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Redesigned iMac in 2018?
- Thread starter KensaiMage
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Considering there hasn't been a case redesign since 2012, it is fairly likely; however, since the iMac Pro just came out with the old case people feel that will be the case next year also since its such a new product.
I personally feel it will be redesigned next year since its way overdue. Also, the "Foxconn Insider" predicted as much (and so far all other information from him as been accurate but who knows).
Either way the iMac is ripe for a redesign in terms of time though. Sadly, like most of the Mac lineup those kinds of changes aren't as important to Apple as they used to be. 2006-2007-2009-2012 were also major changes.
I personally feel it will be redesigned next year since its way overdue. Also, the "Foxconn Insider" predicted as much (and so far all other information from him as been accurate but who knows).
Either way the iMac is ripe for a redesign in terms of time though. Sadly, like most of the Mac lineup those kinds of changes aren't as important to Apple as they used to be. 2006-2007-2009-2012 were also major changes.
The problem is you just can’t get much thinner. The CPUs aren’t getting cooler, quite the opposite. Also people want better GPUs. Again, another esthetic redesign would be a big mistake for the iMac. It’s already too thin as it is, which is creating unnecessary noise and throttling. Only redesign necessary is internal improvements, like better cooling.
I'm not sure if thinness is actually that much of an issue with the current design with regards to thermal issues. I'd argue the biggest issue is that there is currently only one fan for both the CPU and video card. Radeons are not known for being power efficient and the Intel processors are getting a little worse too. Updating the cooling system is probably a necessary thing regardless of design esp if its going to move to Intel's 8th generation processors.
You can get much thinner... when they go completely SSD and have finless architecture.
However, I think that will be the next major redesign, and it will probably come along with the 10nm chips. I'd expect 2019-onward will have a redesign which is thinner and less bezel.
Due to the upcoming leap to 10nm in 2019 (we hope) and 2018 bringing more Intel 14nm chips with more cores, the design probably won't change at all. Might see different port configurations on back, but not much else.
And what's the point of making the casing *even* thinner. It is a stationary computer after all, not
Of course you can always get a thinner iMac, but it would undermine performance and make it a weaker product. It’s not just about the CPU anyway (the next generation will be hotter not cooler), but also the ability to use a powerful GPU.
What is there, really, that requires "re-design"?
The only thing I would add is a completely removable back plate, just like the iMac g5's had years ago...
The only thing I would add is a completely removable back plate, just like the iMac g5's had years ago...
two possible clues:
1. New 6-core Intel cpus - redesigned cooling?
2. LG (iMac lcd supplier, if im not mistaken) just announced (CES) their new 'Nano IPS' dsiplays supporting HDR 600 standard and 98% P3.
Those could be a good basis for a 'redesign', at least from the marketing point of view. In the PC world, apple really does depend on Intel and the likes for basing their 'redesign cadence' strategy.
As far as the looks go, its highly unlikely theyre going to go with the radically new looks so soon after iMac pro. But i really do hope for a drastic internal redesign, better screen, better facetime camera, more mics and a couple of those '50% faster' headlines.
1. New 6-core Intel cpus - redesigned cooling?
2. LG (iMac lcd supplier, if im not mistaken) just announced (CES) their new 'Nano IPS' dsiplays supporting HDR 600 standard and 98% P3.
Those could be a good basis for a 'redesign', at least from the marketing point of view. In the PC world, apple really does depend on Intel and the likes for basing their 'redesign cadence' strategy.
As far as the looks go, its highly unlikely theyre going to go with the radically new looks so soon after iMac pro. But i really do hope for a drastic internal redesign, better screen, better facetime camera, more mics and a couple of those '50% faster' headlines.
The iMac already has 500 nits and 99% P3, so it isn't far off HDR 600 already, but the extra 100 would be a nice option if it was used to the full (I have mine at less than half brightness already, so more nits isn't of much use as it stands), such as being able to display 4K HDR movies from iTunes.
Having just got an iMac, I wish it had height adjustment for better ergonomics. The screen is currently too high for me. I must do the mock-up I have been intending to do of how I see an iMac G4 form factor looking now.
AMD confirmed this week that they are going to release mobile versions of the Vega GPU in the second quarter. We could get an iMac update in May/Juni, with the latest 6 core CPUs from Intel, a mobile Vega GPU, and the new Nano IPS display from LG (LG's Nano IPS monitors are slated for May). That would certainly be a nice upgrade.
However, the iMac has never gone past 4 years without a major redesign or upgrade. The last upgrade was in October 2014 with the retina display, although the shape stayed the same from 2012. We could see an SSD-only design, with removal of the memory backdoor and improved cooling, making a smaller size possible (reduced bezels and chin). That will probably be a longer wait, possibly late 2018. Apple takes their time with new designs nowadays, and don't mind selling Macs with outdated hardware. IMO the present shape is more than good enough, if they upgrade the fan system (like iMac Pro). We need better thermals, not an even smaller desktop computer. Hopefully the wait won't be too long, my late 2012 iMac is getting long in the tooth.
