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Is it okay to buy an iMac Pro now?
- Thread starter Synna
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Regardless of any supply chain analyst rumors (that are months old at this point), I’m highly skeptical. It would be great (and I would probably sell my fully-loaded 2020 iMac for it), but I’m incredibly skeptical because when Apple does the whole refresh with the same machine at a lower price (or in this case, bumping the entry-level option up a step and keeping the price the same), historically that indicates that a replacement model isn’t coming any time soon.
For reference, they’ve done this in the past with the MacBook Air, in 2016 when the base RAM on the 13” was raised to 8GB and in 2017 when the base CPU was raised to 1.8 GHz. It was late 2018 before the MacBook Air had any demonstrable upgrades from early 2015.
Similarly, the 2013 Mac Pro saw a base spec bump and an all around price drop in 2017, after the company held a press round-table to reassure people a new Mac Pro was in the works. That was 2.5 years before the 2019 Mac Pro was released.
So no, I don’t expect an Intel iMac Pro update and similarly cannot understand who it exists for (except maybe high-volume buyers who don’t care about value and just want uniform machines), as a regular iMac is going to be way better than the base model and if you need the extreme core count, Xeon chips, etc, a Mac Pro is a much better choice.
If you can get a great deal on one, do it. I wouldn’t buy one new today but I also don’t expect to see an iMac Pro update (I'll go as far as to say I never expect to see another iMac Pro — though maybe AS iMac's will use some of the lessons learned from the iMac Pro).
The iMac Pro is an interesting machine that by Apple's own admission, existed as a stop-gap between the time it took to build the 2019 Mac Pro. In the ensuing three years, consumer hardware has outpaced workstation hardware and aside from thermals and two TB3 lanes (the extra TB3 lanes are all I'm really jealous of from the iMac Pro), there isn’t much to justify its existence. It's the two-port TB3 13” MacBook Pro of desktops. It might be good for an edge case, but it makes zero sense to even be a product in 2020.
I bought two iMac Pros and both of them are seizing at random times during the day. The systems stop responding to the keyboard and mouse.
Once, the system came back, and played back every mouse click I had done, but that was the first time that mine seized, now, I have waited over 5 minutes, and nothing changes. I can't click on anything, the keyboard stops working, I have zero control. I end up having to hold the power button in, and crash out of whatever funk it's in. The second one doesn't get used as much, and it just seized today. The machines are setup differently, with different software, aside from the same version of Catalina. Mine has done it for weeks, but averaging once or twice a week.
So, what's up? Someone wanting to get an iMac Pro should probably wait and see what Apple decides to do in my case.
I'm going to be really pissed if Apple forces refurbished systems on me. These are new in June. Sure, give me fixed refurbs. Damn. We'll see... Stay tuned.
EDIT CLARIFICATION: 2 months on one, and it's happened 5 to 6 times. It's not 'every day', it's not even 'every week', but it has happened twice in one day. I thought it was load, because I was running everything I could on it , because it seemed stable enough to pull it off. First time, I had 30 some tabs open in Firefox, running Mail, and Music, and was using MakeMKV. All the balls were in play, no hiccups, but the system apparently decided that was too much. But since, I've done more than that, and it chugs along fine, but will then die doing other tasks. I don't get any outward facing messages. It just stops responding. Weird...
Once, the system came back, and played back every mouse click I had done, but that was the first time that mine seized, now, I have waited over 5 minutes, and nothing changes. I can't click on anything, the keyboard stops working, I have zero control. I end up having to hold the power button in, and crash out of whatever funk it's in. The second one doesn't get used as much, and it just seized today. The machines are setup differently, with different software, aside from the same version of Catalina. Mine has done it for weeks, but averaging once or twice a week.
So, what's up? Someone wanting to get an iMac Pro should probably wait and see what Apple decides to do in my case.
I'm going to be really pissed if Apple forces refurbished systems on me. These are new in June. Sure, give me fixed refurbs. Damn. We'll see... Stay tuned.
EDIT CLARIFICATION: 2 months on one, and it's happened 5 to 6 times. It's not 'every day', it's not even 'every week', but it has happened twice in one day. I thought it was load, because I was running everything I could on it , because it seemed stable enough to pull it off. First time, I had 30 some tabs open in Firefox, running Mail, and Music, and was using MakeMKV. All the balls were in play, no hiccups, but the system apparently decided that was too much. But since, I've done more than that, and it chugs along fine, but will then die doing other tasks. I don't get any outward facing messages. It just stops responding. Weird...
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Only one I saw was a few months ago Kuo said something about a year end release with micro led display, so maybe something there.. If so, it would make sense to lead the way with a new design, even though it wouldn't be AS yet in all likelihood, but anything is possible I guess.
by the way, to the idea that there isn't much to justify it's existence, that depends on what you use it for. First off it is way less than a comparable MP and includes a display, then the two channels of TB3 for certain needs is a big plus, the cooling system is even a bigger plus. The xeon and ecc are less important to me. If they weren't planning on moving the IMP forward, then why not give the better cooling to the new IM? Just speculation...
