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

[CWallace]

But again, how will they have enough time to talk about all the software AND all that hardware you mentioned within at least an hour? All of Apple's events are much shorter than usual now that they're virtual (only one hour long at most so far).

The WWDC keynote is long - both when in person or virtual. The 2020 virtual WWDC keynote was just under two hours. The 2019 and 2018 physical WWDC keynotes were almost two and a half hours. Apple will give themselves the time they need to talk about everything they wish to talk about.

That being said, I am not claiming that there will be no announcement before WWDC. I am just saying that Apple could wait until WWDC and announce it then if that is what they wish.

 

[Homy]

I wish I was as decisive as you ?

Having an iMac 2011 it would be a design update for me anyway as long as it has serious GPU power.

 

[iDan75]

Having an iMac 2011 it would be a design update for me anyway as long as it has serious GPU power.

I’m still on my 2011 iMac too, so I get you ?

 

[JRikk]

I’m still on my 2011 iMac too, so I get you ?

Mid 2011 21.5" here. If it has GPU power, they can make it look like a trashcan for all I care...

 

[AutomaticApple]

The last three events have been an hour or less. Why would Apple want to break that pattern all of the sudden with the rest of their virtual events?

It looks like we will possibly be getting invites on the 6th, not today. Oh well!

 

[Moonjumper]

The last three events have been an hour or less. Why would Apple want to break that pattern all of the sudden with the rest of their virtual events?

It looks like we will possibly be getting invites on the 6th, not today. Oh well!

As has been said multiple times, this is WWDC, an event that is always longer than the standalone reveals, even when virtual. It would break the pattern to be only 1 hour long.

 

[UltimateSyn]

As has been said multiple times, this is WWDC, an event that is always longer than the standalone reveals, even when virtual. It would break the pattern to be only 1 hour long.

Yes, it will be longer than an hour. But they will still need their usual 90 minutes to get through five new operating systems.

 

[CWallace]

Yes, it will be longer than an hour. But they will still need their usual 90 minutes to get through five new operating systems.

Which still gives them 30 minutes to talk Mac hardware - they spent 20 minutes on the Mac Pro and XDR at WWDC 2019 and then went into discussing macOS Catalina.

 

[Moonjumper]

Yes, it will be longer than an hour. But they will still need their usual 90 minutes to get through five new operating systems.

WWDC 2020: 1:48
WWDC 2019: 2:17
WWDC 2018: 2:16
WWDC 2017: 2:19
WWDC 2016: 2:02

All longer than 90 minutes. But even if they had been shorter, Apple will spend the time they need for whatever they want to cover. Apple introduced their fifth OS at WWDC 2019, so not only getting through five operating systems, they introduced one of them. And still had time to announce hardware (Mac Pro and XDR display).

 

[CWallace]

And if they do release new Macs, how much time will they spend on them?

The Mac Pro / Pro Display XDR presentations had a lot of minutia to talk about because they were completely new hardware and they still did it in under 20 minutes. The iMac Pro presentation was also pretty short. They don't need to go through the whole M SoC narrative again like they did with the first models. Even if it is a new model ("M1X / M2") they just have to mention the differences - "now with 8 high performance cores and 16 GPU cores and up to 32/64GB of RAM".

They could literally show new iMacs and new MacBook Pros and be done with the presentation in 10 minutes.

In fact, having so little to talk about is a reason NOT to have a separate launch event for them, but rather to pad the macOS 12 part of WWDC with it.

 

[AutomaticApple]

As has been said multiple times, this is WWDC, an event that is always longer than the standalone reveals, even when virtual. It would break the pattern to be only 1 hour long.

Apple cannot just keep stuffing all these product reveals and all these software reveals into one event, even if it was two hours.

Apple Aiming to Announce Mixed-Reality Headset With In-Person Event in 'Next Several Months'

Apple is aiming to announce a mixed-reality headset at an in-person event sometime in the "next several months," according to Bloomberg's...

www.macrumors.com

 

[UltimateSyn]

WWDC 2020: 1:48
WWDC 2019: 2:17
WWDC 2018: 2:16
WWDC 2017: 2:19
WWDC 2016: 2:02

All longer than 90 minutes. But even if they had been shorter, Apple will spend the time they need for whatever they want to cover. Apple introduced their fifth OS at WWDC 2019, so not only getting through five operating systems, they introduced one of them. And still had time to announce hardware (Mac Pro and XDR display).

An extremely fair counter-argument! You may very well be correct. I posted a more detailed explanation on my thoughts on why it is easier than ever for them to split hardware/software a few weeks ago in the 2021 MBP thread:

"Personally I don't think we'll see hardware during the WWDC keynote this year.

