iMac Redesign for 2018?

[Cool Pup]

I'm in the market for a new iMac so I am definitely hoping for a refresh this year, it's what I'm holding out for at WWDC. I wouldn't be that upset if there wasn't, but there should be at least a spec bump if not a general slimming down. With the Pro having come out a few months ago, I have my doubts a major redesign is in order anytime soon.

The only concern I have, if you can call it that, is if they might differentiate models by making the iMac more "casual" (I.E. less ports, the usual Apple way of business) and it might be more affordable, but it would be less powerful all things considered. I don't necessarily think they'll make the iMac Pro the only option for enthusiast users because the price is too out there for even hardcore users who don't edit heavy video, but I do have my concerns Apple might release an iMac without USB 3.0 ports or even a headphone jack (although iPads and MacBooks still have them, coincidentally enough).

Regardless I'm still excited for the prospects of a new iMac this year, my current model has some pretty intensive image retention issues and slowdown on occasion but I can deal for the hopeful proposition of a new machine. I just hope they keep adding on instead of taking away.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I'm in the market for a new iMac so I am definitely hoping for a refresh this year, it's what I'm holding out for at WWDC. I wouldn't be that upset if there wasn't, but there should be at least a spec bump if not a general slimming down. With the Pro having come out a few months ago, I have my doubts a major redesign is in order anytime soon.

The only concern I have, if you can call it that, is if they might differentiate models by making the iMac more "casual" (I.E. less ports, the usual Apple way of business) and it might be more affordable, but it would be less powerful all things considered. I don't necessarily think they'll make the iMac Pro the only option for enthusiast users because the price is too out there for even hardcore users who don't edit heavy video, but I do have my concerns Apple might release an iMac without USB 3.0 ports or even a headphone jack (although iPads and MacBooks still have them, coincidentally enough).

Regardless I'm still excited for the prospects of a new iMac this year, my current model has some pretty intensive image retention issues and slowdown on occasion but I can deal for the hopeful proposition of a new machine. I just hope they keep adding on instead of taking away.

For desktops, I imagine we'll continue to get a variety of I/O, including USB A ports and TB 3/USB-C.

 

[m0nkeyb0y]

I’m hoping for a slight redesign like the ima. Pro. Mostly, I want a removal VESA mount, where you can choose to put it on or take it off.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I want a removal VESA mount, where you can choose to put it on or take it off.

This should really be standard on iMacs.

 

[Cool Pup]

For desktops, I imagine we'll continue to get a variety of I/O, including USB A ports and TB 3/USB-C.

I hope so, because dongles on a desktop computer are likely the only thing that would ever push me away from Macs and to build my own Windows PC. High Sierra in of itself on the other hand was very convincing too, but that's another story...

Hopefully Apple realizes desktops are not supposed to have power compromises in exchange to be slimmer, considering it's not a portable device and fully invests in ports, old and new.

 

[rjtiedeman]

This should really be standard on iMacs.

Standard TV flat screens have built in connection points to fit monitor mounts. It’s not difficult you just have to want to.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Standard TV flat screens have built in connection points to fit monitor mounts. It’s not difficult you just have to want to.

Removable Vesa mounts are on all iMacs?

 

[Shivetya]

I don't believe there will be a redesign of the case. They would have done it first with the iMac Pro and they did not.

At first this was my belief too but we are at the 20th anniversary of the iMac and it would be good for Apple to change the chassis. Why? To separate Pro and consumer lines and mainly to celebrate twenty years of iMac.

the big danger of course is they make it even less capable of heat management that we end up with an Air equivalent and the only way to have a powerful setup is to go Pro

 

[Ifti]

I don't care for a redesign - current design would suit me fine.

All I want is newer components, and the same ports as the iMAC Pro (4 TB3 ports especially).
Not expecting a 10GBe port, but my main want is more TB3 ports.

 

[Lesser Evets]

isn't it the 20 year anniversary of the imac this year?

New design would likely coincide with this event

Yeah, it will be 20 in August I think.

They usually launch around June-August, so it would be perfect for a redesign. However, is the iMac prime for a redesign that would fit? I'm not sure; I think they will need to go to newer interior design first, and that might come with the 10nm Intels (next year).

However, it would be pretty awesome if they turned out iMacs with translucent, colored, back shells in honor of the old iMacs of 1998/9. Not sure if that is easily done or a big PIA for Apple, and the backs are usually turned to walls, so you don't get much benefit from such a design. I'd like that more than space grey.

The new iMacs will probably have keyboards with touch strips. Maybe we get lucky and they put in DDR5 RAM, but I doubt it this year.

 

[Mac32]

Apple has already backed themselves into a corner with bad thermals on the iMac, running the CPU and GPU close to 100 C degrees during heavy loads, while only using mobile GPUs and underclocked CPUs. And now you want an even more slimmed-down iMac, with even more gimped performance? Sorry, I don't get it. And don't get me started on the keyboard touch strip...

Apple biggest problems these days are too many software bugs (+lack of driver updates incl. Bootcamp), and impractical form-over-function design. I still prefer OSX and Apple's notebooks, but at some point you have to vote with your dollar, and say "no" to Apple's nonsense. Now that other companies are making very powerful and silent-running all-in-ones with great design (like Corsair One), and Windows 10 is continually improving, Apple releasing a new weaker iMac model could potentially drive a good number of customers towards PC instead IMO.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Apple biggest problems these days are too many software bugs ...

I consider this the biggest achilles heel that Apple has had since 2011.

