Apple Updates iMac Lineup With Up to 8-Core 9th-Gen Intel Processors and Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options

[MacRumors]

Nearly two years have passed since Apple last refreshed the iMac, but updates are finally here for both 4K and 5K models.

Apple today announced that its iMac lineup has been updated with Intel's latest 8th-gen and 9th-gen Core processors, including up to a 3.2GHz six-core 8th-gen Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz for the 21.5-inch 4K iMac and up to a 3.6GHz eight-core 9th-gen Core i9 with Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz for the 27-inch 5K iMac.

You'll of course have to pay to get peak performance, as processors range from a 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-gen Core i3 to a 3.7GHz six-core 9th-gen Core i5 in standard configurations of the new 4K and 5K iMacs.

Apple says the new 21.5-inch iMac models deliver up to 60 percent faster performance than the previous generation, while the new 27-inch iMac models deliver up to 2.4 times faster performance than the previous generation, narrowing the gap between the high-end standard iMac and the iMac Pro workstation.

Following in the footsteps of the 2018 MacBook Pro, Radeon Pro Vega graphics options are now available across the new iMac lineup, including Vega 20 for 21.5-inch models and Vega 48 for 27-inch models. Apple advertises up to 80 percent faster graphics performance compared to the previous iMac lineup.

The new iMac lineup offers up to 64GB of faster 2,666MHz DDR4 memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. The base model 21.5-inch 4K iMac in particular has new 32GB memory and 1TB SSD upgrade options for the first time.

Beyond the performance improvements, there is a lot of familiarity. The new iMac models have the same design used since 2012 and the same 4K and 5K displays as the previous generation. I/O also remains unchanged with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3 ports, a SD card slot, a headphone jack, and Gigabit Ethernet.

While the iMac Pro and the latest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini models are equipped with Apple's T2 security chip, we've confirmed with Apple that the new iMac models do not have a T-series chip of any kind.

Unlike the iMac Pro in space gray, Apple says silver remains the sole color option for standard iMac models.

Pricing before upgrades remains unchanged. The new 21.5-inch 4K iMac models start at $1,299 and the new 27-inch 5K iMac models start at $1,799. Both are available to order starting today on Apple.com and the Apple Store app, with availability in Apple Stores and select resellers starting next week.

Apple's senior director of Mac product marketing Tom Boger:

Customers are going to love the huge boost in iMac performance. With up to 8-core processors and powerful Vega graphics, the iMac lineup is stronger than ever. With its stunning Retina display, amazing design, twice the performance, and macOS Mojave that our customers love, iMac is by far the best desktop in the world.

The non-4K entry-level model 21.5-inch iMac was not updated today and remains available from $1,099.

Article Link: Apple Updates iMac Lineup With Up to 8-Core 9th-Gen Intel Processors and Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options

 

[arggg14]

Wow this event in a few days is going to suck.

 

[Logic368]

No usb-c? Are they kidding?!!! Never mind I was wrong

 

[Enclavean]

Apples version of 12 days of christmas

 

[martyjmclean]

It's a shame they didn't update that 2006 design or HDD, but at this point I'll take any scraps Apple throw at the Mac.

 

[Koodauw]

iMac needs an update, the chin needs to go away. I bet they will do a redesign similar to the new Apple Cinema Displays once they are released.

On a side note, anyone know what type of lamp that is in the first picture?

 

[sfwalter]

No usb-c? Are they kidding?!!!

They have 2 USB-C ports like the previous model Wish they had 4.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

No usb-c? Are they kidding?!!! Never mind I was wrong

2 x TB3

 

[az431]

No usb-c? Are they kidding?!!!

Negative comments, how shocking.

In case you missed it in the article, these are updated iMacs, not new iMac models.

 

[oldmacs]

Oh dear lord they've left the 5400RPM HDD.

I really don't get it. Either they leave really old slow 5400RPM drives in, or they go full blazing fast propriety SSD.... Why can't they put in SATA SSDs or fusion drivers where the SATA SSD is the small drive instead?

I have two clients with 2017 iMacs with HDDs and they're as slow as all get out.

