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

[Freida]

I feel it might be the case. The early 2020 models that were ready got cancelled and now we are only getting late 2020 models. It would explain the whole thing.

Also, I feel there won't be iMac Pro anymore once we switch to AS. It will just merge as there will not be any reason to have 2 iMacs line anymore. AS will be a beast and so will the products reflect that. Line simplified also.
iMac Pro Intel is done. Maybe one more refresh but thats it

So I know I've been waffling on this, but after the latest round of Apple Tech Podcasts, I am more and more inclined to believe the next Intel 27" iMac will be redesigned with the "iPad Pro" like corners and that it might very well not ship until October.

The reason for this latest change of view is that Big Sur / macOS 11 is designed for a display with rounded corners. It is said to look somewhat ridiculous on the current square-cornered iMac displays and yes Apple could arguably address this by rounding the corners of the current bezels, but I am not sure that would be enough.

Since macOS 11 will likely not ship before October, I think that is what is holding up shipments. I expect Apple has stopped making the current model and is gearing up production of the new one to launch day-and-date with macOS 11 and they need macOS 11 to be in a shipping state before they start installing it on their pre-built machines.

This new design will, of course, be optimized for Apple Silicon, which will arrive with the next refresh (likely Late 2021 or sometime in 2022). So that might impact the components (Intel CPU and AMD GPU) we will see in it.


As for the iMac Pro, I can believe it would adopt the same design language as the 5K iMac, but I believe it will remain a separate model in the line-up with unique components (CPU+GPU) and it will likely be pushed into 2021 solely because of the MiniLED display I expect it to have (as another differentiator from the base iMacs).

 

[CWallace]

BUT since supposedly the new iMac and Design should have been ready already... who knows right.

Each year's new model iPhones are "ready to ship" well in advance of the September event, yet Apple never releases them for shipment / sale until the week after they are revealed at said event.

As for the podcasts you listend to.Are you certain they are news? Or did you just convinced by the same guess being repeated by everyone again and again? There is essentially one guy that said "iPad pro design language" and to my knowledge that is it.

Okay, maybe not specifically "iPad Pro design language", but they all (ATP, The Rebound, Upgrade, The Dalrymple Report, Dithering, etc.) feel that macOS 11's User Interface was designed around a display with rounded corners and that can support touch. The term "iPad Pro design language" works as a description, IMO, because the iPad Pro has rounded display corners and it stands to reason that if Apple is going to redesign the chassis that holds the display, they could and would shrink the bezels and hopefully get rid of the chin.

Also, I feel there won't be iMac Pro anymore once we switch to AS. It will just merge as there will not be any reason to have 2 iMacs line anymore. AS will be a beast and so will the products reflect that. Line simplified also. iMac Pro Intel is done. Maybe one more refresh but thats it

I am inclined to agree with you that once the iMac line goes full Apple Silicon we should see performance good enough to make the iMac Pro irrelevant.

People who have workflows that require high-powered Intel CPUs and GPUs will be steered to the Mac Pro. Those use cases will be commercial and will have significant revenue generation behind them so the cost will not be a barrier to entry.

Yes, there will be non-commercial users who want to stay on Intel and AMD who will be left out. They will either go Hackintosh (where possible) or leave the platform for Windows / Linux.

 

[xgman]

maybe I have this opinion because I have an imac pro, but all of Apple products have a regular and pro model, with subtle and not so subtle differences. Well almost all. The rumor of micro Led display for the imac pro late year seems about right. I predict the IMP and MP will at some point transition to ARM along with the rest. My guess is the pro stuff will be last in line to receive the ARM though. But the truth is that every single one of the predictions and speculations in this thread could be completely wrong. I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up too high for the redesign and for the early ARM performance so as not to be disappointed if they end up being so-so.

 

[Azrael9]

Analysts said recently that Apple will sell a ton of macbooks this fall and winter due to schools slow start, among other things covid related. So it isn't a stretch to think that some imac sales will tag along. The real question is when and how to capture this expected uptick in mac sales.. Not so much the higher end ones I suppose, but still... Seems to me an August back to school (sort of) time frame would work for that. That said, I don't see how they can rush out ARM Macbooks that soon, so maybe those get some late year attention. The average buyer probably hasn't paid much attention to the ARM news anyway yet.

Rush.

I don't think Apple are rushing any thing out at the moment. Least of all legacy Intel iMacs...

As for the laptop. Long planned this move to AS has been.

'All that transpires...is going exactly to plan.' Some thing...something. Palpatine.

