New 32-inch iMac Pro - do you think it's coming or not?

[Allen_Wentz]

I have an old Intel MacBook Pro (I think it's 2013, 2014, or 2015) - do you know if I would be able to use that with the Studio Display?

You should be able to. My 2011 and 2016 MBPs both drove external displays. Really old Macs can run into OS version issues, however.

 

[alex4748]

You should be able to. My 2011 and 2016 MBPs both drove external displays. Really old Macs can run into OS version issues, however.

This is what I don't really understand - is it not as simple as plugging the MacBook into a monitor using an HDMI cable or something similar? You have to use settings in MacOS instead to output the display? And do you have to 'activate' this setting literally every time you boot the MacBook up? If so, using a laptop with a monitor in place of a traditional desktop machine sounds like a pain in the bum. I want to switch it on and get to work, not faff around with settings to get the display on a monitor! Doing that every day would soon become very tedious...

 

[gilby101]

This is what I don't really understand - is it not as simple as plugging the MacBook into a monitor using an HDMI cable or something similar?

Yes, mostly using a suitable HDMI is all that is needed. But:

1. It was pointed out earlier that the 2011 MBP does not support 5K - only 2560x1600 pixels.

2. The 2016 MBP supports 5K, so should work fine so long as it is running macOS 12.3 or later.

3. The Studio Display is more than just a monitor. To get value from it, you need to use a Thunderbolt 3 connection.

The Mac and macOS system requirements (for the Studio Display) are "macOS Monterey 12.3 or later and Mac Pro (2019 or later), 13-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later), 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021), 15-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later), 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019 or later), MacBook Air (2018 or later), 21.5-inch iMac (2017 or later), 24-inch iMac (2021), 27-inch iMac (2017 or later), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (2018 or later), or Mac Studio (2022), iPadOS 15.4 or later and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Air (5th generation)"

 

[alex4748]

Why would you want to use a high quality display with unsuitable underpowered Macs?

To get more use / value out of my already purchased equipment. I know a true Apple fanboy would sling a perfectly good MacBook Pro in a skip and buy a new one, but that just ain't me...besides, if I get the Studio Display, I will be bankrupt.

 

[gilby101]

To get more use / value out of my already purchased equipment. I know a true Apple fanboy would sling a perfectly good MacBook Pro in a skip and buy a new one, but that just ain't me...besides, if I get the Studio Display, I will be bankrupt.

I have corrected my answer (twice).

 

[TechnoMonk]

If buying a studio will bankrupt someone, forget a 32 inch iMac with 6K. It will double bankrupt. lol. There is no compulsion to buy a studio, I don’t use studio but there are plenty of non apple options. If you can’t afford a mac, forget a 6k iMac.

 

[alex4748]

If buying a studio will bankrupt someone, forget a 32 inch iMac with 6K. It will double bankrupt. lol. There is no compulsion to buy a studio, I don’t use studio but there are plenty of non apple options. If you can’t afford a mac, forget a 6k iMac.

Relax mate - it was just a joke making fun of how stupidly expensive the Studio Display is. That's all.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Relax mate - it was just a joke making fun of how stupidly expensive the Studio Display is. That's all.

If you think studio is expensive wait till you see 6k 32 inch iMac. I would never waste money on an expensive display tied to a computer/AIO like iMac.. Studio is lot more than a display, if you don’t need those features buy an LG or Samsung. I use LG, I can connect multiple devices.

 

[alex4748]

If you think studio is expensive wait till you see 6k 32 inch iMac. I would never waste money on an expensive display tied to a computer/AIO like iMac.. Studio is lot more than a display, if you don’t need those features buy an LG or Samsung. I use LG, I can connect multiple devices.

Are you saying the Studio Display is limited in terms of what devices you can connect to it? For example, can you use it for a Windows PC?

 

[gilby101]

Are you saying the Studio Display is limited in terms of what devices you can connect to it? For example, can you use it for a Windows PC?

Yes, but not to its full potential.

Do a search for "use studio display with windows" to find out how to use it (drivers, etc.) as well as limitations.

 

[TracerAnalog]

This is what I don't really understand - is it not as simple as plugging the MacBook into a monitor using an HDMI cable or something similar? You have to use settings in MacOS instead to output the display? And do you have to 'activate' this setting literally every time you boot the MacBook up? If so, using a laptop with a monitor in place of a traditional desktop machine sounds like a pain in the bum. I want to switch it on and get to work, not faff around with settings to get the display on a monitor! Doing that every day would soon become very tedious...

