The iMac is a consumer product and all the improvements (we all wish) have to be compatible at least with an “Apple-consumer price” (above the average but still affordable).
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Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?
- Thread starter krazzix
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The iMac didn’t get a retina screen until 2 years after the MacBook Pro. I doubt it will get mini-LED first when it is the last Mac with spinning drives. I would love it if it does, but mini-LED is still expensive tech. It might come to the iMac Pro soon, but the regular models is far less likely. Urgent updates are needed to go all SSD, there is no reason to halt updates until one particular spec is ready.
i really hope so.... but in any case.... i can't wait to see (and order) the new iMac....!?!?!? i'm without Mac since one year (when my old but perfect MBpro 2011 died) and now i'm procrastinating since the new iMac...... but when the'll be introduced!?!?!?
Wish they would just post an announcement on Monday that there will be a special event streamed 12:00 PST Tuesday May 5th. 
You know, that would be pretty cool.Wish they would just post an announcement on Monday that there will be a special event streamed 12:00 PST Tuesday May 5th.
Ming Chi Kuo noted in March that the 2020 iMac Pro would have a 27" miniLED-backlit display.
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I'd be good with a 32" 5K display at 5120x2880 - it would not be "Retina" with a PPI of 184 vs. 217, but it would have effectively the same PPI as the 23.7" 4K LG display (which would then be an option for the rumored 23" iMac).
I do sit pretty close to my 5K display (about 24 inches), but I sit the same distance from my 27" QHD gaming monitor and while the image is not as crisp, it's still decent enough and that PPI is around 110, so 184 for the 32" would be noticeably sharper I would think.
It makes no sense to rely on 32" regular iMac. This is too much for the consumer segment + 6K resolution will greatly increase the load on the GPU, which only in recent years began to normally pull 5K. iMac Pro in future - maybe. But ordinary iMac no, not in the coming years
The rumours suggest the Arm laptop will be a return of the MacBook, so something sitting below the current range. The desktop equivalent might be a Mac Nano to sit below the Mini.
Why not experiment with an ARM MacMini at first? Aside from an entry level laptop, seems like the least risk desktop form factor that would get into hands of people and developers for "real" feedback as they develop a plan for more advanced desktops.
I suspect that such transition is unlikely to be instantaneous, and if this happens, it will take several years. In addition, the first mac with ARM will be a test sample like a 12" Macbook. Most likely it will be a Macbook. For me personally, the question is when they are going to make key changes to iMac design (hardware). It is likely that they can only make minor changes with bezel for example, But real and dramatic changes can only happen in a few years later with the advent of desktop with ARM.
They could do that. They could also keep that entry level budget 21.5" iMac around as the ARM guinea pig alongside the intel 23" iMac? Just like how there is talk about the 12" MacBook returning as the ARM MacBook. I suspect the entry level iMac users are using the most basic of apps and functionality.
However, both Bloomberg and Ming Chi-Kuo predicts a desktop ARM Mac by next year as well. I'm also interested in the key changes to iMac design as well. The only desktop candidates that I can think of is either the iMac or the Mac mini as others just previously mentioned.
Price an ARM Mini cheap enough AND have it work easily/natively with eGPU (like Apple's version of a NUC) and it would be an almost immediate experimental purchase for enthusiasts. Unless they can change the mechanics of 2019 27" iMac to support target display mode in some capacity...
As others have suggested, the Mac Mini form factor seems like a more logical starting point though I could see Apple going even smaller - something along the size of an Intel NUC or an enlarged AppleTV.
I do not believe for a minute that the iMac will be getting an ARM CPU any time soon. I reckon it will be at least 3 years before they even consider it, unless.... they keep the intel machines going and release a cheap ARM-based iMac.
I'm interested in how this will work long-term. It is on Apple to make the transition from intel to ARM seemless. If developers have to create a whole separate version of their app, on top of the usual Windows/Mac(Intel)/Linux versions, then... this is a non-starter for many people who use non-Apple apps on their Mac. Having said that, they are smarter than me and have obviously thought about this!
I'm interested in how this will work long-term. It is on Apple to make the transition from intel to ARM seemless. If developers have to create a whole separate version of their app, on top of the usual Windows/Mac(Intel)/Linux versions, then... this is a non-starter for many people who use non-Apple apps on their Mac. Having said that, they are smarter than me and have obviously thought about this!
I cannot see why x86 and ARM based Macs can coexist. x86 Mac will benefit for Windows and Linux software development (scientific, engineering, 3D modelling) while ARM based Mac will benefit from iOS apps.
Office work and home use > ARM (due to "Low complexity" apps)
Heavier and complex software >x86 ("High complexity apps")
The key here is what OS an ARM based "mac" will run. MacOS or iPadOS (that continuously get more and more MacOS features)?
For purely home use, an iMac sized iPad plus keyboard and trackpad would be perfectly fine for me. However, as the computer would also double as work computer, where I need scientific and engineering software, I must have x86.
When ARM based apps are as complex as the x86 apps (takes awhile), x86 will go. I think the current MP might be the last but it will probably be relevant for 10 years and then the transition should be finished.
Office work and home use > ARM (due to "Low complexity" apps)
Heavier and complex software >x86 ("High complexity apps")
The key here is what OS an ARM based "mac" will run. MacOS or iPadOS (that continuously get more and more MacOS features)?
For purely home use, an iMac sized iPad plus keyboard and trackpad would be perfectly fine for me. However, as the computer would also double as work computer, where I need scientific and engineering software, I must have x86.
When ARM based apps are as complex as the x86 apps (takes awhile), x86 will go. I think the current MP might be the last but it will probably be relevant for 10 years and then the transition should be finished.
Tomorrow we should have the Intel 10th geneneration dekstop CPUs launch. We already have all the information (below). Do you think that the iMac 2020 will have these processors? I want to believe.
Yes likely. However, for the iMac to handle 125W parts in a good way, it will need iMP cooling systems. The 65W parts are likely sufficient for 99% of the tasks out there so perhaps these will be used?
BTO for 27 inch is now down to 3-4 weeks instead of 4-6 last week. Release within a month (early June)? Really, Apple do not need to wait to WWDC to release these unless they are not ready.
BTO for 27 inch is now down to 3-4 weeks instead of 4-6 last week. Release within a month (early June)? Really, Apple do not need to wait to WWDC to release these unless they are not ready.
Of course no need to wait. But if it's actually a chassis/screen redesign as rumored, I'd wager they want to do more than a press release. My guess is a streamed product keynote during WWDC.
Exactly. Especially since it’ll be around for another 8 years.