No 2018 iMac?!

[Zdigital2015]

Yea, agree.. my ideal consumer iMac would be a 24" 5K display with thin bezels. I think that would be the sweet spot for a large size but still compact. I don't see that happening at all sadly.

I have a Dell P2415Q 24" 4K display hooked up that I run scaled at 2304x1296, because 1920X1080 (@2x) is too big and 2560x1440 (scaled) is too small. Unfortunately, the 5K Retina resolution of 2560x1440 (@2x) is simply too small for a 24" display. Apple is going for a specific DPI (~220), which is how they calculate the optimal screen size.
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That sounds blissful and also my ideal iMac as well. I’d love to see Apple replace the 21.5” with the 24” in 4K. I’d buy that machine in a heartbeat!

Similar to the above post, the target DPI for Retina (@2x) determine the screen size, which then determines resolution of the display. If Apple was to create an iMac with UltraHD display to run at Retina (@2x), then the screen size should be right at 20", not 24", but I digress.
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From what I've seen and read of PC forums, the AMD 7nm GPUs will be low to mid entry now, i.e. The best card will be a replacement of the 580 in the iMac non-pro. We will have to wait a while longer for the top end cards, which will certainly be a huge leap over current high end cards such as Vega 56 and 64.

The 7nm will also be used on the AMD Vega Instinct, which is decidedly not low to mid (Navi, also 7nm) - https://wccftech.com/amd-demos-worlds-first-7nm-gpu/ - hopefully, Apple will get early access to Vega Instinct for inclusion in a future revision to the iMac Pro along with deployment in the 2019 Mac Pro.

 

[sjackson]

I'm seriously thinking about buying an iMac this weekend (3.5GHz, 512 SSD). The way I figure..... More then likely a new iMac won't be announced for another 4-5 weeks minimum. Even if it is announced, it probably won't ship right away unless it's a basic refresh. If it's an "anniversary model", possibly shipping mid-Q4. Any new iMac will more than likely have this new T2 chip which could be a cause some of the current MBP issues. If that's the case, I wouldn't be buying the new iMac on release but waiting a few months to gauge any issues. My logic is telling me that even if a 2018 iMac is released this year, I might have to put off purchasing until late Q1 2019, 4 months away.

I'm still using my 2011 MBA for light web development work so any iMac will be night and day difference. Not sure what I'll do with my LG 34" monitor though......

 

[Kevbasscat]

So buy second hand. Not refurbished. I have been using a 2012 MBP to do FCP stuff for years now, only looking to upgrade recently. Brand new Macs are the worst value ever, 2 years seems to be the sweet spot

Or run a Hackintosh like loads of FCP people do, due to Apple not making hardware decent enough for them. If you want a twin modern Xeon box, Hackintosh is your only option.

Apple doesn’t care or really support any of it’s Pro Apps. Who has time, when your counting your trillion bucks, that we helped supply. It’s a real slap in the face for music makers, photographers, film editors, etc. I plopped down a cool $1,000 for FCP 7 PRO with all the bells and whistles, a real editing app, then right after they came out with FCX a POS, editors won’t even call an editing app. Now FCP 7 and it’s 6 accompanying programs won't work. They're 32 bit. That Hackintosh sounds better everyday.

 

[sebulban]

So you bought fcs almost 10 years ago and the support stopped last year? That’s not bad in my books.
The industry has changed rapidly. Everyone has a computer that can do 1080p well and 4k with some hiccups.
Fcpx is a good choice these days. It has been used in big productions so I guess it can be called as a pro app even though many youtubers use it.

Before Blackmagic design bought Davinci Resolve the coloring software was hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now it’s free! Or 299$ the studio version... I wonder how those studios feel these days what a rip off

 

[Zdigital2015]

I'm seriously thinking about buying an iMac this weekend (3.5GHz, 512 SSD). The way I figure..... More then likely a new iMac won't be announced for another 4-5 weeks minimum. Even if it is announced, it probably won't ship right away unless it's a basic refresh. If it's an "anniversary model", possibly shipping mid-Q4. Any new iMac will more than likely have this new T2 chip which could be a cause some of the current MBP issues. If that's the case, I wouldn't be buying the new iMac on release but waiting a few months to gauge any issues. My logic is telling me that even if a 2018 iMac is released this year, I might have to put off purchasing until late Q1 2019, 4 months away.

