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Will Apple release new iMac in March?
- Thread starter ndolebay
- Start date
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I think they answer to the this thread's question (Will Apple release new iMac in March?) is a big fat NO.
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There hasn't been a single peep on the iMac. I think the last news on the iMac was from last year. In the past when Apple's done aniPad event they also have had some Mac goodies. I think most of the folks here including me tried to make a connection since there's new iPads coming there must be new Macs coming. However I think I lost hope on this.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope I don't have to wait until WWDC to get a new iMac.
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There hasn't been a single peep on the iMac. I think the last news on the iMac was from last year. In the past when Apple's done aniPad event they also have had some Mac goodies. I think most of the folks here including me tried to make a connection since there's new iPads coming there must be new Macs coming. However I think I lost hope on this.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope I don't have to wait until WWDC to get a new iMac.
On the flip side, there was really nothing to put into the iMac in late 2016 other than USB-C/TB3. No new CPU (already on Skylake and Kaby Lake had not shipped) and no new AMD GPU (anything faster than the Radeon Pro 460 had yet to ship and I believe the 460 is a downgrade from the M395X).
Not sure a port upgrade would have inspired most of those waiting to buy to pull the trigger and almost certainly would not have generated many upgrade sales from the current 5K lineup (2014 and 2015).
Yea I know there was nothing to add, spec wise to the iMac last year. Intel has changed it's schedule and strategy on CPUs and why it didn't make sense to release an iMac in 2016. But I'm just eyeing this purely on a marketing perspective. Even though Intel and Apple's time tables don't really match up anymore, keeping the Mac relevant in the eyes of the consumer (and I should clarify specifically consumers, not professionals) is obviously a priority at Apple, despite all the negativity that comes from the internet about them abandoning the platform (which I think is absurd, every time I hear it). So they should need to make up for lost time, like they did with the MBP, and they know it. Tim knows it. And that's probably why he made a public statement about it.
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The iMac is far more popular than the mac mini or the Mac Pro, maybe even together combined. In other words, it is their most popular, consumer-centric desktop Mac that they sell. And it sells very well, comparatively against those other two desktop Macs. It's not a product that Apple should really slack on. I don't think they will ever ignore the iMac like they do with the mini or the Pro, especially given the resurgence of all-in-one desktops (i.e: Surface Studio).
Hey guys, don't mind me. I'm just trying to be positive here
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Lol but the iMac is nada compared to the iPhone. Apple only cares about the iPhone and iPad now.Yea I know there was nothing to add, spec wise to the iMac last year. Intel has changed it's schedule and strategy on CPUs and why it didn't make sense to release an iMac in 2016. But I'm just eyeing this purely on a marketing perspective. Even though Intel and Apple's time tables don't really match up anymore, keeping the Mac relevant in the eyes of the consumer (and I should clarify specifically consumers, not professionals) is obviously a priority at Apple, despite all the negativity that comes from the internet about them abandoning the platform (which I think is absurd, every time I hear it). So they should need to make up for lost time, like they did with the MBP, and they know it. Tim knows it. And that's probably why he made a public statement about it.
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The iMac is far more popular than the mac mini or the Mac Pro, maybe even together combined. In other words, it is their most popular, consumer-centric desktop Mac that they sell. And it sells very well, comparatively against those other two desktop Macs. It's not a product that Apple should really slack on. I don't think they will ever ignore the iMac like they do with the mini or the Pro, especially given the resurgence of all-in-one desktops (i.e: Surface Studio).
Hey guys, don't mind me. I'm just trying to be real positive here
You can't write iPhone and iPad applications without a Mac. That fact alone will ensure Apple keeps macOS and Macs alive.
But for how much longer? Swift Playgrounds is already there on the iPad. To me that signals that some version of Xcode is on its way for the iPad, and thereby giving an alternative to the Mac for developers.
My vote on this is that iPhones and iPads are the revenue generators for Apple. If you look at Apple stock its out of the roof and going up without the Mac. I think they are probably moving away from Desktops. Maybe just laptops with external displays. Thats where the market is going and maybe Apple sees that. Plus not much money in Macs for them. More of a legacy item.
