No 2018 iMac?!

[Zdigital2015]

https://wccftech.com/intel-9th-gen-...re-i9-9980xe-x299-cpus-full-family-announced/

so we have cpu for imac and imac pro i think, and also Apple can use some of these into the next mac pro? i wonder what cpu

I think we will see the 28-core Xeon W-3175X in the 2019 Mac Pro. Beyond that, I think it's a crap shoot. The FCLGA-3467 socket used by the 3175X will also support Xeon Scalable Processors, but I am having trouble believing Apple is so committed to the new MacPro that it will offer both the Xeon W-3175X AND Xeon Scalable Processors because Xeon Scalable CPUS max out at 28-cores now, which costs between $8719.00 and $10,0015.00 PER CPU, and so what would the point be unless Apple is thinking DUAL 16-core Xeon Platinum 8153 up to Platinum 8168, which means you are looking at least $4,999 for the base Mac Pro (probably more) all the way up to $50,000 easily for a fully kitted Mac Pro. I just do not think Apple has the Executive Suite force of will to commit to that market. Just my 2¢.
[doublepost=1539016291][/doublepost]Everyone should keep in mind that Intel only released the Core i5-9600K, Core i7-9700K and Core i9-9900K today, which means that Apple either holds iMac updates until 2019 after Intel releases the rest of the lineup (9600, 9500, 9400) and Apple uses 9th generation CPUs OR expect there to 8th-gen CPUs (Coffee Lake) in all of the 21.5" iMacs and in the $1799 and $1999 27" iMacs.

To get 9th gen, you will need to get the highest end 27" ($2299) to get the i5-9600K and then BTO whatever Apple offers. I can almost guarantee that the i9-9900K is a $500 BTO upgrade over the i5-9600K. Please, no whining.

 

[apr_1974]

What's even worse for our European counterparts (and I am sure others) is that as far as I know, they have no equivalent of a refurbished store in the EU.

fyi: There is a refurbished store for German customers

 

[hydr]

Can we all agree on two things?
1.) None of us have any idea what Apple will do, we are all just guessing.
2.) Apple can not continue to sell 7th generation iMacs well into 2019.

Which leaves us with a bunch of options really, it all depends what Apple have been planning for the last couple of years. I´ll guess as well, we will see a new iMac design. It will carry the 8th gen intel processor, and be updated to 9th gen sometime Q1 2019.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Can we all agree on two things?
1.) None of us have any idea what Apple will do, we are all just guessing.
2.) Apple can not continue to sell 7th generation iMacs well into 2019.

Which leaves us with a bunch of options really, it all depends what Apple have been planning for the last couple of years. I´ll guess as well, we will see a new iMac design. It will carry the 8th gen intel processor, and be updated to 9th gen sometime Q1 2019.

1. I can only speak for myself...but, yes, I am guessing as I do not work for Apple and I do not have any special insight into what goes on inside their engineering labs. What I try to do is whittle it down to the most plausible, logical possibility based on the current iMacs (2017) and the other Mac hardware Apple has released since then (iMac Pro, 13" and 15" MacBook Pro).

2. Correct...nor do I think Apple wants to continue doing so, considering the iMac is Apple's best (only) selling desktop computer.

I do not think Apple is going to spend any time or manpower on a major re-design of the iMac yet. I think the re-design will occur either when Cannon Lake (10th Gen) CPUs are release or when Apple moves to its own A-Series CPUs. I think we will see 8th Gen in the 21.5" lineup and the Tier 1 and Tier 2 27" iMacs with 9th Gen in the Tier 3 27" iMac and its BTO options. Apple might move to all 9th Gen CPUs around the summer (WWDC) after Intel finishes its 9th Gen rollout in April.

 

[iZeljko]

fyi: There is a refurbished store for German customers

I’m in the market for a new 15” 6 core MBP but considering how many are having kernel panic problems I would never consider to grab a refurbished one.

 

[Nismo73]

I do not think Apple is going to spend any time or manpower on a major re-design of the iMac yet. I think the re-design will occur either when Cannon Lake (10th Gen) CPUs are release or when Apple moves to its own A-Series CPUs. I think we will see 8th Gen in the 21.5" lineup and the Tier 1 and Tier 2 27" iMacs with 9th Gen in the Tier 3 27" iMac and its BTO options. Apple might move to all 9th Gen CPUs around the summer (WWDC) after Intel finishes its 9th Gen rollout in April.

