Redesigned iMac in 2018?

[iMi]

I don’t think we’ll see a redesigned iMac for a while. First, as many pointed out, the iMac Pro was just released and it has retained the same form factor. If Apple were to redesign it, that would have been the point in time when they would have done it.

Second, the design is functionally very solid. What needs to change? Maybe smaller bezels. That’s the most logical change, but I think it would also require a change to the overall size. I think the changes to the iMac design will come as a direct result of the changes to components (thinner displayed, cooler chips, etc.). I think that will drive the change, because given today’s technology the iMac is pretty much perfectly able to accommodate. Therefore, change isn’t really viable.

 

[fuchsdh]

It's kind of funny to have people complaining about bezels on a desktop computer the same time they're lamenting Apple going thinner and thinner on a mostly-stationary desktop computer

As pointed out with the iMac Pro coming out the best case scenario is Apple ports some of the cooling improvements over to the base iMac and we get the same level of performance but quieter (which ain't nothing.) Until Apple is ready to get rid of fusion drives entirely I can't see them redesigning it heavily.

 

[Mago]

I believe the next iMac generation (no idea when) will be visually very different, a glass-sandwich flat on both ends has some logic and somehow follows Smart-TV trends, but a Flat iMac should have thicker bezels while being slimmer in overall.

 

[ESA]

I think you need the space on an iMac as it is.

In that case bezels doesn´t matter..
If you look into it, the iMac design is amazing! Yes it´s old, but nothing compares to it. Not even close.

I love the iMac design as it is, especially the space grey one!

 

[yellowscreen]

https://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-rx-vega-64-56-come-gaming-laptops-company-hints/

Vega mobile, 1536 SPs and 4-8GB of HBM2

could be nice

 

[bxs]

How probable is that?

I'm guessing "no" also.

 

[Mac32]

https://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-rx-vega-64-56-come-gaming-laptops-company-hints/

Vega mobile, 1536 SPs and 4-8GB of HBM2

could be nice

Certainly a possibility for the lower priced

https://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-rx-vega-64-56-come-gaming-laptops-company-hints/

Vega mobile, 1536 SPs and 4-8GB of HBM2

could be nice

Those are certainly GPU parts that could be used in cheaper iMac 2018 models and MacBook Pros. Hopefully we'll get no less than a Vega 56 Pro (or a downclocked Vega 64 RX) in the high-end iMac configuration. Any less would be disappointing, though I'd rather have Nvidia. I'm however concerned with the skyrocketing GPU prices right now, because of mining.

 

[SecuritySteve]

What I suspect is a far more likely development, would be to include the iMac Pro's thermal architecture in the non-pro iMac. It doesn't aesthetically take away from the iMac Pro, but improves performance in the consumer version.

 

[fastlanephil]

What I suspect is a far more likely development, would be to include the iMac Pro's thermal architecture in the non-pro iMac. It doesn't aesthetically take away from the iMac Pro, but improves performance in the consumer version.

Although it could be smaller so that the iMacs would still have the user upgradable memory option.

 

[SecuritySteve]

Although it could be smaller so that the iMacs would still have the user upgradable memory option.

That would be nice, but I'm skeptical.

 

[Mac32]

If the choice is between a more quiet machine w/more powerful CPU and GPU, or memory upgradeability - it's no contest at all. Less noise and more power every time. I'd gladly pay the current Apple ram premium for that. Most people don't really need more than 16gb anyway.

 

[yellowscreen]

Certainly a possibility for the lower priced

Those are certainly GPU parts that could be used in cheaper iMac 2018 models and MacBook Pros. Hopefully we'll get no less than a Vega 56 Pro (or a downclocked Vega 64 RX) in the high-end iMac configuration. Any less would be disappointing, though I'd rather have Nvidia. I'm however concerned with the skyrocketing GPU prices right now, because of mining.

Vega 64 might be too hot? Also, its iMac pro top gpu...

RX 580 in current iMac is 150W TDP. Without some kind of thermal management design, I dont think they can shave of 145W just with underclocking, while still performing optimally. Vega 56, on the other hand is possible.

Found another rumor - Vega 28 & 32 - hopefully, these are the low end.

