Any educated guesses on the 2018 iMac (not pro)

[badlydrawnboy]

I'm in the market for a new iMac, but it's not urgent. I do a lot of photography with large files, but from what I understand the iMac Pro is overkill unless you're doing video or something else that's more processor intensive and requires multiple cores.

I could go with the current 2017 iMac, which seems great, but I'd regret that if the 2018 iMac is redesigned, has Touch ID, and maybe some other new features. Have their been any rumors about what's expected, and when?

 

[Huddy]

There has been no rumours on the 2018 iMac. The only thing you can say with some kind of certainty is we'll get new Intel CPU's and a graphics card update based around AMD Vega.

If you were to ask for a best guess on release, most would probably state early summer, but it's just that a guess at this point.

Finally if there was a redesign around the corner would it not have been included in the Pro release, new product, new chassis? I'm hoping for a redesign but I have my doubts we'll see one.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I doubt we'll see a redesign. Just updated internals, but who knows when that would take place. I would wager that we won't see any spec updates for several months.

 

[Trebuin]

I would think that they would update the internals to match the iMac pro & throw in a 6 core. Graphics card is up in the air given the disaster of the Vega

 

[William Payne]

Ask yourself this, "What is going to be best for my workflow needs?"

 

[badlydrawnboy]

Well, my current 2014 iMac is pretty solid. I want a 2 TB SSD because 1) I need more space for storage, and 2) I do a lot of audio recording so having an external drive on all day doesn't work. I'd also like a higher quality webcam because I do a lot of video recording for online courses that I teach. The iMac Pro has both of the above but it's total overkill otherwise.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

A late 2018 release with some improvements, no major release.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I agree with Huddy. It’ll have faster Intel Core processors and Vega graphics. Perhaps the Intel integrated Vega and probably not the Pro Vega 56 or 64, unless they offer them as a high-spec option. It is likely they’ll have at least one model geared towards gaming.

 

[Trebuin]

I agree with Huddy. It’ll have faster Intel Core processors and Vega graphics. Perhaps the Intel integrated Vega and probably not the Pro Vega 56 or 64, unless they offer them as a high-spec option. It is likely they’ll have at least one model geared towards gaming.

I think AMD has to release something better than the Vega. The Vega was supposed to beat out nVidia's 1000 series & even the 1080, but that didn't happen. AMD didn't release a high end Polaris card to spend their efforts on releasing the Vega to get the upper hand on the high end card market. For video cards, developers create the card, then fine-tune, then die shrink, fine-tune, die shrink, fine-tune...& on & on. Vega is the fine-tune version of Polaris. The problem is nVidia released the 1080 & quickly turned around to released their fine-tuned 1080 card...basically two titan series one year after the other. No one really noticed that nVidia release their second card this summer, but we found out that it already caused the later released Vega.

So we may see Vega again in the 2018 iMac, but AMD had better do something because it's just becoming embarrassing. What will you think if the highest end 2018 Video card only matches up with the middle range nVidia? This may bring a possible change to nVidia. We can only hope.

 

[theluggage]

I could go with the current 2017 iMac, which seems great, but I'd regret that if the 2018 iMac is redesigned, has Touch ID, and maybe some other new features.

Short answer - nobody knows and, with Apple, its dangerous to guess when they're going to update a product after 6 months or when they're going to forget it for 3 years. Plenty of speculation in other threads, but it is just that - speculation.

Usual advice: buy what's available when you need it and not before - there's always the danger something better coming in six months.

As for Touch ID, that is problematic on an iMac because of the external keyboard - at best it would lock you in to using the supplied keyboard. Face ID would make much more sense.

 

[EugW]

3.7 GHz 6-core i7-8700K with TurboBoost from 4.3 GHz (6-core) to 4.7 GHz (1-core), and HyperThreading (12 threads)
3.6 GHz 6-core i5-8600K with TurboBoost from 4.1 GHz (6-core) to 4.3 GHz (1-core), no HyperThreading (6 threads)
2.8 GHz 6-core i5-8400 with TurboBoost from 3.8 GHz (6-core) to 4.0 GHz (1-core), no HyperThreading (6 threads)

Likely released summer 2018.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I think AMD has to release something better than the Vega. The Vega was supposed to beat out nVidia's 1000 series & even the 1080, but that didn't happen. AMD didn't release a high end Polaris card to spend their efforts on releasing the Vega to get the upper hand on the high end card market. For video cards, developers create the card, then fine-tune, then die shrink, fine-tune, die shrink, fine-tune...& on & on. Vega is the fine-tune version of Polaris. The problem is nVidia released the 1080 & quickly turned around to released their fine-tuned 1080 card...basically two titan series one year after the other. No one really noticed that nVidia release their second card this summer, but we found out that it already caused the later released Vega.

