iMac Pro Launched Five Years Ago Today

[theluggage]

I lusted after the iMac Pro for years but couldn’t drop $5k on it.

A Studio Max with 1TB storage, 32GB RAM a 10-core processor, 32 core GPU, plus a Studio Display comes to $4k - the Studio Ultra is probably more comparable with a $7-8k 18 core iMac Pro configuration - and buying a Studio Display isn't compulsory - cheaper alternatives are available. I'd say that was an improvement price-wise, provided your software plays well with Apple Silicon.

Now, I prefer the modularity of Mac Studio.

...and I think that will apply to a lot of customers. If there's been a headless alternative to the iMac Pro in 2017 (say, if Apple had managed to bring the trashcan up to credible 2017 spec & you'd paired it with an LG Ultrafine 5k) then, today, you'd just be looking at swapping out your Trashcan for a Studio and keeping your display... and if a shiny new MiniLED display comes out next year, you can just replace the display.

I'm using a pair of relatively cheap 3:2 4k+ displays on my Studio. Is the display quality as tip-top as a Studio Display? No - but it's still pretty good and a pair of matched 3:2 displays if far closer to what I want/need than a single, super-duper, one-size-fits-all 5k panel. For lots of applications that aren't video production - like coding or music - screen estate via >27" screens or multiple screens is king. Even for serious photography/print production, super-bright P3/HDR isn't necessarily the best.

I think the iMac Pro and high-end i9 iMac stopped making sense as soon as Apple themselves started offering a choice of their own displays again: apart from the newer Studio Display (with maybe another in the pipeline), there's the Pro XDR which some Pro customers will presumably want rather than a 5k iMac.

Meanwhile, with no great performance difference between the M1 Max in a MacBook Pro and the M1 Max in a desktop, a lot of people who previously had a laptop for portability and an iMac for power are going to be satisfied with just a laptop - with the option of a Studio Display (which, if you look at it, is designed as much as a MacBook docking station as a Mac Studio accessory).

 

[lanomds1]

I'm still rocking mine and it's been doing great. A very powerful machine even for today's standards.

 

[Blackstick]

I think its fair to assume by now that a "27"+ version" just isnt coming.

I've watched Apple for 20+ years, and worked there for 7.

I gave up trying to predict their moves a long time ago. They'll always surprise in one direction or the other. If there's a margin they like and a market they can find, they'll eventually ship a product to fit it... now more than ever.

Lots of 27" iMac owners still hanging out there - Apple knows they're not necessarily going to buy a Mini or a Studio, and then they lose the display revenue.

I personally moved to a 42" OLED TV and use it with my MacBook Pro, but my wife is still on our 2017 27"... if Apple knows she'll spend $2500 on a 27" M2/M3, when the alternative is only giving them $1400 for a 24" M2/M3... they'll eventually ship a 27" and happily take the extra $1100. 24" 4K panels won't be "the standard" forever... one day only the 27" 5K panel is available from the Asian suppliers. And there it is, inevitably, the iMac someday becomes a 27" (or 30") again. Now... this isn't on a schedule... 2 years, 5 years? That's the unpredictable part.

 

[ryanmp]

Yea and now all we have is an outdated 24inch iMac. So sad.

 

[dukebound85]

That's what I would have done, actually, just for the much better repairability. A "pro" machine you can't open to blow dust away and change the thermal paste is a joke.

there is no need to change thermal paste

 

[kyjaotkb]

$5000 USD in 2022 is about $3400 in 2006, so not too far off.

the Powermac G4 started at $1,599. OK, you only got a G4 350 and PCI ports but still...

 

[cicalinarrot]

there is no need to change thermal paste

Some Macs get 10°C less on idle after repasting which, when brought at peak temperature that is always a little under 100°C, means better performance. Not sure if that's more about how old the thermal paste is or the stock one being inefficient (I've always suspected they use long-lasting but not great thermal paste).

 

[stocklen]

I've watched Apple for 20+ years, and worked there for 7.

