• compatibility with “Dis, Siri“
• six speakershigh fidelity with force-cancelling woofers with ample stereo sound
• Spatial Audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos

Overall, the sound provided by the computer is quite good. Purists, however, will rather appreciate pairing with a Bluetooth headset – or via the 3.5 millimeter jack which is arranged on the side.

The AirPods notably work very well with the iMac M3, pairing in seconds and supporting Handoff functionality.

Camera

The iMac M3 camera offers definitionFull HD.

Clearly, today, it is enough to make quality calls.

Unfortunately, Apple still doesn't offer the Centered Frame feature on the iMac and that's quite a shame. Only the Studio Display monitor is eligible (as well as certain iPads). The good news is that it is possible to connect this secondary screen quite easily, thanks to the sockets installed on the back of the desktop computer.

Connections

Speaking of ports, here is a quick overview of what we find on the aluminum chassis of the iMac M3:

• two Thunderbolt 4 ports andUSB 4(for the version with an eight-core graphics card)
• four Thunderbolt 4 ports, including two USB 4 compatible and two USB 3 compatible (for the version with a ten-core graphics card)
• the power socket, with a voltagefrom 100 to 240 V AC
• the 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, as mentioned previously

There is no micro-SD card slot on the 2023 iMac, unlike the14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro released in the same year. It's quite a shame, and it's also the fate of the HDMI socket. Users will therefore have to rely on USB accessories or adapters. These are quite expensive from Apple, but it is not uncommon to see third-party products malfunction.

Wireless networks

For wireless connectivity, the iMac M3s are first of all equipped with Wi-Fi 6E technology – like the 2023 MacBook Pros. For Bluetooth, generation 5.3 awaits them, which also equipsthe iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Users can also take advantage of dedicated streaming features for Apple devices. These are AirDrop, for sending files in seconds via Wi-Fi, and AirPlay. AirPlay allows you to start playing a playlist to a HomePod or a third-party speaker, again very quickly.

macOS equips the iMac M3

It ismacOS Sonomawhich originally fitted the iMac M3.

This version, however, remains subject to updates, and receives them rather regularly, particularly in terms of cybersecurity. The flaws are thus filled fairly quickly by Apple.

In terms of features, macOS is quite complete and even includes a suiteoffice automationcomplete with Pages (word processor), Keynote (presentations) and Numbers (spreadsheet). Among the other preinstalled apps, we also find the photo library soberly titled Photos and Finder, the file explorer. It is not possible to leave the latter: it is very impractical. Other disadvantages include the fact that the red cross does not really close an app, but minimizes it. One wonders what the yellow dash is for in this case: the action it triggers is the same. To really quit an app, you have to right-click.

Accessories provided in the box

Magic Mouse

The Magic Mouse is included at no extra cost in the iMac M3 box.

This wireless mouse connects via Bluetooth, but it is often considered by critics to be not very ergonomic. Despite everything, the color matches that of the iMac chassis, and it's rather original.

Magic Trackpad

The Magic Trackpad is available as an option, for fifty euros. It is a touchpad, which has the major advantage of its very large cursor movement surface. On the other hand, it is also not recommended to use it intensively: beware of muscle pain with this device.

Magic Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard comes at no extra cost with the key layout of your choice, depending on your language or country. A version with numeric keypad is available for an additional 26 euros.

Different internal storage options

• SSD de 256 Go
• SSD de 512 Go
• SSD de 1 To
• SSD de 2To

Our opinion on the 2023 iMac

The iMac M3 is a good start for those looking for apowerful desktop computer, and above all complete. It is in fact the only one to have a screen (!).

The processor is very fast and most tests consider the 2023 iMac to be a benchmark for powergrand public. The design is just as successful.

The price, moreover, remains rather acceptable for an Apple product. There is therefore little to say about this model, except that it would be interesting to be able to choose the size of the screen or to be able to add RAM after purchase. For now, the motherboard remains soldered to the RAM.