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

[CWallace]

But how does that make any sense..?! Why would apple leave the 27" out of the picture? Has something like this occurred in the past?

Yes - the 15" MacBook Pro was replaced with a larger 16" model with smaller bezels while the 13" remained unchanged (though rumored to eventually be replaced with a 14" model with smaller bezels due in 2021).

(EDIT)So one of three things could be happening:

1. ~24" 4K iMac model ships with new industrial design (smaller bezels / smaller chin) with the 27" 5K model staying unchanged, but the 27" iMac Pro gets a new industrial design later in 2020 which will carry over to the 27" 5K model in 2021.
2. The ~24" 4K iMac ships with a new industrial design and the 27" 5K iMac adopts the same with it's mid-2020 refresh. The Late 2020 iMac Pro would then also adopt this new industrial design along with miniLED.
3. ~24" 4K model adopts the same industrial design as the 21.5" 4K and 27" 5K / iMac Pro.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

Yes - the 15" MacBook Pro was replaced with a larger 16" model with smaller bezels while the 13" remained unchanged (though rumored to eventually be replaced with a 14" model with smaller bezels due in 2021).

So one of two things could be happening:

1. ~24" 4K iMac model ships with new industrial design (smaller bezels / smaller chin) with the 27" 5K model staying unchanged, but the 27" iMac Pro gets a new industrial design later in 2020 which will carry over to the 27" 5K model in 2021.
2. ~24" 4K model adopts the same industrial design as the 21.5" 4K and 27" 5K / iMac Pro.

So basically, those of us who are looking after a 27" redesign upgrade, we get the short end of the stick and are forced to wait until next year.

 

[CWallace]

So basically, those of us who are looking after a 27" redesign upgrade, we get the short end of the stick and are forced to wait until next year.

I want to say probably, but with the 5K BTO availability all over the place, it is possible that it is getting a new industrial design, as well and Apple is holding back fulfilling shipments until they launch it.

I have not seen any specific rumors about the 27" / 5K model other than the iMac Pro (specifically) is to get a 27" miniLED display with its 2020 refresh.

The talk has been about a rumored new 4K 23.7" model that is supposed to be "cheaper", though whether that is cheaper than the existing 4K or 5K model has not been specified to my knowledge.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

I'm curious to see how many people would skip this years 27" iMac if it is only a spec bump and not an actual redesign or even an adoption of the iMP case and color. Who would buy a third iMac in a row that looks exactly like the previous two only with better specs? My first iMac for example was an underpowered 21" 2011 model, then after six years I upgraded to a Late 2015 27" so that upgrade made sense and a great difference on my workflow. Now, I'm looking to upgrade again but there's no chance I'm buying the same design, no matter how much better specs it has.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Yes - the 15" MacBook Pro was replaced with a larger 16" model with smaller bezels while the 13" remained unchanged (though rumored to eventually be replaced with a 14" model with smaller bezels due in 2021).

(EDIT)So one of three things could be happening:

1. ~24" 4K iMac model ships with new industrial design (smaller bezels / smaller chin) with the 27" 5K model staying unchanged, but the 27" iMac Pro gets a new industrial design later in 2020 which will carry over to the 27" 5K model in 2021.
2. The ~24" 4K iMac ships with a new industrial design and the 27" 5K iMac adopts the same with it's mid-2020 refresh. The Late 2020 iMac Pro would then also adopt this new industrial design along with miniLED.
3. ~24" 4K model adopts the same industrial design as the 21.5" 4K and 27" 5K / iMac Pro.

But that’s not exactly the same, that’s the cheaper smaller model being left behind while the more “premium” device gets the update. I don’t think there’s an example of the smaller, cheaper device getting a redesign/upgrade while the more premium device doesn’t.

 

[dcmontgomery]

I'm curious to see how many people would skip this years 27" iMac if it is only a spec bump and not an actual redesign or even an adoption of the iMP case and color. Who would buy a third iMac in a row that looks exactly like the previous two only with better specs?

Almost everyone. 99.9999% of people out there don't think too much about the design or the specs outside of how much storage and ram. We all complain about Apple's spec choices here, but for the vast majority of people, they simply don't care that much.

