Next-Generation 24-Inch iMac and 27-Inch 'iMac Pro': Rumor Recap

[duncandb]

I feel that Apple introducing a larger screened iMac would be a backwards move. It is much better to have either the Mini or Studio etc paired with an external screen, much more choice and much less waste. I say this as someone who bought or recommended 27" iMacs for a long time. A key problem with these iMacs is you keep having a waste of a perfectly good screen when you want to replace a machine because other components became obsolete or unsupported. Keeping the screen separate is the best way to go.

 

[MoXoM]

I feel that Apple introducing a larger screened iMac would be a backwards move. It is much better to have either the Mini or Studio etc paired with an external screen, much more choice and much less waste. I say this as someone who bought or recommended 27" iMacs for a long time. A key problem with these iMacs is you keep having a waste of a perfectly good screen when you want to replace a machine because other components became obsolete or unsupported. Keeping the screen separate is the best way to go.

It doesn’t have to be that way if Apple reintroduced Target Display Mode allowing the iMac to be used as an external display.

Of course if the screen itself is faulty then that’s a different matter…

 

[Realityck]

As a lifelong Mac user I’m increasingly finding the lack of innovation and the irrational cost increases unpalatable.
When my current 27” iMac meets its maker that will be it for me as there’s nothing that hits the same spot for my use case.

~27” iMac or goodby Apple.

here in tha states we have retailer chains that still selling new or refurbished 27” hiMac. Hope you have something equivalent in the UK to Tie you over for a few years. Eventually AS macs are the way to go, the petite M1 24” imac with 8/8 enough RAM/SSD actually performs very well Comparabl.

 

[tomtad]

I feel that Apple introducing a larger screened iMac would be a backwards move. It is much better to have either the Mini or Studio etc paired with an external screen, much more choice and much less waste. I say this as someone who bought or recommended 27" iMacs for a long time. A key problem with these iMacs is you keep having a waste of a perfectly good screen when you want to replace a machine because other components became obsolete or unsupported. Keeping the screen separate is the best way to go.

Exactly this. I'd love Apple to sell both a Studio and Studio Display at a discount if purchased together, and you have your iMac Pro.

 

[Realityck]

I feel that Apple introducing a larger screened iMac would be a backwards move. It is much better to have either the Mini or Studio etc paired with an external screen, much more choice and much less waste. I say this as someone who bought or recommended 27" iMacs for a long time. A key problem with these iMacs is you keep having a waste of a perfectly good screen when you want to replace a machine because other components became obsolete or unsupported. Keeping the screen separate is the best way to go.

So in the example of a $500 M2 Mac mini, Apple provides no other choice than a $1599 27” 5K display? Yes IMHO this is a bit whacked. You end up trying to get the display discounted as best as possible. Amazon has it currently $1349 USD.

 

[duncandb]

So in the example of a $500 M2 Mac mini, Apple provides no other choice than a $1599 27” 5K display? Yes IMHO this is a bit whacked. You end trying to get the display discounted as best as possible.

You're missing the point. While Apple is the only one that makes the device actually running MacOS, there is a huge variety of compatible displays from other vendors that can be used instead of Apple's, at a variety of features and price points. You can use any of those displays and you're still using a Mac.

 

[ds2000]

I'm sure that I am speaking for the majority here...I do not need a 27" iMac Pro, but I do need a 27" iMac with upgraded hardware.

^^ This. My Mums 2013 iMac is doing great still but its definitely time to upgrade. She doesn't want 24"

 

[duncandb]

It doesn’t have to be that way if Apple reintroduced Target Display Mode allowing the iMac to be used as an external display.

Of course if the screen itself is faulty then that’s a different matter…

While having Target Display Mode is a good idea, that's a poor solution in general, as all the other iMac components are still drawing extra power and the "display" would fail if those components die. Not a replacement at all for the screen just being wholly separate and dedicated.

