At this point I no longer see too much of a need for one. I'd actually like to see Apple expand their line of Studio displays (say a 24" and a 30" or even 32" at a lower price point than the Pro XDR) at even better price points. Also if they are clever enough with some sort of seamless mounting mechanism for the new mini that would basically make it like an all-in-one. I'd actually like the new mini to not be a mini but a new line and continue to keep the old mini form factor too, but that is a different story.
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Will Apple Bring Back a Larger iMac? Here's What the Latest Rumors Say
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Years of complaining on here for Apple to release a headless iMac and they do it and everyone is bitching they want a giant all-in-one now? You all just wanted Apple to release something cheap which they don’t do.
I have a 27" 2013 iMac on its last legs in dire need of an upgrade... I wanted to buy a new iMac several times over (and years ago), but Apple left me in a bad position with no direct equivalent. It's really their loss.
It doesn't look like the bigger iMac is going to be announced this year. I can't wait any longer, so I've decided to go with the upcoming M4 Mac Mini and get a separate monitor. I will really miss the all-in-one form factor that drew me to the iMac in the first place.
It doesn't look like the bigger iMac is going to be announced this year. I can't wait any longer, so I've decided to go with the upcoming M4 Mac Mini and get a separate monitor. I will really miss the all-in-one form factor that drew me to the iMac in the first place.
I don't value retina resolution, I run the screens on my iMacs and Macbooks at non-retina resolutions. And ideally I would like an iMac with at least 32-in display.
If I have to go for a Mac Mini plus separate monitor (plus separate keyboard and mouse/trackpad), the last thing I will be buying is Apple's 27-in Studio Display. So the loser in this game will be Apple.
And indeed the loser is already Apple, as I would have upgraded my iMacs three years back if there had been even a 27-in product.
The problem with Apple is that it's grown too big. It ignores what it regards as 'niche' markets, despite the fact that smaller companies would give their eye teeth to be able to satisfy the demand.
If I have to go for a Mac Mini plus separate monitor (plus separate keyboard and mouse/trackpad), the last thing I will be buying is Apple's 27-in Studio Display. So the loser in this game will be Apple.
And indeed the loser is already Apple, as I would have upgraded my iMacs three years back if there had been even a 27-in product.
The problem with Apple is that it's grown too big. It ignores what it regards as 'niche' markets, despite the fact that smaller companies would give their eye teeth to be able to satisfy the demand.
That is exactly my thought, look at how many beautiful 5k Apple displays are out there with an outdated computer stuck to its back. I know that a company has been making a converter to make them a standard display but still a pain.
That conversion process involves a bit of surgery on the existing iMac. It’s not just a black box that you plug into the back.
They have to focus on what sells to continue to be a big company. This is nothing new, it is the same reason they got rid of the iPhone mini.
Right, that's why I said it was a pain. I didn't say anything about a converter box.
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I think Apple will simply abandon the mini-LED technology.
Either we keep getting regular LCD models, or a new pro model, with a tandem OLED display, gets added to the lineup.
Either we keep getting regular LCD models, or a new pro model, with a tandem OLED display, gets added to the lineup.
You can use an old imac as a screen with a simple controller board and some light tinkering.
You can get an M4 Pro mini, and keep using your display.
Like others above, I have a Studio Display and haven't looked back. I could use a Pro Display, and the cost would be worth it to me, but I'm waiting for an update. Fingers crossed it will come with the M4 Mac Studio and M4 Mac Pro.
But a Retina ~30" iMac Plus could be in the works. January 2026 will be the 40th anniversary of the Mac Plus. If they roll it out, it won't compete within the Mac Studio, though. Only the Mini. It also won't compete with the standalone displays. I expect they will keep the Retina 27" Studio Display, but come out with a larger Retina ~34" (6400x3600) Studio Display. There is no way they will go back to having the iMac be their flagship display. It's a fun, convenient plug-and-play computer for home and school, but it's no longer needed to house Intel's desktop array.
But a Retina ~30" iMac Plus could be in the works. January 2026 will be the 40th anniversary of the Mac Plus. If they roll it out, it won't compete within the Mac Studio, though. Only the Mini. It also won't compete with the standalone displays. I expect they will keep the Retina 27" Studio Display, but come out with a larger Retina ~34" (6400x3600) Studio Display. There is no way they will go back to having the iMac be their flagship display. It's a fun, convenient plug-and-play computer for home and school, but it's no longer needed to house Intel's desktop array.
I just don’t get this. For like a decade I worked at a place and everybody used macs, and the main model we always bought, basically the only model other than the 13” MacBook was the 27” iMac cause the bigger screen is better for everything. Now the iMac is a forgotten Mac it feels like. I don’t work there anymore but I don’t think they’re spending the same amount on a monitor as a computer.
It has been more than two and a half years since Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac, as part of its move away from Intel processors. Since then, the 24-inch iMac has been Apple's only all-in-one desktop computer, with no larger model available.
Will a larger iMac ever make a comeback? We recap the latest rumors below.
In November, Apple announced that it had no plans to release a new version of the 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip. Instead, Apple recommended pairing its standalone Studio Display with its Mac Studio or Mac mini desktop computers.
Apple's statement ruled out a new 27-inch iMac, but an even larger model is still possible one day. Nearly a year ago, both Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing a 32-inch iMac for release in late 2024 or in 2025. Kuo said the larger iMac's screen would feature mini-LED backlighting, which would allow for increased brightness, higher contrast ratio, and other benefits compared to LCD technology.
While there haven't been any rumors lately about this alleged 32-inch iMac, Gurman said Apple was still exploring a larger iMac as recently as August.