I gave up trying to predict their moves a long time ago. They'll always surprise in one direction or the other. If there's a margin they like and a market they can find, they'll eventually ship a product to fit it... now more than ever.

Lots of 27" iMac owners still hanging out there - Apple knows they're not necessarily going to buy a Mini or a Studio, and then they lose the display revenue.

I personally moved to a 42" OLED TV and use it with my MacBook Pro, but my wife is still on our 2017 27"... if Apple knows she'll spend $2500 on a 27" M2/M3, when the alternative is only giving them $1400 for a 24" M2/M3... they'll eventually ship a 27" and happily take the extra $1100. 24" 4K panels won't be "the standard" forever... one day only the 27" 5K panel is available from the Asian suppliers. And there it is, inevitably, the iMac someday becomes a 27" (or 30") again. Now... this isn't on a schedule... 2 years, 5 years? That's the unpredictable part.

Thants fair,

And each to their own. Its certainly true that nobody really knows what Apple is intending to do with their desktop lineup...

But currently it is pretty clear the the desktop lineup for "home" users is 24" iMac, or Studio Display with Mac Mini.
"pro" users have a lot more things to choose from but we cant loose sight that M1 machines are already ludicrously overpowered for most people - its only the high end video and graphics production professionals that really *need* more and they are very well catered for - with the mac studio, and the mac pro to chose from along with a couple of Apple displays.

Personally, I started off incredulous at the new iMac 24... and was also convinced that there would surely be a 30" version coming to replace the 27. After a few months... I really needed to replace my ageing 27" iMac and I came to the realisation that Apple may well not be intending to bring out a larger version. To me, screen size isnt paramount as im just as happy on my 13" MacBook as I make use of spaces a lot so adjusting to a smaller screen wasnt much of a push. Also, I tried the 24 in the apple store and its a lovely display... and I realised then that going from 27 to 24 was no big deal at all. And.. it wasnt. Of course we also have the ability to use iPads as second screens etc etc....

Im certainly not saying that everyone who is patiently waiting for a 27" iMac should give up and get the studio display and a mac mini.... of course not.... but I do wonder after nearly 2 years where that faith is coming from that they will be releasing a "home" user focused larger screen iMac. Its undoubtedly coming as a form factor... but in my opinion will just be a replacement for the old iMac Pro with relative specs and a price to match!

 

[ahaslam]

I'm still waiting for a 27" iMac. I wanted to upgrade years ago...

 

[philcourage]

4th gen iPod Shuffle is peak Apple design to me. Each to his own : )

The one with no buttons? I had the first and second gen. Great product

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Not getting my hopes up, though.

In this case, likely the best mindset to have.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The Mac Studio is really just a stopgap until Apple brings out the Mx Mac Pro. Once they do that they'll abandon the Mac Studio and bring out the larger iMac again.

Someone else kinda said this as well, but I think EVERY high end system is a one-off stopgap based on what those VERY few people, that need the HIGHEST possible macOS performance, would purchase at that moment in time. Will Apple expand their desktop options? I tend to think not as they’ve been focusing on providing fewer desktop solutions/price points for that decreasing number of buyers.

 

[kingtj1971]

This is probably my fave apple MacOS machine I've ever owned. It was just so capable.

I'm still using mine.... It's been relegated to my "music workstation" at this point, in my basement. I have some older gear attached to it (Saffire Pro Firewire interface and a Line 6 POD XT Pro attached via USB). Can't even run this stuff on an M1 series Mac with newer OS X versions anymore, so this is probably about the nicest, highest-end Intel-based Mac I can reasonably pair with it.

Still love the 5K display built into it, too. I guess I'll let it go if and when I decide to upgrade my music gear, and replace it with a Mac Studio and separate 4K display (or a pair of them). But that feels like just burning money for little benefit at the moment.

 

[Beautiful Opinion]

It'll be back, if you want a 27 inch iMac. You will be forced to pay that extra premium if you want a large screen. 🙄

 

[mrr]

I just want a 27” iMac.