 

[chooyoshi]

Wow. I just bought a 2017 21.5 inch iMac in November last year under the recommendation of the apple store customer service Haha.

The fact that the design is still the same is a mixed blessing. People want bezelless screens, but I was afraid that apple would screw up with the next gen iMac and do stupid things like removing USB a ports!

At this rate I suspect that the iPhone se2 and ipod touch 7 will be announced tomorrow.

 

[ipedro]

When they launched the iPads with a press release on a Monday instead of the typical Tuesday, I suspected that this was going to be a full week of hardware announcements ahead of the event. AirPods 2 and AirPower later today or tomorrow? iPod Touch refresh too?

 

[az431]

Oh dear lord they've left the 5400RPM HDD.

I really don't get it. Either they leave really old slow 5400RPM drives in, or they go full blazing fast propriety SSD.... Why can't they put in SATA SSDs or fusion drivers where the SATA SSD is the small drive instead?

I have two clients with 2017 iMacs with HDDs and they're as slow as all get out.

What don't you get? Do you really think the average consumer cares or can tell the difference between 5400, 7200, Fusion, and SSD?
[doublepost=1552999129][/doublepost]

Wow. I just bought a 2017 21.5 inch iMac in November last year under the recommendation of the apple store customer service Haha.

The fact that the design is still the same is a mixed blessing. People want bezelless screens, but I was afraid that apple would screw up with the next gen iMac and do stupid things like removing USB a ports!

At this rate I suspect that the iPhone se2 and ipod touch 7 will be announced tomorrow.

There will never be another SE.

 

[jb-net]

Still a HDD in 2019, can't belive it

 

[Niko Todd]

Where is the up-gradable Mac Pro and the 30-bit Apple Display w/o glossy screen?
Where is the new USB port?
Or just remove the "i" from the name.

 

[Bnazzaro]

No usb-c? Are they kidding?!!! Never mind I was wrong

There’s two of them.

 

[chrfr]

What don't you get? Do you really think the average consumer cares or can tell the difference between 5400, 7200, Fusion, and SSD?

The average customer absolutely knows that their computer is way too slow when it comes with a 5400 rpm drive. I support a few people that have them and the experience using these computers is terrible.

 

[tgdbowler]

FINALLY!!! Maybe I can put my mid 2010 iMac to rest at last.

 

[mozumder]

Seems due for a redesign soon. Way beyond the 4 year cycle for iMac design. Last major redesign was 2012.

 

[Objectivist]

Pathetic. So disappointing.

 

[ROGmaster]

Apple today announced that its iMac lineup has been updated with Intel's latest 8th-generation and 9th-generation Core processors

Oh look Apple did exactly what I was suggesting(about 2 months ago) they should do.
So I guess I was right even if the windmills were disagreeing with me.

 

[az431]

When they launched the iPads with a press release on a Monday instead of the typical Tuesday, I suspected that this was going to be a full week of hardware announcements ahead of the event. AirPods 2 and AirPower later today or tomorrow?

There is no Tuesday rule. The upcoming March 25 event is on a Monday, and the last event on September 12 was on a Wednesday. In 2016, Apple held a Mac event on a Thursday.

The fact that an event is held earlier or later in the week does not necessarily mean that there are other product announcements.

 

[martyjmclean]

Where is the up-gradable Mac Pro and the 30-bit Apple Display w/o glossy screen?
Where is the new USB port?
Or just remove the "i" from the name.

The new Mac Pro is coming later this year, as confirmed. I don't know what a "30-bit" display is so perhaps enlighten me?
The new USB ports are on the back of this new iMac.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Excellent, besides the 6-cores, not much improvement from my current iMac

I’ll wait for the 2021 redesign.

 

[Dubadai]

iMac needs an update, the chin needs to go away. I bet they will do a redesign similar to the new Apple Cinema Displays once they are released.

On a side note, anyone know what type of lamp that is in the first picture?

Lamp is this one: https://menu.as/en/website/lightning/jwda-table-lamp-marble/

Got like 30 of them at work, really nice light and its dimmable at the knob!

The one I linked is the marble one, but there are many different ones