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

[CWallace]

As I understand it, the M1 SoC has the exact same "Firestorm" performance cores and "Icestorm" efficiency cores as the A14 so I don't know what they could do to differentiate them other than add more "Firestorm" cores since an iMac does not need to worry about battery life.

I cannot see them developing a custom SoC architecture specifically for the iMac / Mac Pro. The advantage of leveraging the A-Series architecture for the M-Series is that we will get annual updates - not just to the CPU cores, but also to the GPU cores, Neural Engine cores and Image Processing cores (even if that just means a better WebCam).

Going custom would put us where we were with the iMac Pro's W-Series Xeons. Low volume sales discouraged Intel from updating the W-2100 and when we finally did get the W-2200 series two years later, it was not much better (just significantly cheaper).

 

[Moonjumper]

I have been mocking up a game concept in the Unity game engine. Swapping screen ratios to see the effects on game layout highlighted something I'd love based on the rumours of an iPad-like redesign: That is the 4:3 aspect ratio. The extra amount of screen space was very obvious, despite no change in the largest dimension.

Using some calculations that keep the current 5120 pixel width at the same screen density (thus keeping the same footprint, the biggest size restriction for many, especially important at home), a 4:3 screen would have a diagonal of 29.5", and a resolution of 5120x3840. For only a 1.5" increase in diagonal, and no change in width, there would be a 34% increase in screen area. I'd love that.

 

[CWallace]

I worry 4:3 would be viewed as anachronistic since that format in consumer displays has not been in general use since HD became standard (most such displays now being 16:9 or 16:10).

 

[Moonjumper]

I worry 4:3 would be viewed as anachronistic since that format in consumer displays has not been in general use since HD became standard (most such displays now being 16:9 or 16:10).

Apple is at it’s best when creating trends, not following them. However, in this case it is Microsoft setting design trends with their Surface 3:2 displays, and they appear to get a good reception.

 

[CWallace]

Apple is at it’s best when creating trends, not following them. However, in this case it is Microsoft setting design trends with their Surface 3:2 displays, and they appear to get a good reception.

That reception has not translated into any appreciable sales, however. Apple probably sells more iMacs in a month than Microsoft Surface Studios in a year based on revenue.

 

[Moonjumper]

That reception has not translated into any appreciable sales, however. Apple probably sells more iMacs in a month than Microsoft Surface Studios in a year based on revenue.

The laptops seem to do well, but the problem with the Studio is the price, especially as it has not been updated for a while, even worse than the iMac in that regard.

 

[CWallace]

The laptops seem to do well, but the problem with the Studio is the price, especially as it has not been updated for a while, even worse than the iMac in that regard.

Price is a factor, but I also believe form factor is a factor.

It's a nice idea for people who normally work over a large-format Cintiq tablet, but if you don't, then you are paying for a feature that you would never use (or never use anywhere near to it's potential).

 

[mikeb13]

Jon Prosser came out with a new video today saying this could be the new iMac re-design. Comes in the same colors as the iPad Air.

This is just a rumor. I do not see Apple making the iMac in colors but I do like the square design.

 

[Successful Sorcerer]

Jon Prosser came out with a new video today saying this could be the new iMac re-design. Comes in the same colors as the iPad Air.

This is just a rumor. I do not see Apple making the iMac in colors but I do like the square design.

I'm also not used to it (yet) but it would be in line with the rest of their products. I think it could be a smart move, the iPad Airs and AirPods Maxs are popular in different colours. The MacBook Air is available in three colours. This render looks a bit flat/fake, I guess the colour would be the same as the iPad air range.

Edit: it just looks different in real life haha.

 

[Serban55]

Dont expect much ....maybe silver and space grey...but its a low chance to get pink imac or even green and blue

 

[Freida]

Really? Why is that?

Dont expect much ....maybe silver and space grey...but its a low chance to get pink imac or even green and blue

 

[Freida]

Ok, its March. Can we get some rumours out already? If something is happening this month then we could start hearing some whispers.
And if WWDC then some leaks would be appreciated. Can't wait for this bad boy to be revealed. Hope it will be worth the wait.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Ok, its March. Can we get some rumours out already? If something is happening this month then we could start hearing some whispers.
And if WWDC then some leaks would be appreciated. Can't wait for this bad boy to be revealed. Hope it will be worth the wait.

I'd just be happy at this point to know a definitive release date. If it's for sure going to be later this year then I'm going to order a refurb 2020 with the plan to trade it in when the redesign is out. Where are the rumors!?

 

[TheBigApple2006]

Ok, its March. Can we get some rumours out already? If something is happening this month then we could start hearing some whispers.
And if WWDC then some leaks would be appreciated. Can't wait for this bad boy to be revealed. Hope it will be worth the wait.

Here you go, more than a whisper for me!

Apple has stopped producing 512GB, 1TB SSD iMac 4K models, claim sources | AppleInsider

Apple has reportedly stopped production of the 512 gigabyte and 1 terabyte flash media configurations of the 21.5-inch iMac, which may signify an update is coming sooner rather than later.

appleinsider.com

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Here you go, more than a whisper for me!

