Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?

[pldelisle]

Anything's possible. We might only see the lowered powered smaller 24" ARM iMac this Fall, and not a powerful larger frame one (27-32?) until a year from now or more. So it's entirely possible an ARM iMac debuts at the same time as an intel iMac this Fall. I know for some that seems really counter productive, but remember that intel iMac's are a necessity for a large amount of users until professional software is native on MACOS 11.

Something is sure thought, an ARM iMac cannot be shipped before October because MacOS releases are always somewhere in October. And an ARM Mac cannot be shipped with another OS than Big Sur.

So we are at least 3 months from any ARM Mac to be shipped.

 

[Azrael9]

So, how long after Fall 2020 would you expect the switch over to imac Apple silicon then, seems like it would be at least a year + from that point for the next update, albeit a big internal one.

The colour of history. Apple's history.

The original transition took 7 months. I think Cook will have it as a badge of honour that this transition will take no longer. (It hasn't been explictly said.) But I'll say, 'No longer than a year from the 1st consumer Mac ARMs.'

eg.

'New' (ofc) Macbook ARM. (Covering the Air, Macbook 12 and Macbook 13. Expect consolidation.)
'New' (ofc) iMac 24 ARM.
'New' (...) Mac Mini ARM.

All from Dec' to June at the latest. In that order. So, in 7 months. The 'consumer' transition is over.

I'd expect the AS15 chip (after the A15 goes into the iPhone next September...) to...

'New' (...) iMac 32 ARM.
'New' (...) Mac Pro ARM.

Fall of 2021 (early 2022 at the latest...) to complete the 'Pro' side of Mac ARM.

(Macbook ARM 1st...this late fall so...) Specificially iMac 24? January 2021 at the latest. The consumer Mac ARMs all perform similarly on Intel. So a single AS 14 clocked according to laptop to iMac form factor...will be pretty much the same 8 core plus 4 low power core chip with Apple GPU. Tuned according to form factor. There's no reason, given that, the iMac 24, Mac Mini and Macbook ARMs couldn't all be released this fall. But they'll probably stagger it to early 2021.

The 27 inch iMac (32 inch?) will be probably (like the Mac Pro?) dependent on the AS15. So fall next year. A 'year' from September/fall of the pending Intel iMac. (Which we're still waiting on.)

Azrael.
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Anything's possible. We might only see the lowered powered smaller 24" ARM iMac this Fall, and not a powerful larger frame one (27-32?) until a year from now or more.

Anthony13, I think...

That's just about it. We can't rule out Apple debut of the 24 and 27 ARM and Intel together. But I get the feeling there will be a distance of 3 months between them. With Apple taking the full time to the turn of the year to get the iMac 24 ARM launch (and Big Sur software...) right. ie to make it 'sing.'

In the meantime. We'll get the supply constrained/component dependent launch of the Intel 27 iMac in September.

Apple using up the remaining months (productively, Big Sur is yet to release...) of the year to slip in the iMac 24 ARM in December. It could be the Macbook ARM that is released this fall with the iMac 24 given the squeeze until early 2021.

Azrael.
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Something is sure thought, an ARM iMac cannot be shipped before October because MacOS releases are always somewhere in October. And an ARM Mac cannot be shipped with another OS than Big Sur.

So we are at least 3 months from any ARM Mac to be shipped.

Which puts ARM iMac fall at the earliest to early 2021.

The original transition had Macbooks and iMacs 1st.

So no reason they couldn't do that before Christmas following Big Sur release and £££ the sales.

But the Intel 27 iMac isn't dependent on Big Sur so a September release for that (seems?) more likely.

Azrael.

 

[Freida]

I also feel, that its good time to buy the last Intel iMac and then wait a 1-2 years to switch over. Most developers will catch up, the market will settle and the resale value of the last Intel iMac will be quite good (for many reasons). So all in all, it doesn't really matter when the AS iMac come because by the time it does, the initial pains will be ironed out and most of us who will switch will not experience anything.

That being said, I haven't switched to Catalina yet. Its the only macOS that I have completely skipped.

Regardless, Sep/Oct is the perfect time for new redesigned 30-32" iMac. RDNA2 will allow for better thermals and maybe Intel will provide custom CPU as you mentioned also so that will sort it out. And the new design will be universal for everything after. It will stimulate people to buy and when they switch it to AS and the design doesn't change people will be ok with it all.
All psychological of course.