 

[Moonjumper]

Yes - the 15" MacBook Pro was replaced with a larger 16" model with smaller bezels while the 13" remained unchanged (though rumored to eventually be replaced with a 14" model with smaller bezels due in 2021).

(EDIT)So one of three things could be happening:

1. ~24" 4K iMac model ships with new industrial design (smaller bezels / smaller chin) with the 27" 5K model staying unchanged, but the 27" iMac Pro gets a new industrial design later in 2020 which will carry over to the 27" 5K model in 2021.
2. The ~24" 4K iMac ships with a new industrial design and the 27" 5K iMac adopts the same with it's mid-2020 refresh. The Late 2020 iMac Pro would then also adopt this new industrial design along with miniLED.
3. ~24" 4K model adopts the same industrial design as the 21.5" 4K and 27" 5K / iMac Pro.

The big difference there is the premium model was updated, with the smaller version being left behind. It would be weird to do it the other way around with the lesser model being revised and the premium model stagnating.

 

[gusping]

Almost everyone. 99.9999% of people out there don't think too much about the design or the specs outside of how much storage and ram. We all complain about Apple's spec choices here, but for the vast majority of people, they simply don't care that much.

I mostly agree, however, I do think the old design (huge bezels, chin, etc) would be picked up in a massive way in reviews. How many people actually read these before buying an iMac? I have no idea. Probably not that much.

I don't think they can get away with the same, ancient for too much longer.

 

[CWallace]

I'm curious to see how many people would skip this years 27" iMac if it is only a spec bump and not an actual redesign or even an adoption of the iMP case and color.

My 2017 iMac is still fine for me, but if I needed more CPU or GPU power, I would not hesitate to upgrade if it was exactly the same industrial design.

But that’s not exactly the same, that’s the cheaper smaller model being left behind while the more “premium” device gets the update. I don’t think there’s an example of the smaller, cheaper device getting a redesign/upgrade while the more premium device doesn’t.

The big difference there is the premium model was updated, with the smaller version being left behind. It would be weird to do it the other way around with the lesser model being revised and the premium model stagnating.

Fair points.

The Joker in the deck is the rumored "lower-priced" 23" 4K iMac that Mac Otakara claimed would be coming in 2H2020 (which would mean at or after WWDC). CoinX said in March that a new iMac was coming "soon", but he also noted a new Mac mini was coming and all that ended up being was a storage bump. Gurman has hinted at a major redesign, but has gone silent, as has Prosser, who I believe has only confirmed a new model is "ready to ship" without saying what that model is (21.5" / 23" / 27" / something else).

So if this new 23" 4K iMac is true, does it replace the 21.5" 4K one? And if it is supposed to be cheaper than the current $1099, one assumes it ships with a 1TB spinner HDD and I worry it might have a non-Retina display. Apple will have to design a new case for it, but do they do so by shrinking the bezels (so it looks like the 2007-2009 24" iMac) or do they keep the existing industrial design?

 

[DrRadon]

I'm curious to see how many people would skip this years 27" iMac if it is only a spec bump

Don’t get a distorted view of the world by being on forums. Most people don’t care.

 

[NSLabs]

Check this out: https://appleinsider.com/articles/2...cal-imac-redesign-using-single-sheet-of-glass

 

[Phil77354]

Almost everyone. 99.9999% of people out there don't think too much about the design or the specs outside of how much storage and ram. We all complain about Apple's spec choices here, but for the vast majority of people, they simply don't care that much.

I agree with you with respect to the specs - that most people don't pay such close attention to specs - but not with respect to design. I think that the design (i.e. style, whether or not they bring out a new iMac with thinner bezels, for example) can be a big factor. (Perhaps this is not what you were thinking of when you mentioned design, however).

Personally, if teleworking continues for a considerably longer time and looks more like the 'new normal' for my own work, then I will be much more likely to be seriously considering a new iMac to replace my late-2014 model (which is still completely fine for the work I use it for, to be honest).

 

[CWallace]

Don’t get a distorted view of the world by being on forums. Most people don’t care.

Indeed. Apple still sells millions of iMacs a year even with a decade-old design.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

Indeed. Apple still sells millions of iMacs a year even with a decade-old design.

Yes, I understand that, but out of those millions, how many are new iMac onwers and existing ones that are just purchasing an upgraded model with the same old design? I guess, we can never know...