Apple has stopped producing 512GB, 1TB SSD iMac 4K models, claim sources | AppleInsider

Apple has reportedly stopped production of the 512 gigabyte and 1 terabyte flash media configurations of the 21.5-inch iMac, which may signify an update is coming sooner rather than later.

appleinsider.com

Good sign, I think!

 

[Freida]

That looks good. Although it could be just because of all the shortages that are happening.
Also, 21.5" - people still buy it? That machine has been neglected for so long and the screen is so tiny that I wonder who buys that with 1TB SSD which is expensive?
Anyway, lets get this baby toy out the way so we can get the 27-32" big brother in - thats where the power will be :-D

Here you go, more than a whisper for me!

Apple has stopped producing 512GB, 1TB SSD iMac 4K models, claim sources | AppleInsider

Apple has reportedly stopped production of the 512 gigabyte and 1 terabyte flash media configurations of the 21.5-inch iMac, which may signify an update is coming sooner rather than later.

appleinsider.com

 

[CWallace]

Dont expect much ....maybe silver and space grey...but its a low chance to get pink imac or even green and blue

I too am skeptical about colored iMacs actually shipping (the rumor might have been just color testing to see how it looked), but if they do happen, I believe it will be limited to the smaller model (~24-inch).

 

[ggx12]

I am afraid lack of news or leaks, means release is not around the corner... WWDC it is...

 

[Serban55]

Really? Why is that?

Easy...its Tim Cook...pink imacs will never be sold in large quantities...so Tim will not let an pink imac to be in production....so if the pink is a question mark...then all the rumour is also
I just said dont expect it....there are 50-50 chances....but i would go with silver and space grey ...i think they can bring space grey for all the imacs (not just for the imac pro that will probably be gone )

 

[Serban55]

Dont expect imac at March event, if it will be an event(maybe the 24")...lets hope at least for the 2 ipad pros and the introduction of the mini-display....and also lets hope for the 14" Mbp
I dont think Apple has so many mini-display in production to cover the imac, 14" mbp and the ipad pro...so expect the imac move more closer to the WWDC June-July

 

[Freida]

Colours are popular and iMac in the past had colours. I don't see a reason why it wouldn't get back to that.
iPad started as silver only and look how many colours we have now. Same as iPhone.

iMac in multiple colour options is a good way to go. I would love to have product RED iMac.

So, I'm all up for colours even though I'm not that fancy of the iPad ones

Easy...its Tim Cook...pink imacs will never be sold in large quantities...so Tim will not let an pink imac to be in production....so if the pink is a question mark...then all the rumour is also
I just said dont expect it....there are 50-50 chances....but i would go with silver and space grey ...i think they can bring space grey for all the imacs (not just for the imac pro that will probably be gone )

 

[Freida]

Ok, here we are. The expected happened so iMac Pro no more.
I've been saying it for a while so it only makes sense.
Some people think that this means that new iMacs are coming soon but I wouldn't jump to that yet. I think what Apple is telling us that there is no room for such device and they don't want to bother with even making them so streamlining it is. I would love to see 27-30" this month but I feel that its still too early. (even though i have bday next month ) )
So, WWDC it is I think.

Also, wha are the chances for M2 chip showing up? I really hope that we won't be on the cycle where iPhone gets the latest gen chip first, then autumn event update for lowend machines (Air, Mini) and then we have to wait for spring/wwdc events to get the X variants for iMac and Mac Pro. That would be excruciating especially when iPhone doesn't really need the power anymore but every computer does.

So, can we get M2 at WWDC please?

 

[ggx12]

Ok, here we are. The expected happened so iMac Pro no more.
I've been saying it for a while so it only makes sense.
Some people think that this means that new iMacs are coming soon but I wouldn't jump to that yet. I think what Apple is telling us that there is no room for such device and they don't want to bother with even making them so streamlining it is. I would love to see 27-30" this month but I feel that its still too early. (even though i have bday next month ) )
So, WWDC it is I think.

Also, wha are the chances for M2 chip showing up? I really hope that we won't be on the cycle where iPhone gets the latest gen chip first, then autumn event update for lowend machines (Air, Mini) and then we have to wait for spring/wwdc events to get the X variants for iMac and Mac Pro. That would be excruciating especially when iPhone doesn't really need the power anymore but every computer does.

So, can we get M2 at WWDC please?

It would definitely be weird. Imagine getting a M1X in june and then comes october you have M2 macbook airs/pros. I assume if it's june they'll call it something else (S1, T1, X1) so that it feels completely over the top and very distinct from the consumer chip-family.

 

[xgman]

It's apples and oranges to worry about which comes first.

 

[CWallace]

Yeah I still feel that the iMac Pro was meant to be the replacement for the Mac Pro in the model line-up (so the best Mac you could get) and once Apple decided to re-commit to the Mac Pro, the iMac Pro became irrelevant and that is why they never bothered updating it (did not help it was years until Intel and AMD had upgrade options for Apple to use).