The Surface Studio is a lovely looking thing, and the 3:2 aspect ratio would be great for working on, but it is too expensive (starts at £3,500 in the UK), and still has a 7th generation chip in it. I doubt they sell many.
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Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?
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The Surface Studio is a lovely looking thing, and the 3:2 aspect ratio would be great for working on, but it is too expensive (starts at £3,500 in the UK), and still has a 7th generation chip in it. I doubt they sell many.
iMac styling hasn't change substantially for many years, but I have a hard time imagining how it could be substantially different given that it is basically a monitor with the computer built in (I know, I've seen the one-piece concept with keyboard integrated, I personally don't think that is very likely nor do I like it).
Capability will continue to increase, narrower bezels will be an evolutionary improvement in appearance and styling, eventually they will introduce different display technology (mini LED?) that will have certain advantages. Larger monitor size option would be great. I also would like to see Apple offer a matching monitor to the iMac that could be used for us work-at-home folks who would like to have two monitors.
But really, the iMac is a pretty darn good machine already, I think that is why it hasn't changed in a big way for a long time, and I don't see real pressure on Apple to be making major changes.
Capability will continue to increase, narrower bezels will be an evolutionary improvement in appearance and styling, eventually they will introduce different display technology (mini LED?) that will have certain advantages. Larger monitor size option would be great. I also would like to see Apple offer a matching monitor to the iMac that could be used for us work-at-home folks who would like to have two monitors.
But really, the iMac is a pretty darn good machine already, I think that is why it hasn't changed in a big way for a long time, and I don't see real pressure on Apple to be making major changes.
My ex 27" Late 2013, too, made noise quite rarely, but just about from that moment, a rather large increase in power began with zero improvement of the cooling system. Perhaps now is the very critical moment when they will have to solve it somehow and for the next 5-10 years.
Of course you're right, the Pro version can be mobile too. I may not have put it well.
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As for Radeon 7, this solution already exists in Mac Pro in the form of Vega II. If you look closely, then this base from 7 is also modified by order of Apple. I don’t know how realistic this is for iMac Pro, but I would also be glad to see it there, but not at that price
To be honest, for me personally it would be ideal if they kept their horses for a few more months and waited for the release of Mac with RDNA2, so as not to wait another year or more later.
The 5000 series is excellent, yes, but I must admit that it works at the performance level 56/64 which has been 3 years old ...
Of course, you are right about the custom versions of the cards assembled by order of Apple. By the way, there is an opinion that this was the key reason why Apple completely switched to AMD, and not to Nvidia, because the latter did not want to satisfy Apple's specific requests.As said before I shared your opinion about the latest GPUs in iMac but pldelisle wrote that they all are mobile GPUs and surely when I checked they are. The description for Radeon Pro 580X, Pro Vega 48, 56 and 64 says "professional mobile graphics chip". Look for yourself.
I guess we could call them Apple specific GPUs, neither mobile or fully desktop, because Apple always orders and puts special GPU models in their computers to satisfy their special needs. It doesn't matter but I'm still sure that iMacs with the same GPU as MBP can perform better because of larger chassi and better cooling, hence faster clocked GPU. Here is a comparison. A 21.5" iMac 2019 Radeon Pro 560X is 2x faster in Unigine than a MBP 15" 2018 with the same GPU. Therefore I don't think it's completely fair to judge the performance of a new rumored iMac with Radeon 5500 by looking at a MBP with the same chip.
However, I have doubts about the reliability of the information on Techpowerup. I searched the AMD website for information and did not find anything that Vega Pro 48/56/64 are mobile solutions. Moreover, on other resources I also did not find such a mention, so this may be solely the opinion of Techpowerup. Perhaps they are considering a lower core frequency, which is typical for Pro cards, as a mobile solution by default?
As for the greater power of the videocard, maybe you are right, but maybe not. Are you not worried that the same 560 GPUs, (ok, perhaps one more stripped down for a laptop) have a performance difference of 2 times?
Have a look at the link that you gave with Unigen test on iMac 21.5: Does the Radeon 560X from iMac 2019 have a performance 2.5 times greater than the Radeon 560 from iMac 2017 (1679 vs 669)? How can it be?
And in the Unigen test with the MacBook Pro, how can it be that the Vega 20 is 30% more powerful than the Vega 48? By the way, they themselves write that they do not know why it happened.
I believe that those who did these tests were very wrong somewhere. Or they used different Unigen settings for each device. For example, a native display resolution was applied for each computer - this is the only way I can explain such results, but this is also a gross mistake in conducting comparative tests.
I reckon that given most of these models were most likely ready for release around March, they would be minor redesigns.
My guess for WWDC would be..
a “high end” Mac mini with mobile dgpu
Refreshes to iMac 21.5 and 27 with newer specs and better camera.
