Gurman: Apple Still Working on 'Pro' iMac With Larger Screen

[MacRumors]

Apple is still working on an iMac with a larger display and a more powerful chip aimed at the professional market, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman suggested that Apple is working on at least two iMac models, likely using the "M3" series of chips. Gurman says that Apple will likely launch an updated 24-inch iMac featuring the standard M3 chip in 2023 and is continuing work on a high-end iMac model:

I also still believe that Apple is working on a larger-screened iMac aimed at the professional market. I'd imagine this will use a variation of the M3 chip, likely an M3 Pro and M3 Max. That would match the chips inside of the MacBook Pro. I don't think the combination of a Mac Studio or Mac mini plus an Apple Studio Display cuts it for many pro users who want more screen real estate.

In March 2021, Apple discontinued the iMac Pro, and in March 2022, it discontinued the 27-inch Intel-based version of the iMac, leaving the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip as the only remaining iMac model. For now, Apple has effectively replaced the 27-inch iMac with the Mac Studio and its matching Studio Display and some sources claim that there is no high-end iMac in development, but Gurman is among the pundits claiming that a more powerful, larger iMac is still on the way.

A 24-inch iMac with the M2 chip has been missing from Gurman's forecast of upcoming M2 Macs on Apple's product road map, which includes new Mac mini models with M2 and M2 Pro chips, new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, and a new Mac Pro tower with M2 Ultra and "M2 Extreme" chips. Gurman expects an updated 24-inch iMac to be among the first M3 series of Macs, which will include an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, an all-new 15-inch MacBook Air, and potentially a new 12-inch notebook that is "still in early development."

Gurman previously said that the launch of the new high-end iMac "won't be anytime soon," and use of M3 series chips would indicate that may not emerge until 2023 at the earliest. The M3 family of chips are expected to be built on TSMC's 3nm technology, unlike the M1 and M2, which are built using a 5nm process. The more advanced manufacturing process is expected to bring significant performance and efficiency improvements.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Still Working on 'Pro' iMac With Larger Screen

 

[MajorFubar]

The problem with Gurman is he has to produce these newsletters once a week now, and genuine insider info doesn't come that fast. So half his output (at best) is based on genuine info with at least some modicum of truthfulness, while the rest is his own musings to make up virtual column inches, and we never truly know which is which until a product is (or isn't) launched.

 

[Feek]

Ahh, Gurman. Make up a new story every few days and you'll always get at least one or two of them right.

Take this with a huge pinch of salt.

 

[SamRyouji]

I'll believe it when I see it.
Seriously, this iMac Pro with M1/M2/M3/Mx chip rumours has been going for such a long time it feels like dragging a dead horse.

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

I'll need to bookmark this article and come back in late 2023 to see how much of his prophecies actually came true?

 

[SpotOnT]

I really don't see Apple releasing both an iMac Pro and the Mac Studio. Maybe they are just waiting to see how sales go to decide which one to go with.

The weak link in the Mac Studio set up is the Studio Display. They really need to get mini-LED/HDR and Promoton on that to make it attractive.

 

[HappyDude20]

There’s no way Apple won’t eventually release a 27 inch iMac.

The real question is:

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO CHARGE?

 

[MajorFubar]

There’s no way Apple won’t eventually release a 27 inch iMac.

The real question is:

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO CHARGE?

 

[JanoschR]

From Gurman:

I don't think the combination of a Mac Studio or Mac mini plus an Apple Studio Display cuts it for many pro users who want more screen real estate

Sounds like bs to me. The Studio Display is 27" (the same the old 'big' iMac was). If you're a pro user for whom the missing 5" are mission critical you can get the XDR. And if this is so important for your work, you should be able to afford the price.

 

[profets]

When the iMac went to the new 24” design with M1 and smaller bezels, it felt so obvious that the 27” would maybe grow to 30-32” with a new design.

Given it’s been well over a year, and the 27” studio display became an option, along with the intel 27” iMac disappearing, I really don’t know what to think anymore.

A larger iMac ‘Pro’ with M3 Pro seems like it would still be 2 years away. We’ve just started with the M2.

 

[Nicole1980]

In this case it may be justified, but Apple has so completely worn out the 'pro' moniker that I don't even know what the heck that means to them anymore.