Apple can very easily 'bring the press back in' {digitally} for a solely hardware-focused event a few weeks before or after. Prior to 2020 we saw hardware at WWDC because they'd have a product or two that they wanted to show off on stage, but didn't want to assemble people from across the globe twice (two birds, one stone kind of situation). That's a lot of extra travel and logistics. There's much less of a need to force that mashup now with the ease of separate streamed events."

Which still gives them 30 minutes to talk Mac hardware - they spent 20 minutes on the Mac Pro and XDR at WWDC 2019 and then went into discussing macOS Catalina.

I really hope you are right... I would LOVE to get new MBPs at WWDC. That would be awesome.

 

[Lemon Olive]

The new iMacs are referenced in the fifth beta of macOS 11.3 last week. They can't be far from announcement now. There is a reason why they weren't referenced in the first 4 betas and have just started showing up now. This is typical when an OS version is being prepared that coincides with a hardware launch.

11.2 beta started including references to the M1 Macs about 10 days before they were announced. It can't be far off now.

 

[Loyola]

The new iMacs are referenced in the fifth beta of macOS 11.3 last week. They can't be far from announcement now. There is a reason why they weren't referenced in the first 4 betas and have just started showing up now. This is typical when an OS version is being prepared that coincides with a hardware launch.

11.2 beta started including references to the M1 Macs about 10 days before they were announced. It can't be far off now.

I hope you are correct. Sometimes I wonder if it makes sense to just get a refurbished Mac Mini M1 and wait for the 2nd gen iMac.

 

[Freida]

Why are you being so difficult? It has been said and demonstrated how long WWDCs are. It has been said and demonstrated that Apple uses WWDC to introduce new hardware and YET you still negate it. Can one actually have a constructive conversation or you will just keep denying it because you don't want to hear it? If you don't believe us, watch ALL past WWDCs which are online and then come back and try to convince us otherwise.

As of now, WWDC shows hardware very often and your argument about "not enough time etc." is just not valid in any shape or form - which we have demonstrated over and over AGAIN!

Apple cannot just keep stuffing all these product reveals and all these software reveals into one event, even if it was two hours.

Apple Aiming to Announce Mixed-Reality Headset With In-Person Event in 'Next Several Months'

Apple is aiming to announce a mixed-reality headset at an in-person event sometime in the "next several months," according to Bloomberg's...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Freida]

Could be that way but also in the past betas referenced things that showed up much later or not at all. We will soon find out. Personally I would love the iMac out in April but I just think WWDC is more likely for various reason (which I have mentioned before).
One thing is more certain though and that is that the iPad Pros are coming

The new iMacs are referenced in the fifth beta of macOS 11.3 last week. They can't be far from announcement now. There is a reason why they weren't referenced in the first 4 betas and have just started showing up now. This is typical when an OS version is being prepared that coincides with a hardware launch.

11.2 beta started including references to the M1 Macs about 10 days before they were announced. It can't be far off now.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Why are you being so difficult? It has been said and demonstrated how long WWDCs are. It has been said and demonstrated that Apple uses WWDC to introduce new hardware and YET you still negate it. Can one actually have a constructive conversation or you will just keep denying it because you don't want to hear it? If you don't believe us, watch ALL past WWDCs which are online and then come back and try to convince us otherwise.

As of now, WWDC shows hardware very often and your argument about "not enough time etc." is just not valid in any shape or form - which we have demonstrated over and over AGAIN!

I have no idea why you're pushing this idea so hard. WWDC is a software event. Period. They used to introduce hardware at it when they didn't have enough media attention to hold hardware-only events. Since then, they have rarely though occasionally introduced hardware then. If Apple is unveiling a new class of product that needs a new class of software developed for it, they might choose to introduce it that way. Though they rarely do today.

Could be that way but also in the past betas referenced things that showed up much later or not at all. We will soon find out. Personally I would love the iMac out in April but I just think WWDC is more likely for various reason (which I have mentioned before).
One thing is more certain though and that is that the iPad Pros are coming

They are all in the exact same boat. iOS 14.5 includes references to new iPads, macOS 11.3 references to new iMacs. They are both on the way, well before WWDC. It is clear all of this hardware is going to ship with these software versions.

 

[Moonjumper]

Apple cannot just keep stuffing all these product reveals and all these software reveals into one event, even if it was two hours.

Apple Aiming to Announce Mixed-Reality Headset With In-Person Event in 'Next Several Months'

Apple is aiming to announce a mixed-reality headset at an in-person event sometime in the "next several months," according to Bloomberg's...

www.macrumors.com

A good job then that the article you referred to says the mixed reality headset will be announced at an in-person event in the next few months. We already know WWDC isn't in-person this year.

 

[Freida]

I'm not pushing it at all! You are misreading it. All I'm pushing is that WWDC is not software ONLY event as Apple proved many WWDCs.