 

[CWallace]

Yes, I understand that, but out of those millions, how many are new iMac onwers and existing ones that are just purchasing an upgraded model with the same old design? I guess, we can never know...

Indeed.

I used to upgrade every two years for the better GPU, but decided to get off that rat-race and buy a dedicated Windows gaming PC. So I held fast in 2019 and intend to do so this year, as well.

MiniLED intrigues me and an iMac Pro, while overkill, would last me effectively forever. So I intend to wait until at least the 2021 refreshes - if the iMac gets MiniLED, I'll probably stay there, otherwise I will probably go with a refurb 2020 iMac Pro.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

Indeed.

I used to upgrade every two years for the better GPU, but decided to get off that rat-race and buy a dedicated Windows gaming PC. So I am held fast in 2019 and intend to do so this year, as well.

MiniLED intrigues me and an iMac Pro, while overkill, would last me effectively forever. So I intend to wait until at least the 2021 refreshes - if the iMac gets MiniLED, I'll probably stay there, otherwise I will probably go with a refurb 2020 iMac Pro.

wow I don't know how you guys are doing it... I can't justify spending my money buying the same design just because of the spec bumps. Maybe that is the reason why Apple doesn't put the same effort to a meaningful and much needed redesign...We have to show that we won't settle for the same design for 10 years or so in a row.

 

[haddy]

But since this iMac was supposed to be presented and shipped in march i doubt they had a lockdown in consideration by the time it actually was on the production lines. I suppose the iMac pro could be an argument made to just put 1080p in, but they could have don that for three years by now so.... do you really think they do? I don't. Base model will probably still come with fusion drive because that drives sales of the mid priced model.

Well I would really like 10G ethernet (RJ45) like the current iMac Pro.

 

[DrRadon]

Yes, I understand that, but out of those millions, how many are new iMac onwers and existing ones that are just purchasing an upgraded model with the same old design? I guess, we can never know...

you did not understand me. They don’t care. They just don’t. Just like someone buying a iPhone SE dos not care about the geekbench of that device. Like people buying a imacpro/macpro buy that thing for 3828736€ because they need it to work with On macOS and not because the second use as a Visual cheesegradersounds like a compelling idea. No ad agency is like „let’s buy 20000€ worth of new iMac because they changed the design“, no school/Uni is like „let’s get 20 new iMacs because they is new shiny“. Most people just go and buy a new computer because the old one is broke, or needs a upgrade to deal with new programs or games.
normal people don’t sell their machine each year to get the new one. Normal people don’t have obsessive insider knowledge about how long Apple did not change the shiny.

like, people have been buying tower PCs since at the very least the 90s. they basically look the same today. no one, litteraly no one, is running in circles screaming for a upgraded design.


and please, don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mind if you are in the minorety that desires a redesign. Just don’t make up a world in wich it matters To average joe.

 

[ArmouredBear]

If you don't think that a cool new redesign that would get a load of mainstream press attention won't matter to the average punter, you're also in another world.

 

[CWallace]

If you don't think that a cool new redesign that would get a load of mainstream press attention won't matter to the average punter, you're also in another world.

How much did the 2013 Mac Pro design matter to the "average punter" - you know, the ones who thought it was a trash can?

MacBook Pro sales did not double just because Apple thinned the bezels and increased the screen size of the top-end model.

 

[scotttnz]

The wait is over! Apple have finally announced....







Fraggle Rock is coming to AppleTV+
So glad I waited and didn't buy the old series on DVD. If they didn't announce it before WWDC I might have switched to The Muppets. ?

Remember when Apple made computers?

 

[Phil77354]

Uh, what is Fraggle Rock?

And what does it have to do with our collective anxiety regarding an update to the iMac sometime this year??

 

[scotttnz]

Uh, what is Fraggle Rock?

And what does it have to do with our collective anxiety regarding an update to the iMac sometime this year??

The point was:

Remember when Apple made computers?

 

[Phil77354]

Remember when Apple made computers?

I sure do! I've been a Mac user since the Mac Plus. We even had a Lisa in my old office, back when I was first introduced to the Mac.

 

[krell100]

Apple make computers? I thought they were that expensive phone company...