I'm still using my 2011 MBA for light web development work so any iMac will be night and day difference. Not sure what I'll do with my LG 34" monitor though......

Yes, you're correct, a new iMac will not be introduced for another 4-5 weeks. If Apple does introduce new iMacs, they are going to need to have them in Apple Stores before Black Friday (November 23) in order to maximize holiday sales.

I am not sure why you would buy a 2017 iMac this close to a possible refresh, unless you absolutely have to have a computer to complete some sort of work or you have a busted computer.

If neither of those apply, you are better off waiting until the new ones are introduced and then purchasing a 2017 at a discount from Best Buy, B&H Photo or Adorama should you decide that you want to wait and see if any issues creep up after they get into users hands, but still need a new computer.

As for your 34" LG monitor, once you get used to a dual monitor setup, you never go back. Just my 2c.

 

[Kevbasscat]

So you bought fcs almost 10 years ago and the support stopped last year? That’s not bad in my books.
The industry has changed rapidly. Everyone has a computer that can do 1080p well and 4k with some hiccups.
Fcpx is a good choice these days. It has been used in big productions so I guess it can be called as a pro app even though many youtubers use it.

Before Blackmagic design bought Davinci Resolve the coloring software was hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now it’s free! Or 299$ the studio version... I wonder how those studios feel these days what a rip off

I’ll

So you bought fcs almost 10 years ago and the support stopped last year? That’s not bad in my books.
The industry has changed rapidly. Everyone has a computer that can do 1080p well and 4k with some hiccups.
Fcpx is a good choice these days. It has been used in big productions so I guess it can be called as a pro app even though many youtubers use it.

Before Blackmagic design bought Davinci Resolve the coloring software was hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now it’s free! Or 299$ the studio version... I wonder how those studios feel these days what a rip off

It was ao autmated when I tried it. As if we lost control of many steps along the way. Of course the manual for FCP 7 was iver 3,000

So you bought fcs almost 10 years ago and the support stopped last year? That’s not bad in my books.
The industry has changed rapidly. Everyone has a computer that can do 1080p well and 4k with some hiccups.
Fcpx is a good choice these days. It has been used in big productions so I guess it can be called as a pro app even though many youtubers use it.

Before Blackmagic design bought Davinci Resolve the coloring software was hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now it’s free! Or 299$ the studio version... I wonder how those studios feel these days what a rip off

I didn’t buy it 10 years ago, and the $299 version isn’t what FCP 7 was. I do remember right after purchasing it, Compressor was obsoleted and I believe effects were also. Point is, Apple has not been behind their Pro Apps like they used to be, but then again I’ve been exclusively Apple since 1999, 19 years. I’ve seen it’s world change, and grow, sometimes stumble, lol. We’re human beings, that how we learn. I just wished they invested in us like we invest in them, that’s a fair statement. That was my point.

 

[sebulban]

Aren’t compressor and motion still supported?

For 299 I meant the studio version of resolve. DaVinci Resolve system used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars...

I understand your point but ain’t buying it 100%

 

[Kevbasscat]

Aren’t compressor and motion still supported?

For 299 I meant the studio version of resolve. DaVinci Resolve system used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars...

I understand your point but ain’t buying it 100%

That’s why we have freedom of speech. Our perspectives are different because our experiences are varied. Enough said, lol.

 

[pappkristof]

Again lot of rumors about iPhones, iPads and MacBooks.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/10/kuo-september-2018-predictions/

But not a single word about iMacs.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Again lot of rumors about iPhones, iPads and MacBooks.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/10/kuo-september-2018-predictions/

But not a single word about iMacs.

October. Here are preliminary "leaked" benchmarks - https://wccftech.com/intel-core-i9-9900k-core-i7-9700k-core-i5-9600k-cpu-performance-leak/ - take them with a grain of salt.