"A larger iMac remains something Apple is exploring as well, but it's unclear if that will be an M4 product or something that comes the following year or later," he wrote.
That is all that is known about a potential larger iMac at this point.
All in all, it seems that a larger iMac might be on Apple's roadmap, but the wait continues for now.
In the meantime, the 24-inch iMac is expected to be updated with the M4 chip in October, alongside new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models.
Article Link: Will Apple Bring Back a Larger iMac? Here's What the Latest Rumors Say
I'm the (mostly) happy user of a 27" iMac. It's been the best computer I've ever had (and I've had quite a few, Macs included).
Also:
I'll never buy an iMac again(*).
When I read about the possibility of a 31.5" MiniLED display, which by Apple's HiDPI requirements will need to be 6k, I can't help but think what will happen to that gorgeous display (and speakers, and camera) when the machine gets old, just like the one I'm looking at right now. Not old as in "they don't work anymore", but old because the OS doesn't get any more upgrades and most apps refuse to install.
I'm very sure that's what most users of obsolete 5K 27" iMacs think (mine is just 2560x1440). Why, oh why can't I use this display anymore, when an Apple Studio Display is mostly the same? Must you recycle it? It's a 5K display!
(*) As long as Apple doesn't offer the possibility to use new iMacs as screens when the computer inside is no longer supported, I'm sorry, but I'm not buying another iMac. But if they do... yeah, I'll definitely consider it.
Also:
I'll never buy an iMac again(*).
When I read about the possibility of a 31.5" MiniLED display, which by Apple's HiDPI requirements will need to be 6k, I can't help but think what will happen to that gorgeous display (and speakers, and camera) when the machine gets old, just like the one I'm looking at right now. Not old as in "they don't work anymore", but old because the OS doesn't get any more upgrades and most apps refuse to install.
I'm very sure that's what most users of obsolete 5K 27" iMacs think (mine is just 2560x1440). Why, oh why can't I use this display anymore, when an Apple Studio Display is mostly the same? Must you recycle it? It's a 5K display!
(*) As long as Apple doesn't offer the possibility to use new iMacs as screens when the computer inside is no longer supported, I'm sorry, but I'm not buying another iMac. But if they do... yeah, I'll definitely consider it.
Yep, I have for years been running with a Dell 3008WFP @ 2560 x 1600.
monitor went recently so bought a new Dell U2724D that 144 @ 2560 x 1440.
screen works fine for me. Maybe not as sharp as Studio Display but is used with windows PC as well so not too much point for the Studio Display with that.
I wonder how well the 24" iMac sells. Based on this forum, you would assume no one likes the product or has bought it. But Apple continues to make it, has updated it to M3, and plans to updated it to M4. It comes in several colors and customizable configurations. This seems like a product that is successful.
“I don’t like them therefore Apple should stop selling them to those who do”
I would be mad if they bringt it now or next year. Because then I have to sell my M3 and that's always a hassle.
No I wouldn't do that. I just buy a larger display and hang my M2Pro MBP on it if I need more space.
Maybe I even take a second 24" if the M4 comes with more RAM. Then I always also have a substitute if one might be damaged some time. The MBP has only 16GB and this one 24GB. A little more would be nice for some things.
Why not in the first place?
I don't think it will come.
And since the RAM won't be user-upgradeable it's a no-buy anyway. The price would just be to high already for the base version.
No I wouldn't do that. I just buy a larger display and hang my M2Pro MBP on it if I need more space.
Maybe I even take a second 24" if the M4 comes with more RAM. Then I always also have a substitute if one might be damaged some time. The MBP has only 16GB and this one 24GB. A little more would be nice for some things.
Why not in the first place?
I don't think it will come.
And since the RAM won't be user-upgradeable it's a no-buy anyway. The price would just be to high already for the base version.
Getting rid of that fat chin would be a start. It's 2024 and 24" is far too small, they should be doing 27" minimum and then a larger 32".
You are right. Apples customer-base who used those iMacs is not happy with looking for the perfect display instead.
And they liked to upgrade their RAM by themselves.
Also this Studio and mini is confusing with their configurations that overlap.
But it's a 4 year gap already... I don't know how much of them just wait and how much upgraded to an alternative.
I also think it won't be 29" again. 32" might be more possible and that will be very pricy.
For me a professional will go for a separate monitor, so the Mac Studio or Mini is more them enough.
The iMac is for a home user who wants no hassle on setup.
An iMac pro in 2024 makes no sense, when a Studio sized Mac can deliver pro performance.
The iMac is for a home user who wants no hassle on setup.
An iMac pro in 2024 makes no sense, when a Studio sized Mac can deliver pro performance.
Apple got greedy with their 27" display, and painted themselves into a corner on price. For a while people didn't notice a display that cost as much as the previous 27" iMac with the same display. But if they release a new iMac, the comparison will be inevitable.
I feel bad as a mac user knowing Apple treats us like this these days. It's been a long time since I recommended Macs to my friends. I'm reduced to hoping the EU standardizes on Linux to stabilize that market, and provide actual competition.
I feel bad as a mac user knowing Apple treats us like this these days. It's been a long time since I recommended Macs to my friends. I'm reduced to hoping the EU standardizes on Linux to stabilize that market, and provide actual competition.
Yeah, did this last weekend with a 150 usd board from aliexpress. A little bit of soldering and unscrewing in anout 4 hours. Pretty happy with the results…
You can use an old imac as a screen with a simple controller board and some light tinkering.
You can get an M4 Pro mini, and keep using your display.
Could even reuse the power board.