Please though, give us the 30-32" - that will make me so happy and Xmas will be that much nicer this year.

The colour of history. Apple's history.

The original transition took 7 months. I think Cook will have it as a badge of honour that this transition will take no longer. (It hasn't been explictly said.) But I'll say, 'No longer than a year from the 1st consumer Mac ARMs.'

eg.

'New' (ofc) Macbook ARM. (Covering the Air, Macbook 12 and Macbook 13. Expect consolidation.)
'New' (ofc) iMac 24 ARM.
'New' (...) Mac Mini ARM.

All from Dec' to June at the latest. In that order. So, in 7 months. The 'consumer' transition is over.

I'd expect the AS15 chip (after the A15 goes into the iPhone next September...) to...

'New' (...) iMac 32 ARM.
'New' (...) Mac Pro ARM.

Fall of 2021 (early 2022 at the latest...) to complete the 'Pro' side of Mac ARM.

(Macbook ARM 1st...this late fall so...) Specificially iMac 24? January 2021 at the latest. The consumer Mac ARMs all perform similarly on Intel. So a single AS 14 clocked according to laptop to iMac form factor...will be pretty much the same 8 core plus 4 low power core chip with Apple GPU. Tuned according to form factor. There's no reason, given that, the iMac 24, Mac Mini and Macbook ARMs couldn't all be released this fall. But they'll probably stagger it to early 2021.

The 27 inch iMac (32 inch?) will be probably (like the Mac Pro?) dependent on the AS15. So fall next year. A 'year' from September/fall of the pending Intel iMac. (Which we're still waiting on.)

Azrael.
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Anthony13, I think...

That's just about it. We can't rule out Apple debut of the 24 and 27 ARM and Intel together. But I get the feeling there will be a distance of 3 months between them. With Apple taking the full time to the turn of the year to get the iMac 24 ARM launch (and Big Sur software...) right. ie to make it 'sing.'

In the meantime. We'll get the supply constrained/component dependent launch of the Intel 27 iMac in September.

Apple using up the remaining months (productively, Big Sur is yet to release...) of the year to slip in the iMac 24 ARM in December. It could be the Macbook ARM that is released this fall with the iMac 24 given the squeeze until early 2021.

Azrael.

 

[anthony13]

None of this logic will keep me from checking apple.com every hour on the hour on Tuesday's and Thursdays (because some where in my head that seems like the only days products are ever released?). yesterday i tried throwing my wallet at my laptop screen. The desired result did not occur.

 

[Freida]

Oh well, I've decided to listen to it and now I've been rocking the Queen's album since then. At least work is fun now
ahhahaha, cheers for that
Freddie was the best!

fok mi, those are lyrics from...

A song for Apple's marketing, certainly.

I have MiH on tape. I used to play it on the way home from Oil Painting classes. It's the only 'Q' album I don't have on vinyl.

Azrael.

 

[xgman]

Even if they can't release them together, I really would like to see a presentation of the imac intel's all sizes, imac AS and imac pro at the same event, even if some ship months later. How can anyone make good buying decisions in such a scattered way.

 

[DrRadon]

With all the GoldMasters being seed for everything under the Apple Sun i assume thats what we will get next week. Would not get my hopes up much for iMac next week. But maybe the new MacOS beta brings some news for the Hardware in Code. But hell, if it is September it may as well ship with BigSur installed.

 

[Whiteman007]

I guess the 9 stood for the start of Back to School in Eur?

or the 9th month of the year

 

[Freida]

Or just Duck that Ducking Duckhole :-D

or the 9th month of the year

 

[Ballis]

To be honest, I find it a little difficult to believe Apple will release an Intel iMac just a month or two before they release an ARM alternative.

If the Intel/September rumors are true, then I believe the 24/ARM/Late 2020 rumors are false.

Id rather have Apple not release a new Intel iMac at all and have them launch the ARM model along with Big Surs release this fall

 

[ondert]

So, the new date is at least september now? Good luck with that. I won’t be surprised even if this delays to 2021. Tim Cook becomes Tim Stale when it comes to Mac line-up. Buying an iMac last february was really a wise choice.