Yes, they are referenced for all but if you know Apple's schedule you know that often (not always) there is a spring event and then there is WWDC (later fall events also).

So, iPads were often at the spring events (hence why I mentioned it). I'm not saying that iMacs won't happen until WWDC. NOT AT ALL. All I'm saying is that it would make more sense there given the transition etc.

What annoys me is when people keep talking about WWDC as software only and they don't consider it as a possibility. A lot of big things happened at WWDC and if iMac is going this crazy with all these 'rumoured specs' then WWDC would be perfect.

I've also said that I would love to be wrong as I'm waiting for iMac to buy.

"they rarely do today"? Hello, WWDC 2019? Have you not seen it? Not a new class, just redesign.

I have no idea why you're pushing this idea so hard. WWDC is a software event. Period. They used to introduce hardware at it when they didn't have enough media attention to hold hardware-only events. Since then, they have rarely though occasionally introduced hardware then. If Apple is unveiling a new class of product that needs a new class of software developed for it, they might choose to introduce it that way. Though they rarely do today.


They are all in the exact same boat. iOS 14.5 includes references to new iPads, macOS 11.3 references to new iMacs. They are both on the way, well before WWDC. It is clear all of this hardware is going to ship with these software versions.

 

[richinaus]

I'm not pushing it at all! You are misreading it. All I'm pushing is that WWDC is not software ONLY event as Apple proved many WWDCs.

Yes, they are referenced for all but if you know Apple's schedule you know that often (not always) there is a spring event and then there is WWDC (later fall events also).

So, iPads were often at the spring events (hence why I mentioned it). I'm not saying that iMacs won't happen until WWDC. NOT AT ALL. All I'm saying is that it would make more sense there given the transition etc.

What annoys me is when people keep talking about WWDC as software only and they don't consider it as a possibility. A lot of big things happened at WWDC and if iMac is going this crazy with all these 'rumoured specs' then WWDC would be perfect.

I've also said that I would love to be wrong as I'm waiting for iMac to buy.

"they rarely do today"? Hello, WWDC 2019? Have you not seen it? Not a new class, just redesign.

I think most likely is a separate mac event, and the AR headset for WWDC as it will tie into developer needs.

 

[Freida]

Well, yeah but the rumour for mixed AR is for in person event which rules WWDC out.

Either its all happening in April and then WWDC is without hardware or we get the usual thing which would be delayed "spring event" and then WWDC with some hardware.

We shall see but I think this year won't be software only WWDC. Last year was big on software so if we get 'tick tock' cycle then this year software will be a bit lighter so we get some hardware.
Also, they can do separate event for iMac redesign which is totally valid but do you think they would do iPads Pro with some other stuff and then iMac event later and yet so close to WWDC?
They will want their media attention so either the iPad Pro is not as big update so that could be press release OR they do it together with the iMac as AutomaticApple seems to want ( ) or they split it in their usual fashion. Some stuff soon and rest at WWDC.

Or none of these and we get iMac later (last year refresh was also out of "timeline")

I think most likely is a separate mac event, and the AR headset for WWDC as it will tie into developer needs.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Why are you being so difficult? It has been said and demonstrated how long WWDCs are. It has been said and demonstrated that Apple uses WWDC to introduce new hardware and YET you still negate it. Can one actually have a constructive conversation or you will just keep denying it because you don't want to hear it? If you don't believe us, watch ALL past WWDCs which are online and then come back and try to convince us otherwise.

As of now, WWDC shows hardware very often and your argument about "not enough time etc." is just not valid in any shape or form - which we have demonstrated over and over AGAIN!

You are being difficult. You are negating clues.

Here is a short timeline of events...

March 17 - Apple Silicon iMac referenced in Xcode crash log
March 19 - iMac Pro is discontinued and unavailable in most regions
March 20 - Apple removes some of the 21.5" iMac configurations
March 23 - macOS Big Sur 11.3 BETA 5 includes references to TWO unreleased iMacs

All four of those incidents happened in less than a week. Something had to have been happening internally at Apple. The wheels were being set in motion, presumably for something soon.

That time frame (March 17 through March 23) matches up with the time frame of an April event. In the past, Apple has occasionally prepared a month in advance for previous product releases. April 20 (exactly one month after the same day that some configurations of the 21.5" iMac were removed) is on a Tuesday. That makes it the most plausible date for an April event where Apple could reveal the new iMac. We don't even have to pinpoint it to a specific date in April if it ends up being a press release (less desirable, but is still plausible if we remember that AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were revealed VIA press releases).

Compared to the new iMac, I find AirPower more likely to be revealed at WWDC.

Could be that way but also in the past betas referenced things that showed up much later or not at all.

Those things were rarely rumored though. The new iMac is constantly being rumored though.

