Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?

[Dave245]

Thing is it doesn’t even have to be a massive design change. I like the iconic design, just make the bezels smaller and give us a larger screen or reduce the bezels and the over all size of the iMac. Maybe add better speakers and update the display.

 

[yunuzzz]

Vote for the imac rumor 😛

https://twitter.com/x/status/1265235642029498368

 

[JacobHarvey]

In contrast to the desire for a downclocked 5700 XT (if they bring the iMac Pro cooling to the iMac), I'd prefer Apple to wait another 6 months or so to enable them to hopefully use an AMD RNDA2 GPU in the iMac.

The 5700 XT is an RDNA1 design that will soon be superseded by RDNA2 GPUs from AMD. The RDNA2 GPUs are rumored to come with significant performance increases, reduced power consumption, and less heat (making cooling easier).

Also those RDNA2 GPUs are going to power the new generation of consoles (Xbox Series X and PS5) coming out this year so will likely be targeted and optimised for by game developers for many many years to come (a typical console generation lasts 7+ years these days).

Although people always say that you'll forever be 'waiting for the next big thing' sometimes it is quite wise to wait a little bit longer if you are right at the cusp of a dramatically improved generation of PC component (i.e. the RDNA2 GPUs).

 

[krell100]

If there is an update, and if its underwhelming then I'll wait a bit longer for sure. Buying tech is always a lottery but better to be on the right side of big change than on the other. The new Mac Pro is a good example of jumping too early and ending up with yesterdays tech at tomorrows prices.

 

[iPadified]

In contrast to the desire for a downclocked 5700 XT (if they bring the iMac Pro cooling to the iMac), I'd prefer Apple to wait another 6 months or so to enable them to hopefully use an AMD RNDA2 GPU in the iMac.

The 5700 XT is an RDNA1 design that will soon be superseded by RDNA2 GPUs from AMD. The RDNA2 GPUs are rumored to come with significant performance increases, reduced power consumption, and less heat (making cooling easier).

Also those RDNA2 GPUs are going to power the new generation of consoles (Xbox Series X and PS5) coming out this year so will likely be targeted and optimised for by game developers for many many years to come (a typical console generation lasts 7+ years these days).

Although people always say that you'll forever be 'waiting for the next big thing' sometimes it is quite wise to wait a little bit longer if you are right at the cusp of a dramatically improved generation of PC component (i.e. the RDNA2 GPUs).

In 6 month time we will wait for miniLED or the next CPU or the next GPU or... I am quite sure Apple will have a roadmap clear for the next 5 years and a redesign will accommodate this roadmap so they can drop-in components as they appear. This is how the current iMac has functioned. MiniLED will apparently come to the iMac Pro next year. Strange that not the iMac is mentioned.

 

[DrRadon]

If there is an update, and if its underwhelming then I'll wait a bit longer for sure. Buying tech is always a lottery but better to be on the right side of big change than on the other. The new Mac Pro is a good example of jumping too early and ending up with yesterdays tech at tomorrows prices.

Considering how the old iMac Pro Tower still is upgradable with good stuff Apple puts in MacOS these days i would argue that you might be wrong when it comes to longterm investment and upgradability.

 

[wetcanvas]

The imac has been long long long overdue for a design update. even the imac pro has an updated design to be able for the user to add and remove a vesa mount on the same curved back design as the imac. It desperately needs an upgraded screen and smaller bezels. I wouldn't mind a 32 inch imac either. My next imac will have a newer design regardless how many years apple waits.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

I almost bought a 3.7ghz i5 580x iMac 2019 yesterday used for 1700 euros. Then I remembered that I need to keep myself strong. I CAN wait for couple weeks even though my daily computer is my 14" Lenovo work laptop. My summer holiday will be during June and it will be sad to not to be able to edit my holiday pictures and videos with a decent computer. I will have to wait until I get the iMac.

I'm happy about the rumors about the 5700 and 5700XT. They would be a very good bump from the 580X. The 5700 would be enough for me for pics and video and a bit of CIV6 maybe. Other light games too.

I wonder if there is a next update but only a spec bump with same external design just as 8 years in a row now, how well the iMac is going to sell. I can see new users buying it but the rest of us who are looking to buy our 3rd iMac or even 4th one, what are the chances that existing users will buy the same old design just with better specs? I personally won’t.

I feel so certain because ARM and MiniLED have been pushed to 2021 according to reliable leakers. It makes zero sense to bring a redesign now while production lines need to change for next years vastly different new parts. It's just not going to happen. It's the SE thing of apple saving millions and millions because everything is in place.
Right now you just put new hardware in the same place it's gone in while making sure that nothing burn itself inside the iMac.

