Your guide to the best Apple hardware and third-party accessories

iMac

> From £1,399

> In October 2023, Apple updated its only iMac – the 24in model, so that it now benefits from Apple’s also newly-released M3 chip. You can now choose between an 8-core CPU/8-core GPU at the entry-level, or an 8-core CPU/10-core GPU on the mid-range and top-tier versions. You still get a 4.5K (4480x2520) Retina display, and all models come with 8GB of memory as standard, but this is now upgradeable to 24GB throughout. The solid-state drive (SSD) storage ranges from 256GB on entry-level and mid-range versions to 512GB on the top tier, although you can add up to 1TB on the entry-level and up to 2TB on mid-range and top-tier models.

The entry level version is available in Blue, Green, Pink and Silver, but the mid- and top-tier models are also available in Yellow, Orange, and Purple. Each M3 iMac also comes with a 1080p FaceTime camera, and a six-speaker sound system with support for spatial audio. You’ll also find two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports on each model, with mid-range and top-tier options offering two additional USB 3 (USB-C) ports. Rather surprisingly – and pleasingly – the starting price remains unchanged at £1,399.

EXPECTED OCT 2024 UPDATED OCT 2023

iMac 24in £1,399

(Entry level)

Display: 23.5in 4.5K Retina (4480x2520) with True Tone

Chip: Apple M3 with 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 8GB (upgradeable to 24GB)

Storage: 256GB (upgradeable to 512GB or 1TB)

Ports: 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4, 1x Gb Ethernet (option)

iMac 24in £1,599

(Mid-range)

Display: 23.5in 4.5K Retina (4480x2520) with True Tone

Chip: Apple M3 with 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 8GB (upgradeable to 24GB)

Storage: 256GB (upgradeable to 512GB, 1TB or 2TB)

Ports: 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4, 2x USB 3, 1x Gb Ethernet

iMac 24in £1,799

(Ultimate)

Display: 23.5in 4.5K Retina (4480x2520) with True Tone

Chip: Apple M3 with 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 8GB (upgradeable to 16GB)

Storage: 512GB (upgradeable to 1TB or 2TB)

Ports: 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4, 2x USB 3, 1x Gb Ethernet

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

> From £179

> This extended keyboard is a great upgrade option for any Mac and comes with Touch ID for faster Mac logins. The black version costs £199.

Apple Magic Mouse

> From £79

> Design quirks aside, (we’re looking at you, Lightning Port) the Magic Mouse is a great pointing device, thanks to its Multi Touch support. The black version costs £99.

Apple Magic Trackpad

> From £129

> This Multi Touch glass trackpad is a thing of beauty, giving you lots of control over macOS and it’s rechargeable too. The black version costs £149.

EXPECTED MAR 2025 UPDATED MAR 2024

MacBook Air

> From £1,099

> Apple’s most affordable laptop was given an upgrade in March 2024, with both the 13-inch and 15-inch models now sporting Apple silicon M3 chips, although an M2-equipped version of the 13-inch remains available.

The laptop boasts a silent, fanless design, a six-speaker sound system (the 13in has four speakers) and spatial audio. The 13in M3 features an 8-core CPU, offering 1.6x faster performance than the M1, along with either an 8or a 10-core GPU, giving it a 5.8% boost in graphics performance. The M3 also benefits from 100GB/sec memory bandwidth. Both M3 MacBook Air models come with 8GB of memory as standard, configurable to 16 or 24GB, and both can be configured with up to 2TB of storage.