The 'average' buyer may not pay attention to the AS 'inside' but they're sure gong to 'feel' the love and word of mouth will spread fast.

Apple IS off to a 'slow' start this year. But the heat is going to get turned up as the iPhone 12 rolls into town the the vanguard A14 cpu. The 'singularity' point of 'A' hardware. It will give clues to the performance we can expect.

The A14x must be on the horizon with an iPad coming this fall or next spring.

AS laptop? Apple have said an AS product is coming this fall. That is 'highly likely' going to be laptop because it's 1/3rd to 3/4s of what Apple sells. £££. And it is in the consumer product where the AS will have the greatest initial impact to turn over...what is frankly, 'mediocre' at best cpu and gpus in Apple's consumer line up.

iGPUs and SoCs don't have to be mediocre. The iPhone and iPad crushed their nearest competition to prove that.

And if you want moAR powUR? The incoming PS5 will show that SoCs can rattle the cage of PC Towers. And take gaming to the next level.

And you betcha Apple is going to have an answer to that. To Intel. To AMD. To Nvidia. To Sony.

The most vulnerable looking target is Intel. And I fully expect Apple to stream roller them all in the consumer market in time.

How long will it be before you get the PS5 SoC in an iPad? Or consumer Mac?

Azrael.
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maybe I have this opinion because I have an imac pro, but all of Apple products have a regular and pro model, with subtle and not so subtle differences. Well almost all. The rumor of micro Led display for the imac pro late year seems about right. I predict the IMP and MP will at some point transition to ARM along with the rest. My guess is the pro stuff will be last in line to receive the ARM though. But the truth is that every single one of the predictions and speculations in this thread could be completely wrong. I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up too high for the redesign and for the early ARM performance so as not to be disappointed if they end up being so-so.

Probably the back end of 2021 with AS15.

Tim has, himself, said there are new Intel based products coming.

Tim, has, himself, said there is an AS Mac coming this year.

Right from the very top.

As for the timings. Noone but Tim Apple knows for sure. But there's only 5 and a half months left to squeeze all this in. Obvious traditionals are Sept' iPhone 12. October/fall for Intel iMac. And an ARM laptop Nov/Dec?

But it was telling that they prominantly featured the XDR display at the WWDC. Clearly, this design language is front and centre, as was AS hardware. So, perhaps a little clue as to the 'kind of' iMac update we'll have. And any Intel iMac can also by an ARM iMac. It can work to the advantage of both.

I wish I had an iMac Pro to enjoy the incoming CPU Wars from a more comfortable vantage point.

But, patience is a virtue...

(Who said that? Some goddamn...nut who didn't have a 'walking dead' iMac....*rant trails off.)

Azrael.
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I am inclined to agree with you that once the iMac line goes full Apple Silicon we should see performance good enough to make the iMac Pro irrelevant.

I think so. It could be just BTO options that make the price differences.

Azrael.
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I feel it might be the case. The early 2020 models that were ready got cancelled and now we are only getting late 2020 models. It would explain the whole thing.

Also, I feel there won't be iMac Pro anymore once we switch to AS. It will just merge as there will not be any reason to have 2 iMacs line anymore. AS will be a beast and so will the products reflect that. Line simplified also.
iMac Pro Intel is done. Maybe one more refresh but thats it

Yes, Freida.

I'm inclined to think you're on the money with these comments.

If the new AS is 50-100% faster than Intel cpus...it erases the distinction between consumer iMac and Xeon iMac Pro.

Apple might offer one AS14 for consumer...and as it goes to 27 inch and on...two AS14s or just add more cores. Apple can simplify, add cores, tune the cpu speed, add as many AS14s as they want (two of them will probably be cheaper than one Intel cpu...) And so on.

They will control their own destiny.

Azrael.

 

[ksodell]

I feel it might be the case. The early 2020 models that were ready got cancelled and now we are only getting late 2020 models. It would explain the whole thing.

Also, I feel there won't be iMac Pro anymore once we switch to AS. It will just merge as there will not be any reason to have 2 iMacs line anymore. AS will be a beast and so will the products reflect that. Line simplified also.
iMac Pro Intel is done. Maybe one more refresh but thats it

Agreed on the iMac Pro line.