Same reason the webcam will be 720p again. And next year they can sell you "due to civid we decided for a new 4k webcam in out brand new designed iMac, and we got this special data transfer technology were 4k chat dos not even ruin all of everybody's internet in your neighborhood"...

But a cam like that was needed now more than anything, not next year...

 

[FrankySavvy]

I am beginning to think we see a redesigned 23” iMac that replaces the 21.5” models in June 2020 The 27” model will still be updated but just the internals. June 2021 will introduce an iMac Pro (30”?) that replaces the 27” model with Mini-LED display, at this point they could discontinue the 27” iMac.

Then the lineup could simply be 23” iMac and 30” iMac Pro. Much bigger differentiator between the two.

Just a thought - this goes with rumors of the 23” new iMac model launching this year and updated 27” inch with mini-led next year.

 

[Azrael9]

The latest iMac Pro LED rumours have it's screen size pegged at 27 inches? End of year/early 2021?

16-Inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and iMac Pro With Mini-LED Displays Again Rumored to Launch in 2021

Apple plans to release several higher-end devices with Mini-LED displays in 2021, including a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the first quarter, a new 16-inch MacBook Pro in the second quarter, and a new 27-inch iMac in the second half of the year, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Chinese research...

www.macrumors.com

But nothing on the imminent iMac release. It's deafeningly silent.

Looks like RDNA2 is probably not happening on a iMac Pro until next year as it's tied to the LED rumours.

Unless the iMac has custom and early access to some part of the RDNA2 stack. The timing of things seems a bit 'out'.

RDNA2 is launching September. Unless the iMac launch is even further delayed for those parts.

The iMac won't get it if it launches before WWDC like Dr. Radon thinks. If it's been 'ready' to ship for a while. It would seem like RDNA1 is a 'lock.'

If iMac is getting something design different, maybe a late June preview at WWDC and shipping in August?

Teasing puzzle, this is. All about the when. The Intel parts are lining up. The RDNA2 would be great in an iMac. But I can see Apple playing their upsell games and having to pay £5k to get access to it. But that's a very long wait. That's ok if you have a working Mac and can hold out that long. (Which is what I was hoping to do...but alas...)

Azrael.

 

[gusping]

The latest iMac Pro LED rumours have it's screen size pegged at 27 inches? End of year/early 2021?

16-Inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and iMac Pro With Mini-LED Displays Again Rumored to Launch in 2021

Apple plans to release several higher-end devices with Mini-LED displays in 2021, including a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the first quarter, a new 16-inch MacBook Pro in the second quarter, and a new 27-inch iMac in the second half of the year, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Chinese research...

www.macrumors.com

But nothing on the imminent iMac release. It's deafeningly silent.

Looks like RDNA2 is probably not happening on a iMac Pro until next year as it's tied to the LED rumours.

Unless the iMac has custom and early access to some part of the RDNA2 stack. The timing of things seems a bit 'out'.

RDNA2 is launching September. Unless the iMac launch is even further delayed for those parts.

The iMac won't get it if it launches before WWDC like Dr. Radon thinks. If it's been 'ready' to ship for a while. It would seem like RDNA1 is a 'lock.'

If iMac is getting something design different, maybe a late June preview at WWDC and shipping in August?

Teasing puzzle, this is. All about the when. The Intel parts are lining up. The RDNA2 would be great in an iMac. But I can see Apple playing their upsell games and having to pay £5k to get access to it. But that's a very long wait. That's ok if you have a working Mac and can hold out that long. (Which is what I was hoping to do...but alas...)

Azrael.

Unfortunately, I think RDNA 2 is a no-go in the iMac refresh. Apple are stingy asf, and won't put the latest chips in, when they can get the RDNA 1 parts for much much less. Plus, as you say, if the iMac has truly been ready for release for the past few weeks, then they certainly aren't waiting for a few more months for RDNA 2 parts.

It's a shame, but Apple will be Apple.

 

[Azrael9]

Unfortunately, I think RDNA 2 is a no-go in the iMac refresh. Apple are stingy asf, and won't put the latest chips in, when they can get the RDNA 1 parts for much much less. Plus, as you say, if the iMac has truly been ready for release for the past few weeks, then they certainly aren't waiting for a few more months for RDNA 2 parts.

It's a shame, but Apple will be Apple.

I'd have to agree with that assessment.

It is what it is.

Azrael.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I’m finding it hard to believe that the non-Pro iMac will receive a redesign before the Pro gets a mini-LED update next year. Unless the redesign applies to all iMacs followed by a mini-LED update for the Pro next year.

