When to Expect the Next iMac to Launch

[Realityck]

Gurman expects the next iMac to launch by early 2024, and believes the computer will have a similar design as the current model, which starts at $1,299. This means the iMac will likely go around three years between hardware updates.

He’s just repeating his previous thoughts, nothing new. The updated iMac should show up later this year, as it makes no sense to delay it with other Macs seeing SoC updates. Likely Sept/Oct. Easy enough to update it with a M2/M2 Pro like the Mac Mini.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I think you’re overestimating the popularity of iMac. If they added M2 Pro, then you’d have people saying “Well but I want a different display size” etc… best just get the M2 Pro Mac mini & whatever display you want to use with it.

What I'm saying is, Apple tends to go very conservative with upgrade models. 15" MBA? YAWN. Didn't do anything to make it special. If Apple wants to make the iMac exciting again, make people want to buy it by adding some "pro" features and keep the cost somewhat muted.

Instead, we'll see an M3 model with nothing much more changed than the CPU which seems to be what Apple does nowadays.

 

[zorinlynx]

Still no 27" I'm going to have to order a mini and a monitor at this rate.

This is really not that bad an option.

Buy the best monitor you can. I like the Studio Display for example. Yeah it will be expensive, but then, a few years down the line when your Mini starts feeling slow and crappy, you can upgrade to the latest Mini, or a different Mac, and keep using the same great monitor.

One of my biggest complaints about the iMac was basically "throwing away" a beautiful 5K monitor whenever you upgraded. Getting a Studio Display (or whatever else nice that you like) means you'll have that monitor for multiple system upgrades, which is really how it should have always been.

 

[Longplays]

He’s just repeating his previous thoughts, nothing new. The updated iMac should show up later this year, as it makes no sense to delay it with other Macs seeing SoC updates. Likely Sept/Oct. Easy enough to update it with a M2/M2 Pro like the Mac Mini.

MR likely saw my post about an iMac M2 within 2-4 months.

As talk of all WWDC 2023 devices have waned down they need to get more clicks by posting this.

 

[Longplays]

One of my biggest complaints about the iMac was basically "throwing away" a beautiful 5K monitor whenever you upgraded. Getting a Studio Display (or whatever else nice that you like) means you'll have that monitor for multiple system upgrades, which is really how it should have always been.

That applies to those who replace every 4-6 years.

Those using it for a decade just want to sell/donate/hand it down.

I do not see myself reusing a 2.5K display like a 2010 Dell U2711 or 2012 iMac 27" beyond 2021 or 2023 when a 5K display has been in the market for nearly a decade.

Apple may surprise us by offering a larger iMac M3 with a 30" 5.5K display at $3k. I'd be cool with that.

 

[javanate]

One of my biggest complaints about the iMac was basically "throwing away" a beautiful 5K monitor whenever you upgraded. Getting a Studio Display (or whatever else nice that you like) means you'll have that monitor for multiple system upgrades, which is really how it should have always been.

Depends on the user I think. Mom, for example, used her 27" iMac to the point of death. It now runs intolerably bad even for her, and at this point, the monitor is full of distortions and is failing.

 

[Lioness~]

Apple: what's iMac?

smells like they are about to discontinue the iMac.

The bigger iMac IS the: Mini or Studio and an Apple Studio Display

I think the question should be: what's the point of releasing a larger iMac today?

 

[Jack Burton]

Waiting for that oh so sweet M3 Mac Studio.

 

[azentropy]

Demand isn't there anymore to justify regular product refreshes.

Sure Demand is down, but could it be that Demand is down because they haven't been doing regular product refreshes, they didn't release a larger version with AS, and some people were turned off of the color choices and/or light bezels, and frankly it looks way better from the back than the front (which is why Apple's promos routinely highlight the back or side more than the front including the one in this article)?

 

[boak]

Given the low volume and large number of SKUs, the iMac will likely skip a generation of AS chip. If there's ever a larger model, it will mirror the MBA15 strategy, with the higher core-count M chip as the base for higher average selling price.

 

[javanate]

I think the question should be: what's the point of releasing a larger iMac today?