 

[Freida]

Well, the thing is that somewhere I've read (Maybe Sonny) that there will be no ARM iMac this year. So, it all makes sense

To be honest, I find it a little difficult to believe Apple will release an Intel iMac just a month or two before they release an ARM alternative.

If the Intel/September rumors are true, then I believe the 24/ARM/Late 2020 rumors are false.

Id rather have Apple not release a new Intel iMac at all and have them launch the ARM model along with Big Surs release this fall

 

[Kjs100]

The "Sonny Dickson" rumour of 30-32 inch actually comes from an article on 7 July by the executive editor of SonnyDickson.com.

The article states that Apple’s forthcoming redesigned iMac will feature a 23-inch or a 24-inch display. That's essentially Kuo's rumour in June of an all new form factor 24" ARM and the next day he stated it would be released Q4 2020.

The article then states that "we’re told that the 27-inch iMac is likely to move to a display that is between 30 and 32 inches". Get those words - "likely to move to". That sounds an awful lot like what will come after the 24" ARM iMac. I don't think anyone should expect a 32" intel iMac when it drops. It might happen, but what I'm thinking is it would raise the price for sure and Apple may well choose to wait to release a 32" ARM iMac when the ARM cost savings allow Apple keep the price close to what the 27" presently is. Alternatively, if the intel is 32", it could help drive sales for people who want a bigger screen and encourage buys from people who would otherwise hold out for the new AS processors. Who knows what Apple's thinking is. I think they've got everyone in knots.

Notable other comment was that ARM iMacs may or may not have a fan for cooling.

Apple's Silicon Strategy: How Apple's Custom Chips May Change Their Product Lineup

Read our latest update: Apple's Silicon Strategy: How Apple's Custom Chips May Change Their Product Lineup. Visit our site for leaks, news, and reviews for technology and related trends, cars & more.

sonnydickson.com

 

[jetjaguar]

I’ve been hearing about a 32” iMac for a few years .. wish they would do it
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So, the new date is at least september now? Good luck with that. I won’t be surprised even if this delays to 2021. Tim Cook becomes Tim Stale when it comes to Mac line-up. Buying an iMac last february was really a wise choice.

Yea I don’t know if i can hold out that long

 

[CWallace]

So latest PC shipment reports show strong growth in Mac shipments in 2020, so might be why some models (especially pre-configured) are back-ordered for so long.

 

[Ballis]

Well, the thing is that somewhere I've read (Maybe Sonny) that there will be no ARM iMac this year. So, it all makes sense

Well if there is a lesson to be learned from the rumors we have read for the past few months, its that we shouldnt believe anything these so-called «leakers» are claiming. So Im not going to be discouraged by that, and just hope.

I guess Tim Apple finally delivered on his promise to double down on secrecy.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

Everyone is thinking too much about chips first. A new design will be the new imacs. I’m guessing the next release in sept will be a new designed 24 with AS and a newly redesigned 30 with Intel. Think design first...The design designates the new lineup and Apple swaps the guts and maybe gets a more slim profile on the 30 when High powered AS chips are ready, just like how the current iMac was a design that basically stayed the same for years but got more trim with each release.

NO WAY does Apple release a 12 year old intel design iMac next to an AS redesign...who the heck would ever buy that? Also are they going to keep the supply chain of an old design going through the whole transition? No way. Apple knows the high powered AS chips are last in line. These intel machines will get the new design for a more seemless transition. They’ll sell more of the intel stuff that way.

if there is an intel 27 coming in the old design that better drop soon.

 

[satchmo]

I was of the mindset that the last Intel would have to have the new redesign. Mainly to, as others have also said, to drive sales.

But the longer this goes on, I’m more inclined to believe this next Intel iMac is just going to be a speed bump. Mind you, a significant one αs geekbench leaks have shown.

Because outside of this little iPad cabal here in this forum, very few are pining for a redesign. And why would Apple launch (online) their flagship consumer product on Intel (yes, a longtime partner, but one who has also screwed them over with missed deadlines time and time again).

Apple will remain cordial and give the final Intel iMac proper exposure on the home page. It’ll come with some cryptic two word headline like...”Final. Cut.“ It’ll speak of how blazingl’y fast it can edit and heck, it might even be available in Space Grey. And it may also mark the end of the road for the iMac Pro.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

I was of the mindset that the last Intel would have to have the new redesign. Mainly to, as others have also said, to drive sales.