 

[Azrael9]

I am beginning to think we see a redesigned 23” iMac that replaces the 21.5” models in June 2020 The 27” model will still be updated but just the internals. June 2021 will introduce an iMac Pro (30”?) that replaces the 27” model with Mini-LED display, at this point they could discontinue the 27” iMac.

Then the lineup could simply be 23” iMac and 30” iMac Pro. Much bigger differentiator between the two.

Just a thought - this goes with rumors of the 23” new iMac model launching this year and updated 27” inch with mini-led next year.

Sounds plausible enough and could well end up being the case.

With the key differentiators updated like so. 23 iMac consumer and 30 iMac prosumer.

The current line up is dated and is going to be revised at some point.

Azrael.
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I’m finding it hard to believe that the non-Pro iMac will receive a redesign before the Pro gets a mini-LED update next year. Unless the redesign applies to all iMacs followed by a mini-LED update for the Pro next year.

A 23 inch iMac is, allegedly, targeting a 2nd half 'this year' appearance. So that is some form of 'redesign' if only to shrink the bezels and include a bigger screen. It implies a similar treatment for the 27 incher. But who knows. Apple may do for the 23 incher and leave the 27 incher design and consolidate the iMac 27 incher around the iMac Pro LED design later this or early next year.

Meanwhile a 'substantial' update has been teased by rumours...

As for 'befores' and 'afters.' Apple does what it wants when it wants. We only have to look at the 'treatment' dished out to the Mac Pro (6 years) and Mac Mini (4 years...)

Azrael.

 

[xgman]

I don't really care what is launching in late 2021 at this point. Mostly irrelevant at this stage. that said, my expectations to be wowed by anything new this year are quickly dimming.

 

[Mike The Soundguy]

I keep seeing the iMac pro base refurbs popping in and out on the apple site . I almost jumped on a 10 core . I'm almost at a point myself that I don't care what new comes out in june . I may need to just move on lol . But as we know as soon as I do it , you all will see a completely redesigned iMac out the next day ! UGH ! lol The suspense is killing me . By end of June I have to get my studio figured out as this 2013 iMac may give me problems . I'll see how the wait goes I guess ...

 

[NewUsername]

Shipping times for the 21" back to normal in Germany and the Netherlands. If the same happens to the 27", we might not see an update after all…

 

[yunuzzz]

Shipping times for the 21" back to normal in Germany and the Netherlands. If the same happens to the 27", we might not see an update after all…

Yeah. Same here in Turkey. 2-3 weeks for the 27 inches. 21 inches are in stock.

 

[Azrael9]

I keep seeing the iMac pro base refurbs popping in and out on the apple site . I almost jumped on a 10 core . I'm almost at a point myself that I don't care what new comes out in june . I may need to just move on lol . But as we know as soon as I do it , you all will see a completely redesigned iMac out the next day ! UGH ! lol The suspense is killing me . By end of June I have to get my studio figured out as this 2013 iMac may give me problems . I'll see how the wait goes I guess ...

Refurbished 27 inch iMac Pro 3.2GHz 8 core Intel Xeon W with Retina 5K display - Apple (UK)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

£4.159. Inc Vat. Still over priced. I liked this machine when it launched as a 'stop gap' (would have preferred a much cheaper 'Grater at around £2k and choice of Apple badged display that is priced in the 'real' universe...) but still felt it was a couple of grand over. Take away the display and you've got an 'ok' specced machine. It's nothing special these days. Not for that price.

If that was £3k then it would provide food for thought. But it's 3 years out of date. The GPU is old and can get far better GPU in PC land for that kind of money. You can get far more than 8 cores now for that kind of money also. Apple tries to exist in a vaccum...but when prices are increasingly out of whack then it's useful to shop around.

To even begin to getting back to being competitive we need the desktops updated this year, even to last year's gpu tech'. 😛

Sloth like with the desktop updates. The only desktop updated so far (it's now 26th of May, half a year in...) is the mini and it had a timid SSD update and that was it. Whoop-de-doo.

Azrael.

 

[turbomacs]

Not sure about a total update but I have a friend that buys Apple overstocks and Apple is dumping the 2019's on the market at substantial discounts for wholesalers. It looks like to me they are planning for a new one fairly soon. Not sure if it will be a total redesign or just a spec bump. Apple can't do much more with the current A1419/A2115 chassis and cooling system though, even the current i5-9600k and i9-9900k don't really perform correctly. The 27" will need an iMac Pro style cooling system to keep advancing. Here's my prediction. 23.5" iMac by end of year, complete redesign which will set the stage for the 27" update. Early or mid next year you'll see a 30" iMac 5K Retina and an iMac Pro 32" with the XDR display.