 

[duncandb]

I was about to start configuring a Mac Studio. Is it worth waiting for an iMac Pro? How likely is it that the iMac Pro will actually materialize?

If you like the Mac Studio otherwise, the only reason I'd wait is for a newer generation of Mac Studio, or other new headless Mac that is better than the current Studio, and then pair it with a screen of your choice from any vendor.

 

[dazzer21-2]

The boat has been missed. A 27" iMac, given Apple's current range, makes no sense now. And I, for one, am very sad about that as I was waiting on one too. My Late '15 gave up not long ago and I am more than happy with an AIO form factor. The 5K screen is THE feature that I cannot live without. Without doubt, the best display I've ever used. I paid £1600 for that new. All in with 16GB RAM and a 2TB drive. A 27" Studio display on its own is £1500. So if you chuck a base M2 mini's innards into that, you're going to be looking at another ~£700 or more when you factor in design changes etc, and add the costs for the RAM and SSD upgrades - that's at least £3K!! Double what a decent system, given what was available at the time, cost back then and not far short of a base Studio Max and the same screen. I realise things cost more nowadays but the parallels are the same. So, for me, an upgraded mini and some sort of 4k screen is today's equivalent. If it wasn't for Apple Silicon, I'd be looking at a higher spec i7 or i9 right now. Holding out until the next event to make my decisions.

 

[dazzer21-2]

You're missing the point. While Apple is the only one that makes the device actually running MacOS, there is a huge variety of compatible displays from other vendors that can be used instead of Apple's, at a variety of features and price points. You can use any of those displays and you're still using a Mac.

BUT... the actual point is that a 4k screen is a not a like-for-like substitution for the Studio Display. The 5k is extremely comfortable on the eye and the colour calibration is faultless for what I do with it. Having a computer in the mini that costs less than half of what the display is worth is pretty crazy. What was once accessible to mid-tier users is now purely reserved for the pros who can afford it (them).

 

[Warped9]

A 4k version of the Studio Display could be an interesting and more attractively priced option if it existed. The fact a current Studio Display costs more than a Mac Mini, either MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro 13 or an entry level iMac is bizarre no matter how nice it is. This is out-of-whack pricing along the lines of the original Homepod and the Airpods Max.

 

[HowieD75]

I'm sure that I am speaking for the majority here...I do not need a 27" iMac Pro, but I do need a 27" iMac with upgraded hardware.

AMEN BROTHER… the fact they have a 27 external monitor now too… a 27 inch iMac with the updated Apple silicon… sign me up

 

[HowieD75]

Apple is really missing out on a lucrative market by omitting the 27 inch iMac. Perhaps it’s time to scale back on the Mac Studio. It has its place in the lineup, but it’s nowhere near as important as the iMac.

I priced out a mid level version of the Mac Studio with a monitor and it was $6,000.00… too much for me.
I spent a little over $4,000.00 for my iMac in 2017 and I thought that was a lot.

 

[CWallace]

What I expect from Apple if they do in fact release a 27” iMac...with up to date current hardware cost: $2,900 after taxes.

Effectively pricing out most of their customer base? Yup.

While you could buy a base Intel/AMD iMac 5K for $1800, once you added the BTO CPU, BTO GPU and a 1TB SSD, you were closing in on $3000 (and then you needed to add in the price of 32GB of OEM or aftermarket RAM).

A 4k version of the Studio Display could be an interesting and more attractively priced option if it existed.

Apple and LG were supposedly working on one (alongside a 7K and 5K display), so who knows...it might happen.

 

[HowieD75]

If Apple wanted to get crazy… they should turn the keyboard into a iPod touch… the keyboard would be a glass surface with haptic feedback while using the keys to type. Inside the keyboard would be the computer / powered hub for plugging in devices.

