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When do you expect an iMac redesign?

  • 4rd quarter 2019

    Votes: 34 4.1%
  • 1st quarter 2020

    Votes: 23 2.8%
  • 2nd quarter 2020

    Votes: 119 14.5%
  • 3rd quarter 2020

    Votes: 131 15.9%
  • 4rd quarter 2020

    Votes: 172 20.9%
  • 2021 or later

    Votes: 343 41.7%

  • Total voters
    822
  • Poll closed .

Wolf1701

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2006
231
229
If it was meant to be launched before WWDC I think that this is going to be only a refresh
 
Last edited:

Azrael9

macrumors 68020
Apr 4, 2020
2,287
1,835
The iMac is usually announced/updated at WWDC isn't it? In which case it would make sense to announce it then this year. What is puzzling are the rumours for an updated 13in MBP next month. Why wouldn't they just hold it back until WWDC, and announce several hardware upgrades alongside the software. Unless, there is too much to fit in, e.g. AirTags, new AirPods etc?

3 years since the iMac Pro was introduced there? We're about due an update for both. There's been little of note released so far. Bare minimum spec bumps. Mini meh. iPad z. (zzz...) 'Special' iPhone... Nothing new there. Old stuff with the bare minimum of effort...eeking yet more life out of the supply chain of old parts and profit squeezing.

If the iMac was a mere 'spec warm over' I'd have thought it released by now. Bumping the HDs to SSD as standard is hardly seismic. That's just one example or bumping the ram to 16 gigs.

So, it suggests an (overdue) design change for both iMacs.

Bevels. Bigger screen options. Possible 6k option for the iMac Pro.

iMac Pro. Mac Pro display design. 6k screen without the exotic elements.

iMac. Gets the iMac Pro 'paint' and cooling system.

Both get reduced bezel/borders. Maybe both will get 32 inch options. (I'd like to see the line go 32, 27 and 24...)

Both get better cpu, gpu (the Radeon 5500/5600/5700 and XT options have been around for quite a while now...) and higher core options (8 core standard with a ten core upsell option.) In the iMac's case, SSD as standard. They're dirt cheap now. 512 gig SSD costs nothing for me and less for a company like Apple.

Azrael.
 
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Azrael9

macrumors 68020
Apr 4, 2020
2,287
1,835
Sure hope they make a nice expensive 32” iMac.

I thought you said 'affordable' (*chokes on saliva.)

BenQ do a very nice 32 inch 4k monitor for £500. Be nice if Apple put some specs onto something like that. It has a nice rotate screen to portrait mode. (I've wanted that on the iMac for years...)

Azrael.
 

dn325ci

macrumors regular
Mar 13, 2009
124
116
Agree that WWDC would historically be the right place for a big Mac announcement, and I would love to think that this year would give us a major iMac platform redesign, but usually when it's a "bigger" redesign it seems production starts much later after the announcement. Like the Mac Pro or iMac Pro announcements. I guess it could be different this time, but the fact that current BTO production is already delayed makes it seem it could just be changes to the same chassis. I hope it's more though.
 

iPadified

macrumors 68020
Apr 25, 2017
2,014
2,257
WWDC will be online this year and Apple can therefore launch the iMac anytime via some cool movies. iPhone 9 just appeared the other and I think the iMac could be launched in the same way. Well, Apple have no choice.
 
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Manfredi

macrumors member
Apr 20, 2020
63
63
Milano, Lombardia
WWDC will be online this year and Apple can therefore launch the iMac anytime via some cool movies. iPhone 9 just appeared the other and I think the iMac could be launched in the same way. Well, Apple have no choice.

guys, honestly i think that the new iMac will be introduced exatctly at the WWDC 2020. probably you've already notice it, but if you see the "invitation image" you can see that top on the left there is the typical word "hello" with the same font that was used to introduce Apple LISA on 1983, that is the grandpa of iMac...

based on this i think that no one new iMac will be introduced before... they will present the new iMac at WWDC 2020.

what do you think...?
 