 

[Mike The Soundguy]

Refurbished 27 inch iMac Pro 3.2GHz 8 core Intel Xeon W with Retina 5K display - Apple (UK)

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

£4.159. Inc Vat. Still over priced. I liked this machine when it launched as a 'stop gap' (would have preferred a much cheaper 'Grater at around £2k and choice of Apple badged display that is priced in the 'real' universe...) but still felt it was a couple of grand over. Take away the display and you've got an 'ok' specced machine. It's nothing special these days. Not for that price.

If that was £3k then it would provide food for thought. But it's 3 years out of date. The GPU is old and can get far better GPU in PC land for that kind of money. You can get far more than 8 cores now for that kind of money also. Apple tries to exist in a vaccum...but when prices are increasingly out of whack then it's useful to shop around.

To even begin to getting back to being competitive we need the desktops updated this year, even to last year's gpu tech'. 😛

Sloth like with the desktop updates. The only desktop updated so far (it's now 26th of May, half a year in...) is the mini and it had a timid SSD update and that was it. Whoop-de-doo.

Azrael.

I understand and I'm not going way of PC , not for my main rig . I use a windows laptop just for programming the automation stuff I do only . I'm a mac person mainly . That said I get it with the cost and out of date thing . I'm just stuck in the mid waiting thing for now until any June announcements hopefully of something worth waiting for .

 

[Azrael9]

Not sure about a total update but I have a friend that buys Apple overstocks and Apple is dumping the 2019's on the market at substantial discounts for wholesalers. It looks like to me they are planning for a new one fairly soon. Not sure if it will be a total redesign or just a spec bump. Apple can't do much more with the current A1419/A2115 chassis and cooling system though, even the current i5-9600k and i9-9900k don't really perform correctly. The 27" will need an iMac Pro style cooling system to keep advancing. Here's my prediction. 23.5" iMac by end of year, complete redesign which will set the stage for the 27" update. Early or mid next year you'll see a 30" iMac 5K Retina and an iMac Pro 32" with the XDR display.

Thank you for the 'inside' info' re: the Apple overstocks. That's usually an indication of something imminent. ie clearing out the channel for something new.

Appreciated your commentary on the current chassis and it reaching the performance ceiling without further cooling efforts and your projections of how you think the redesign timescale is going to go down. So it could be that we're getting a substantial spec boost (and that's what 'ready' means...) with a redesign to start with the iMac 23 incher later in the year leading into both a design revision for the 27 incher and the iMac Pro (LED iMac Pro rumours in the other thread noted...)

Good post.

Azrael.
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I understand and I'm not going way of PC , not for my main rig . I use a windows laptop just for programming the automation stuff I do only . I'm a mac person mainly . That said I get it with the cost and out of date thing . I'm just stuck in the mid waiting thing for now until any June announcements hopefully of something worth waiting for .

Well, I'm in the same 'stuck in the middle' boat. Waiting.

I'm tempted to get a PC and go the Hack' route whilst waiting for the iMac but I may as well wait for a few more weeks.

I'm feeling sure that 'news' will break fairly soon.

I'm still going to have a Mac as my main driver. But I'm going PC as a dual platform work situation. All my creative software is dual platform. But even on PC, this time, the new Ryzen is not that far away and the new 'fulcrum shift' GPUs are pending September. I always felt that buying in 1st half of this year was a bad move. All the timings for better kit are in the fall of this year. All the rumours seem to converge around that nexus point. That's why I was hoping my iMac would last 'until then.'

If Apple did timely kick az updates at the start of a year so buyers could plan a head...you just never know where you are with Apple.

Azrael.

 

[jetjaguar]

I am going to hold out until WWDC. If it is just a spec refresh and no shrinking of the bezels or anything I am just going to build a pc.

 

[CWallace]

I really hope they keep the iMac Pro in the lineup and update it.

MCK reaffirmed today his claim an updated iMac Pro with miniLED is coming later this year (MacRumors stated it was 2H 2021, but someone noted the actual date given was 2H 2020).

I’m finding it hard to believe that the non-Pro iMac will receive a redesign before the Pro gets a mini-LED update next year. Unless the redesign applies to all iMacs followed by a mini-LED update for the Pro next year.

The 27" model might not see a re-design, just a spec-bump, while the 21.5" seems like it will be replaced by a ~24" iMac.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

The 27" model might not see a re-design, just a spec-bump, while the 21.5" seems like it will be replaced by a ~24" iMac.

But how does that make any sense..?! Why would apple leave the 27" out of the picture? Has something like this occurred in the past?