The redesign internal and ports work has already been done with the iMac Pro....no need for any more slimming down...bezels yes.

 

[apr_1974]

I’m in the market for a new 15” 6 core MBP but considering how many are having kernel panic problems I would never consider to grab a refurbished one.

At least the German refurbished store does not sell any 2018 MBP yet, but only the 2017 versions.

I am in the market for a new Mac myself (typing this on my mid 2014 13" MBP) but cannot decide, which bullet I should bite: (a) buy a 2017 iMac, although new versions are likely to be released soon and the i7 version suffers from nasty fan noise levels, (b) buy a 2018 MBP, although I dislike the keyboard or (c) buy an iMP despite the problems with the T2 chip and kernel panics. Decisions, decisions ..

 

[Zdigital2015]

The redesign internal and ports work has already been done with the iMac Pro....no need for any more slimming down...bezels yes.

That's not the re-design I think people are talking about Apple doing. I expect the 2018 iMac to adopt the iMac Pro chassis complete with no user-accessible DRAM door, new cooling system, PSU, etc. to help cope with the increased heat from the 6-core and 8-core CPUs.

Any aesthetic changes (smaller bezels, adjustable height for the display, et al) to the iMac are not happening for another couple of years, at least.

 

[iZeljko]

At least the German refurbished store does not sell any 2018 MBP yet, but only the 2017 versions.

I am in the market for a new Mac myself (typing this on my mid 2014 13" MBP) but cannot decide, which bullet I should bite: (a) buy a 2017 iMac, although new versions are likely to be released soon and the i7 version suffers from nasty fan noise levels, (b) buy a 2018 MBP, although I dislike the keyboard or (c) buy an iMP despite the problems with the T2 chip and kernel panics. Decisions, decisions ..

My 2013 13" i7 is saying hi to your junior 13" as I type

I am on a same boat as you are. I have added 1050Ti eGPU to my 13" but it keeps me running while I'm stationary. No chance to move the eGPU and external monitor to my worksite as I'm limited with luggage.

I would not mind having an iMac at home as this would increase my productivity so I might get away without CAD work while I'm on the field. The main problem with current i7 iMac is heat. There is a video of a dude milling an air vent on the back of his i7 7700K RX580 iMac and that mod has drastically reduced the heat on internal components. I am not willing to take that move on a brand new iMac - I still want 3 year APP coverage on such investment. That votes current i7 iMac out of my options.

I'm heavily considering to buy 15" 2,6GHz 16GB / 512GB MBP but the kernel panics are really keeping me off the purchase. Apple service providers in my area suck and I can not afford myself to own a machine which would require me to take it to Apple Genius bar every few weeks. If Apple would come out with official statement for the KP problem, and release a fix I would probably leave my wife in the bed and hit trails to reach the Apple Store in Frankfurt. The address is already set up as my fav. Just need to purchase the plane tickets.

The iMP is a little tricky to think about. I really do not have a requirement for any of it's offerings.
I would benefit the base model as it had highest clock speed for single core ops and I am working with single threaded SW. I saw a recent offering of just about 4600EUR for refurbished unit and that has really got my attention, however not my kind of hardware right now.

I am thinking that a healthy 15" MBP with i7 @2,6GHz would be my best option and I could keep it for next 3 to 5 years easily. As addition to this I do fancy on getting an iMac later down the road. Maybe 2 years from now.

The only problem that I see now is the damn KPs. Even if the damn keyboard would fail I could live with having that fixed by Apple authorised service, but having them pull a clean install on a brand new MPB is like a slap in my face. My 13" JagdMBPR has never had an clean OS reinstall. Only regular updates.
I have bastardised it by adding the GTX1050Ti eGPU and that is the only work I had to do on it. It keeps me running but I really hate the feeling that Appel has gave up on making such reliable tanks, ups I mean laptops. Some time I forget it is a laptop as it just runs like a tank.

 

[Dave245]

That's not the re-design I think people are talking about Apple doing. I expect the 2018 iMac to adopt the iMac Pro chassis complete with no user-accessible DRAM door, new cooling system, PSU, etc. to help cope with the increased heat from the 6-core and 8-core CPUs.

Any aesthetic changes (smaller bezels, adjustable height for the display, et al) to the iMac are not happening for another couple of years, at least.

