21.5-Inch Retina 4K iMac Production Getting Underway

[MacRumors]

Production of Apple's upcoming 21.5-inch Retina 4K iMac has begun within the past few days, according to a report from DigiTimes. The new machines are rumored to be launching in late October, but Apple elected not to make any advance announcements about the forthcoming update at today's media event.

Production of a new 21-inch iMac featuring a 4096 by 2304 screen kicked off in early September and will be launched in the fourth quarter, with shipments in the quarter estimated at 1.4-1.5 million units, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers. [...]

The sources pointed out that the new 21-inch iMac only has a limited change in industrial design, but is upgraded with better hardware specifications, especially the Ultra HD display.

While the larger 27-inch iMac has received several updates over the past two years to add Retina 5K models at the high end, the 21.5-inch iMac has been unchanged since September 2013 with the exception of an ultra low-end model introduced in June 2014.

Signs of a Retina update for the smaller iMac were discovered in OS X El Capitan in late June, pointing to an update using Broadwell processors and Iris Pro or improved AMD graphics. Rumors of timing for the update started to surface in the following weeks, initially pointing to late third quarter or early fourth quarter before more recently being pinned down to late October for orders and early November for deliveries.

Article Link: 21.5-Inch Retina 4K iMac Production Getting Underway

 

[Cooee!]

Well the new iPhone now shoots in 4K

 

[Traverse]

Here's to hoping for an October event with new Macs and iPad Air 3!

 

[macduke]

Here's to hoping for an October event with new Macs and iPad Air 3!

There was a rumor that the iPad Air 3 was delayed until early next year as resources were focused on the iPad Pro. Expect Skylake Macs to be unveiled in that same timeframe. If I had to guess now, it would be between mid-February and mid-March. They might also show off some more of those accessories that were hinted to use the iPad Pro's new port. It was also rumored that their TV streaming service would be available around that time, so we could see that as well. That's enough for an event!

They could conceivably show off the Apple Watch 2 at such an event, especially if it's in March, but my gut says they won't do that until next September as that event is looking kinda light with the iPhone 7 and maybe some iPad speed bumps. Although Apple could show off their new search engine and iCloud services at that event. I have a feeling 2016 is going to be a big year for services at Apple.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Will they still have the Mac event?

 

[GuyCalledPete]

I've recently purchased a 21:9 monitor, and it really blew me away. I'd love to see Apple make a 21:9 iMac - especially if they made it 5040x2160 (or higher). I guess I can dream though.

-- Pete.

 

[johnnyturbouk]

Production of Apple's upcoming 21.5-inch Retina 4K iMac has begun within the past few days, according to a report from DigiTimes. The new machines are rumored to be launching in late October, but Apple elected not to make any advance announcements about the forthcoming update at today's media event.While the larger 27-inch iMac has received several updates over the past two years to add Retina 5K models at the high end, the 21.5-inch iMac has been unchanged since September 2013 with the exception of an ultra low-end model introduced in June 2014.

Signs of a Retina update for the smaller iMac were discovered in OS X El Capitan in late June, pointing to an update using Broadwell processors and Iris Pro or improved AMD graphics. Rumors of timing for the update started to surface in the following weeks, initially pointing to late third quarter or early fourth quarter before more recently being pinned down to late October for orders and early November for deliveries.

Article Link: 21.5-Inch Retina 4K iMac Production Getting Underway

Really want a sky lake rImac. Patiently waiting is frustrating as hell

 

[evilpaddy]

4K display? I bet it is still not be compatible with the nMP

 

[kazmac]

I sure hope they have a Mac event. Wouldn't El Capitan be worth touting?

At any rate, any Mac rumor is good news so bring it now that the phone, tv and iPad Pro are announced.

 

[Crosscreek]

Seems like 21.5" is small for 4K. I sure would like to see a 24" 4K iMac. Anyways I will probably buy a new Skylake iMac next near and I hoping for a nice redesign to go with it.

 

[FloridaJo]

So disappointing Apple has ignored us Desktop users. I'm considering moving to Win 10 just so I can
do decent graphics renderings that need the latest graphic cards.

 

[AppleMooseMan]

This is good news. I'm confused though because Gurman said they would announce this new Retina iMac alongside the release of El-Capitan in late October. Now that El-Capitan is coming at the end of September does that mean there will be no Mac event and it will likely unveiled on the Apple website.

 

[Traverse]

There was a rumor that the iPad Air 3 was delayed until early next year as resources were focused on the iPad Pro. Expect Skylake Macs to be unveiled in that same timeframe. If I had to guess now, it would be between mid-February and mid-March. They might also show off some more of those accessories that were hinted to use the iPad Pro's new port. It was also rumored that their TV streaming service would be available around that time, so we could see that as well. That's enough for an event!