Their software is getting closer to "crappy" every year, aside from Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro. They fiddle with stuff, adding weird functions while ignoring many problems that linger forever. And their iTunes store!! Who thought that was any good??

 

[Glmnet1]

And now you want an even more slimmed-down iMac, with even more gimped performance?

They don't have to make it slimmer. Actually I'd much rather see thicker edges but less bezel and chins.

Keeping the same form factor but increasing the screen size would be nice too.

 

[MistrSynistr]

They won't update the chassis for this because of one thing: iMac Pro has the old body style. They would never make the iMac look more sleek and modern than their $8K version.

 

[meddow]

They won't update the chassis for this because of one thing: iMac Pro has the old body style. They would never make the iMac look more sleek and modern than their $8K version.

Workstations don’t need to look sleek or modern as they are for work.

Consumers are the ones that need the sleekness

 

[fathergll]

They won't update the chassis for this because of one thing: iMac Pro has the old body style. They would never make the iMac look more sleek and modern than their $8K version.

I have to chuckle why people think that the iMac Pro can't utilize the legacy design. The thinking behind this doesn't make sense. Different computers aimed at different market segments. $8K all-one-workstation vs $3K all-one-desktop.

 

[CWallace]

At first this was my belief too but we are at the 20th anniversary of the iMac and it would be good for Apple to change the chassis. Why? To separate Pro and consumer lines and mainly to celebrate twenty years of iMac.

the big danger of course is they make it even less capable of heat management that we end up with an Air equivalent and the only way to have a powerful setup is to go Pro

I was going to say, remember what happened when they let Ive design the 20th Anniversary Macintosh.

 

[dazzer21-2]

Personally, I like the current iMac design. The 'chin' means I don't see the actual stand, just the foot, the outer black bezels around the fantastic screen really do not bother me at all, night or day, and it looks just as good switched off as it does on. Space grey would be nice as an option, but I'm truly happy sitting behind my naked aluminium. As long as it doesn't suffer in performance terms in the quest for losing a few more microns of thickness (personally, it could be a foot thick and I don't think I'd care - who looks around the back anyway?). If anything, just the access to the ports could could be improved.

 

[helloineedhelp]

Is it stupid to buy a iMac 27 inch 2017 model today?

What about a Pro one?

 

[CWallace]

Is it stupid to buy a iMac 27 inch 2017 model today?

What about a Pro one?

Depends on what you need. I am very pleased with my mid-2017 5K iMac, which I purchased because I do not need the CPU nor GPU performance of the Late 2017 iMac Pro.

 

[helloineedhelp]

Depends on what you need. I am very pleased with my mid-2017 5K iMac, which I purchased because I do not need the CPU nor GPU performance of the Late 2017 iMac Pro.

I have been looking at i5 mid lvl 2017 or the iMac Pro. Both 27 inch ofc.
(the i7 is a big no for me, since the fans have been told me to loud and annoying.)

But people telling me to wait for until June.?

What do u think. Will the iMac Pro still be superior to the ''Maybe iMac 2018 27 model'' or will they now be similar and the iMac Pro would not be so overpowering over the iMac 5k anymore?

 

[CWallace]

What do u think. Will the iMac Pro still be superior to the ''Maybe iMac 2018 27 model'' or will they now be similar and the iMac Pro would not be so overpowering over the iMac 5k anymore?

Yes, the iMac Pro will still be more powerful in CPU and GPU performance than the mid-2018 iMac we are likely to see announced at WWDC in June.

But the mid-2018 iMac should be more powerful than the mid-2017 iMac so you should wait if you do not need the iMac Pro's performance.

 

[EugW]

I have been looking at i5 mid lvl 2017 or the iMac Pro. Both 27 inch ofc.
(the i7 is a big no for me, since the fans have been told me to loud and annoying.)

But people telling me to wait for until June.?

What do u think. Will the iMac Pro still be superior to the ''Maybe iMac 2018 27 model'' or will they now be similar and the iMac Pro would not be so overpowering over the iMac 5k anymore?

I own a 2017 65W i5-7600 iMac. It's great for what I need it for, but honestly I don't recommend buying now unless you get a killer deal or if you absolutely must have the machine now.

A 2018 65W i5-8500 iMac from 2018 would beat the 2017 91W i7-7700K in multithreaded applications, for less money and quietly.

My intent was to buy in 2018, but I couldn't wait any longer for fiscal year budget reasons, so I bought the 2017.

 

[helloineedhelp]

I own a 2017 65W i5-7600 iMac. It's great for what I need it for, but honestly I don't recommend buying now unless you get a killer deal or if you absolutely must have the machine now.

A 2018 65W i5-8500 iMac from 2018 would beat the 2017 91W i7-7700K in multithreaded applications, for less money and quietly.

My intent was to buy in 2018, but I couldn't wait any longer for fiscal year budget reasons, so I bought the 2017.

So the upgrade in the 'maybe 2018' models will be that much of a difference to the current 2017 ones.

Maybe buy the iMac Pro if i get it for a good deal? Would that be a good buy or would that now maybe also be stupid?

 

[EugW]

So the upgrade in the 'maybe 2018' models will be that much of a difference to the current 2017 ones.

Maybe buy the iMac Pro if i get it for a good deal? Would that be a good buy or would that now maybe also be stupid?

I get the impression you may not benefit from the iMac Pro, but obviously it depends on what you need it for. It seems kinda odd to me you're considering an iMac Pro vs a 65 Watt iMac. They are in quite different performance classes, both from the CPU side and the GPU side. And they are also in completely different price classes. So, if you don't need an iMac Pro, it would be an incredible waste of money to buy one.