 

[JanoschR]

In this case it may be justified, but Apple has so completely worn out the 'pro' moniker that I don't even know what the heck that means to them anymore.

On the other hand: they have shipped so many great 'Mac' products recently, I don't really care about the marketing names.

 

[Zmmyt]

considering how powerful the Studio is, not sure an iMac Pro is a desirable product. but I wouldn't know the target audience, if there is one.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Oh, be still mine beating heart!

 

[skitidetdu]

Were there any rumours that Apple isn't working on it?

 

[EugW]

Sounds like bs to me. The Studio Display is 27" (the same the old 'big' iMac was). If you're a pro user for whom the missing 5" are mission critical you can get the XDR. And if this is so important for your work, you should be able to afford the price.

Speaking of BS: That includes the argument that if it's for your work, then money should be no object.

 

[ascender]

Who knows what the iMac Pro would even be now. If they released a larger version of the M1 iMac, but with the M1 Pro chip in it (for argument's sake), that might take away a lot of potential customers for an iMac Pro.

Not to mention the Mac Studio and Studio Display/XDR combo has also taken away some of those customers for whom an iMac Pro might have been an option (I count myself as one of them).

How could they differentiate a standalone iMac Pro from the rest of their lineup - other than it being an all-in-one machine obviously?

The iMac Pro was a much-loved machine by those of us who bought it, but it was a short-term fix until the Mac Pro came along and the M1 chips have since addressed a lot of the other shortcomings in the Intel-based lineup which made people buy the iMac Pro.

 

[kingjames1970]

In 2017 I swapped to an iMac Pro + LG5K. I’ve now moved to a 14 Max MBP and the same LG. But now the LG5K is now displaying pink round all the edges. Even if I could get hold of one, the studio display feels like a rip off - the price for what is pretty much the same screen as I’ve had for 5 years is not right. I’m tempted by the Pro Display XDR because you can’t unsee how good the MBP screens are but even though that is actually fairly priced and modern, it’s probably outside what I should spend for my needs. My current plan is to wait until the Oct event (if I can) and see if they launch something new along side the Mac Pro which I assume must be announced by then.

 

[CyberBob859]

I don't understand why there won't be a 24" iMac with an M2 chip, replacing the M1, either later this year or early next. This should be a relatively easy thing to do requiring minimal engineering resources. They did this with the 13" MacBook Pro. Why wait for the M3?

 

[TallManNY]

The Mac Studio solves so many problems and a Pro set up is so likely to be a dual monitor display situation, that I'm not sure where the iMac Pro is going to really sit. But the Mx architecture solves so many thermal issues, that I don't really see that many challenges with building another iMac Pro. Some challenges, sure. But not nearly as hard as the original iMac Pro.

 

[Juicy Box]

Apple has so completely worn out the 'pro' moniker that I don't even know what the heck that means to them anymore.

I think Apple's naming has gotten pretty ridiculous, and not just "Pro".

M1 Max, sounds just like M1 Macs, it gets confusing when said out loud in conversations. I can only imagine what the Mac Pro replacement names will be. M2 Max Mac Pro, M2 Max Pro, M2 Max Pro Extreme Mac Pro.

Apple TV, Apple TV+, and Apple TV app is even worse, as they are often confused, mixed up, and used interchangeably with each other, and not just by the average non-techie, but even the Apple fans on MR.

 

[JanoschR]

Speaking of BS: That includes the argument that if it's for your work, then money should be no object.

Tell me the job where you need 32" (and 27" won't cut it) and you don't make enough money to justify the purchase.

 

[Souponastick270]

Hmm so an M1 iMac with 4 ports is £1449 and a Studio Display which is just a 5+ year old iMac panel with an iPhone chip in it is £1499 - I’d hedge my bets that at the very cheapest Apple would go is £2000-£2500 and even then it wouldn’t be allowed to out perform the Mac Studio or it’d eat into its sales…

 

[Juicy Box]

Tell me the job where you need 32" (and 27" won't cut it) and you don't make enough money to justify the purchase.

Maybe OnlyFans?

 

[Juicy Box]

I don't understand why there won't be a 24" iMac with an M2 chip, replacing the M1, either later this year or early next. This should be a relatively easy thing to do requiring minimal engineering resources. They did this with the 13" MacBook Pro. Why wait for the M3?

It might cannibalize sales of the Mac Studio.