However, the iMac has never gone past 4 years without a major redesign or upgrade. The last upgrade was in October 2014 with the retina display, although the shape stayed the same from 2012. We could see an SSD-only design, with removal of the memory backdoor and improved cooling, making a smaller size possible (reduced bezels and chin). That will probably be a longer wait, possibly late 2018. Apple takes their time with new designs nowadays, and don't mind selling Macs with outdated hardware. IMO the present shape is more than good enough, if they upgrade the fan system (like iMac Pro). We need better thermals, not an even smaller desktop computer. Hopefully the wait won't be too long, my late 2012 iMac is getting long in the tooth.
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While the 2017 iMacs didn't have top tier GPUs, I don't know if a "mobile" one would be good enough for a follow up. Maybe for the 21" 4k, but definitely not to drive 5K. It would be seen as going backwards.
Yeah. I don't understand why they should put mobile GPU again. The GPU was the best upgrade of the new iMac.
I agree. The next iMac generation needs better GPUs, and an iMac Pro-type cooling system. I’m just guessing of course, but it’s interesting looking at the time table for the new hardware parts coming out this year. The present iMac is getting closer to the end of its cycle, but since the last update took almost 2 years, you never know...
Coffee lake hexa-cores are pretty likely at this point, so I do think you are on the right track with timing being dependent on new AMD GPUs though
Highly probable, likely with Face ID implementation and trim bezels ala iPhone X. Maybe an oled display? The original aluminum iMacs came out after the original iPhone in 2007 and Jobs specifically referenced the shared inspiration. The X is the most significant redesign since the original iPhone, and I suspect something similar for the iMac, which has not seen a significant redesign since 2012, which, itself, was more of an evolution from the 2009 design. And let’s be honest, the iMac has not seen a huge redesign really since the move from the g4 to g5 iMac. I doubt we will see anything too radical at this point, but you never know.
Too soon for FaceID. They still have to raise the numbers high enough to supply new models of iPhones and iPads. Those make the company more money so they are priority. Look how long it took for TouchID to come to Macs. FaceID will probably have to wait another year.
OLED is still too expensive for larger displays. If it can raise the price of 5” iPhone to $1000, can you imagine what a 27” 5k OLED display would cost...
OLED is still too expensive for larger displays. If it can raise the price of 5” iPhone to $1000, can you imagine what a 27” 5k OLED display would cost...
I hope so. The current Imac is essentially the same design generation as the 2007 iMac! 11 years! I've loved from head to toe this design but we want something refreshing. We've had it long enough, it was gorgeous but let's move on.
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Last year you could get a 55" oled tv for just $700 (twice the size of a 27"). It was with discount, and sure I'm using it as an example because Apple would buy the screens in mass, with manufacturer prices. so it's very much posible for them to include an oled screen, specially because their computers are expensive and high end.
It should be a priority since most professionals who buy imacs are designers/media producers where color accuracy is crucial.
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Last year you could get a 55" oled tv for just $700 (twice the size of a 27"). It was with discount, and sure I'm using it as an example because Apple would buy the screens in mass, with manufacturer prices. so it's very much posible for them to include an oled screen, specially because their computers are expensive and high end.
It should be a priority since most professionals who buy imacs are designers/media producers where color accuracy is crucial.
True but...
I don't think Apple will release a high end (and very expensive) iMac Pro using a design that will be replaced. That would be imo, a very poor marketing decision on their part.
- Some blog speculates a Glass Back on this year major 'redesign'...
- Some sources also speculates a FULL AMD iMac replacing Intel CPUs by 6-8 core Ryzen plus updated GPUs or maybe even an AMD APU instead CPU+discrete GPU,
- Its know AMD has APU in the iMac 21 range, and is testing an 8 core APU with Vega graphics, good for an iMac 5K,
- Ryzen cpu are immune to Meltdown (but not to Spectre as almost every CPU)..
- From Jan 1, Intel released Thunderbolt 3 rights, so anyone can make their own TB3 headers/solutions.
- Apple Capital finnaced Zen/Polaris/Vega developments, even Jim Keller moved back from Apple to AMD at the same time.
What they will do, who knows? But I think it is overdue for a redesign. I'd like these changes:
- Smaller bezels and chin
- Available in your choice of silver or space gray like the MacBook Pro
- SSD-only; get rid of Fusion drive
- Improved cooling so i7 doesn't spin fans like crazy at load
- Add a 6-core i7 option
- Better GPU options
- Latest CPU updates, obvs
I'm guessing "no". Since Apple just released the iMac Pro with the same external look/design as the current iMac line, it's doubtful that they make a change to the look of the standard (non-pro) iMac. If they were going to redesign the iMac line, IMO, they would have introduced the new design with the iMac Pro - not wait until the iMac Pro has been released and then upgrade the design of the non-pro model.