They could conceivably show off the Apple Watch 2 at such an event, especially if it's in March, but my gut says they won't do that until next September as that event is looking kinda light with the iPhone 7 and maybe some iPad speed bumps. Although Apple could show off their new search engine and iCloud services at that event. I have a feeling 2016 is going to be a big year for services at Apple.

I really hope so, but I hate to wait another 8 months...hopefully iOS 9 will make my iPad 3 usable until then.

 

[Take Flight]

It is about time for an iMac form factor update, seems like they would take this opportunity to do that. Maybe next year.

 

[Keane16]

I really hope so, but I hate to wait another 8 months...hopefully iOS 9 will make my iPad 3 usable until then.

I put the iOS 9 public beta on my parents iPad 2. It was definitely better than iOS 8. That was a few versions ago - hopefully even better in the newer releases.

Perhaps similar for your 3rd Gen.

 

[Tucom]

Hoping for Skylake in a month or two instead of Broadwell.

 

[gugy]

I look forward to an October event with:
iMac 4k
MacPro
TB stand alone displays at 5K

I would love to see the Macbook line update to Skylake but I think this won't happen until early next year.

 

[ignatius345]

It is about time for an iMac form factor update, seems like they would take this opportunity to do that. Maybe next year.

"About time" why? Too thick?

 

[Traverse]

I put the iOS 9 public beta on my parents iPad 2. It was definitely better than iOS 8. That was a few versions ago - hopefully even better in the newer releases.

Perhaps similar for your 3rd Gen.

That makes me very happy. I really hope it fixes some of my issues. Right now, the iPad 3's performance should be an embarrassment to Apple's name.

 

[Keane16]

That makes me very happy. I really hope it fixes some of my issues. Right now, the iPad 3's performance should be an embarrassment to Apple's name.

Yeah. I know where you're coming from. I sold my 3rd Gen last year for the Air 2. It still worked ok, but had definitely seen speedier days. But...

I always like to compare to the competition. I think the 3rd Gen is anything but an embarrassment.

When I bought that 3rd Gen the other options were a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Asus Transformer Pad and the beautifully named Motorola Xyboard. Now aside from the fact you probably haven't heard about these devices since 2012. How do you think they fare compared to your iPad in terms of:

1. Performance today
2. OS updates
3. General hardware ageing
4. App compatibility

I remember reviews of the Tab 10.1. It lagged and performed poorly on launch, never mind years later like your iPad.

When viewing the competition Apple should be proud of the 3rd Gen iPad. How long it's lasted, the fact the OS is still updated (partial features, all security).

Funnily enough reviewing things after years of use against the competition also often confirms why I buy Apple devices. They last.

 

[FuNGi]

I look forward to an October event with:
iMac 4k
MacPro
TB stand alone displays at 5K

I would love to see the Macbook line update to Skylake but I think this won't happen until early next year.

Yup. As far as I'm concerned this is way more exciting than the iToy announcements. Maybe add a backlit new wireless keyboard to the wish list. Question though: a 5K TB display will be unusable to most existing laptops out there so I wonder if they won't just make a 4K one?

 

[aussiemom]

Yup. As far as I'm concerned this is way more exciting than the iToy announcements. Maybe add a backlit new wireless keyboard to the wish list. Question though: a 5K TB display will be unusable to most existing laptops out there so I wonder if they won't just make a 4K one?

I'm excited too, the iMac is what I'm waiting for!! Oh yes, a backlit keyboard would be nice!

 

[riviera74]

So disappointing Apple has ignored us Desktop users. I'm considering moving to Win 10 just so I can
do decent graphics renderings that need the latest graphic cards.

Uh, isn't the 27 inch Retina iMac 5K sufficient? Or do you need a Mac Pro?

 

[briloronmacrumo]

Uh, isn't the 27 inch Retina iMac 5K sufficient? Or do you need a Mac Pro?

Even though the 27 inch iMac has a powerful Haswell CPU, the Skylake tock release is two gens past it. Mac Pros are great but almost two years old. My hope: 27in Skylake iMac with Thunderbolt 3. Until then my Sandy Bridge machine is doing fine. Possibly Apple got a deal on Broadwell chips which will delay Skylake iMacs.

 

[riviera74]

Even though the 27 inch iMac has a powerful Haswell CPU, the Skylake tock release is two gens past it. Mac Pros are great but almost two years old. My hope: 27in Skylake iMac with Thunderbolt 3. Until then my Sandy Bridge machine is doing fine. Possibly Apple got a deal on Broadwell chips which will delay Skylake iMacs.

Something tells me that Skylake will be in the next iMacs instead of Broadwell. There are so few Broadwell CPUs out there, it made little impact in any PC/enthusiast/Mac marketplace.