What for?Will we ever get another iMac Pro?
Will we ever get another iMac Pro?
Been using an iMac Pro with 2x LG displays since 2018, absolutely love this computer and am due to update. Would like to have another iMac but the current offerings just don't do it for me. Will hold off for now to see what the updated Mini and Studio bring.
I'd be willing to consider an iMac Pro style in the current form factor (though I prefer 27"/5k) with the following:
If Apple is pushing this form factor as the "successor" its a non-starter without the above changes, IMO. Given its an iMac, the aesthetics matter somewhat and I personally wouldn't be happy upgrading just to end up with a mismatched setup out of the box. The bump in processing power also matters for longevity since I would assume most iMac buyers will hold onto them for longer than usual.
- M3 Pro/Max processor
- Support for 2 external displays (a consequence of the upgraded processors)
- Native 10g ethernet (no dongles)
- Space gray color and/or black bezel
- Matching external displays (same size/resolution, iMac design language, no chin, black bezel)
Ironically my setup was one of the official Apple press images for the iMac Pro:Apple already sells this computer - it is called a Mac mini or Mac Studio with a Studio Display in the middle of your two LG displays...
If you are already running a three monitor setup (with the required wires, footprint, etc), there is zero advantage of either a past or future iMac versus one of Apple's current desktop options
I'll offer that at no time in my computer purchasing history did I find myself, er, un-"thankful" for any of my AIO computer purchases, be they iMacs, MBP/Powerbooks, iPhones or iPads. Each purchase has been made with the full knowledge that, when it is deemed that the unit will be in need of replacement it will be replaced. Never once have I suffered from any buyers remorse for the purchase of any of these devices because they could not be upgraded.What for?
10 core, 32GB, 1TB iMac Pro was $5000
12 core, 32GB, 1TB M2 Max Mac Studio is $2400, plus Studio Display = $4000
Top end iMac Pro (18 core) + 64GB = $7000
Top end Studio Ultra (24 core) + Studio Display = $6600
...you can debate whether the CPU and GPU capabilities are comparable (even allowing for 5 years of progress) but that's kinda irrelevant since any hypothetical "new iMac Pro" will be based on the same Apple Silicon as the rest of the current range.
All that has been "lost" is the bargain entry-level 5k iMacs for $1800-$2000 - and Apple outright said yesterday that the 24" iMac was the replacement for those. They were probably unsustainable price-wise after 5k panels failed to take off in the mass PC market. Above that, the way forward is Mini or Studio + Studio Display (or a whole host of cheaper 3rd party display options), with the Mac Studio + Display combos pretty much in the same price bracket as the old i9 iMacs (esp. if you use Apple RAM prices - the third party option is never going to happen with Apple Silicon).
...and then, 3-4 years down the line when the CPU is outdated but the display is still perfectly good, you'll be thankful that you weren't forced to buy an all-in-one...
Anyway, if Apple did an iMac Pro, what display would they put in it? 27" 5k? (might be remotely affordable) 32" 6k? (add at least a kilobuck to the starting price, more for a XDR-quality panel with full-matrix local dimming)... Much more sensible to have a choice of computers + choice of displays. Plus, Apple can sell the standalone displays to MacBook Pro users as well...
Three out of four of those have a good reason for only being available as AIO. I don't want to have to re-assemble the components of my phone, tablet or laptop every time I take it out of my bag/pocket and find that I've left a vital cable on the train.I'll offer that at no time in my computer purchasing history did I find myself, er, un-"thankful" for any of my AIO computer purchases, be they iMacs, MBP/Powerbooks, iPhones or iPads.
By all means add the qualifier "forced to buy an all-in-one if you wanted a non-obsolescent desktop Mac" but the reality is, in mid 2017 when I last bought an iMac there was no other viable, up-to-date desktop Mac available. The situation is much better now, but seems to have come at the expense of the larger all-in-one option.Making personal purchasing decisions are, well, personal, and the idea that anyone is being (or ever has been), "forced to buy an all-in-one", well, made me chuckle. That folks want or desire stand-alone components (and not AIO's) for their setups, I'm thrilled that Apple has products for their needs and desires, too!
No. Mac Studio took its place. Imac is now just a calculator or an office low-power computerWill we ever get another iMac Pro?
"Horses for courses" and "products to suit any user's needs", I'm all about win-win.Three out of four of those have a good reason for only being available as AIO. I don't want to have to re-assemble the components of my phone, tablet or laptop every time I take it out of my bag/pocket and find that I've left a vital cable on the train.
By all means add the qualifier "forced to buy an all-in-one if you wanted a non-obsolescent desktop Mac" but the reality is, in mid 2017 when I last bought an iMac there was no other viable, up-to-date desktop Mac available. The situation is much better now, but seems to have come at the expense of the larger all-in-one option.
Now, it would be nice if Apple offered both. I don't want to deny anybody a large-screen all-in-one if that's really what they want. Problem is Apple don't seem to want to offer a large-screen all-in-one - which probably means that Apple (who have the sales figures and market research) don't think that offering both is financially viable for them.
Its unfortunate that we don't have the "bargain" of a 5k 27" iMac for under $2000 any more - but that's likely because 5k/220ppi has failed to take off in the PC world and has become an expensive niche that only interests Mac users. If a 5k or better iMac does appear, prepare to pay.
(NB: Edited after posting to make it a bit less argumentative).
Will we ever get another iMac Pro?
t´s a shame that we will never see again and iMac Pro.Apple Studio Display + Mac Studio = iMac Pro.
And it is cheaper too, since the iMac Pro started at $5000.
And considering inflation, the iMac Pro was actually $6000 just for the base config in 2023.