MacBook Pro with LG 5K2 screen owner here: I open my MacBook and everything switches on and just works. No faffery involved. Everything is connected via Thunderbolt.

My old MacBook Pro was connected via HDMI.

 

[tomekwsrod]

Super expensive display with no way to connect it via cable and use it as a second display for another laptop - no thanks.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Are you saying the Studio Display is limited in terms of what devices you can connect to it? For example, can you use it for a Windows PC?

I was referring to a shiny expensive 32 imac that can’t connect to other devices and work as a simple screen. I don’t use windows, but I know Linux Workstation can connect to Apple studio. Apple studio with a Mac does lot more than a display. For me it came down to screen size and OLED, and went with LG, though studio can support Linux, MBP, and iPad Pro.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

This is what I don't really understand - is it not as simple as plugging the MacBook into a monitor using an HDMI cable or something similar? You have to use settings in MacOS instead to output the display? And do you have to 'activate' this setting literally every time you boot the MacBook up? If so, using a laptop with a monitor in place of a traditional desktop machine sounds like a pain in the bum. I want to switch it on and get to work, not faff around with settings to get the display on a monitor! Doing that every day would soon become very tedious...

You say "using a laptop with a monitor in place of a traditional desktop machine sounds like a pain in the bum." If one is indeed using a laptop with a monitor in place of a traditional desktop machine, it does not involve "faff around with settings to get the display on a monitor" more than the single time that you first set it up. So a modern MBP can be the absolute equal of a Studio as a desktop box.

That said, on an ancient MBP with ancient OS such as you describe, if one wants to constantly switch back and forth from mobile usage to sessile usage on a desktop with external display(s) it may be necessary to faff around with settings each time. I did that with a 2016 MBP and 3 displays, and it was indeed very tedious. Enough so that I avoided using the old MBP in mobile mode as much as possible. However my faffing around was mostly about getting three external 4K displays plus the MBP display all arranged properly in display settings; if one set just one external display to simply mirror the MBP display I suspect that moving back and forth mobile/desktop might be effortless even on the older MBPs.

The M2 MBP goes back and forth from mobile mode to desktop driving two external displays pretty effortlessly. But even now I prefer to leave the M2 MBP stuck on the desktop and still use the old 2016 MBP with its limiting 16 GB RAM for mobile when feasible.

 

[HouseLannister]

Are you saying the Studio Display is limited in terms of what devices you can connect to it? For example, can you use it for a Windows PC?

Can work, but requires Thunderbolt 3.

 

[iPadified]

My strong recommendation in response to your comment:
"I need to upgrade, but due to the cost / lifespan of these machines, I need to get it right!"
is to avoid AIO, buy a Mini or a Studio, and look to non-Apple display choices if a decently priced Apple display is unavailable in the size you want. Personally I have three Viewsonic 4K Pro displays but there are a plethora of great display choices out there, and everyone's needs vary.

My counsel is to avoid All-In-One ("AIO") computers.
• AIO forces one to replace everything if it becomes necessary to upgrade or replace the computer portion of the device.
• AIO forces one to replace everything if it becomes necessary to upgrade or replace the display portion of the device.
• AIO limits the user to the display choice(s) made available by the vendor (in this case Apple) at time of purchase. AIO excludes hundreds of other display alternatives from consideration, including Apple's standalone displays. Those hundreds of other display alternatives provide a huge range of pros/cons that may make for superior performance or value to a given individual setup than Apple's alternatives.
• AIO means one cannot change a workstation setup to something optimizing to a different display (e.g. larger) or to multiple displays.
• AIO means that when one has a dialed-in perfect workspace but wants to upgrade the computing by adding RAM or performance for whatever reasons, the computer upgrade may necessitate changing the already-dialed-in workstation to cope with whatever AIO Apple might have available at the time.

Some devil advocate:You know that the same argument could be applied for laptops that stands for 90% of Apple computers? They are portable AIO that we readily dispose of and they are not necessarily cheap either.


PS. I do agree with you regarding AIO. DS

 

[alex4748]

Here is an article published today that the naysayers in this thread might find interesting!

