Apple to Update iMac Alongside or Soon After MacBook Pro?

[MacRumors]

In a report touching on Apple's imminent MacBook Pro refresh widely expected to occur this Thursday, DigiTimes briefly suggests that Apple may also update its iMac line either alongside or soon after the notebook line's update. In addition, the iMac update may see a change in screen size offerings from the current 21.5- and 27-inch models.

In addition to notebooks, the supply chain sources also pointed out that Apple may also launch its new iMac along with its MacBook, and the company may also make some changes over the screen size to allow panel cutting to reach its optimization.

While Apple's MacBook Pro line is significantly overdue for an update based on past release intervals, the iMac line is just now approaching the end of its usual lifecycle, meaning that an update in the near future would not be out of line.

Apple's online stores are not, however, showing the same slippage of shipping estimates that have been popping up for the MacBook Pro line, suggesting that Apple either simply still has ample supply of the existing models even with an update coming in just a few days or will be scheduling the iMac update for a different date a bit further down the road.

Today's report also suggests that while the MacBook Pro update does appear likely to occur before the end of the month, significant volume production will not pick up until March. It is unclear whether such a production ramp will result in tight supplies in the first few weeks as pent-up demand for Apple's popular notebook line soaks up available supply.

Article Link: Apple to Update iMac Alongside or Soon After MacBook Pro?

 

[BJB Productions]

Whooo busy day for MRs! The stories are flying in.

 

[talkingfuture]

I guess that if they are bringing our light peak it would be handy to upgrade the other models too so it is on as many machines as possible. I also saw an article by Cringely saying that Mac Mini's with Light Peak would be coming out soon.

http://www.cringely.com/2011/02/attack-of-the-minis/

 

[v2kea412]

Nice! Then maybe there is a redesign coming for the MBP.... Perhaps changing the exterior color of the MBP and iMac to a gun metal is closer than we think! Let's hope!

 

[winty03]

Come on iMacs..looking to get into a refreshed model ASAP!!

 

[Mattsasa]

probably not along side,

but soon after! I am excited

 

[aiqw9182]

30" and 24" 16:10? All Apple has to do is make the screen take up the chin, correct?

 

[The Samurai]

How bad would it be if they put lightpeak in the iMacs and not the MBP's.

 

[ConnorTurnbull]

Hope so!

 

[AnDi86]

Have been contemplating selling my MBP in favour of a refreshed iMac when they finally land.. was hoping to wait till the summer to have some more funds gathered up, but hey....

 

[applefan289]

I'm much more excited about the iMacs than the Macbook Pros. If there's a redesign, I couldn't imagine how much better it would be than the current design. Though I could imagine a thinner, less clunky iMac (not that the current one is clunky).

 

[Sodner]

Mainstream Pricing

I hope they follow up with their promise of "more mainstream pricing" and come out with a 17' or 18" iMac. I have one last Windows PC to replace in my house and I'm holding out hope that this could be done for perhaps something in the $799 price range.

 

[Torrijos]

The entire Mac range is in dire need of a refresh!

With new technologies like USB 3 (for legacy and PC-Mac exchange purpose), LightPeak (for big storage external media (backup), for screens (trying to unify video ports once and for all and maybe make a greener use of discreet GPUs by using them only when need and reverting to Sandy Bridge graphics for non intensive tasks)), SSD (principally for the system and cache).

All those techs would be nice even on mac minis and mac pros.
Even the macbook Air could use USB 3 or LightPeak.

 

[HarryKeogh]

Sweet! I just put my MacBook Pro on Craigslist (sell before the new ones come out and drive down demand) to get cash for a future iMac. Be great if they come out sooner than later.

 

[thanxal]

The rumor mill is in overdrive lately. At this rate the only Apple product that won't be getting updated are the earbud earphones!

Its like kids on Christmas eve lately!

 

[QCassidy352]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Changing the screen sizes again? Wasn't it only one or two generations ago that they went from 20/24 to 21.5/27?

I have a 20" 2008 iMac that has been really great. I think I'll be going portable this tome around though.

 

[Hallivand]

Here we go again...

Let me guess, tomorrow "rumor" has it that the new Mac Mini will be released soon. Followed by a surprise Mac Pro! While we're at it, why not throw in a special post production Xserve refresh and a Powerbook G5. Rumor says they'll be released next Tuesday.

.......Really people. Really.

~ Patience is a Virtue ~

 

[madzr]

I'm going to buy a MacBook Pro, so I don't care about iMacs but hey! This is a great news coz IMHO the only reason for refreshing the desktops too would be the intruduction of iLightPeak and -perhaps- Liquidmetal.
Even if I'm quite skeptical.

 

[dr Dunkel]

Oh, happy, happy, joy, joy... I hadn't expected a refresh just yet. However, nice to see that Apple is trying to keep up!

 

[beg_ne]

2011 will be a great year! Looking forward to:

• iPhone 5
• iPad 2
• iOS 5
• Xcode 4
• OSX Lion
• New iMac and/or new MBP's

 

[MCIowaRulz]

A moment of silence for my PM G4 867 from 01...
While I soon will layer her to rest
10 years but can barely handle Word Email anymore

1 $1499 iMac Please

Today's Macs offer so much bang for buck compared to when I bought mine

 

[coryndiego]

I just bought a 27" i7Q iMac and love it but... this puppy is going back to apple online if they announce a new iMac this week. I have until March 3rd until the 14 days are up. This is a beautiful machine and much more than I need but this release sounds like it could be a major upgrade...game changer. (if they follow the same rumored MacBook Pro specs.) I already got stuck with a G5 PPC 30 days before Intels were announced.

 

[slicecom]

30" and 24" 16:10? All Apple has to do is make the screen take up the chin, correct?

Screen size was never the limiting factor in terms of removing the chin. If Apple wanted to remove the chin, they could have done it years ago.

 

[aiqw9182]

Screen size was never the limiting factor in terms of removing the chin. If Apple wanted to remove the chin, they could have done it years ago.

I never said it was? The chin isn't just for show. It houses components. They can keep using the same components now if all they do is make the screen take up the chin. The iMac will stay the same dimensions.

 

[Shivetya]

It would make sense if they are introducing Light Peak technology on the notebooks as it would not make much sense not to have it on all models as soon as possible