So we may see Vega again in the 2018 iMac, but AMD had better do something because it's just becoming embarrassing. What will you think if the highest end 2018 Video card only matches up with the middle range nVidia? This may bring a possible change to nVidia. We can only hope.

That’s not exactly true. Vega is a new architecture and a lot of games and apps were optimized for the Nvidia cards. As Vega drivers improve and software is optimized for Vega even the Vega 56 can beat out a GTX 1080Ti like we’ve seen in some AMD optimized titles like Forza 7.

 

[Trebuin]

3.7 GHz 6-core i7-8700K with TurboBoost from 4.3 GHz (6-core) to 4.7 GHz (1-core), and HyperThreading (12 threads)
3.6 GHz 6-core i5-8600K with TurboBoost from 4.1 GHz (6-core) to 4.3 GHz (1-core), no HyperThreading (6 threads)
2.8 GHz 6-core i5-8400 with TurboBoost from 3.8 GHz (6-core) to 4.0 GHz (1-core), no HyperThreading (6 threads)

Likely released summer 2018.

I'm guessing that unless they die shrink again, or switch to the iMac pro design, they'll downclock it like they did with the xeons.
[doublepost=1513452507][/doublepost]

That’s not exactly true. Vega is a new architecture and a lot of games and apps were optimized for the Nvidia cards. As Vega drivers improve and software is optimized for Vega even the Vega 56 can beat out a GTX 1080Ti like we’ve seen in some AMD optimized titles like Forza 7.

That's what I mean by the fine-tuning. The architecture change gives it about a 10-20% boost. The die shrink gives it a lot more nowadays due to the level of power required. The 2017 version of the 1080 can outlet the Vega 56, but I think the 56 matches the 2016 1080.

 

[EugW]

I'm guessing that unless they die shrink again, or switch to the iMac pro design, they'll downclock it like they did with the xeons.

There is no need to downclock the 6-core chips as they run at the same or similar TDP as previous models in iMacs.

 

[danielwsmithee]

The core i7-8700 is going to be an ideal chip for that standard iMac 27” next year. 6-cores/12-threads with a 65Watt TDP. I wouldn’t be suprised with the new iMac Pro out that Apple stops offering the “K” series CPU upgrades on the iMac and sticks with 65Watt TDP.

I’m hoping Apple will adopt some of the subtle design changes of the iMac Pro like removing the HD bay and replacing it with a better thermal system, but I doubt Apple wants to completely remove HDs yet from the design to hit the lower pice points of the base configurations.

I’m not sure what the Vega GPU options will be for the iMac, I don’t think the announced 56 and 64s in the Pro can be used without the thermal upgrades of the Pro.

 

[Toucansma]

Well an external redesign (making it more minimalist) would be nice, my guess it is doubtful as they won't want to show up the iMac Pro (if a major change).

 

[William Payne]

Well an external redesign (making it more minimalist) would be nice, my guess it is doubtful as they won't want to show up the iMac Pro (if a major change).

Minimalist in what way??? Can someone educate me on why a design change is needed? Or wanted?

 

[danielwsmithee]

Minimalist in what way??? Can someone educate me on why a design change is needed? Or wanted?

The modern style for most premium displays is very thin bezels. In comparison the iMac looks slightly dated. I personally don’t care unless Apple releases a matching 5K display. Thin bezels are very nice with multi-monitor setups.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I'm betting its gonna be a late fall or December 2018 release. We will likely see a preview of WWDC, but I think 2018 is so jam packed with product launches and software updates, its likely to eat into the development:

MacBook 2018 updates
MacBook Pro 2018 updates
iMac 2018 updates
iPad Pro 2018 updates
New Apple Watch
New iPhones
macOS 10.14
iOS 12
tvOS
watchOS
HomePod launch

Rev B spec update for the iMac Pro
Moving into the new campus

The amount of engineering resources will be spread thin.

Thats why I'm buying Apple stock for the first time next year.

 

[William Payne]

The modern style for most premium displays is very thin bezels. In comparison the iMac looks slightly dated. I personally don’t care unless Apple releases a matching 5K display. Thin bezels are very nice with multi-monitor setups.

Ah ok, I never took a liking to the thin bezel thing. Maybe I just haven't used them enough. Personally I have been frustrated by the lack of third party displays that look as good as iMacs.