 

[Rychiar]

I feel that Apple introducing a larger screened iMac would be a backwards move. It is much better to have either the Mini or Studio etc paired with an external screen, much more choice and much less waste. I say this as someone who bought or recommended 27" iMacs for a long time. A key problem with these iMacs is you keep having a waste of a perfectly good screen when you want to replace a machine because other components became obsolete or unsupported. Keeping the screen separate is the best way to go.

Every imac I got had a radically better screen than the last. My 5k one is nearing end of life and now they want to sell me the same 5+ year old display for what an iMac used to cost, ugh

 

[Realityck]

Every imac I got had a radically better screen than the last. My 5k one is nearing end of life and now they want to sell me the same 5+ year old display for what an iMac used to cost, ugh

Nice way to frame the total devaluation of the 27” iMac when compared to perceived value of the Studio Display. Yes going from something popular to this is your only 5k display we sell marketing. Someone needs to help Apple in this regard, because it is a pivotal consumer decision effecting Mac sales volume IMHO. The display needs more discounting then $1349 Amazon pricing.

 

[Oberhorst]

The original 27" size was chosen because it fits more home and office desktops examples without getting too big. Start going the route of 30" and larger and some people find it too big for a desk or even at work on a lab bench.

It doesn't have to be the only option, there can be a 27" and a 32" model. Also, considering that bezels nowadays are much thinner than the previous iMac Pro, a new 32" model would be hardly bigger than the old 27" model.

We don't need the Pro, we just want a slightly bigger screen.

I for one want a much bigger screen, at least 32". But I agree, I don't need workstation hardware, just a current gen iMac with ProMotion. And black. I almost bought the old iMac Pro just because it was black... 🤤

 

[CWallace]

The display needs more discounting then $1349 Amazon pricing.

Once the Samsung Viewfinity S9 hits the market, that might help push Studio Displays down at non-Apple resellers. And depending on how Dell prices their U3224KB 31.5" 6K display, that might add some competitive pressure, as well.

 

[mtbdudex]

I’m still using my late 2015 27” iMac .. yep, 3TB hybrid. I don’t need a Pro, but would buy a 27” over a 24” screen.

 

[ahaslam]

I'm still waiting for a new 27 inch iMac to replace my aging 2013 model. Hopefully one finally comes soon.

However, I really hope I don't have to buy "Pro" version of the iMac just to have a bigger all-in-one computer... I don't really need super beefed up specs, I just want the larger form factor without major sticker shock.

 

[azentropy]

Your argument is misleading, the 2017 iMac Pro (EOL 2021) was a limited time substitution using Xenon processors until the 2019 Mac Pro showed up. The performance of the regular 27" iMacs even were roughy equivalent to Pro as time went on. Given I saw 27" iMacs selling for $1500 to $3000 three standard configs, this $1999 M1 Max Studio and $1599 Studio display is more expensive then at the point in time last March when 27" iMac was EOL and the Mac Studio pairing became available. BTW we should all be looking at the budget Mac Studio as why is it still a M1 Max? Ahh thats because there is no M2 Ultra yet, and the Mac Pro needs to be around for that to happen.

Sure, but you kinda help my point. The regular 27" iMac was powerful enough that a 27" iMac Pro wasn't really needed anymore. So why can't a new AS 27" iMac be the same? Make an entry model in the ~$1800 range with the M3 to satisfy that market, while adding M3 Pro options for higher end versions. If you need more than that or want the modularity, go Mac Studio or wait on the Mac Pro.

 

[HK-Dragon]

C'mon Apple, my money is waiting on the bank! My Mac pro from 2012 needs to replaced (with a iMac n M3) gets too many flaws n can't updated (still on High Sierra 10.13.6 ) Make it happen soon chop chop

 

[fuff1949]

I'm sure that I am speaking for the majority here...I do not need a 27" iMac Pro, but I do need a 27" iMac with upgraded hardware.

Well, I used to regularly update my 27" iMac but I'm stuck with a 2015 model waiting for the M3, if it ever comes out. Much longer and I will need to resort to Windows aaarrrrgh!