Apple Reportedly Developing Larger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display

Yes, an SD card slot would be welcome, as well as at least 3 USB-C ports, at least 1 USB-B port, and Ethernet on the machine, not the power brick (plus perhaps HDMI, for maximum connectivity). In any case, I’m wishing here…who knows what Apple will end up doing.
I hear ya, but yeah an HDMI port on an iMac will simply never happen, there’s just no way. Mainly because no one would use it or need it, and the very very very small minority that would, would just use a thunderbolt port with an adapter or dock. And I honestly prefer the Ethernet on the power brick so much more, it’s much cleaner to just have 1 cable going to the computer than 2. With a “Pro” iMac I would say it’s a given that there will be at least 3 thunderbolt ports, more likely there will be 4, since they would have the Pro chip and probably even a Max chip option. I don’t see them doing a USB-A port though, especially if having one would cause the entire computer a need to be thicker, Apple would absolutely just forgo having old school USB in order to keep it as thin as possible. Which is why I would definitely expect the SD card slot to be on the side next to the headphone jack.
 
I hear ya, but yeah an HDMI port on an iMac will simply never happen, there’s just no way. Mainly because no one would use it or need it, and the very very very small minority that would, would just use a thunderbolt port with an adapter or dock. And I honestly prefer the Ethernet on the power brick so much more, it’s much cleaner to just have 1 cable going to the computer than 2. With a “Pro” iMac I would say it’s a given that there will be at least 3 thunderbolt ports, more likely there will be 4, since they would have the Pro chip and probably even a Max chip option. I don’t see them doing a USB-A port though, especially if having one would cause the entire computer a need to be thicker, Apple would absolutely just forgo having old school USB in order to keep it as thin as possible. Which is why I would definitely expect the SD card slot to be on the side next to the headphone jack.
BTW, going the other direction... I used my 2010 iMac as a monitor for several years actually, via mini-DisplayPort.


dualimac_combined_1008_nogps-jpg.708199


Ironically, Thunderbolt is a disadvantage now, since it requires host OS support. With my 2010 iMac, basically any machine that can output video over mini-DisplayPort can work with it.
 
Last edited:
Very much agreed, Apple needs bigger iMacs out this year.

And for God's sake no MagSafe! It's crucial on a laptop but has no business on a desktop. Bonus if they drop the current iMac power brick as well.

The only unfortunately is that $3999–$4999 would be for a 27" machine, painful but those of us waiting would probably buy. A 32" model will be north of $7000.
The magnetic connection on the new iMac is what allows it to be as thin as it is. It’s not like Apple just did it for the fun of it, they were overcoming a problem that a thin iMac introduced. A standard D-Plug wouldn’t fit in something as thin as the iMac. And as others have said it’s not MagSafe, it’s held in super strong, it just needed to be that way so it can be as strong as possible in such a shallow body. Plus Ethernet in the power supply makes for a cleaner setup because now you just have 1 cable going to the computer instead of 2, I much prefer it that way.
 
I used my 2010 iMac as a monitor for several years actually, via mini-DisplayPort.


dualimac_combined_1008_nogps-jpg.708199


Ironically, Thunderbolt is a disadvantage now, since it requires host OS support. With my 2010 iMac, basically any machine that can output video over mini-DisplayPort can work with it.
Oh well yeah of course, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for Apple to bring back Target Display Mode. It’s honestly very environmentally UN-friendly that they got rid of it. I used it several times back in the day as well. So yeah if Apple brought back that feature and were able to make the HDMI port an output and an input then hell yeah! But unfortunately they’re not going to, which is why I said they simply will not put HDMI on an iMac. Honestly even if Apple brought back Target Display Mode I still think the farthest they would go with it would be to make one of the thunderbolt ports the video input, which honestly even that would make me very happy. But yeah HDMI still wouldn’t be on the machine at all.
 
2017 iMac owner as well. I can’t decide whether to try and hold out for this iMac or the M3 studio line up. Or just jump in now with the M2. Tough call since Apple is always so vague with their products and timelines
 
2017 iMac owner as well. I can’t decide whether to try and hold out for this iMac or the M3 studio line up. Or just jump in now with the M2. Tough call since Apple is always so vague with their products and timelines
What are you using it for?
 
I was in the market for just this.

Couldn't wait. Bought a 16 MBP and a large monitor instead.

That's exactly what I did when the new 16" MBPs dropped in Oct 2021 (Didn't actually want a laptop with an inferior third party monitor). Of course Apple then released the Mac Studio and Studio Display in March 2022. I was so pissed.

Fast forward to June 2023. I now have a height adjustable Studio Display and an M2 Ultra Mac Studio on my desk. Works much better than an iMac for my use.
 
Pretty heavy music production with video and 4k video editing. Thanks! I’m experiencing slowdowns but I guess it is tolerable
I'm no music/video expert, but from what I've seen in reviews: In your shoes I would have gotten at least a base Mac Studio already.
 
