Will Apple Release a Larger iMac Again? Here's What Rumors Say

[Dirk Pieters]

Move on folks.

I've had my Mac Mini Pro and ACD for two years now and I'm happy. Initially I thought I missed my 27" iMac but really it's actually better. Now I have flexibility if I want to change out the mini or whatever.

I have to agree. There’s a few 3D print designs out there which slide over the cinema display stand around the back, which hold a Mac Mini.

As long as the iMac’s screen can’t be used standalone if the computer part inside dies then the iMac isn’t the best solution.

 

[Xavier]

I did like my old 27" iMac, but I'm glad I didnt hold out for this larger version as I'd still be waiting! The Macbook Pro I got instead has been amazing.

 

[zedsdead]

What is needed is a larger consumer iMac.

For pro and prosumers being able to connect any other headless Mac or Laptop to displays (including the Studio Display) is a better option.

This ten year dry spell in display tech for Apple has shown how useful it is to separate the monitor from the computer, especially for pros. Many people are just connecting with laptops now also.

However, with all that said, I know several people and family members who would buy a larger consumer iMac as they just want a bigger screen than the 24" and want an all in one. It was also a better value as it included the keyboard and mouse, and I fear that is the real reason it was axed. The panel is almost ten years old at this point, no reason they couldn't make a reasonable priced larger iMac like they used to.

 

[kiranmk2]

The iMac was a very neat and tidy solution and the 27" was an unexpected hit with the serious user with demanding requirements. I suspect they want you to get the Mini and an Apple Studio display as a replacement, which, although perfectly functional, is a lot messier solution with cables etc. strewn everywhere. And of course the Mac Studio which is a lot more expensive (but overlaps with the higher end configurations of the Mini) to satisfy the power hungry nerds amongst us. I miss the 27" iMac but its time has past I suspect, so I will use my my M4 Pro Mac Mini wishing I had waited for the Mac Studio and use it for the next few years in peace.

I would love to see Apple release a Mac Mini that could be powered by USB-C power delivery; one cable connecting the Mini to the screen and the Mini could be hidden away. Combine this with a Studio Display and you’ve got an even sleeker iMac (no chin) and the ability to upgrade the computer part without having to rebuy the screen

 

[BKDad]

The iMac was a very neat and tidy solution and the 27" was an unexpected hit with the serious user with demanding requirements. I suspect they want you to get the Mini and an Apple Studio display as a replacement, which, although perfectly functional, is a lot messier solution with cables etc. strewn everywhere. And of course the Mac Studio which is a lot more expensive (but overlaps with the higher end configurations of the Mini) to satisfy the power hungry nerds amongst us. I miss the 27" iMac but its time has past I suspect, so I will use my my M4 Pro Mac Mini wishing I had waited for the Mac Studio and use it for the next few years in peace.

Hmmm...

I have exactly one additional cable with this Studio and Studio display than I had with the previous 27" iMac. That is, the video cable. But, now, that video cable is the only one dangling in the air behind the monitor, aside from the ever present power cord which is hidden behind the stand.

 

[Fender2112]

Someone has probably already suggested this, but ...

What Apple should do is offer a nice high end 27" display for less than $1000. Something that pairs well with the Studio and Mini. I think many people are in the same situation I'm in. I want the customization of a Studio or Mini, but I don't want to spend thousands of dollars for the monitor.

Samsung, LG and Dell have some really nice 27" monitors for under $1000. However, they lack that Apple touch that many of us would gladly pay a little extra for.

 

[zarmanto]

Such a Mac fan that also wants real gaming is a good candidate for a separate monitor with a PC and a Mac (either mini, Studio or a MacBook). You can easily switch the display to either the PC or Mac and have it all. More expensive of course but very versatile

You mean like the 27" 4K display sitting next to my iMac, that does double duty as a second monitor for the iMac and as a larger screen for the gaming laptop? Or like the two older Intel based Minis that I have stacked in another room and connected to a KVM, one running Windows and one running Ubuntu, but both performing various server type activities?

Yeah... there are a lot of different notions for what "having it all" looks like.

 

[iMac The Knife]

When Apple went with the dummied down processors for the iMac, I stoped getting them. I don't want a basic work station, I wanted a gaming computer. I was forced to get a MacBook Pro and use it in clamshell mode instead.

You wanted a gaming computer, and you bought a Mac? Surely you jest! 🤣

 

[Macman1138]

The iMac 🖥️ Pro is the best all-in-one and the best iMac ever made.
It would be a hit if Apple made another iMac 🖥️ Pro, perhaps in 32” and even more powerful than the Intel iMac.

 

[JerryDon]

I finally go disgusted waiting for a 27" iMac and converted to a Mac mini and Studio Display - So I don't give a sh*t anymore.

 

[Macman1138]

You wanted a gaming computer, and you bought a Mac? Surely you jest! 🤣

I have a CTO/BTO iMac 🖥️ Pro, 512 GB RAM, 8 TB of storage, 18 core processor, Vega 64X video with 16 GB of video RAM.
Sure, it’s has an Intel processor, but this beast of a unicorn games flawlessly, edits GoPro videos and will shred anything I set it to do.
Don’t give us that nonsense that Macs can’t game.
I’ve been gaming on the Mac platform since the mid 1980s. Your argument is invalid!

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

Man what I would do for an updated 27-inch 5k iMac Pro with an M5 Max/Ultra chip, essentially merging the Studio Display with the Mac Studio.

Or maybe a 32-inch 6k iMac Pro using the XDR display.

 

[heath_durbin]

Instead of a 27in iMac I bought a nice non-Apple 30in monitor and a Mini. Apple lost possible money. But they make enough. 🤣

Yeah, I end up getting Mac mini & Mac studios because they are not offering the 27”

I only have one 24” iMac… buying a cheap dell monitor cost Apple money and saves me.