 

[pappkristof]

October. Here are preliminary "leaked" benchmarks - https://wccftech.com/intel-core-i9-9900k-core-i7-9700k-core-i5-9600k-cpu-performance-leak/ - take them with a grain of salt.

Wow. Quite impressive. It’s something definetly worth waiting for.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Wow. Quite impressive. It’s something definetly worth waiting for.

What will be really interesting is if Intel releases the Xeon W version of the 22-core Core X-Series CPU in October as well, or as a custom part for Apple as there will be two CPUs overlapping with the iMac Pro 8-core. If they do, the iMac Pro will have a 10-core Xeon in the base unit and 22-core as the high end option. My intuition says Q1/2019, but it's fund to speculate.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

It still seems to strange to me that they'd skip 6-core and go straight to 8-core, but anything could happen. I think there will have to be more than a spec bump if they do, though. They're going to have to improve the cooling.

 

[cwanja]

It still seems to strange to me that they'd skip 6-core and go straight to 8-core, but anything could happen. I think there will have to be more than a spec bump if they do, though. They're going to have to improve the cooling.

I think the key is that they would already have dropped the 6 core CPUs in there if that was the case. That is at least my thought.

 

[Jorbanead]

It still seems to strange to me that they'd skip 6-core and go straight to 8-core, but anything could happen. I think there will have to be more than a spec bump if they do, though. They're going to have to improve the cooling.

I would guess the base level iMacs would use the 8th gen i5 chips, with the 9th gen chips being a built to order option. They both share the same socket so the MOBO would be the same. Intel probably won’t have a ton of 9th gen stock available during the initial rollout, so Apple would either need to wait until 2019, or possibly use both 8th & 9th gen chips. Just a theory.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I think the key is that they would already have dropped the 6 core CPUs in there if that was the case. That is at least my thought.

Moving to the 6-cores requires a completely new motherboard from the 2016 and 2017 (both are Z170-based). I think Apple didn't free up enough engineering resources until this year to be able to do that, as I think they were working on the iPhones, iPad, Watches, possible new MacBook (Air) and Mac mini. iMac could be saved for last, co-opt the iMac Pro chassis and use the existing Pro motherboard dimensions, while moving to a whole new PCH, would not require that much engineering to have up and running considering thermals are already taken care of and the GPU is still Radeon Pro series. Hardest part would be deciding whether or not to keep USB 3.0 ports or make them USB-C Gen 2 as it is now built into the PCH (Z390).

 

[SkiHound2]

Wow. Quite impressive. It’s something definetly worth waiting for.

It's interesting that the 9th generation Intel cpus are close to being released. A spec bump with the 8th generation cpus would seem pretty half-hearted, at this point.

 

[newyorksole]

I have a feeling we will see the redesigned iMac this Fall!

I looked at rumors from 2012 and it was rumored that a new iMac was coming, but everyone thought it would just be a spec bump. The redesign came October 2012 and then the Mac Pro came in 2013.

iMac Pro last year. iMac & Mac Mini this year. Mac Pro next year.

I think that's how it'll go. I can't picture them coming out with an iMac this year that's only a spec bump. I think they'll introduce space gray and hopefully a redesign.

 

[enc0re]

I have a feeling we will see the redesigned iMac this Fall!

I looked at rumors from 2012 and it was rumored that a new iMac was coming, but everyone thought it would just be a spec bump. The redesign came October 2012 and then the Mac Pro came in 2013.

iMac Pro last year. iMac & Mac Mini this year. Mac Pro next year.

I think that's how it'll go. I can't picture them coming out with an iMac this year that's only a spec bump. I think they'll introduce space gray and hopefully a redesign.

It's been my pet theory that the cooling solution of the iMac Pro was planned to be the layout for a 2018 redesign of the iMac to begin with. That's why the ram door was lost. The ram is in a position that will be accessible with the new case.

Of course I have no evidence for any of this. Just speculation.

 

[newyorksole]

It's been my pet theory that the cooling solution of the iMac Pro was planned to be the layout for a 2018 redesign of the iMac to begin with. That's why the ram door was lost. The ram is in a position that will be accessible with the new case.