I am one of those millions. I want to stay with the Mac OS but not if they don't want me -Apple seems to want to focus on iOS.
I'm sure I'm the outlier but I really dislike iOS (and Android) - I've had my own 'home' computer since 1982 and find iOS to be the next thing to a toy. Smartphones are amazing devices but fill the 'junior' category when it comes to software, screen size, and user friendly controls (missing things like keyboard, mouse, graphics tablet). They're not bad for getting information while on the run but for 'production' ..... not so much. Even Lightroom Mobile is like a lot of $2.99 apps - built for the masses. I don't know about any of you but I don't need to post process software while I'm walking around - I can actually wait until I get home, use full featured software, and produce a true finished product.
I own a lot of Apple products and I have them because I bought an iPod and found that it worked intuitively - so I tried a 20" iMac, then a MacBook, Airport, Airport Extreme, etc. Over the years I've spend a TON on Apple products. It all integrates great but if they start dumbing down everything but iOS devices I'll probably move on.
I've looked at the Surface Studio and I love the design (but think it is a little short on specs for the price). I really want an iMac with 2017 specs but I'm skeptical. Cook says the 'desktop' is important to Apple's overall strategy - I'm really hoping he's proves, I don't want switch.
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Obviously, Timmy doesn't edit photos with Photoshop Fix, an iPad Pro, and an Apple pencil. I bought the big iPad Pro and Apple Pencil so I could sit in my living room and edit photos - it was a joke - I returned it the next day. The tip of the 'pencil' is too blunt to do any precision work and the mobile version of Photoshop is meant to 'fix' pictures and upload them to Facebook - certainly not print 11 x 19s. - you need an actual computer for that. I can't imaging the frustration users would have trying to edit video with iOS.
I haven't actually used a Microsoft Surface Studio but unless things turnaround with Apple desktops I'm going to spend some time with one and see if it is a step forward.
Apple is steering their customers to iOS devices.
Cook said "desktops are important", Apple "loves Mac" and Apple will "do more in the 'Pro' area". iPad Pro is that area, and Apple will start naming more devices 'Pro' to differentiate iOS products.
Apple WILL tell you they are 'redefining' what 'Pro" means by releasing products called 'Pro', iOS desktop devices called 'Mac'. You WILL see a desktop Mac Mini with iOS sooner than later. The Apple TV is already very close to being that.
As their older, loyal customer base is replaced with younger customers who only know Apple iOS products the transition will go faster. Apple is not stupid and is making this transition slowly and quietly until it's complete.
Cook said "desktops are important", Apple "loves Mac" and Apple will "do more in the 'Pro' area". iPad Pro is that area, and Apple will start naming more devices 'Pro' to differentiate iOS products.
Apple WILL tell you they are 'redefining' what 'Pro" means by releasing products called 'Pro', iOS desktop devices called 'Mac'. You WILL see a desktop Mac Mini with iOS sooner than later. The Apple TV is already very close to being that.
As their older, loyal customer base is replaced with younger customers who only know Apple iOS products the transition will go faster. Apple is not stupid and is making this transition slowly and quietly until it's complete.
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I edit photos as well and there's really nothing that works better than using an actual mouse. The mouse/full-size keyboard combination really is the best for precision work like that and it's unfortunate that this seems to be going away, at least prematurely, I feel.
Well, your story sounds very similar to mine. I got the original iPod Shuffle when it came out, then a regular iPod, then Macs and Airports and so on. I just got my first non-Apple PC a few weeks ago with a Surface Pro 3. And now the Surface Studio is starting to look more interesting although it still isn't available in Europe. Also, I would miss some Apple things like iMessage and Facetime if I didn't have my iMac still.
I think what Apple does next with the Mac (especially the desktop) will say something more about what their plans are long-term.