They are all in the exact same boat. iOS 14.5 includes references to new iPads, macOS 11.3 references to new iMacs. They are both on the way, well before WWDC. It is clear all of this hardware is going to ship with these software versions.

Exactly! Why wouldn't they be added at a later date if they weren't going to be revealed anytime soon? Everything is likely ready to go in terms of production with the design and the product itself being set in stone.

A good job then that the article you referred to says the mixed reality headset will be announced at an in-person event in the next few months. We already know WWDC isn't in-person this year.

What are they going to do? Have an event right after WWDC? A May event, a July event, an August event? If they're going to be revealing that headset in only a few months, why would they have an event right before/after WWDC (the king of all Apple events)?

I think most likely is a separate mac event

With iPad Pros in April maybe? Possibly just as a site refresh? Who knows at this point?

Last year was big on software so if we get 'tick tock' cycle then this year software will be a bit lighter so we get some hardware.

iOS 14 broke the 'tick tock' cycle. iOS 13 also brought many new additions. We will just have to wait and see what iOS 15 holds.

Also, they can do separate event for iMac redesign which is totally valid but do you think they would do iPads Pro with some other stuff and then iMac event later and yet so close to WWDC?
They will want their media attention so either the iPad Pro is not as big update so that could be press release OR they do it together with the iMac as AutomaticApple seems to want ( ) or they split it in their usual fashion. Some stuff soon and rest at WWDC.

I honestly don't care what Apple does. Just release the new iMac already! ?

 

[Freida]

No I'm not. I'm not negating that it will happen before. I just don't like your "broken record" comment that WWDC is for software only and your deniability that no hardware at WWDC. Thats what this whole conversation was about with you and thats why others pointed out multiple WWDCs with hardware.

I even said multiple times that I would be happy if it was asap as I'm waiting for the new iMacs and literally can't wait. (did you skip this part entirely?)

Anyway, we will see but here is the reality - by WWDC we will probably know everything.

You are being difficult. You are negating clues.

Here is a short timeline of events...

March 17 - Apple Silicon iMac referenced in Xcode crash log
March 19 - iMac Pro is discontinued and unavailable in most regions
March 20 - Apple removes some of the 21.5" iMac configurations
March 23 - macOS Big Sur 11.3 BETA 5 includes references to TWO unreleased iMacs

All four of those incidents happened in less than a week. Something had to have been happening internally at Apple. The wheels were being set in motion, presumably for something soon.

That time frame (March 17 through March 23) matches up with the time frame of an April event. In the past, Apple has occasionally prepared a month in advance for previous product releases. April 20 (exactly one month after the same day that some configurations of the 21.5" iMac were removed) is on a Tuesday. That makes it the most plausible date for an April event where Apple could reveal the new iMac. We don't even have to pinpoint it to a specific date in April if it ends up being a press release (less desirable, but is still plausible if we remember that AirPods Pro and AirPods Max were revealed VIA press releases).

Compared to the new iMac, I find AirPower more likely to be revealed at WWDC.

Those things were rarely rumored though. The new iMac is constantly being rumored though.

Exactly! Why wouldn't they be added at a later date if they weren't going to be revealed anytime soon? Everything is likely ready to go in terms of production with the design and the product itself being set in stone.

What are they going to do? Have an event right after WWDC? A May event, a July event, an August event? If they're going to be revealing that headset in only a few months, why would they have an event right before/after WWDC (the king of all Apple events)?

With iPad Pros in April maybe? Possibly just as a site refresh? Who knows at this point?

iOS 14 broke the 'tick tock' cycle. iOS 13 also brought many new additions. We will just have to wait and see what iOS 15 holds.

I honestly don't care what Apple does. Just release the new iMac already! ?

 

[AutomaticApple]

I just don't like your "broken record" comment that WWDC is for software only and your deniability that no hardware at WWDC. Thats what this whole conversation was about with you and thats why others pointed out multiple WWDCs with hardware.

I never said that WWDC is for software only. I only said that it's primarily focused on software.

I even said multiple times that I would be happy if it was asap as I'm waiting for the new iMacs and literally can't wait. (did you skip this part entirely?)

Do I have to acknowledge everything you say?

 

[Paratriplel]

I never said that WWDC is for software only. I only said that it's primarily focused on software.

Do I have to acknowledge everything you say?

Yes that was what I got from your last couple of posts. I believe it’s just a bit of misunderstanding going on.

Actually I believe Apple said that WWDC would be for software from now on a few years ago. I believe it was actually even a lot of years so things might have changed. It could also have been they said iPhone was not going to be reveled at WWDC anymore or something...

Anyway I’m hoping that we’ll see new Macs before WWDC but WWDC at the latest. Which in my experience (when I’m hoping or believing something) means Apple is going for a quarter later, minimum.. :/