Moonjumper

macrumors 68030
Jun 20, 2009
2,746
2,935
Lincoln, UK
WWDC is software focused, and often has no hardware news at all. When it does, it is often for the professional market, such as the Mac Pro last year. 2017 was the announcement of the iMac Pro, but there were also other hardware releases. Even numbered years haven't seen hardware for quite a while.

I don't think Apple will be holding the iMac back for the event, unless it is something really major. There wasn't even an event of any kind for the 16" MBP.

If there is hardware, I think it will almost certainly be an Arm macOS device, probably the return of the MacBook, which will likely be released as a Developer Transition System initially, with public hardware coming later. The same happened for the Intel switch (although back then it was a desktop computer, not a laptop).
 

iPadified

macrumors 68020
Apr 25, 2017
2,014
2,257
They could wait til WWDC but it will not matter much as it will be online. OK, it can be introduced in the keynote, if there will be a keynote, but only if it is a major redesign with new features for developers to consider.
 

dn325ci

macrumors regular
Mar 13, 2009
124
116
WWDC is software focused, and often has no hardware news at all. When it does, it is often for the professional market, such as the Mac Pro last year. 2017 was the announcement of the iMac Pro, but there were also other hardware releases.

Yes and no. Yes there's often no hardware at WWDC. But I recall just a few years ago they updated the MacBook line at WWDC. They did iPads one time, too as I recall. So I think it tends to be when a bigger Mac redesign is ready (which doesn't happen every year) since the Fall tends to be about iPhones.
 

Moonjumper

macrumors 68030
Jun 20, 2009
2,746
2,935
Lincoln, UK
Yes and no. Yes there's often no hardware at WWDC. But I recall just a few years ago they updated the MacBook line at WWDC. They did iPads one time, too as I recall. So I think it tends to be when a bigger Mac redesign is ready (which doesn't happen every year) since the Fall tends to be about iPhones.

So you're agreeing with me? By the way, Apple have often had two keynotes later in the year. That has happened in September for iOS devices and October for OS X / macOS in 5 out of the last 8 years. Although patterns change. Apple had a March event in 6 of the last 9 years, but didn't this year despite releasing hardware.
 

dn325ci

macrumors regular
Mar 13, 2009
124
116
So you're agreeing with me? By the way, Apple have often had two keynotes later in the year. That has happened in September for iOS devices and October for OS X / macOS in 5 out of the last 8 years. Although patterns change. Apple had a March event in 6 of the last 9 years, but didn't this year despite releasing hardware.
I agree with you that patterns change. If you're also saying therefore it's possible a new iMac design could come at WWDC, then I agree with you again!
 

macpro2000

macrumors 65816
Feb 23, 2005
1,344
1,125
Seriously since all the next announcements will be prefilmed, it could come any time. Dates really don’t mean anything at this point since no one is traveling.
 

deconstruct60

macrumors G5
Mar 10, 2009
12,493
4,053
guys, honestly i think that the new iMac will be introduced exatctly at the WWDC 2020. probably you've already notice it, but if you see the "invitation image" you can see that top on the left there is the typical word "hello" with the same font that was used to introduce Apple LISA on 1983, that is the grandpa of iMac...

based on this i think that no one new iMac will be introduced before... they will present the new iMac at WWDC 2020.

what do you think...?

I think you completely missed the global pandemic in progress.

WWDC doesn't even have a scheduled date. So why would they hook a product to a conference that is slip-sliding around ? If the product is ready and the logistics supply is doesn't have a problem ( neither on is necessarily easy ) then coupling it to another event with hugely different logistical drama doesn't make much sense at all. ( e.g., the factories and most of the supply is in a clear zone and perahps the presenters for the WWDC are in a second wave. Or vice versa. second wave parts and in-between time for presenters. )

There is not going to be an audience of 1,000+ people to clap and cheer for a new product. A dog and pony show with not audience isn't much of a dog and pony show. Apple could add an artificial laugh/clap/etc audience track but most likely that will be at best awkward and worse go over like a lead ballon.