A lot of interesting viewpoints from many, but..could the reason for the lack of interest for Mac from Apple be the shift of business from hardware to SERVICES? ...and iPhones/TV that uses it. Not much Apple aps from Apple for Mac..much from Adobe and others. Photos sucs!!
Gloom And Doom in here
The machines will arrive, and many will toss hate on them. Seems to be SOP
the last few years. The battle of DIYers vs Apple will continue, and that's a
good thing. Imagine how many iphone boxes it takes to fill a 27in iMac Box and
multiply by 800-1000. The bean boys win and they want it on schedule and in cash.
I want a 6G 4TB SSD for 500 bucks. It'll happen at some point, but the U/D speed will
be quaint when it hits the mark - SOS
When the iMac I.O. looks just like the new Macbook Pro, people will pop veins and
gas out. News flash, for most of the history of both products, the I.O was close, if
not the same and so was the processor, Ram, GPU. Duhh? The iMac
has never and will never be a Mac Pro, even if it did get really close in 2012.
Prepare for the 27in Ram door to close. The 21 was a warning shot over the bow.
Peace
The machines will arrive, and many will toss hate on them. Seems to be SOP
the last few years. The battle of DIYers vs Apple will continue, and that's a
good thing. Imagine how many iphone boxes it takes to fill a 27in iMac Box and
multiply by 800-1000. The bean boys win and they want it on schedule and in cash.
I want a 6G 4TB SSD for 500 bucks. It'll happen at some point, but the U/D speed will
be quaint when it hits the mark - SOS
When the iMac I.O. looks just like the new Macbook Pro, people will pop veins and
gas out. News flash, for most of the history of both products, the I.O was close, if
not the same and so was the processor, Ram, GPU. Duhh? The iMac
has never and will never be a Mac Pro, even if it did get really close in 2012.
Prepare for the 27in Ram door to close. The 21 was a warning shot over the bow.
Peace
Amazed and appalled that it now seems certain that there won't be a March event, and thus no new iMacs for now.
I'm now doubly screwed because I was planning on the discounted LG 5K to go with an updated Thunderbolt 3-equipped iMac. The discount ends on March 31st. Thanks Apple.
I'm now doubly screwed because I was planning on the discounted LG 5K to go with an updated Thunderbolt 3-equipped iMac. The discount ends on March 31st. Thanks Apple.
The macrumors crowd is a small minority of potential buyers, and most people don't care much about hardware specs. The current iMac offerings are more than adequate for the vast majority of users and the current models will continue to sell just fine without an update. Here is my wish list, though, user upgradable ram, storage, CPU and GPU
A Mac from 5 years ago can write iOS applications. Therefore they don't have to update them on a regular basis.
the imac is more popular because it was updated until now every year, the mac mini...not so much, even when they updated they removed the quad core cpu,so i think if the mac mini will come with some big changes it will be more popular since the imac upgrade can't be such a big update vs current 2015 gen,so a lot of people who have the 2014 or 2015 will probably not updateThe iMac is far more popular than the mac mini or the Mac Pro, maybe even together combined. In other words, it is their most popular, consumer-centric desktop Mac that they sell. And it sells very well, comparatively against those other two desktop Macs. It's not a product that Apple should really slack on. I don't think they will ever ignore the iMac like they do with the mini or the Pro, especially given the resurgence of all-in-one desktops (i.e: Surface Studio).
Hey guys, don't mind me. I'm just trying to be positive here
A 5 year old iPhone can still make calls, therefore apple doesn't need to update that on a regular basis - except they do for a one reason. To sell more iPhones
The same logic is true for the Macs, yes, my 2012 rMBP is more then capable of handling what I can throw at it, yet, if apple wants a sale, then they update the mac line
I'm not sure why they let their Mini and Mac Pro line whither on the vine like the did, because they certainly lost sales because of it.
The tech/rumour sites still seem to suggest there will be iPads of some sort announced and i'm still hoping for something on the iMac. Rumours about their desktop lines have always been much thinner on the ground though, presumably because there's not the same volume of potential supply chain and accessories leaks as there are with phones.