But I have a question regarding your statement about early 2020 models: If Apple had models in the pipeline, but then cancelled them due to COVID, BLM, etc., then what happened to all the systems they had sitting on the shelf, ready to ship post-announcement? I'm not saying you're wrong, Frieda. And maybe I'm not understanding your whole point (sorry!). But I just have a hard time believing that Bottom Line Tim would agree to trash a bunch of hardware that they had already spent money on manufacturing, just because they were going to be late out of the gate. It's bad enough that Apple had to pay Samsung BIG BUCKS ($900million plus?) for not ordering enough OLED screens.

So if there WERE systems sitting on the shelves, waiting to be announced/sold in Spring 2020, why not make some $$$ by selling them cheap? Maybe on the Outlet page? It would be a win for both Apple and the consumer!

 

[CWallace]

I expect Apple desires the Apple Silicon Macs to have new designs and new features (like MiniLED displays), but MiniLED display production is either lagging behind or the people claiming MiniLED would be coming in 2020 were too aggressive in their initial predictions. A number of them have since re-trenched, now claiming new MiniLED Apple Silicon models (14" and 16" MacBook Pros and 24" iMac) are now expected to ship in 2021. And I now wonder if the 27" MiniLED display that MCK originally said would be for a new iMac Pro is in fact for a new 27" Apple Silicon iMac coming in 2021?

But Apple will want Apple Silicon Macs out before the MiniLED models are ready in 2021, which is why we are now hearing that Apple will offer a model of the current 13.3" MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon along with a possible Apple Silicon model of the current 13" MacBook Air.

This would mean 2021 is planned to be the "Official Transition Year" when the following are launched:

• A new design of MacBook Pro with 14" and 16" MiniLED displays and Apple Silicon
• A new design of iMac with 24" and 27+" displays (the 27+" being MiniLED) and Apple Silicon

So if we have, in theory, new Apple Silicon iMacs coming in 2021, where does that leave us with new Intel iMacs and iMac Pro in 2020?

If Apple plans to stick with the current design(s), why the delay? Is it component issues? Is it problems with the assembly facilities? (Ireland is evidently online and making machines for the UK, EU and US.) Is it shipping issues?

If Apple plans to move Intel to the same new design as Apple Silicon, that could explain the delay as Apple Silicon requires macOS 11. However, that also implies that at least one Apple Silicon iMac would ship alongside macOS 11. The 24" seems the most logical as there have been no rumors about it going to MiniLED and therefore that delay would not impact it.

But again, if they are dropping the 21.5" Intel model in favor of a 24" Apple Silicon model and will only offer 27" Intel models (iMac and iMac Pro) going forward, why the delay? Even if it adopts the same design as the 2021 27" Apple Silicon model, it would not need macOS 11. If they are waiting for a 27" MiniLED, they could drop it and make that an Apple Silicon exclusive.

If Apple had models in the pipeline (in early 2020), but then cancelled them due to COVID, BLM, etc., then what happened to all the systems they had sitting on the shelf, ready to ship post-announcement?

I now believe the sources of those rumors were wrong and models were not ready.

 

[ksodell]

But again, if they are dropping the 21.5" Intel model in favor of a 24" Apple Silicon model and will only offer 27" Intel models (iMac and iMac Pro) going forward, why the delay? Even if it adopts the same design as the 2021 27" Apple Silicon model, it would not need macOS 11.

That's the question: Why the delay? We already know that an Intel-based iMac is coming out "soon". I can't believe that Mr. Tim $. Cook hasn't released it yet.

I'm one of the lucky ones that CAN wait until a 27"+ AS-based iMac comes out (2021? 2022?). But I feel for those of you out there in iMac-land that can't! You depend upon your machines for income!!! And time (speed and performance, reliability, ability to run up-to-date software) is MONEY.

 

[gusping]

I expect Apple desires the Apple Silicon Macs to have new designs and new features (like MiniLED displays), but MiniLED display production is either lagging behind or the people claiming MiniLED would be coming in 2020 were too aggressive in their initial predictions. A number of them have since re-trenched, now claiming new MiniLED Apple Silicon models (14" and 16" MacBook Pros and 24" iMac) are now expected to ship in 2021. And I now wonder if the 27" MiniLED display that MCK originally said would be for a new iMac Pro is in fact for a new 27" Apple Silicon iMac coming in 2021?

But Apple will want Apple Silicon Macs out before the MiniLED models are ready in 2021, which is why we are now hearing that Apple will offer a model of the current 13.3" MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon along with a possible Apple Silicon model of the current 13" MacBook Air.