 

[EugW]

I'm betting its gonna be a late fall or December 2018 release. We will likely see a preview of WWDC, but I think 2018 is so jam packed with product launches and software updates, its likely to eat into the development:

MacBook 2018 updates
MacBook Pro 2018 updates
iMac 2018 updates
iPad Pro 2018 updates
New Apple Watch
New iPhones
macOS 10.14
iOS 12
tvOS
watchOS
HomePod launch

Rev B spec update for the iMac Pro
Moving into the new campus

The amount of engineering resources will be spread thin.

Thats why I'm buying Apple stock for the first time next year.

Huh? Pretty much all those things (except for maybe HomePod) would get updated every year, or almost every year.

The core i7-8700 is going to be an ideal chip for that standard iMac 27” next year. 6-cores/12-threads with a 65Watt TDP. I wouldn’t be suprised with the new iMac Pro out that Apple stops offering the “K” series CPU upgrades on the iMac and sticks with 65Watt TDP.

I’m hoping Apple will adopt some of the subtle design changes of the iMac Pro like removing the HD bay and replacing it with a better thermal system, but I doubt Apple wants to completely remove HDs yet from the design to hit the lower pice points of the base configurations.

I’m not sure what the Vega GPU options will be for the iMac, I don’t think the announced 56 and 64s in the Pro can be used without the thermal upgrades of the Pro.

They will not delete all the K models. That would be a very foolish business decision, as they are extremely popular upgrades that generate increased revenue. The problem with the iMac Pro is that it is way over the budget of many at iMac customers.

Most people aren’t going to jump an 8-core iMac Pro just because a 6-core i7 is not available.

Minimalist in what way??? Can someone educate me on why a design change is needed? Or wanted?

The chin is too big, which makes the screen quite high. Not the best for ergonomics.

 

[William Payne]

Huh? Pretty much all those things would get updated every year, or almost every year.


They will not delete all the K models. That would be a very foolish business decision.


The chin is too big, which makes the screen quite high. Not the best for ergonomics.

I have heard people complain about the chin but never from an ergonomic standpoint. I guess it depends on desk height, sitting height, physical height, personal preference.

 

[EugW]

I have heard people complain about the chin but never from an ergonomic standpoint. I guess it depends on desk height, sitting height, physical height, personal preference.

For standard desk height and mainstream seating and physical height ranges, it is too tall by most ergonomic rules. And yes, I know several people who complain about its height, myself included.

Yes personal preference is important but monitors have less issues because the chin is smaller and many have adjustable heights.

There is a partial solution though, which is to use a third party VESA mount. Unfortunately, good quality ones that work well with the 27” iMac are very expensive and are restricting. Plus they are still limited by the chin.

 

[William Payne]

For standard desk height and mainstream seating and physical height ranges, it is too tall by most ergonomic rules. And yes, I know several people who complain about its height, myself included.

Yes personal preference is important but monitors have less issues because the chin is smaller and many have adjustable heights.

There is a partial solution though, which is to use a third party VESA mount. Unfortunately, good quality ones that work well with the 27” iMac are very expensive and are restricting. Plus they are still limited by the chin.

How long do you want/need it to be? out of curiosity.

 

[danielwsmithee]

They will not delete all the K models. That would be a very foolish business decision, as they are extremely popular upgrades that generate increased revenue. The problem with the iMac Pro is that it is way over the budget of many at iMac customers.

Most people aren’t going to jump an 8-core iMac Pro just because a 6-core i7 is not available.

The chin is too big, which makes the screen quite high. Not the best for ergonomics.

The i7-8700 is a 6 core processor with out the overclocking capability which Apple doesn’t use anyways. They may still offer the i7-8700K as an upgrade, but I could also see them making the base iMac even sleaker and quieter by removing the K option and the option for a HD and lowering to a 65W TDP processor in the iMac. I see this as the long term future of the iMac in connection with the iMac Pro. While the upgrade to the K processor is fairly popular, a very large chunk of those upgraders just moved to an iMac Pro. I really doubt it will be that popular any longer.

I’d rather see Apple offer the 8700K on the iMac Pro with its more capable cooling system and overclock it for those professionals that need the ultimate single core performance.

Also I already have to raise the iMac 4” to get proper ergonomics, dropping the chin and lowering the display would be horrible. Or heaven forbid they could come up with a design that is height adjustable again. As is it is currently the only true way you can have a correct ergonomic setup with an iMac is to use a VESA adapter. The biggest ergonomic mistake most people make is having their monitor too low which encourages both slouching in your chair or hunching over your desk.