Any chance of updates at WWDC?

[cyclingplatypus]

WWDC is historically very light in the hardware announcements - that coupled with the 2015 model was announced less than a year ago (October 2015) makes the chances very slim.

Looking at the buyers guide, makes it look even more slim - the iMac is the second newest refresh at 226 days.

 

[Sportifax]

So you don't believe there will be any updates to the 2015 iMac at WWDC ?

 

[Hellhammer]

I would say it's unlikely. The 27" is already using the latest Intel Skylake CPUs, so there's nothing Apple could really update it with. The 21.5" is using previous generation Broadwell CPUs (suitable Skylake CPUs were not available at the time) and technically Apple could do a minor update, but I believe Apple will wait until Kaby Lake CPUs and new GPUs are available later this year before doing an update.

 

[Sportifax]

@Hellhammer, so you would say I could easily buy one now?

 

[Hellhammer]

@Hellhammer, so you would say I could easily buy one now?

Yes. Otherwise you may end up playing the waiting game for six months or longer, and then end up with relatively small updates that aren't worth the wait.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

There will always be "the latest device\gadget". I say buy one.
To put it in perspective, I just bought my first Mac, ever. An iMac 27" with 1TB Fusion Drive.

 

[Sportifax]

Yes. Otherwise you may end up playing the waiting game for six months or longer, and then end up with relatively small updates that aren't worth the wait.

Alright, thank you so much for the inputs! Really appreciate it!

 

[redheeler]

As mentioned, a 5K iMac update at WWDC is unlikely.

 

[iMcLovin]

Unless apple has gotten their hands on AMD polaris or GTX 1080 before everyone else, theres nothing new to add to the iMac. I just hope apple wont wait 6 months additionally after these new GPU's are released. These GPU's are suppose to be have major graphics improvements....something Apple needs to take more seriously I think.

 

[toddzrx]

WWDC is historically very light in the hardware announcements

Depends on your definition of "historically". Other than the last two, almost every WWDC has had a hardware intro for the past decade. I expect this year we'll at least see new MacBook Pros.

 

[Sportifax]

Unless apple has gotten their hands on AMD polaris or GTX 1080 before everyone else, theres nothing new to add to the iMac. I just hope apple wont wait 6 months additionally after these new GPU's are released. These GPU's are suppose to be have major graphics improvements....something Apple needs to take more seriously I think.

I hope that they will get the updated GPU at WWDC!

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I hope that they will get the updated GPU at WWDC!

I think you've got 2 hopes and one of them is Bob.

 

[Sportifax]

I think you've got 2 hopes and one of them is Bob.

Bob?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Bob hope, famous american entertainer, the other of course is no hope!!!

 

[maflynn]

WWDC is historically very light in the hardware announcements

I'd say they've been using WWDC to announce products fairly regularly.

Source (up to 2014)
WWDC 2005 Announcement of going to intel
WWDC 2006 Mac Pro
WWDC 2007 No hardware
WWDC 2008 iPhone 3G
WWDC 2009 MBPs, and iPhone 3Gs
WWDC 2010 iPhone 4
WWDC 2011 No hardware
WWDC 2012 MBA and rMBP
WWDC 2013 New Mac Pro and MBA refresh
WWDC 2014 No hardware
WWDC 2015 No hardware

 

[MCAsan]

Wait to see what is said at WWDC in a few days. Then you can plan the tradeoffs between the new features that would be included vs maybe a few bargains on the current machines.

In the States you might find some late 2015 iMac models for around $200 off. But if you can accept an early 2015 iMac, you can get over $800 off on some loaded models.

Once a late 2016 model is announced and prices released, we might see more bargains on the current late 2015 machines.


http://prices.appleinsider.com/#Current_Generation

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Agreed!
And, even Best Buy have been offering a $100 - $200 off on various Mac unit over the past month. Here's hoping more discounts to follow...

Wait to see what is said at WWDC in a few days. Then you can plan the tradeoffs between the new features that would be included vs maybe a few bargains on the current machines.

In the States you might find some late 2015 iMac models for around $200 off. But if you can accept an early 2015 iMac, you can get over $800 off on some loaded models.

Once a late 2016 model is announced and prices released, we might see more bargains on the current late 2015 machines.


http://prices.appleinsider.com/#Current_Generation

 

[MCAsan]

But at BB you usually pay sales tax. In my state that usually more than kills as BB price versus shopping at Adorama, B&H, MacMall, or others. Always add in the sales tax and shipping to know who has the best bargain.

 

[Fishrrman]

It is unlikely that we'll see new iMacs introduced next month.

It is -considerably more- likely that we will see new MacBook Pro's ...

 

[MCAsan]

I agree we will more likely see new iMacs later in the year. If we do see MBP moved to USB-C, TB3..etc., we can expect that to be done on the next generation of Mac Pro and iMac.. I guess even Mac Mini might finally drop FW ports....ha ha.

 

[maflynn]

we can expect that to be done on the next generation of Mac Pro and iMac

Apple seems to have forgotten the Mac Pro, I think that among all of apple's products is probably the most niche like and so they've been largely ignoring it.

The Mac Mini is a nice computer, I have one that dates back from 2009 going strong, though its largely unused at this point. My kids don't use it, and with my iMac I prefer that

 

[curmudgeonette]

The 21.5" is using previous generation Broadwell CPUs (suitable Skylake CPUs were not available at the time) and technically Apple could do a minor update, ...

An update of the retina 21.5" needs essentially the same HD580/CrystalWell/L4cache processor as the MBPs, just with a higher TDP. I could see the initial emphasis to be on mobile parts. The higher speed, higher wattage, lower margin desktop parts might be held for later. However, being able to sort all parts into more bins could be useful for Intel. In other words, chips that are either too slow at low mobile friendly voltages or simply run too hot, can instead be sold as desktop parts.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I would say it's unlikely. The 27" is already using the latest Intel Skylake CPUs, so there's nothing Apple could really update it with. The 21.5" is using previous generation Broadwell CPUs (suitable Skylake CPUs were not available at the time) and technically Apple could do a minor update, but I believe Apple will wait until Kaby Lake CPUs and new GPUs are available later this year before doing an update.

I could seem them going all 4k across the line for the 21.5, and putting skylake in the those models. Then 27" and 21.5" would be on the same cycle, with bigger updates to come (design, GPU, whatever) in the next update.

 

[Adam552]

The Intel 7th gen Kaby Lake processors will go into production in the next few months and begin to ship before the end of the year.

This is a more likely estimate of when you can expect new iMacs. These chips will support TB3.

 

[Hellhammer]

This is a more likely estimate of when you can expect new iMacs. These chips will support TB3.

The chatter I'm hearing from Computex suggests a launch in late 2016, but most vendors are not expecting volume shipments until Q1'17. Also, TB3 will still require a separate Alpine Ridge controller, and Skylake already supports that.