If there's not a spec bump very soon then maybe there's something to the logic which says the Mac Pro is definitely dead and will be replaced with an iMac Pro. But surely a spec bump plus a move to USB-C makes sense given the time since the last update and what's available now.
If there's not a spec bump very soon then maybe there's something to the logic which says the Mac Pro is definitely dead and will be replaced with an iMac Pro. But surely a spec bump plus a move to USB-C makes sense given the time since the last update and what's available now.
A 5 year old iPhone can still make calls, therefore apple doesn't need to update that on a regular basis - except they do for a one reason. To sell more iPhones
The same logic is true for the Macs, yes, my 2012 rMBP is more then capable of handling what I can throw at it, yet, if apple wants a sale, then they update the mac line
I'm not sure why they let their Mini and Mac Pro line whither on the vine like the did, because they certainly lost sales because of it.
Apple has tried to position the phone to get buyers to update every two years and therefore they need to keep changing and updating the phone to force/entice people to buy them. Most people are paying for the phone on a monthly payment plan through their carrier, and the total cost of the phone is at least half of an iMac. Also, desktop computer technology is much more mature than handheld computer (phone) technology and the target audience for iPhones in much larger than that for iMacs. Therefore there is no pressing need for Apple to update the iMac at all this year if they choose not too -- your average user is just not going to know the difference in skylake and kabbylake or a slightly improved gpu. No amount of threats by macrumor nerds to get a microsoft Surface is going to change this either
.
Apple tried this, in a sense and they saw falling mac sales. 2014 and 2015 saw their Mac computer line shrink for the first time in a while, largely because people were wanting newer laptops. Yet all the time, Apple's competitors were rolling out updated models.
Do you want to spend 2k on a computer that running a broadwell chipset (21" iMac), or half of that, for a computer that is running the latest technology (Dells/HP/etc)?
While people don't need to upgrade annually, not everyone bought their computers at the same time, so while customer "A" doesn't need a new computer in 2017, customer "B" does and if apple doesn't update their computer line customer "B" may look elsewhere.
And part of the problem with this strategy is that Apple never drop prices between models which I think compounds the problem of people holding off buying - some will just wait it out - but some people will jump ship to a PC the longer this goes on. Although the iMacs aren't in the same boat as the embarrassing Mac Pro.
I still suspect most iMac buyers won't really care that its not the latest and greatest chipset - they are attracted by the form factor and the fact that the model you can buy today is more than capable of anything they will throw at it. But the average MR user isn't that person.
A 5 year old iPhone can still make calls, therefore apple doesn't need to update that on a regular basis - except they do for a one reason. To sell more iPhones
The same logic is true for the Macs, yes, my 2012 rMBP is more then capable of handling what I can throw at it, yet, if apple wants a sale, then they update the mac line
I'm not sure why they let their Mini and Mac Pro line whither on the vine like the did, because they certainly lost sales because of it.
The question is did apple lose revenue because of it? There is competition in the phone market and apple has to dedicate much resources to that part of their business model in order to keep their position. There is not a lot of competition for desktop Macs because people who like and use macs will buy them regardless of what microsoft or asus, etc. does, and this (desktop mac sales) is a part of apple's business which is likely just at the break even point anyway. So was apple better off shifting resources into phone technology or desktop mac technology? In other words, shifting resources to iOS technology and away from desktop mac technology, even if it did cause a significant loss in mac sales (which I seriously doubt) likely increased revenue for apple.
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Did mac sales decrease because the models were not crispy fresh or because desktop computer sales are on the decline period? Apple has done pretty well over the last two decades without incorporating all of the demands of a fringe minority of nerds on computer forums...
Edit, here is an article from 2015 highlighting that while mac sales are down, so are all traditional computer sales and apple is down less than the the pc market and therefore are increasing actual percentage in sales against competition:
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-mac-sales-reportedly-hit-two-year-low/
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Mac sales decreased the last few quarters, the most recent quarter Apple saw great gains in mac sales. To me that says that updating the computer line had a positive impact