Because outside of this little iPad cabal here in this forum, very few are pining for a redesign.

In the same line of thinking, very few outside this cabal know the difference between an AS and Intel chip. They’ll just buy the newest thing that looks cool.

I just think if they are doing one more round of the old design that has to be coming before September. If a new 24 & 30 AS iMac is just around the corner why would Apple release an old design iMac. Makes no sense.

i think it’s because the 24” base model chip is ready but chips for higher powered pro machines are not and won’t be for a year to two years. This puts Apple in a bind. Release the old design for another 1.5 years or refresh the design of everything and update the insides of the 27-30” models when that chip set is ready?

 

[Kjs100]

Apple will remain cordial and give the final Intel iMac proper exposure on the home page... and heck, it might even be available in Space Grey.

Maybe that's why Tim's "really excited" about the intel iMac's in the pipeline. Space Grey at long last. 😂

 

[satchmo]

In the same line of thinking, very few outside this cabal know the difference between an AS and Intel chip. They’ll just buy the newest thing that looks cool.

I just think if they are doing one more round of the old design that has to be coming before September. If a new 24 & 30 AS iMac is just around the corner why would Apple release an old design iMac. Makes no sense.

Today, people may not know the difference between and AS and Intel chip, but you can bet Apple will make sure they know the new designs are powered by AS. Why hype someone else’s wares?

The iMac (and the entire Macintosh line) represent such a small percentage of Apple’s revenue. A refresh with a new design isn’t going to make or break their year end numbers. The new design will all about turning over a new page and not looking at the past. Plus, I think the first AS Mac will be a laptop in October. My guess is that the iMacs will come in early 2021.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

Today, people may not know the difference between and AS and Intel chip, but you can bet Apple will make sure they know the new designs are powered by AS. Why hype someone else’s wares?

The iMac (and the entire Macintosh line) represent such a small percentage of Apple’s revenue. A refresh with a new design isn’t going to make or break their year end numbers. The new design will all about turning over a new page and not looking at the past. Plus, I think the first AS Mac will be a laptop in October. My guess is that the iMacs will come in early 2021.

all logical thinking and all possible but agree to disagree. I think it’s all about a smooth transition and slight of hand so there is no slump in sales small percentage or not. You don’t become a billion dollar company by being careless with money even in small places.

otherwise why wouldn’t Apple prepare developers but then wait until all the AS chips are ready and release everything at once? That would be the way to turn a new page In the absolute sense. Why mix and match 2 totally different iMac models and keep supply chains going for old designs. They’d save by switching to all new materials and not keeping 2 lines in the same family going with different parts.

i think the larger screen AS iMacs are a ways off and Apple knows it. This new design intel version will bridge the gap until sept 2021 or March 2022.

 

[iindigo]

Well, I caved and bought the $3600 baseline refurb iMac Pro on Woot. It's a bit weak in the GPU department with its Vega 56, but its primary purpose is to be a dev-and-occasional-WoW machine. If gaming performance ends up being a problem, cobbling together a dedicated game box doesn't cost that much. Either way good enough as a holdover.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

Well, I caved and bought the $3600 baseline refurb iMac Pro on Woot. It's a bit weak in the GPU department with its Vega 56, but its primary purpose is to be a dev-and-occasional-WoW machine. If gaming performance ends up being a problem, cobbling together a dedicated game box doesn't cost that much. Either way good enough as a holdover.

I was SO close. The only thing that stopped me was all the bad Woot customer service I read about and people questioning if they are actual Apple Refurbished machines. I’m sure it will be fine...that was a great deal!

even if a new model was released tomorrow I wouldn’t feel too bad about that iMac Pro...that’s a sweet machine!

 

[VJNeumann]

I'm going to stick with the worst case assumption that we get a glorified spec bump around September, and a rolling redesign with ARM in 2021, maybe even stretching closer to 2022 for the ~30 inch edition.

I think the looming Intel spec bump will exist to tide over users until that 27 inch replacement comes.

The leakers have equivocated too much on the subject of a redesigned Intel this year to be reliable. I don't think any of them has a solid idea what a 27" replacement will be or when it's coming, which is why they're so vague in their answers on the subject.