It would be a more compelling product than an $8000 MacPro?

Seriously though, it would be an impressive product and worth considering. It just plugs in and you're good to go. Big, colorful, powerful, simple. People would buy it.

24" iMac is small, interesting, not impressive, shrug.

 

[syklee26]

M3 is the first 3nm chip, and Apple probably had to order A LOT of them to bring prices down. So Apple will need to put those chips somewhere.... and that's where iMac would come in.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple releases iMac AND iMac Pro at the same time.

 

[zoomp]

Makes sense since the M2 is basically a fix to M1 GPU scaling that wasn't delivering on the Ultra/Max series.

 

[javanate]

Given the low volume and large number of SKUs, the iMac will likely skip a generation of AS chip.

Which is a shame. I get really frustrated seeing reviewers shame Apple for doing chip only upgrades. Do we not remember the Apple that let their products languish for years at full price? I'm perfectly fine with Apple keeping their products fresh and not scamming unaware buyers.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple decided to go with the M3 SoC due to no need to change the SoC cooling system and also the fact the M3 will use the latest CPU and GPU designs for faster performance.

 

[lkrupp]

Not really good enough, Apple.
iMac should be kept fresh and offered in at least two sizes.

Apple knows its market very well. I mean how else could it get to be an almost $3T company? The 27” iMac has been replaced by the Mac Mini and Studio Display. People are buying the Mini is droves and Apple is very likely going to bring out lower priced displays. Techies have been screaming for Apple to get back in the displays market. Now they have.

“Oh, I loved that model BMW so much. Why on earth did they stop making it? Sad.” So the saying goes.

 

[Spike1999]

I think with Mac Studio and Mini now, I think the iMac will become like the iPod.

 

[lkrupp]

Waiting for that oh so sweet M3 Mac Studio.

Well, by that time the M4 will be rumored and you’ll be back with “Waiting for that so sweet M4 Mac Studio.

 

[phenste]

when to expect the next iMac: whenever reGur(gitate)man spitballs his next release date

 

[xraydoc]

I think Apple decided to go with the M3 SoC due to no need to change the SoC cooling system and also the fact the M3 will use the latest CPU and GPU designs for faster performance.

I dunno. Given that the fanless MacBook Air has an M2 in it (including the 10 core GPU option), it doesn't make sense that the iMac's enclosure with a fan couldn't handle the M2.

 

[mordac]

Correct, you will. Mac Studio + Apple Studio Display is the bigger iMac option.

I’m thinking Max Studio + LG 27md5k, there seem to be lots of the LG screens on eBay for good prices.

 

[trip1ex]

Still no 27" I'm going to have to order a mini and a monitor at this rate.

the bigger iMac is now called the Vision Pro and starts at $3500 with unlimited screen size.

 

[Algr]

Still no 27" I'm going to have to order a mini and a monitor at this rate.

42" Monitor is the best choice!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/42-4k-tvs-as-monitors.2391161/

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Correct, you will. Mac Studio + Apple Studio Display is the bigger iMac option.

The studio display is ridiculous. It costs more than the previous intel iMac with the same monitor built in! The TV I use, (link above) costs $500 and is wonderful.

 

[lkrupp]

I think with Mac Studio and Mini now, I think the iMac will become like the iPod.

The Bondi Blue iMac started the all-in-one desktop game and competitors eventually followed suit. If the iMac is truly on the chopping block it won't be long before all-in-ones follow the leader.

 

[Steve121178]

Apple knows its market very well. I mean how else could it get to be an almost $3T company? The 27” iMac has been replaced by the Mac Mini and Studio Display. People are buying the Mini is droves and Apple is very likely going to bring out lower priced displays. Techies have been screaming for Apple to get back in the displays market. Now they have.

“Oh, I loved that model BMW so much. Why on earth did they stop making it? Sad.” So the saying goes.

People are buying the Mac Mini/Studio and a display of some kind out of necessity as there isn't a modern 27" iMac available!

I've been waiting well over a year for the M1 iMac to get a refresh. It's infuriating but it looks like very late Q4 2023 or Spring 2024 until the M3 iMac might be released. Even then it's not a certainty.