I would be happy if they made the iMac available in the same space grey as the iMac Pro, simple I know but I think it would look great especially with the dark mode on Mojave

 

[c.s.]

I'm looking forward to buying a new Mac before the end of the year, but honestly my 2014 iMac (first 5k model) is still a beast and runs better than the day I bought it. I mostly use Photoshop, InDesign and After Effects, with AE being the only program that feels like it could use faster hardware. I remember how excited I was to get a "retina" screen on an iMac, which was the major selling point. The 2015 model trumpeted the wide color spectrum, and the 2017 was marketed for its ability to create VR content, and usb-c connectivity. Apple needs a marketing angle besides just clock speed -- what can you do with the 2018 model that you couldn't do before?

Since we can't foresee anything groundbreaking, my guess is that we get 6 cores (not standard) and space gray option. They've got to do space gray because there just won't be enough other features to make it seem "new."

 

[Zdigital2015]

I'm looking forward to buying a new Mac before the end of the year, but honestly my 2014 iMac (first 5k model) is still a beast and runs better than the day I bought it. I mostly use Photoshop, InDesign and After Effects, with AE being the only program that feels like it could use faster hardware. I remember how excited I was to get a "retina" screen on an iMac, which was the major selling point. The 2015 model trumpeted the wide color spectrum, and the 2017 was marketed for its ability to create VR content, and usb-c connectivity. Apple needs a marketing angle besides just clock speed -- what can you do with the 2018 model that you couldn't do before?

Since we can't foresee anything groundbreaking, my guess is that we get 6 cores (not standard) and space gray option. They've got to do space gray because there just won't be enough other features to make it seem "new."

6-cores standard and 8-cores BTO...Coffee Lake i5 is 6-cores from the get-go and Core i7 is 6c/12t, 9600K is 6-cores, 9700K is 8-cores and 9900K is 8c/16t. Apple just upped the core count in the 2018 MacBook Pros, this is no different than that. Apple is not stupid.

Space Grey is probably reserved for the iMac Pro, but anything is possible. Polaris 30 12nm GPUs are possible as their announcement is imminent. 15-20% increase in speed, less power usage.

 

[Appleaker]

Unfortunately, the 28-core is probably destined for the Mac Pro only and not the iMac Pro as it is using the FCLGA3647 socket, which means too much power draw and too much heat generation and is a completely new motherboard design. It also uses a 6-channel memory controller, which would necessitate an extra two sockets on the motherboard.

Supporting both of these major changes in the iMac Pro is highly unlikely as it only pertains to one CPU. I believe the 22-core, which continues to use the FCLGA-2066, will take over the high end on the iMac Pro and Apple will drop the 8-core version while moving the 10-core down to the base configuration.

The others are important to know release date and price as this gives us a hint of when Apple would time an October Event, which is now more likely to happen on October 23rd or October 30th, given his appearance at the European Data Protection Conference on October 24th.

I had guess heat would be a major issue for the iMac Pro, but didn’t realize it was a different socket, so you’re right about that. And I think it will be between the 25 and 31st, but it could be before the conference.

 

[Icaras]

Any aesthetic changes (smaller bezels, adjustable height for the display, et al) to the iMac are not happening for another couple of years, at least.

I respectively disagee. The iMac is not the Mac Pro where Apple could get away with a 10 year old design. Although it’s in the single digit sales for Apple, it’s still a consumer level machine that Apple needs to keep fresh in people’s eyes. This is by far the longest amount of time the iMac has ever retained the same design so it’s already overdue.

My bet is on this month (or whenever the iMac is next updated).

 

[Glmnet1]

With the new processors announced Apple is in a weird situation with the iMac. Here's what I think are the possibilities:
- Releasing an iMac in October with 8th gen CPUs when the 9th gen is already out. If that happens the big question would be, why wait so long?
- Releasing a mixed of 8th gen CPUs and unlocked 9th gen CPUs in the next 3 months. Was this ever done before? Would be the ideal solution for those waiting for a new iMac and 8th and 9th gen are so similar (z390 chipset is backward compatible and z370 is compatible with the newer chips) that it could probably be done.
- Releasing new higher-end iMacs with the new K CPUs and leaving the lower end the same until the non K CPUs are released. Similar to what they did with the 13" MBP.
- Waiting 6+ months for all the non K 9th gen CPUs to be released and available in enough quantities even though the iMac is already quite old and in need of an update.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I had guess heat would be a major issue for the iMac Pro, but didn’t realize it was a different socket, so you’re right about that. And I think it will be between the 25 and 31st, but it could be before the conference.