This would mean 2021 is planned to be the "Official Transition Year" when the following are launched:

• A new design of MacBook Pro with 14" and 16" MiniLED displays and Apple Silicon
• A new design of iMac with 24" and 27+" displays (the 27+" being MiniLED) and Apple Silicon

So if we have, in theory, new Apple Silicon iMacs coming in 2021, where does that leave us with new Intel iMacs and iMac Pro in 2020?

If Apple plans to stick with the current design(s), why the delay? Is it component issues? Is it problems with the assembly facilities? (Ireland is evidently online and making machines for the UK, EU and US.) Is it shipping issues?

If Apple plans to move Intel to the same new design as Apple Silicon, that could explain the delay as Apple Silicon requires macOS 11. However, that also implies that at least one Apple Silicon iMac would ship alongside macOS 11. The 24" seems the most logical as there have been no rumors about it going to MiniLED and therefore that delay would not impact it.

But again, if they are dropping the 21.5" Intel model in favor of a 24" Apple Silicon model and will only offer 27" Intel models (iMac and iMac Pro) going forward, why the delay? Even if it adopts the same design as the 2021 27" Apple Silicon model, it would not need macOS 11. If they are waiting for a 27" MiniLED, they could drop it and make that an Apple Silicon exclusive.




I now believe the sources of those rumors were wrong and models were not ready.

I think the miniLED delay is simply due to COVID 19 disrupting the supply chain. I am very much looking forward to an ARM Mac mini with miniLED though

I agree, the delay to iMac is very puzzling. I am almost certain it will not be a redesign, using 'custom' Intel 10th gen CPUs to hit the 95w TDP. Very strange indeed. A redesign for AS just makes more sense. Save the WOW factor for their own SoC.

 

[pldelisle]

I am very much looking forward to an ARM Mac mini with miniLED though

You mean an ARM iMac with Mini-LED

 

[gusping]

You mean an ARM iMac with Mini-LED

I have no clue what I want anymore. One minute I want a 32in iMac, the next, I think a Mac mini is all I need. Thankfully I am not in a rush, so I can wait and see what happens. I suspect we won't get an AS replacement of the current 27in iMac until 2020Q4 at the earliest, receiving the second 'gen' AS SoC. Just a gut feeling of mine!

Edit: meant 2021Q4 for the AS 27in iMac replacement.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

I suspect we won't get an AS replacement of the current 27in iMac until 2020Q4 at the earliest, receiving the second 'gen' AS SoC. Just a gut feeling of mine!

No way we’re getting an AS 27”-30” iMac in 2020 unless they decided not To make another intel iMac. The only reason to release another intel 27” would be to fill a gap because Apple knows the higher powered machines are last in line to get AS.

no way they’d release an old model in Sept then replace it in December, they’d just skip it.

I don’t think we’ll see AS versions of iMac 27, iMac Pro & Mac Pro Until late 2021 or early 2022. AS iMac 24” will be out early 2021. Calling it...

 

[FrankySavvy]

Remember Tim Cook and Apple are really excited about “NEW” Intel Macs coming out this year. I think the new implies redesign, plus all the rumors. It will be at earliest the end of 2021 that the high end iMac would get Apple Silicon. I don’t think they are waiting another year and a half to update the design just for Apple Silicon. I am still in the camp of Intel Redesign before the end of the year the latest, most likely between now and September.

No reason to wait, AS is a two year transition, the new iMac design was probably in-development long before the decision was final to pull from Intel products.

 

[asb1]

I've said this a few times, but I think the future line up will be a 24" iMac in that one size only, and iMac Pros with two sizes. Maybe 27" and 30"? 32"?! All of the other product lines work this way. Even the AirPods Pro have tip size options and the regular AirPods do not.

It will take some time to get to that line up though, so as for what happens in the interim...I'm giving up guessing.

 

[gusping]

No way we’re getting an AS 27”-30” iMac in 2020 unless they decided not To make another intel iMac. The only reason to release another intel 27” would be to fill a gap because Apple knows the higher powered machines are last in line to get AS.

no way they’d release an old model in Sept then replace it in December, they’d just skip it.

I don’t think we’ll see AS versions of iMac 27, iMac Pro & Mac Pro Until late 2021 or early 2022. AS iMac 24” will be out early 2021. Calling it...

I meant 2021Q4!!! It still feels like 2019 to me! Sorry, minor cock up...