My guess for WWDC would be..
a “high end” Mac mini with mobile dgpu
Refreshes to iMac 21.5 and 27 with newer specs and better camera.
iMac camera - hadn't been thinking much about that - I haven't been using the built-in camera in my late 2014 27" iMac, but recently have started using it given my teleworking situation. Does anyone know what the specs are for the camera that my iMac has, and how much change has taken place in the newer versions? (I know, I could probably dig it out of Apple's specs someplace, but if someone here has that more easily available it would be much appreciated, just to satisfy my curiosity).
[edit: in 'About This Mac', the specs for my FaceTime HD camera are: Model ID: UVC Camera VendorID_1452 ProductID_34065]
720p most likely and no changes and recent years except the 1080p on iMac pro
Honestly I have been thinking like this for awhile. I mean I dont technically need a desktop. I could do everything on the 16" mbp and I could get dual 27" monitors to use when im at my desk. The only game I would ever play would be WoW every now and then. Im sure the 16" could play it. The problem I have is how loud mbps get when used in clamshell mode and also battery decay from keeping it plugged in.
Don't get MBP over iMac. I have 2017 15" model and I regret it all the time. Cannot wait to get rid off this junk.
Just give us a variation of the XDR and I'd be happy.
Not sure how much one can cram into a 1.1" thick housing.
Perhaps somehow incorporate ports into the back of the stand so wires are not hanging from the back of the display.
Not sure how much one can cram into a 1.1" thick housing.
Perhaps somehow incorporate ports into the back of the stand so wires are not hanging from the back of the display.
I doubt it. There will be drastically new Displays with MiniLED next year according to the reliable leakers. Doubt they will make a big change beyond what we already got this new iteration.
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Good point. I hope Apple have learnt from the thermal limits on the trashcan Mac Pro preventing them ever updating it. With thermal headroom for future needs, the first generation of the redesign may be a very quiet machine.
Thee were rumours Apple had a keynote arranged for March, but had to cancel it due to the epidemic. Apple could easily have had a new iMac as the centre piece of that. As they couldn't do it then, Apple decided they still want a proper announcement, so held it back until WWDC.
Because Prosser said it was ready since March.
Another reliable leaker (coinx i think) also was on that timeline, but said it pre corona.
And than this week a write from "The Verge" piled on top.
Non of that points to anything as late as July. In fact all of the leaks (MiniLED switch pushed to 2021, ARM coming in 2021) strongly suggest that there will be no major redesign.
If anything "The Verge" tweeting about new iMac this Wednesday (review machines, a week early?) is a further hint at the date of next Wednesday, 03.06.2020, i drew out a week or so ago because of the two week WWDC delay freeing up time in apples release timeline that got messed up in march.
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It's been 720p forever with only the iMac Pro rocking 1080p.
That said on the iPhone i think they enhanced the quality a lot via software despite weak front cameras on at least some models. (i don't have to much knowledge about the Smartphone marked since i am not in the marked to buy right now).
But essentially not much has changed in the iMacs front camera.
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Yeh, I’m just basing it off of the EEC database records + what was said by a few leakers. This year doesn’t feel like a major redesign year if there are expected to be major architectural and technological changes next year. Would make more sense to launch a fully redesigned slim ARM and mini led based iMacs next year.
ARM vs x86 the thermal requirements will be very different and therefore the design as well.
and I don’t see apple adopting the Pro Display XDR design into the iMac lineup given that stand alone cost £999 in the U.K. it would be a slap in the face to those who bought the stand if it features as part of a £2k iMac.
Just give us a variation of the XDR and I'd be happy.
Not sure how much one can cram into a 1.1" thick housing.
Perhaps somehow incorporate ports into the back of the stand so wires are not hanging from the back of the display.
The issue is that you want something for 1300-4500€ to look like something that is sold for 6000€ by the same company.
If there eventually is a iMac redesign it won't look like the XDR Monitor, not because they can't, but because it would be a bad marketing move, especially since the iMac offers a lot more "use case" value bringing the entire computer in that price while the XDR requires a Machine on top of it setting you back at least another few thousand if not over then thousand.
There is no "fake gold" Apple watch for 300€ because no one would buy the 10.000$ golden Apple watch.
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I’m coming up to speed on the currrent iMacs while helping a neighbor configure a 2019 iMac to replace her 2011 iMac. She is a high-level amateur photographer. But doesn’t do video. So I was looking at the 3.7GHz i5 w/ 8GB RAM and a 512GB- 1TB SSD. She would immediately add 32GB of 3rd party RAM and an external SSD. BUT….
Apple - Earliest delivery is Jun 29th-Jul 6th
B&H - Special Order 2-4 weeks
I haven’t found ANY 27” iMacs in stock. Is this delay common these days or is it an indication of a refresh/update in the next 2-4 weeks (e.g. at the WWDC)?