Of course I have no evidence for any of this. Just speculation.

Hey I believe it. It’s time...

 

[Zdigital2015]

It still seems to strange to me that they'd skip 6-core and go straight to 8-core, but anything could happen. I think there will have to be more than a spec bump if they do, though. They're going to have to improve the cooling.

There is a mix of 6c/6t (i5-9600K and below, 8c/8t (i7-9700K) and 8c/16t (i9-9900K) in the 9th Generation lineup. Intel has opted to make the Core i9 designation the new king of the hill after 10 years of the Core i7 being the top CPU in their consumer portfolio. I am fairly certain Apple will put Coffee Lake CPUs (8x00) into the 21.5" iMac, making them all 6-core and leaving room for a revised Mac mini with 4c/8t.

Yes, there are several things that will be improved, changed or upgraded. Apple will need to co-opt the iMac Pro chassis or come up with a modified cooling system. While these CPUs are 95w TDP, they are still going to generate quite a bit of heat.

The 300-Series PCH is needed to drive these CPUs, which is a new part, since Apple is still using the Z170 PCH leftover from Skylake to drive the 2017 iMac (Kaby Lake). I hope they will use the Z390 as it has built-in support for 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0, along with native USB-C Type 2 (10Gbps) ports. There's rumor of a display upgrade, but no details. I suspect some sort of HDR support, but who knows right now. The GPU will be a tiny update (R500X) and that's about it. If Apple announces a new 13"/14" MacBook(Air) tomorrow and perhaps, the Mac mini, then I suspect a revised iMac will be just a press release some time in October after Intel releases the 9th Generation CPUs.

Not too much longer before we know...

 

[miqui]

It's been my pet theory that the cooling solution of the iMac Pro was planned to be the layout for a 2018 redesign of the iMac to begin with. That's why the ram door was lost. The ram is in a position that will be accessible with the new case.

Of course I have no evidence for any of this. Just speculation.

I agree. That's also what I've been thinking about that. This whole thing with an iMac Pro was just temporary solution for impatient and upset Mac Pro users... So they just took existing case, interior architecture from new iMac being in development and brought quickly new product to the market... There's enough empty space around in iMac Pro to shrink down the chassis, reducing bezels for example...

 

[Icy1007]

I agree. That's also what I've been thinking about that. This whole thing with an iMac Pro was just temporary solution for impatient and upset Mac Pro users... So they just took existing case, interior architecture from new iMac being in development and brought quickly new product to the market... There's enough empty space around in iMac Pro to shrink down the chassis, reducing bezels for example...

The iMac Pro uses desktop DIMMs and have half near the top of the iMac and half near the bottom. They are also not accessible from the back and only if the screen is removed. That isn't going to happen. lol

 

[Lammers]

It's been my pet theory that the cooling solution of the iMac Pro was planned to be the layout for a 2018 redesign of the iMac to begin with. That's why the ram door was lost. The ram is in a position that will be accessible with the new case.

Of course I have no evidence for any of this. Just speculation.

The RAM door was lost because of an unfortunate unintended consequence of having a new internal layout in an existing case, and Apple just shrugged their shoulders and went with it? No, the RAM door was lost because Apple decided to remove it, because they don't want people changing RAM themselves. It's that simple. They chose to remove it. Apple are quite deliberate about these things.

There is no reason to think that any future iMac will preserve access to the RAM, since the trend across the Mac range is clearly the exact opposite of that.

 

[Icaras]

The RAM door was lost because of an unfortunate unintended consequence of having a new internal layout in an existing case, and Apple just shrugged their shoulders and went with it? No, the RAM door was lost because Apple decided to remove it, because they don't want people changing RAM themselves. It's that simple. They chose to remove it. Apple are quite deliberate about these things.

There is no reason to think that any future iMac will preserve access to the RAM, since the trend across the Mac range is clearly the exact opposite of that.

I absolutely agree here. With the exception of the Mac Pro, The iMac 27” is the very last Mac that is user upgradeable with RAM. I strongly believe the days of the bay door are numbered.