 

[Freida]

Because Apple doesn't do warehouses etc. They didn't have a big number of models if anything. AFAIK, Apple has about 1 week worth of supply in the chain so that is small number of units. ALSO, I doubt they had full boxes ready to ship. That probably happens 1-2 weeks before announcement. Seeing that Covid was developing etc. things went south really quickly so I assume this is what happened: They maybe had small batch of units ready. The rest was going to be made based on orders etc. You know, the usual Apple efficient machine as this is not iPhone launch. Now, they are 1-2 weeks away from announcement and Covid forces factories to close => ok, you have small supply but the rest is not possible to make so why announce something that you won't be able to fulfil for next few months? Only few lucky people would get those machines and then the rest would be waiting and upset. If I was Tim and Apple, I would just cancel the whole thing and observe COVID situation and see what can be done on the launch later. Now that we are entering the MAIN update territory its just better to cancel small spec bump than the big update that is coming later this year.

It all makes sense to me. Maybe its not what happens but I believe that if those rumors were right, then we had early 2020 and late 2020 models. Late 2020 is the big one with redesign

Thats just how I see it.

Agreed on the iMac Pro line.

But I have a question regarding your statement about early 2020 models: If Apple had models in the pipeline, but then cancelled them due to COVID, BLM, etc., then what happened to all the systems they had sitting on the shelf, ready to ship post-announcement? I'm not saying you're wrong, Frieda. And maybe I'm not understanding your whole point (sorry!). But I just have a hard time believing that Bottom Line Tim would agree to trash a bunch of hardware that they had already spent money on manufacturing, just because they were going to be late out of the gate. It's bad enough that Apple had to pay Samsung BIG BUCKS ($900million plus?) for not ordering enough OLED screens.

So if there WERE systems sitting on the shelves, waiting to be announced/sold in Spring 2020, why not make some $$$ by selling them cheap? Maybe on the Outlet page? It would be a win for both Apple and the consumer!

 

[ksodell]

Because Apple doesn't do warehouses etc. They didn't have a big number of models if anything. AFAIK, Apple has about 1 week worth of supply in the chain so that is small number of units. ALSO, I doubt they had full boxes ready to ship. That probably happens 1-2 weeks before announcement. Seeing that Covid was developing etc. things went south really quickly so I assume this is what happened: They maybe had small batch of units ready. The rest was going to be made based on orders etc. You know, the usual Apple efficient machine as this is not iPhone launch. Now, they are 1-2 weeks away from announcement and Covid forces factories to close => ok, you have small supply but the rest is not possible to make so why announce something that you won't be able to fulfil for next few months? Only few lucky people would get those machines and then the rest would be waiting and upset. If I was Tim and Apple, I would just cancel the whole thing and observe COVID situation and see what can be done on the launch later. Now that we are entering the MAIN update territory its just better to cancel small spec bump than the big update that is coming later this year.

It all makes sense to me. Maybe its not what happens but I believe that if those rumors were right, then we had early 2020 and late 2020 models. Late 2020 is the big one with redesign

Thats just how I see it.

Good point about Apple’s just-in-time inventory on items. It makes total sense. My only thought was that if they were to announce something in March, they’d have basic systems on hand for release as soon as a week after the announcement, like they’ve done in the past (not just for iPhones). Building ‘basic’ systems to order before shipping from China isn’t smart. And what about systems for purchase in Apple Stores? But... this is 2020. EVERYTHING that was normal in the past can be thrown out the window.

So let’s look forward: I am really stoked about buying an AS-based iMac that totally blows away Intel-based systems. My money is sitting in the bank, collecting very little interest, waiting to be spent on a shiny, new big screen iMac... whenever it comes out.

 

[Mr. Warbles]

I meant 2021Q4!!! It still feels like 2019 to me! Sorry, minor cock up...

haha! In that case I agree!
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end of July for this new intel iMac or I’m getting a IMac Pro refurb and I’m good for 5 years at least.

Plus a Fall release means Big Sur is stock. I’m in the audio production biz and I need my plugins to catch up.

also for those who are waiting that long I’d be a little nervous COVID will spike as temps get colder...it already is. Could mean a new period of supply issues.

 

[The_Lord_of_Apple]

ah!!! No updates so I hope Bachelor in Paradise doesn't disappoint tonight.

It's funny to notice that the shipping dates have slipped into October if you select a Fusion drive. Is it going to be next week?

 

[gingerbread]

Hey everyone! Been following this thread for weeks now as I’ve had the money burning a hole in my pocket for a new 27” to replace my 2008 20” iMac (lasted me well!). Every week I’ve waited for Apple to update the Intel iMac to no avail so Thu 9 July I bit the bullet and ordered the base 27” but configured it with SSD and extended keyboard. I’m in the UK and when I ordered it said it would arrive 7-13 August but it was shipped out from Shanghai yesterday with estimated delivery Mon 20 July. Not sure how any of this reads in terms of updates coming any time soon?