GetRealBro
Apple - Earliest delivery is Jun 29th-Jul 6th
B&H - Special Order 2-4 weeks
I haven’t found ANY 27” iMacs in stock. Is this delay common these days or is it an indication of a refresh/update in the next 2-4 weeks (e.g. at the WWDC)?
GetRealBro
I noticed the shortage as well. Maybe COVID-19 related? I’d rather it’s due to an imminent launch.
You may be right. The difference I can see when you compare the iMacs is that the old one has quad-core and the new one 6 cores. About Unigine they also say "it’s worth noting that these benchmarks were performed in older versions of macOS). Unigine says "Accurate results due to 100% GPU-bound benchmarking" so the number of cores shouldn't matter but who knows. The results may be faulty.
I think Apple may keep some of the existing designs when Apple switch to Arm to reassure customers they are still getting the same macOS experience. They may take the opportunity to thin down the laptops to show the thermal advantages, but that won't be as big when they put in Arm chips designed for bigger devices, free of the thermal and power limits of iPhones and iPads.
We may get elements of the XDR design, but without the advanced backlighting. Even when miniLED comes to other Mac models, I doubt it will be as highly specced as in that monitor. It might be a case of getting the XDR size, resolution, and styling, but paired with ordinary LED backlighting to keep costs and heat down.
Even if the design stays broadly similar to now, but with reduced bezels, it would be good to see a row of cheesegrater style holes across the top of the back, and another towards the bottom, giving fans the opportunity to remove a lot of heat easily (cool in at the bottom, hot out at the top). It is a strong possibility the thermal limits are more to do with the limited venting than anything that happens internally.
Personally I just really want that vesa mount system... the stand / vesa mounting on the Pro Display XDR was quite something....
I guess you didn't catch the smirky face. Of course Apple won't go there, but as you mentioned, it's not because it can't.
However, it could capture the look (ie. thicker slab vs current tapered look) of the XDR display. But it won't have the range of adjustability in the stand. Frankly, the stand is overpriced which automatically ruling out the iMac's stand having the same functionality.
While it offers a lot being an AIO, it's limited expandability and physical space means it's can't have the high end chips or expect to have the longevity of a MacPro. The iMac is Apple's mainstream desktop. You can bet, they're going to make it look sexy and probably costing a bit more than the current one.
First post here... I am confident there will be a 23” iMac at WWDC. They won’t wait for ARM because ARM will be for portable computers first. It might also bring a “walled garden” OS to Mac therefore it will be for casual users first. There’s no merit to ARM iMacs in 2021 rumours, it could be much later. Also, a 23” iMac isn’t a radically expensive design change. Smaller bezels, improved cooling, it’s a partially new design. For example all the MacBooks just got 1mm thicker this year. That means Apple redesigned the whole chassis and didn’t even mention it.
We're not sure.
There have been reports that LG is deeply back-logged on the 27" 5K display due to COVID, but BTO iMac Pros seem to be easy enough to get, but not sure if this is for models with the Vega 56 or the Vega 64. If the former, this could be Apple having too many base models in stock so they can upgrade them with more RAM and SSD (GPUs are soldered in). If it's the V64 or both models equally, then it could be Apple is prioritizing iMac Pro deliveries over iMac 5K deliveries - either because of a new 5K form factor or because the iMac Pro has better margins.
So I was pondering the Apple 'desktop' range and a thought occurred to me; what is the actual point of the iMac Pro? Low end consumer has the Mac mini, middle tier has iMac then "Pros" have the Mac Pro. Why not consolidate iMac and iMac Pro in to one line covering low-high use cases? This simplifies the line up, means there's no overlap, and it's then easier to reconcile updates rather than the strange staggered way it's been done.
As nice a machine as it is the iMac pro just doesn't seem to (me) to have much of a future; but using the cooling tech in a consolidated line would make much more sense, especially so if they offer a high end CPU/GPU in space grey, I mean who would then buy an iMac Pro?
As nice a machine as it is the iMac pro just doesn't seem to (me) to have much of a future; but using the cooling tech in a consolidated line would make much more sense, especially so if they offer a high end CPU/GPU in space grey, I mean who would then buy an iMac Pro?
Someone who wants a desktop computer, needs a computer more powerful than the regular iMac, doesn't need or can't afford the Mac Pro - the iMac Pro seems to fit right there in between those two, doesn't it?
Effectively the iMac and iMac Pro are already one line, the iMac Pro dimensionally is exactly the same as the iMac, it is simply finished in space gray rather than silver. They give the Pro it's own spot on the website in order to highlight in detail all of the higher-end specs and capabilities, but they could just as easily display it as a more continuous version of the regular iMac.
[edit: in the following post, @CWallace points out that the iMac and iMac Pro have different system boards, an internal difference that I was not aware of (and there are probably others)]
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