I would seriously consider buying a 30" iMac to replace my 27" iMac. I'm not interested in the current iMacs because I don't want a smaller screen. A Studio Display + Mac Studio or Mac Mini setup costs a lot. So I think there is definitely a gap in the Mac lineup that a 30" iMac would fill well.

Wish list for redesigned iMacs:
  • Allow vertical and horizontal adjustment of the screen.
  • Follow the design philosophy of the current MBA and MBP and make functionality and connectivity more important than a thin enclosure.
  • Make Ethernet standard on all configurations.
  • Make the full set of ports standard on all configurations.
  • Don't remove the headphone jack!
I can't wait to swivel my iMac 90* to the right and rip out all the cables plugged into it / pull peripherals off the desk / redo my setup every time I want to vertically scroll my email...
 
Will most likely be a 'Pro' iMac with a big price tag.

Would love to see just a bigger iMac with a simple increase in screen size, just like the bigger MacBook Air with a price tag of $1999. Will be wonderful if it comes in multiple colours like the 24" iMac
 
After using my Pro Display XDR for a while, I'll never go back to 27"... so a larger screen is welcome news.

I just think it should be a 30" Studio Display. I have no love for all-in-ones, but if they are going to make an iMac it should match the size and aesthetic of the Studio Display so you can use them side-by-side.
 
I was convinced Apple gave up on the larger iMac, in part due to the release of the Studio Display. I had predicted they would just increase the current iMac to a 25" and call it a day.

So why a larger iMac now when the Studio Display and Mac Studio exist? Those products aren't cheap so my suspicion is they're applying the same logic as the recently released 15" MacBook Air. I don't think it will be positioned or priced as a pro product. Even the original iMac Pro didn't sell that well, and there are even better products for Apple "Pros" today. A larger regular iMac I can see if it's priced reasonably. I think the main selling point would have to be price.

What is very curious though is the rumoured size of at least 30". Even at 30", that's a 6" difference from the current 24". Is the rumour inaccurate or are Apple also planning on increasing the size of the 24"? Can't see them leaving the gap at 6". Also not sure how an iMac with a 30" display will make Studio Display owners feel. Interesting.
 
Dream iMac would be something with specs that match a Mac Studio and Pro Display XDR in size at a <$6000 price point.

That kind of deal would be a big seller despite how few could actually put down that kind of money in one payment.

But my inner pragmatic, amateur analyst tells me that a <$6000 >30” 6K display with a built in flagship spec’ed Apple Silicon Mac can never be a reality as long as Apple still wants to sell its two current dedicated displays, Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.

The solution is as simple as discontinuing those displays. But then mini and Mac Studio sales would suffer quite a bit.

Maybe the solution is to give this iMac a great display but specs that fall more between Mac mini and Mac Studio instead of something that matches or outperforms the latter?

What step on the Mac value ladder would a >30” iMac sit on without compromising sales of other Macs? I can’t see it right now.
 
What is very curious though is the rumoured size of at least 30". Even at 30", that's a 6" difference from the current 24". Is the rumour inaccurate or are Apple also planning on increasing the size of the 24"? Can't see them leaving the gap at 6".
? The gap used to be 5.5”.


Also not sure how an iMac with a 30" display will make Studio Display owners feel. Interesting.
Meh.
 
Maybe, and I’m just spitballing here, a $3 trillion global tech company doesn’t plan their long-term product pipelines on whatever gear you happen to own right now.
Huh ?

A logical, sensible comment on MacRumors: the sky must be falling !

The country has far too many cry babies who want new toys.

Folks, if you don't need a new computer, don't buy a new computer.
 
Last edited:
This is just stupid at this point. Most of us will have had to transition to a Mac Studio and display before that happens. I was holding out for an imac but like holding out til this fall…
Hear Hear Makes you think about moving away from Apple. I'm 75 and will be dead before it comes out. I've been waiting two years all ready.
 
Hear Hear Makes you think about moving away from Apple. I'm 75 and will be dead before it comes out. I've been waiting two years all ready.
Ugh yeah my parents are your age and i just got them the 24” imac this year as dated as it is now cus they needed one asap. I’ve been waiting since that came out for a pro model as well and now i find myself trying to convince my boss to get me a studio at work but he’s balking at the price of the monitor as I expected.. when its an all in one no one bats an eye.
 
And that is exactly the idea behind it to make more $$$ by selling Studio + Display.
If they do this imac the way I expect it will cost more than a studio plus a display and all the value we once got from buying iMacs will be lost. I mean how many people really bought the iMac pro of 2017. It was a big waste of money when they regular 2019 iMacs came out and were essentially faster than it
 
Now that I’ve used a 32” display for about a year I couldn’t imagine working on anything smaller
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top