 

[iPadified]

I am inclined to agree with you that once the iMac line goes full Apple Silicon we should see performance good enough to make the iMac Pro irrelevant.

That is not the same as the Pro brand will go away. If iMac Pro name is tied to xeon, ECC and workstation GPU, then it will disappear but so will the Intel iMac. iPad has a Pro segment that differs from the rest of the iPads and I expect that will apply to future AS iMac/iMac Pro as well.

iMac (AS): 24 inch passively cooled; low price and reasonable performance for the masses and offices ($1000-$3000 depending on config)
iMac Pro (AS): 27 or 32 inch, actively cooled, for those who need the sustained performance and can pay for it ($2500-$5000 depending on config.

If they can cool 25-30W passively in that iMac, it would be great and give sufficient performance (essentially 3-4 X of A12Z). The same AS could go into the MBP but be actively cooled. iMac Pro AS can start at 100W and probably binned according to the number of active cores. iPad Pro and Macbook can share the same processor.

The waiting game has suddenly become more interesting!

 

[pldelisle]

I once said the iMac Pro was just an intermediate product while waiting for the Mac Pro.

But with Apple Silicon, it makes sense.

iPad, iPad Pro
iPhone, iPone Pro
iMac, iMac Pro

Maybe the iMac 32 inch with MiniLed display and bigger SoC will be called Pro. It‘s essentially what Apple makes with other products. Bigger and better display, more screen surface.

Suddently under Apple Silicon the iMac Pro can live again.

 

[gusping]

I once said the iMac Pro was just an intermediate product while waiting for the Mac Pro.

But with Apple Silicon, it makes sense.

iPad, iPad Pro
iPhone, iPone Pro
iMac, iMac Pro

Maybe the iMac 32 inch with MiniLed display and bigger SoC will be called Pro. It‘s essentially what Apple makes with other products. Bigger and better display, more screen surface.

Suddently under Apple Silicon the iMac Pro can live again.

If that comes true, I may well have to buy it just for the screen size, even if I do use 10% of the cores...

 

[Azrael9]

AMD "Navy Flounder" NAVI 22 GPU added to Linux patches - VideoCardz.com

AMD Navy Flounder AMD is adding more patches to the Linux display drivers. We have so far heard about Sienna Cichlid, also known as Navi 21 or The Big Navi) The Navy Flounder is a new codename for yet another Navi 2X processor. The graphics processor appears to be from GFX103X family. Update: it...

videocardz.com

What's this, den? A custom Mac Navi 2 part with (likely) HBM?

Azrael.
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I once said the iMac Pro was just an intermediate product while waiting for the Mac Pro.

But with Apple Silicon, it makes sense.

iPad, iPad Pro
iPhone, iPhone Pro
iMac, iMac Pro

Maybe the iMac 32 inch with MiniLed display and bigger SoC will be called Pro. It‘s essentially what Apple makes with other products. Bigger and better display, more screen surface.

Suddently under Apple Silicon the iMac Pro can live again.

iMac Pro. The 'ultimate' iMac? (Drool worthy. But not at 5k, my san.)

It just happened to 'fall' when the Mac Pro was deep in Exodus.
It felt like an intermediate product.
It was priced like an intermediate Mac Pro product (signposting the 'new' exhorbitant 'Pro' Mac pricing fo the £6k Mac tower.)
It's even stagnated like a 'Pro' product. (3 years without an update...)

I'm not one for arguing for 'less' desktop options.

I just wish they'd offer one more headless option between the Mini and Pro.

ARM is the chance to consolidate. Especially with laptops. But, giving the iMac Pro the 'whack' when they can 'whack' customer's wallets instead?

Why get rid of lines where you can get away with charging customers 5K and 6K?

We'll have to see see how the Mac ARM lines up.

But I see something more similar to the old 'grid' in spirit. Mac. And Pro Mac.

AS14. Consumer.
AS15. 'Pro.' (Or 'next year's consumer ...)

Azrael.
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Maybe the iMac 32 inch with MiniLed display and bigger SoC will be called Pro. It‘s essentially what Apple makes with other products. Bigger and better display, more screen surface.

Suddently under Apple Silicon the iMac Pro can live again.