Apple Still Developing Bigger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display

Apple is still working on a larger iMac with over a 30-inch display, but the development stage and potential release schedule for the all-in-one...

www.macrumors.com

 

[VegetarianNachos]

It seems more likely to me that an iMac Pro would have a 5.5k display and be around 30". That way Apple has 4.5k, 5k, 5.5k, and 6k displays available for desktop computers (4.5k, and 5.5k all in ones, and 5k and 6k stand alones). The display size range would be 24", 27", 30", and 32". If the iMac Pro is introduced, it should coincide with an update to the Studio Display that includes updated display technology in order to justify the cost. The iMac Pro's display would be older display technology similar to the existing Studio Display. Apple might also improve the specs of the Pro Display XDR for good measure. Then Apple has desktop computers setups to sell at a continuum of price points:

24" 4.5k - iMac = $1299+
27" 5k - Studio Display + Mac Mini/Mac Studio/Mac Pro = $2298+
30" 5.5k - iMac Pro = $4999+
32" 6k - Pro Display XDR + Mac Studio/Mac Pro = $6998+

Apple can then make it easier to upsell their customers by providing more choices in the selection space.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Won't matter even if it does

It'll be for very rich people only

The definitive office computer for doctors and lawyers with money falling out of their every pocket

 

[MuonJuggler]

If you think the price of a Studio Display is extortionate, what do you suppose a 32" iMac would be? It would be 6K (to maintain the ~220 PPIi of Mac desktops) and that won't be cheap. Think about the cost of a Pro Display XDR with the addition of a high end M4 processor inside.

When? Maybe next year, maybe never. Not clear to me that there is a market for a 32" 6K iMac.

The linked MacRumors article is 10 months old and Gurman is not talking about it now.

For your needs a Samsung 5K monitor is a good bit cheaper than a Studio Display and you have choice of either Mac Mini or Studio. If you are desperate to replace, there is a 27" solution right now.

The all-in-one-Mac with a larger screen exists. You can buy it today for less than what most of the commenters seem willing to pay for a separate monitor. The Vision Pro offers all of the features, such as a larger screen with more detail, or multiple screens, plus ("immersive") 3D audio and video and all the other things a high-end Mac offers. Did I say it costs less than those traditional large screen monitors, to say nothing of a multiple screen installation? Vision Pro is portable, and consumes less power. Why is everyone acting as if it does not exist?

 

[alex4748]

The all-in-one-Mac with a larger screen exists. You can buy it today for less than what most of the commenters seem willing to pay for a separate monitor. The Vision Pro offers all of the features, such as a larger screen with more detail, or multiple screens, plus ("immersive") 3D audio and video and all the other things a high-end Mac offers. Did I say it costs less than those traditional large screen monitors, to say nothing of a multiple screen installation? Vision Pro is portable, and consumes less power. Why is everyone acting as if it does not exist?

Can it really be used in place of a desktop though? I have never tried VP myself but I can't imagine it would be comfortable to do work on for 10+ hours per day.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Here is an article published today that the naysayers in this thread might find interesting!

Apple Still Developing Bigger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display

Apple is still working on a larger iMac with over a 30-inch display, but the development stage and potential release schedule for the all-in-one...

www.macrumors.com

Exploring is working on iMac 32 with no timeline of actual development or any thing concrete. It went from full fledged rumor of Apple developing to exploring. Next rumor will be Apple scrapped. I mean that’s how Bloomberg makes money, put more stories and speculations. The article says Apple is not even developing.

 

[TechnoMonk]

The all-in-one-Mac with a larger screen exists. You can buy it today for less than what most of the commenters seem willing to pay for a separate monitor. The Vision Pro offers all of the features, such as a larger screen with more detail, or multiple screens, plus ("immersive") 3D audio and video and all the other things a high-end Mac offers. Did I say it costs less than those traditional large screen monitors, to say nothing of a multiple screen installation? Vision Pro is portable, and consumes less power. Why is everyone acting as if it does not exist?

I am hoping that is where AVP shines. I travel a lot and would love to take high quality screens on the move.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple themselves have said the larger iMac is dead.
Of course, taking the word of a corporation is never the best idea, but… I can’t really think of any other examples of Apple explicitly coming out to say they are killing off something and it is not coming back, only for them to bring it back.

Apple Says There Won't Be a 27-Inch iMac With Apple Silicon

Apple has confirmed to The Verge and some other publications that it has no plans to release a new 27-inch iMac with Apple silicon. Apple...

www.macrumors.com

“Apple PR representative Starlayne Meza confirmed the company's plans to The Verge. The company encourages those who have been holding out hope for a larger iMac to consider the Studio Display and Mac Studio or Mac mini.”

That’s it, that’s the official statement. No more big iMac, get big display and Mac Mini or studio.
And if they really do come out with an Apple TV sized M4 Mac Mini, that’s even more indication. Just tape that Mini to the back of a studio display, there is your big iMac.

 

[MayaUser]

32” 6k in 2025 could start from $3399 with base M5 max in it But dont expect to be miniLed or tandem oled
Back in the days the 5k 27”imac outsold the 4k 21” even if it has higher starting price