Don’t want to pay extra for a Pro.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The thermal design is still unmatched.

Its' all about that Nutty

 

[DeepIn2U]

That's what I would have done, actually, just for the much better repairability. A "pro" machine you can't open to blow dust away and change the thermal paste is a joke.

You shouldn't need to change the Thermal paste of ANY personal computer if assembly was done right (including BIOS, cooling, drivers). IF not done right then there are bigger issues to resolve at hand than changing your Thermal paste, in my opinion.

Pro machines can also include servers that most users do NOT have access to. So 'Pro machine' is relevant to the application you're using or the environment.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The Mac Studio is really just a stopgap until Apple brings out the Mx Mac Pro. Once they do that they'll abandon the Mac Studio and bring out the larger iMac again.

I kinda doubt that.

The iMac Pro was a stop gap until the 2021 Mac Pro debut. That's about 4yrs service use.

Apple easily could've released a Mac Mini M1 Pro / M1 Max but thermal threshold's may not have sufficed. The Mac Studio was born and to be honest may actually stay in the lineup. We may see a 27" iMac return but not with 8/10/18 cores like the Intel iMac Pro.

a super beefy iMac with 1 screen and another not matching seems cumbersome at best an eye-sore at the least.

Time will tell though.

 

[cicalinarrot]

You shouldn't need to change the Thermal paste of ANY personal computer if assembly was done right (including BIOS, cooling, drivers). IF not done right then there are bigger issues to resolve at hand than changing your Thermal paste, in my opinion.

Pro machines can also include servers that most users do NOT have access to. So 'Pro machine' is relevant to the application you're using or the environment.

Let's assume you're right and one shouldn't change the thermal paste (which you could totally want to do and arguably should).
How about dust in the fans? What's their (and your) excuse for a powerful machine that's supposed to be cleaned once a year and can't be opened by users or even the IT guys at your company?

 

[brunerd]

If you go on the Refurb page right now they are still trying to sell them at pretty premium prices: Ranging from $5,269 up to $10,499 🤑 Maybe the fire sale will come later when macOS is Apple Silicon only! Just remember that Apple does not official designate "End Of Life" for any of their OSes they just get put out to unmentioned pastures. So maybe they'll only shave off another 5% when they don't run the newest macOS 😆

 

[DeepIn2U]

Let's assume you're right and one shouldn't change the thermal paste (which you could totally want to do and arguably should).
How about dust in the fans? What's their (and your) excuse for a powerful machine that's supposed to be cleaned once a year and can't be opened by users or even the IT guys at your company?

Lol ... no again you should NOT change the thermal paste after proper assembly.
- A unless changing the heat-sync and/or cooling fan or setting up water-cooling with rad then in a 5-10yr Personal Computer lifespan you should not need nor for want to change the thermal paste.
> A computer is not a combustion engine where you need to change the engine oil every 20K kms.
> A computer that is assembled with the right parts to begin with should NEVER need to have it disassembled to change the thermal paste - doing that ALONE will barely give you 2% improvement and would not last more than 30 days. It is paste, not the heat-sync nor cooling apparatus.

OMG.

There is no excuse made for dusting the the fans. Use an air can and removing the shell of the Mac Studio, MBP, Mac Mini and iMac is VERY easy to do with standard tools.

You're making an excuse to suit your point and there is no excuse that is valid to suit your point, making it just an unnecessary complaint.

And I am I.T. guy at the company I work for supporting 400 users directly including trade floor and many more remotely. In the last 4yrs I've taken apart HP notebooks more often for RAM increases, cleaning the fans more than Xeon desktops by a margin of 40:1 !