Hmm. The iMac Pro is 3 year's old and needs more compelling reasons to justify such a luxury price.

The 32 inch iMac may be such a 'thing.' With a silly £5k price. (Steve Job's Apple would bring the 32 inch iMac to the consumer or prosumer masses. Like they did with the 5k iMac. Using this 32 inch 6k £5k logic, we'd never have got the 5k iMac in the 27 incher.)

I'd rather they consolidated the iMac line as so...

iMac 24. Consumer.
iMac 32. Pro. (This is where the old Mac tower used to be.)

£999-1750 for the iMac 24.
£2-4k for the iMac 32. (PRicing varies according to BTO.)

That's fair. Every body gets a good deal that way. Rather than charging consumer iMac buyers for less and pro iMac users far 'more' for a 'bit' more.

Azrael.
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iMac Pro (AS): 27 or 32 inch, actively cooled, for those who need the sustained performance and can pay for it ($2500-

I could live with a 32 inch iMac Pro for £2500. BTO can price to 'wants.'

The iMac is due some progress on the display front. 5k is no longer cutting edge. It was impressive when 1st it debued.

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

ah!!! No updates so I hope Bachelor in Paradise doesn't disappoint tonight.

The drama has already shifted up a gear.

Next week should get juicy... 'Fight, fight, fight...'

Blake? Seriously? Do people still fall for planks like that?

Blake 7 is more my bag.

Azrael.
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haha! In that case I agree!
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end of July for this new intel iMac or I’m getting a IMac Pro refurb and I’m good for 5 years at least.

Plus a Fall release means Big Sur is stock. I’m in the audio production biz and I need my plugins to catch up.

also for those who are waiting that long I’d be a little nervous COVID will spike as temps get colder...it already is. Could mean a new period of supply issues.

As soon as you said, Audio Production Biz.

I'm thinking...this guy just needs to push real hard for an entry iMac Pro for around £3500.

There's plenty on eBay. Do due diligence and research. Look at a 100 of them. Their trusted status. Check out retail.

Some retails will let you take an iMac Pro over 3 years. For around £130 a month.

That's not undoable. With £1000 deposit on that...brings it down to around £100 a month ball parking.

Plug the numbers in with deposit and balance the monthly payments to a comfortable level.

That way you get a current model and consolidate around the current plug in and OS status that 'locks' in that stability for you long term whilst you see the transition out.

And yes. Would see you good for 5 years. Easy.

Azrael.
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It's funny to notice that the shipping dates have slipped into October if you select a Fusion drive. Is it going to be next week?

October...

*climbs up the viaduct...

No, seriously. Maybe a late July release might be on, Dr?

But do note the custom Navi part in the link above...

Azrael.
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Good point about Apple’s just-in-time inventory on items. It makes total sense. My only thought was that if they were to announce something in March, they’d have basic systems on hand for release as soon as a week after the announcement, like they’ve done in the past (not just for iPhones). Building ‘basic’ systems to order before shipping from China isn’t smart. And what about systems for purchase in Apple Stores? But... this is 2020. EVERYTHING that was normal in the past can be thrown out the window.

Yes. The current 'narrative' has highlighted more than a few chinks in the 'armour' of 'globalism.'

Whether that is medical supplies or computer supplies.

(Note Apple's 'updates' have been very 'modest' this year...to put it politely...using stuff from the parts bin...)

Great for billionaires...not so great for the 'little guy' who props up such 'leveraged' profit making.

Azrael.
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Because Apple doesn't do warehouses etc. They didn't have a big number of models if anything. AFAIK, Apple has about 1 week worth of supply in the chain so that is small number of units. ALSO, I doubt they had full boxes ready to ship. That probably happens 1-2 weeks before announcement. Seeing that Covid was developing etc. things went south really quickly so I assume this is what happened: They maybe had small batch of units ready. The rest was going to be made based on orders etc. You know, the usual Apple efficient machine as this is not iPhone launch. Now, they are 1-2 weeks away from announcement and Covid forces factories to close => ok, you have small supply but the rest is not possible to make so why announce something that you won't be able to fulfil for next few months? Only few lucky people would get those machines and then the rest would be waiting and upset. If I was Tim and Apple, I would just cancel the whole thing and observe COVID situation and see what can be done on the launch later. Now that we are entering the MAIN update territory its just better to cancel small spec bump than the big update that is coming later this year.

It all makes sense to me. Maybe its not what happens but I believe that if those rumors were right, then we had early 2020 and late 2020 models. Late 2020 is the big one with redesign

Thats just how I see it.