The 28-core also has a TDP of 265w and liquid cooling is HIGHLY recommended. Source: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1344...75x-28core-processor-for-extreme-workstations
[doublepost=1539048047][/doublepost]

I respectively disagee. The iMac is not the Mac Pro where Apple could get away with a 10 year old design. Although it’s in the single digit sales for Apple, it’s still a consumer level machine that Apple needs to keep fresh in people’s eyes. This is by far the longest amount of time the iMac has ever retained the same design so it’s already overdue.

My bet is on this month (or whenever the iMac is next updated).

You have a valid point considering we are closing in on 10 years...however, I still like the design, I do not mind the bezels as they keep the background from being distracting while looking at the display. No bezels or slim bezels would be a big minus for me, but not for others.

I honestly do not think they have enough ID people to do a re-design this year. The iPhone X was last year, but then we have the XS Max, iPhone XR, Apple Watch Series 4, a possible Mac mini redesign and the rumored 13”/14” MacBook (Air). I guess we will see which one of us ends up being right! LOL! Good luck to you, good luck to me!

 

[Lammers]

Can we all agree on two things?
1.) None of us have any idea what Apple will do, we are all just guessing.
2.) Apple can not continue to sell 7th generation iMacs well into 2019.

1.) I think “guessing” is a bit unfair. Some people here have enough knowledge of Intel’s position and understanding of Apple’s previous behaviour to be able to make logical estimates of what Apple may do next.

2.) That’s ridiculous, of course they can if they want to. And there is plenty of evidence of Apple doing things that people on these forums consider unthinkable. The massive Mac mini thread is sobering in that respect.
[doublepost=1539074667][/doublepost]

I would be happy if they made the iMac available in the same space grey as the iMac Pro, simple I know but I think it would look great especially with the dark mode on Mojave

I do think there is a fairly good chance that will happen.
[doublepost=1539074989][/doublepost]

I honestly do not think they have enough ID people to do a re-design this year. The iPhone X was last year, but then we have the XS Max, iPhone XR, Apple Watch Series 4, a possible Mac mini redesign and the rumored 13”/14” MacBook (Air).

Yep, and of all the products needing ID attention, it’s hard to imagine the current iMac being a business priority.

That said, my understanding is that Ives and his team were in some part at least tied up in recent years with work on Apple Park. With that now done, I do wonder what that frees up in terms of ID capacity (not that iMac would be the beneficiary of that, necessarily).
[doublepost=1539075679][/doublepost]

I respectively disagee. The iMac is not the Mac Pro where Apple could get away with a 10 year old design. Although it’s in the single digit sales for Apple, it’s still a consumer level machine that Apple needs to keep fresh in people’s eyes. This is by far the longest amount of time the iMac has ever retained the same design so it’s already overdue.

My bet is on this month (or whenever the iMac is next updated).

Design “freshness”, in and of itself, is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is whether the current design hurts sales or not. And I find it very hard to imagine that the average consumer, looking at buying an iMac, would decide not to buy it on the basis that it looks outdated. I think most consumers would say the iMac still looks just great and still lust after owning one.

Far more “bets” are lost in these forums than won. So far this year there have been people utterly convinced that the new iMac would be announced at the anniversary of the announcement of the original iMac, some utterly convinced that it would be announced at the anniversary of the launch of the original iMac, some utterly convinced it would be announced in September, and so on. None of those things have come to pass. People are far more often wrong than right.

 

[alien3dx]

With the new processors announced Apple is in a weird situation with the iMac. Here's what I think are the possibilities:
- Releasing an iMac in October with 8th gen CPUs when the 9th gen is already out. If that happens the big question would be, why wait so long?
- Releasing a mixed of 8th gen CPUs and unlocked 9th gen CPUs in the next 3 months. Was this ever done before? Would be the ideal solution for those waiting for a new iMac and 8th and 9th gen are so similar (z390 chipset is backward compatible and z370 is compatible with the newer chips) that it could probably be done.
- Releasing new higher-end iMacs with the new K CPUs and leaving the lower end the same until the non K CPUs are released. Similar to what they did with the 13" MBP.
- Waiting 6+ months for all the non K 9th gen CPUs to be released and available in enough quantities even though the iMac is already quite old and in need of an update.

manpower. Since apple now a jack of all trade,speciality is non.Sad,bought old gen 7 .