WWDC often got hardware because Comptex (Taiwan) was typically 7-10 before WWDC and major general market PC players and suppliers ( AMD, Intel , Nvidia , etc.) would do product introductions there. Some of the major components typically were common to both those Computex and WWDC introductions (or previews. ) . Computex has been rescheduled to September. That can cut both ways. Intel/AMD/etc don't have to wait until June if have something ready in late April-May. Or even can go at early June ( where WWDC pretty likely won't be. Especially if OS major releases are sliding several weeks. No good reason why they shouldn't have. )


There are major problems to work out for actual real major part of WWDC : sessions, labs , Apple-developer interaction and communication. That is far more important than the opening dog and pony show. That isn't really WWDC at all. ( it is nice 'perk' for the gathered folk and a live audience for the show ... but that has exceeding little to do with actually doing software development over the next year or so with the new versions of the OS variants that Apple ships. Adds some value to wining a WWDC lottery ticket. Reality this time is that most folks will be sitting at home in their sweats/pjs. It isn't a "go to" event and may not be much of a lottery at all. )

There is no good reason to have that long 2+ hour dog and pony show at all. The State of the Union address is typically much better developer focused and less marketing spin show.
 
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CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,526
11,542
Seattle, WA
Just throwing this out there in regards to the BTO shipping delays: a fair number of US-bound iMacs are assembled in the US - California, I believe. With California on a statewide "Stay at Home" order, could it be possible that the delays are due to the CA factories not able to configure models right now?

Yes, I know that China still assembles iMacs for US customers, as well, but are we sure those factories are all spun-up and working, as well?
 

MadCar

macrumors regular
Oct 21, 2014
226
255
The internet
Just throwing this out there in regards to the BTO shipping delays: a fair number of US-bound iMacs are assembled in the US - California, I believe. With California on a statewide "Stay at Home" order, could it be possible that the delays are due to the CA factories not able to configure models right now?

Yes, I know that China still assembles iMacs for US customers, as well, but are we sure those factories are all spun-up and working, as well?
If that was the case that would only influence US shipments but its not is pretty much everywhere. EU shipments come direct from China.
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,526
11,542
Seattle, WA
If that was the case that would only influence US shipments but its not is pretty much everywhere. EU shipments come direct from China.

Isn't the Cork, Ireland factor still assembling a fair bit of kit for EU customers? (Though it might be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions at the moment.)
 

gusping

macrumors 68020
Mar 12, 2012
2,020
2,306
Isn't the Cork, Ireland factor still assembling a fair bit of kit for EU customers? (Though it might be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions at the moment.)
I've never had a BTO Mac come from Ireland, only China. I've only order 3 or 4, however (UK here).
 

fokmik

Suspended
Oct 28, 2016
4,909
4,688
USA
Seem the 21.5" goes for 23" iMac in the second half 2020...so the same treatment could also applied to the 27" by only shrinking the bezels...also 200$ increase in base price buy going only SSD...the 23" will start with 256ssd
 

AlexGraphicD

Suspended
Oct 26, 2015
368
309
New York
Seem the 21.5" goes for 23" iMac in the second half 2020...so the same treatment could also applied to the 27" by only shrinking the bezels...also 200$ increase in base price buy going only SSD...the 23" will start with 256ssd

Is it confirmed that it will have a price increase??
 

dn325ci

macrumors regular
Mar 13, 2009
124
116
Who knows on the price - that will probably be the last thing we know. Agree, it seems like today's reports of a change are probably good news for 27 iMac redesign as well. Downside is reported availability is not until Q4 for the 23". No word on the 27.

Makes me wonder - everyone knows that the 27 iMac is long overdue for a design change. Apple knows it, too, and is reportedly swinging for the fences with mini LED. There is a lot of news/rumors that the mini LED projects are getting delayed due to COVID. I don't think it makes sense resource-wise for Apple to redesign the 27, then redesign it again for the mini LED. So my guess is if there is anything in-between now and mini LED, it's just a spec bump, or perhaps adoption of the iMac Pro internal design with standard SSD's or something. It seems probable that a major redesign (change in chassis or screen size) is probably tied to whenever mini LED comes together.
 
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