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Earlier this year, MCK issued a note that Apple was working with suppliers on a 27" MiniLED display that he presumed would go into a refreshed Mac Pro.
Intel did release upgrade Xeon CPUs last Fall (W-2200) and they are around half the price of the W-2100 in the iMac Pro so I am surprised Apple didn't upgrade just for the savings, though they may have pushed Intel to significantly discount the W-2100 to match.
I do not think AMD has released any upgrade Radeon Pro that can work in the iMac Pro's TDP, but they are supposed to release RDNA 2 / Navi 2x GPUs this Fall which would be upgrades.
So Apple should have the parts to make an upgrade, but considering how much the 2020 iMac was up-specced, I am less and less hopeful that the iMac Pro will see an upgrade.
Yes the cooling system is the ONLY reason I am going to get one. The iMac 2020 would be incredible for me but I need a mostly silent computer and it appears Apple really screwed up on this one. This is going to be A LOT of $ just to have a good fan 🙁
Yes, but it is more than that if you look carefully. I use a lot of external SSD bandwith, plus TB3 audio interface, where the dual TB3's come in handy. Hook up a second monitor and even more reason to get dual channel TB3. then the color of course, least important reason, but nice, and the ECC ram probably has it's days I suppose.. It does seem more stable overall to me. I'm still hoping for a surprise real update end of 2020.
'Reset the SMC' is the first step, so far. We'll see if it happens again.
What surprises me is how laggy it is with several things running at once. I wasn't expecting that. (First world problem?)
Also, no one, from what I can tell, knows what's up with the 'Custom Intel Xeon chip'. Are they underclocked, or made to run at lower temps? No one seems to know. Has anyone taken an iMac Pro and stuck a 'non-Apple' Xeon in it? Will it blend? (Does it run?) Does it run hotter? It would be interesting to find out, from a simple curiosity basis. Did Intel 'kiss' the chips with some Apple magic that ties into the T2? Weird if that is the case. What do people think? 'Above and beyond', or just 'Apple being Apple'?
I was also expecting a more dramatic SMC reset. *shrug*
What surprises me is how laggy it is with several things running at once. I wasn't expecting that. (First world problem?)
Also, no one, from what I can tell, knows what's up with the 'Custom Intel Xeon chip'. Are they underclocked, or made to run at lower temps? No one seems to know. Has anyone taken an iMac Pro and stuck a 'non-Apple' Xeon in it? Will it blend? (Does it run?) Does it run hotter? It would be interesting to find out, from a simple curiosity basis. Did Intel 'kiss' the chips with some Apple magic that ties into the T2? Weird if that is the case. What do people think? 'Above and beyond', or just 'Apple being Apple'?
I was also expecting a more dramatic SMC reset. *shrug*
The W-2140B and W-2150B do have lower base (and turbo, in the case of the 2140B) clocks than the W-2145 and W-2155 so they should run cooler (the W-2145/2155 have the same Turbo Boost). They may have a lower TDP (120W compared to 140W) per CPU World.
The W-2170B and W-2191B have the same clocks as the W-2175 and W-2195 so not sure if they are design to run at a lower TDP, as well.
If you need or want a new Mac, get one. No sense in waiting. Life is too short to spend time trying to have the latest technology all the time. It is an exercise in futility.
In general I agree, but the iMac Pro hasn't been upgraded (where possible) in three years so you can purchase a 2020 iMac with better components in the same configuration as the base iMac Pro and save $900 doing it.
But people have limited money and want to make the best purchase possible at a given point in time.
Nothing wrong with that. However, that point in time is constantly moving even at purchase. It is a fleeting spec.
In my opinion, too many here preach the constant waiting game may get the purchaser to feel good for a few months to a year. After that, it is spec time again and it is back to rinse and repeat.
Yes. But if the person has a working device that still satisfies its needs, then it should wait.
Thanks for that. I figured it was something like that. but you never know...
(Hopgazer warning) I used to sell computers retail. I loved the people that came in and said that they didn't want to buy a computer that was out of date by the time they took it home. I tended to be far too honest: 'If it's here, it's already out of date.', but then followed up with the 'If you want a computer that will last a long time for you and your family, buy the fastest and piggest computer you can afford. Load that up with faster processors and lots of memory. That is the only way to buy time on the obsolescence timeline.' Yeah, I really wasn't a good Circuit City salesperson, but when I made a sale, it was a big one. Another 'salesman' was a consummate liar (he played well to idiots), and would sell the cheap systems, bragging that he 'ran a computer company, and all this stuff was junk, so don't pay more than you have to'. He died of CHF, alone, with a liver like a brick. But corporate kept him around because he sold a lot of the Circuit City service plans. (THOSE I thought were junk!)