 

[Zandros]

- Releasing a mixed of 8th gen CPUs and unlocked 9th gen CPUs in the next 3 months. Was this ever done before? Would be the ideal solution for those waiting for a new iMac and 8th and 9th gen are so similar (z390 chipset is backward compatible and z370 is compatible with the newer chips) that it could probably be done.

Sure. First gen "unibody" iMac had a mix of Core 2 Duo and Core i5 processors. The 2015 update for the iMac had Broadwell CPUs for the 21.5" since the Skylake versions with Iris Pro weren't out and Skylake for the 27" with dedicated GPUs.

 

[partsofspeech]

1.) I think ...
Far more “bets” are lost in these forums than won. So far this year there have been people utterly convinced that the new iMac would be announced at the anniversary of the announcement of the original iMac, some utterly convinced that it would be announced at the anniversary of the launch of the original iMac, some utterly convinced it would be announced in September, and so on. None of those things have come to pass. People are far more often wrong than right.

We have underestimated how much more Apple’s top executives want for their own bonuses than their company’s honor.

 

[hydr]

Anyone willing to make some predictions on GPU? I am guessing AMD is a given. I do not think they are willing to go VEGA due to price? Anyone know what AMD got coming?

 

[Glmnet1]

Anyone willing to make some predictions on GPU? I am guessing AMD is a given. I do not think they are willing to go VEGA due to price? Anyone know what AMD got coming?

Most likely the 500X rebranded cards, like they used for the MBP.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Anyone willing to make some predictions on GPU? I am guessing AMD is a given. I do not think they are willing to go VEGA due to price? Anyone know what AMD got coming?

Polaris 30 is supposed to arrive imminently, with a 15%-20% performance gain, but the naming scheme and availability is still up in the air.

I believe it will be called Radeon Pro 655, 660, 670, 675 and 680, but I supposed they could simply add the “X” suffix to the existing 500-series GPUs, although I do not think they will. Source: https://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-rx-polaris-30-gpu-october-launch/

The only possible wildcard would be a BTO option to a Vega Nano that would be tied to the highest end iMac ($2299 version) that you could upgrade the CPU all the way up to an i9-9900K and a Vega Nano, but I suspect that the cost to upgrade both the CPU and GPU could cost upwards of $600-$800 on top of the $2299 for the i5-9600K/Radeon Pro 580X/680, but Apple will still leave customers with the opportunity to pair a 6-core i5, 8-core i7 or 8c/16t i9 with either GPU.

Pure speculation on my part, but plausible depending on Apple’s (re-)commitment to the Mac.

 

[padams35]

Anyone willing to make some predictions on GPU? I am guessing AMD is a given. I do not think they are willing to go VEGA due to price? Anyone know what AMD got coming?

AMD has something coming, but all sources suggest only a single new card is imminent. I was hoping for a full Polaris 30 Radeon Pro 6xx refresh, but I'm also one of the guys not expecting the iMac refresh to occur until February/March. Maybe the 5Ks will get a November update if the RX 670/680 pair are both released in October.

If there is an October 2018 iMac I'm predicting the new AMD will instead turn out to be just a 1-off RX 590X. A Pro 590X then becomes standard on the top end, the Pro 580(X) drops to the mid-tier, and the Pro 575 is either pushed to the entry 5K or the entry stays on the Pro 570(X). The 21.5"/4K series doesn't get an update except possibly for a drive bump to make 1TB Fusion the standard entry config.

 

[Jorbanead]

Polaris 30 is supposed to arrive imminently, with a 15%-20% performance gain, but the naming scheme and availability is still up in the air.

Very interesting. It’s slightly odd that the 670 is releasing before the 680, but this may add some credibility to an iMac update this month.

Apple and AMD have a very tight relationship, and it’s not unheard of for a computer giant like Apple or Dell to demand full dies at launch. I could see a deal being made where Apple has exclusive rights for the 680 until November.

Trying not to get my hopes up, but a 9900K and Radeon Pro 680 would be a very welcome spec bump!