This is working with workstation class computers not do it your poor self at home setup rigs that depend more on asthestics vs longevity of the sum of the parts to work synergisticaly as a whole. Very rarely do I need an authorized HP rep to come out onsite unless parts are needed to be installed for which I'm too busy working with access and software to resolve.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Lol ... no again you should NOT change the thermal paste after proper assembly.
- A unless changing the heat-sync and/or cooling fan or setting up water-cooling with rad then in a 5-10yr Personal Computer lifespan you should not need nor for want to change the thermal paste.
> A computer is not a combustion engine where you need to change the engine oil every 20K kms.
> A computer that is assembled with the right parts to begin with should NEVER need to have it disassembled to change the thermal paste - doing that ALONE will barely give you 2% improvement and would not last more than 30 days. It is paste, not the heat-sync nor cooling apparatus.

OMG.

There is no excuse made for dusting the the fans. Use an air can and removing the shell of the Mac Studio, MBP, Mac Mini and iMac is VERY easy to do with standard tools.

You're making an excuse to suit your point and there is no excuse that is valid to suit your point, making it just an unnecessary complaint.

And I am I.T. guy at the company I work for supporting 400 users directly including trade floor and many more remotely. In the last 4yrs I've taken apart HP notebooks more often for RAM increases, cleaning the fans more than Xeon desktops by a margin of 40:1 !

This is working with workstation class computers not do it your poor self at home setup rigs that depend more on asthestics vs longevity of the sum of the parts to work synergisticaly as a whole. Very rarely do I need an authorized HP rep to come out onsite unless parts are needed to be installed for which I'm too busy working with access and software to resolve.

I don't care about your opinion on thermal paste, no matter how many "lols" and "OMGs" you throw at me. I've been literally doing that to Macs for years in a repair shop, Macs that had proper assembly (whatever that's supposed to mean to you) and witnessed many degrees of difference on idle, especially with old ones, which of course mean they can throttle at higher frequency. If that's useless to you, I don't know what to tell you.

About the "shell" you're supposed to remove with standard tools... what the hell are you talking about? iMacs from that era require the screen to be removed to blow dust off fans and coolers. The glass of the screen can be cracked. The flex cables are not easy to remove and connect and you're supposed to put your hands behind the screen, hold it and look for them, possibly touching the exposed PSU with shock hazard that probably won't hurt you but can make you drop the very expensive screen. You need to buy adhesives to hold the screen and carefully remove the old ones which are strong as hell, or the new one won't adhere perfectly. If you do that wrong, the screen could come off and break the cable connector, usually damaging the screen itself or the motherboard (most frequently the backlight).

No one ever cleans their own iMacs internally because Apple doesn't want people to. GPUs have always been one of the weakest components on iMacs (not sure about the Pro, they were very rare, but surely on regular iMacs from the Intel era) and weak/broken fans or a dirty cooler that can cause little airflow obviously contribute to that problem.
An all-in-one consumer product is not the greatest idea but the practicality can justify that. Regular users won't service it or notice performance difference anyway in most cases, for daily use.
A pro all-in-one with glued enclosure is a really bad idea, if you care a little about the most basic servicing. There's a reason why other companies make cases for pro towers that are easy to open, with hard drives that are easy to swap. A Mac Mini makes that a much easier. Zero doubt about it.

 

[svish]

Hoping to see a bigger iMac in the near future.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Pair an M1 Ultra Mac Studio with either an LG UltraFine 5K or a Studio Display and you have your iMac Pro replacement. The same is true of an M1 Max Mac Studio with the same display pairing when compared to a 2020 27" iMac sporting the same 512GB SSD and 32GB of RAM. I know people miss the 27" iMac (I do too). But this is its Apple Silicon successor and it IS an upgrade.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

If you go on the Refurb page right now they are still trying to sell them at pretty premium prices: Ranging from $5,269 up to $10,499 🤑 Maybe the fire sale will come later when macOS is Apple Silicon only! Just remember that Apple does not official designate "End Of Life" for any of their OSes they just get put out to unmentioned pastures. So maybe they'll only shave off another 5% when they don't run the newest macOS 😆

I tend to think not. Because, they’re a rarity. For anyone that needs the fastest Apple supported Intel macOS system, there’s VERY few options. Plus, there are likely other sellers out there that will sell them for less, so Apple doesn’t have to drop the prices of what they sell through their store.