While I like Apple branded monitors, they are over priced.

The IMac 27” used to be the best Apple you could get without going to the Mac Pro… I guess that’s not the case anymore with the Mac studio, but it’d be nice to offer the 27 inch with the Max studio quality system.

 

[Spock]

I would say just package up the iMac's screen into a standalone display. Keep the white bezel, webcam, and speakers. Give it some color options to fit in an assortment of rooms. And as always the excellent Apple industrial design & build quality that is unmatched from any other company.

24" Display - $999
27" Studio Display - $1499
32" Pro Display XDR - $4999

If you take the cost of a Mac mini, keyboard and mouse away from the iMac, they could sell just the 24 inch display between $499 and $699

 

[sigurros]

Horrible and shortsighted move by Apple. They are losing out in the K-12 in college market. Like many pointed out have to buy a cheaper Mac mini and a separate display. As an educator, it’s such a pain to deal with because kids nowadays don’t understand the difference between a computer and a separate monitor with a separate power buttons and separate settings, and the keyboard won’t work to change the volume or brightness.

It shouldn’t really be that difficult to bring back the 27, or instead of 30 inch iMac

Let’s get it done!

 

[iMac The Knife]

I have a CTO/BTO iMac 🖥️ Pro, 512 GB RAM, 8 TB of storage, 18 core processor, Vega 64X video with 16 GB of video RAM.
Sure, it’s has an Intel processor, but this beast of a unicorn games flawlessly, edits GoPro videos and will shred anything I set it to do.
Don’t give us that nonsense that Macs can’t game.
I’ve been gaming on the Mac platform since the mid 1980s. Your argument is invalid!

I'm sure you're also enjoying the lack of AAA title availability compared to PC as well. Go Mac! Also, your Vega 64X from several years ago is only running games flawlessly that you choose to play and at the resolution you choose to play them at, because you're not running any modern AAA games that are remotely graphics intensive at 60+ fps in 4K, I can tell you that. Probably not even at 1440p. The Vega 64X might have been a "beast" back in 2017-2019, but the sun has long set on its beastly days of yore. Just because you can (sort of) game on a Mac, it doesn't mean you should.

 

[azpc]

What is needed is a larger consumer iMac.

I would be fine with a large screen iMac with similar power to my 16 inch Macbook Pro with a M max series chip. The iMacs that I see on an almost daily basis were essentially MacBook Pros in an all in one case. They are still being used in executive offices and home offices. These people are not techies. They want a large screen in a compact, clean, elegant design.

 

[SalisburySam]

All in all, the latest update on a larger iMac is essentially that there is no update…

Wow! Comprehensive, in-depth, reporting there, thanks.

 

[azpc]

Exactly!

I used to work in a college computer lab. The users on this forum would probably be rolling on the floor in laughter to see what I used to see on a regular basis.

The fact that keyboard controls for brightness and volume fail to work with most third party monitors creates all sorts of issues. People open up the monitor controls and do all sorts of crazy stuff. Same goes for cameras. Most third party monitors don't have cameras so the students get in and mess with the monitor controls trying to get the non existent camera working.

24 inch screens are often considered small, students working in groups tend to gravitate toward the larger screen computers (PC's).

Horrible and shortsighted move by Apple. They are losing out in the K-12 in college market. Like many pointed out have to buy a cheaper Mac mini and a separate display. As an educator, it’s such a pain to deal with because kids nowadays don’t understand the difference between a computer and a separate monitor with a separate power buttons and separate settings, and the keyboard won’t work to change the volume or brightness.

It shouldn’t really be that difficult to bring back the 27, or instead of 30 inch iMac

Let’s get it done!

 

[bushman4]

Bring back the 27” or 32” iMac ! Space counts when you have multiple windows open or watching a movie or even using FaceTime
Bigger is better!

 

[Chopper9]

One of the most idiotic decisions Apple ever made was to get rid of the 27" iMac. And that's saying a lot.

 

[mreg376]

The iMac 🖥️ Pro is the best all-in-one and the best iMac ever made.
It would be a hit if Apple made another iMac 🖥️ Pro, perhaps in 32” and even more powerful than the Intel iMac.

You seem to forget all of the T2-related freezing and kernel panic problems the iMac Pro came with.

 

[whitby]

Hmmm...

I have exactly one additional cable with this Studio and Studio display than I had with the previous 27" iMac. That is, the video cable. But, now, that video cable is the only one dangling in the air behind the monitor, aside from the ever present power cord which is hidden behind the stand.

2 power cords and the video cord, mean 2 extra at a minimum. For my 2 screen installation my iMac had 2 power cords, 1 video cord and that was it. For the Mini I have 3 power cords and 2 video cords. Plus all the cabling to the iMac was hidden behind the screen (external drives, audio etc.). The Mini connections are easily visible including head phones (plugged into the rear on the iMac front for the Mini), TB5 drive and Hub, but connections to the Studio Display are hidden as per the iMac. All I can tell you is my Mini + Studio Display installation has a lot more visible wires than my 27” iMac had. But it is not a big issue, just a small thing that made the iMac more integrated etc. I am used to the mass of wires connecting my PCs but the iMac was different.

 

[TSE]

I have a blue M4 that replaced my 2019 27" and I absolutely love it.

People that don't have one and complain about it are the majority of threads like this. Guarantee if they bought one they would love one. I have the yellow.

 

[WebHead]

I was gobsmacked to find how few desktops Apple actually sells. I thought iPad would impact notebook sales if anything.

With that in mind, we're probably lucky we have *any* desktops.

(This chart is a couple of years old, I think desktop share has increased from 10% to 14%, but still...)