Well crafted. It fits.

Given the pausity of 'updates' to hardware this year. I'm suspecting all hands will be on deck to prioritise the cash cow launch of iPhone 12.

Better to build to that one big one update. iPhone. iPad. iMac. Build up the inventory (which seems like it's taking longer...see ship dates on BTO but also the new design featuring 'rounded' corners, custome Intel cpu, custome Navi '2'(?) gpu...and the alignment with that RDNA2 stuff puts iMac at September onwards...) until you can pull the trigger on the product. Points to fall releases to capitilise on the 'Back to School'/Christmas buying season.

*Note the custom Big Nav 2 part in the link provided.

AMD "Navy Flounder" NAVI 22 GPU added to Linux patches - VideoCardz.com

AMD Navy Flounder AMD is adding more patches to the Linux display drivers. We have so far heard about Sienna Cichlid, also known as Navi 21 or The Big Navi) The Navy Flounder is a new codename for yet another Navi 2X processor. The graphics processor appears to be from GFX103X family. Update: it...

videocardz.com

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

I meant 2021Q4!!! It still feels like 2019 to me! Sorry, minor cock up...

It still is 2019.

If you're an iMac.

Azrael.
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Remember Tim Cook and Apple are really excited about “NEW” Intel Macs coming out this year. I think the new implies redesign, plus all the rumors. It will be at earliest the end of 2021 that the high end iMac would get Apple Silicon. I don’t think they are waiting another year and a half to update the design just for Apple Silicon. I am still in the camp of Intel Redesign before the end of the year the latest, most likely between now and September.

No reason to wait, AS is a two year transition, the new iMac design was probably in-development long before the decision was final to pull from Intel products.

True. Long planned. Design implied. The iMac is the only Mac left that hasn't had a design in 12 years. Even the Mac Pro niche has had two of them. The Macbooks have had the retina redesign...then the keyboard disaster and touch strip model...and then the bezel update taking on the old keyboard. Even the Red Haired step child (Mac Mini) got a coat of paint...but they forgot the graphics...)

The Mac Pro was long in design as was this move to AS Silicon... Meaning. The iMac design is the next obvious candidate to follow the Mac Pro, iPad flat edge and iPhone 12 flat edge design language. It doesn't make sense keeping it on the older design for another year until high end AS15 'Pro' ships for a high end '27' inch iMac. The design will accommodate the Intel model now. The 24 inch ARM. And the next 'high end' '32' (let's call it...) update later next year.

The consumer transition will be done inside 7 months if they have the AS14. 13 Macbook, iMac 24...Mac Mini. All similar products Intel wise. (The PRo updates will be done by the back end of next year.)

The AS15 will come after the iPhone in the fall of next year.

Azrael.
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No way we’re getting an AS 27”-30” iMac in 2020 unless they decided not To make another intel iMac. The only reason to release another intel 27” would be to fill a gap because Apple knows the higher powered machines are last in line to get AS.

no way they’d release an old model in Sept then replace it in December, they’d just skip it.

I don’t think we’ll see AS versions of iMac 27, iMac Pro & Mac Pro Until late 2021 or early 2022. AS iMac 24” will be out early 2021. Calling it...

They just haven't got the chips ready for the high end iMac. And that vibe came out of WWDC2020. Otherwise they could have shown it off and announced ship dates.

Intel iMac this year.

iMac ARM next year. Early 21. Fall 21. Consumer ARM. Pro ARM.

Azrael.
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I have no clue what I want anymore. One minute I want a 32in iMac, the next, I think a Mac mini is all I need. Thankfully I am not in a rush, so I can wait and see what happens. I suspect we won't get an AS replacement of the current 27in iMac until 2020Q4 at the earliest, receiving the second 'gen' AS SoC. Just a gut feeling of mine!

Edit: meant 2021Q4 for the AS 27in iMac replacement.

Imagine this. 50-100% more cpu/gpu power.

Intel running at 3 gig. 50% more? That makes it a 4.5 gig in Mac ARM terms. 6 gig in Mac ARM terms.

A 6 core Intel chip. Could effectively become a 12 core ARM chip.

As for the graphics. *stiffles a laugh. Expect something far in excess of the 'limited' iGPU in the Intel Mac Mini. Far in excess of the 'Nv 1060' power of the iPad which buries the current Mac Mini.

The scenario of buying a Mac Mini ARM and buying an XDR to go with it opens up.

Or just get the iMac 24.

Azrael.