But even with the underclocked Vega 56, its a bit underwhelming relative to nVidia offerings, at least in performance per Watt metric

also, bear in mind, covfefe lake is power hungry

three possibilities: 1. thermal redesign 2. low tdp gpu 3. hot and noisy machine

other two less likely albeit possible possibilities are: 1. leave out i7 2. go with amd cpus

not sure how i feel about amd cpus... at least i know how i feel about their gpus - id rather go with nvidia

lets compare i7 8700k 95W with amd 1600x 81W.

geekbench single core is 6000 for i7 vs 4200 for amd. considering i7 is using nearly 20% more power, lets overclock amd a bit and raise its score 20% = 5000

*disclaimer - im in a magical land where everything is linear

yeah, id go with intel

 

[Florida Gator]

What is on the roadmap for Radeon Pro GPUs in 2018? Release dates?

 

[Mac32]

What is on the roadmap for Radeon Pro GPUs in 2018? Release dates?

Vega mobile chips are set for release in second quarter (AMD released this info last week at CES), which would be useful for cheaper iMac configurations, as well as MacBookPros. Hopefully the next iMacs can at least use the Vega Pro 56, but the iMac seriously needs better cooling (like the iMac Pro) to lower temperatures and fan noise. The latest 6 core Intel CPUs are also hotter than the last generation, which is already running too hot (esp. 7700k).

 

[sputnikBA]

Alternatively, there is nothing stopping Apple from using the 8700 instead of the 8700k.

They would get the majority of the performance but at 65W instead of 91W

 

[Mac32]

Alternatively, there is nothing stopping Apple from using the 8700 instead of the 8700k.

They would get the majority of the performance but at 65W instead of 91W

Only the fact that they would be putting lower tier components into their iMacs, compared to previous generations. Apple seriously needs to upgrade the cooling design, and the iMac is ripe for a design upgrade anyway.

Apple should use a 10bit HDR600 display (with LG Nano IPS technology), better cooling w/redesigned heatsink+fans (by removing the HDD), 6 core CPUs, and a powerful GPU. That would be a worthy 2018 upgrade to the iMac, esp. considering the iMac has had no larger updates since 2014 (retina display), and same form factor since 2012. If Tim Cook's Apple actually does this, who knows...

 

[yellowscreen]

10bit

sadly, 8bit + dithering probably

yeah, i know, another disappointment

 

[sputnikBA]

The lower clock speed would be offset by 50% extra cores (depending on workload). So it could still be considered an upgrade - especially when lower wattage would help it run at its turbo frequencies for longer.

So it might lose out on absolut peak single core speed, but be superior in sustained performance

 

[fokmik]

sadly, 8bit + dithering probably

yeah, i know, another disappointment

i wonder if they can put 12 bit for HDR and dolby vision?!

 

[Mac32]

i wonder if they can put 12 bit for HDR and dolby vision?!

Not gonna happen. However, LG are releasing several 10 bit HDR600 monitor models in May, using their nano crystal (or Nano IPS) technology. The timing fits for a May/June iMac release, hopefully....

 

[fokmik]

Not gonna happen. However, LG are releasing several 10 bit HDR600 monitor models in May, using their nano crystal (or Nano IPS) technology. The timing fits for a May/June iMac release, hopefully....

It will be nice to have 10bit HDR600 into the next imacs. But why no 12 bit dolby vision? from technically point its impossible now ?

 

[yellowscreen]

i wonder if they can put 12 bit for HDR and dolby vision?!

far too expensive

10bit is also possibly too expensive, considering they (both apple and lg) use 8bit + dithering

two marketing terms: 1. 10bit display 2. 10bit color accuracy which is 8bit + dithering

cheapest 10bit display i found is dell up3216q, goes for 1500eur

 

[fokmik]

still when apple announced the first imac with 5k..a good 60hz 4k display was around 2500-3000$ and the imac was priced from 2499$
So if a 10bit display is around 1500$ Apple could easily put that into next imacs without affecting current prices

 

[yellowscreen]

still when apple announced the first imac with 5k..a good 60hz 4k display was around 2500-3000$ and the imac was priced from 2499$
So if a 10bit display is around 1500$ Apple could easily put that into next imacs without affecting current prices

hopefully

 

[potatis]

In 6 months will be the 20th anniversary of iMac, maybe there will be an iMac X model along with the regular iMac and iMac Pro? Expensive, limited and limo-delivered, to prevent ordinary people from buying it.