The smart play is to 'buy big', especially since your upgrade path is roughly nonexistent with Apple hardware. Yeah, the SSD's and processors aren't soldered down on the iMac Pro, but the GPU is. (Maybe that's why Apple has had an 'arms reach' relationship with the 'pro user'. They usually demand expandability. But with my company, I was able to get clients into systems that lasted. Statistics showed that if a system has a second processor socket, and you don't sell the client the chip for that second socket, they are never going to buy it later. Sell that second processor, and many clients of ours bought those, and were happier that they did, because the horsepower got them more time before having to toss them.
Don't buy an iMac Pro for 4999. You can get the following iMac:
3.6GHz 10-core 10th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz
8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory
1TB SSD storage
10 Gigabit Ethernet
For just 3499. Add as much memory as you want (which is upgradeable, unlike in the iMac Pro) and you have a much better deal.
Sure, once you throw enough money at the iMac Pro it will outperform this iMac. But if you have that money, a Mac Pro will be a better deal long-term given its upgradeability.
I don't think there's a point for the iMac Pro right now, and I strongly doubt it will get an update for ARM. If you need a computer now, get the iMac. You could also wait for an ARM iMac, but since the 27" is just updated that will take a while. Unless you can settle with a 24" once that one arrives. Depends of your usage case, the apps you use, etc.
That being said, if you can find an iMac Pro for a lower price, perhaps second hand, it's still an awesome computer of course. It also does have some advantages over the iMac, like 4 TB3 ports and a much better cooling. But for 4999? Not a good idea.
3.6GHz 10-core 10th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz
8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
Radeon Pro 5700 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 memory
1TB SSD storage
10 Gigabit Ethernet
For just 3499. Add as much memory as you want (which is upgradeable, unlike in the iMac Pro) and you have a much better deal.
Sure, once you throw enough money at the iMac Pro it will outperform this iMac. But if you have that money, a Mac Pro will be a better deal long-term given its upgradeability.
I don't think there's a point for the iMac Pro right now, and I strongly doubt it will get an update for ARM. If you need a computer now, get the iMac. You could also wait for an ARM iMac, but since the 27" is just updated that will take a while. Unless you can settle with a 24" once that one arrives. Depends of your usage case, the apps you use, etc.
That being said, if you can find an iMac Pro for a lower price, perhaps second hand, it's still an awesome computer of course. It also does have some advantages over the iMac, like 4 TB3 ports and a much better cooling. But for 4999? Not a good idea.
If it helps, I went with the new iMac with mega specs, such as the above + nano glass, which I thought cool. I'm a deeply superficial guy, as Warhol would say, 
, and even I leaned this way. The only three things that made me vacillate were:
, and even I leaned this way. The only three things that made me vacillate were:- iMac Pro has better cooling
- iMac Pro looks aesthetically better, more distinct
- iMac Pro may be updated to ARM, etc.
If it helps, I went with the new iMac with mega specs, such as the above + nano glass, which I thought cool. I'm a deeply superficial guy, as Warhol would say,
However, what I'm hearing is that the cooling isn't a huge deal for 95% of folks, the lighter shade of the iMac is more Apple anyway, and as others have said, it could be a LONG time before the iMac Pro is updated, and there is a chance it will be phased out since it occupies an awkward position between the increasingly advanced iMacs and the uber Mac Pros.
- iMac Pro has better cooling
- iMac Pro looks aesthetically better, more distinct
- iMac Pro may be updated to ARM, etc.
I think the iMac Pro will hang around like the trash can, because it's hard to admit it wasn't a good machine. Yet, precisely, updating it will likely demand negotiations with Intel. Intel, the date they ditched at the last dance. Ooooo.. (How long did it take IBM to drop the 'PC Jr' from their catalog. After they had stopped making them)
Will it go well? Um...
So, can I see an iMac Pro running on an ARM processor? First, how many, and second, will there be required external water cooling units to find locations for? Filling the iMac chassis with 20 or 30 ARM chips would fill all that empty space. (Partially kidding)
Apple would probably sell a hell of a lot more iMacs if they offered them in their standard color scheme. I'm sure a rose gold iMac would sell out pretty quickly. The keyboards and mice would be quick sellers too.
Better cooling? They moved the 'air slot' to the bottom. They sure better have 'better cooling'. At least the trash can wasn't fighting physics. Heat rises. Bring back the air slot at the top?
I don't know. Having one that seizes occasionally has been good for me. Who am I kidding... Anyone got a trash can they want to get rid of?
It is faster than the Mac Pro I have, like a LOT faster. Someone once asked me the difference between a Core 'x' processor and a Xeon processor. The Xeon has 'torque' that the Core doesn't. It's for heavy lifting. I like the 'space gray'. And everything matches.
Rock on!!!
Well, a equal core count, the i9 10910 has more "torque" than the 10-core Xeon in iMac Pro...
Interesting, because the iMac Pro's we have are 8-core, base models. Now the base model is a ten core. So there was an update already! Interesting...
But they have different capabilities. From the post just above this. I should have responded, oh well. Apologies...
Apple just stopped selling the 8-core model and made the 10-core upgrade option now the base model.
Apple did the same with the 2013 Mac Pro, dropping the 4-core base model and replacing it with the 6-core CPU for the same price.