When Apple killed off the iMac Professional after which utterly eliminated the 27-inch iMac from its on-line retailer, we thought that was the top of the highway for the bigger all-in-one pc. Proper now, Apple solely sells one measurement of iMac: the smaller 24-inch model. However what about that gaping gap within the iMac lineup beforehand occupied by the 27-inch mannequin?
It may very well be that Apple decides to go away this gadget lifeless and buried and as a substitute hopes that the Mac Studio and Studio Show scratch that itch. However there are tantalizing clues that Apple is contemplating providing a bigger iMac with a better stage of efficiency than the 24-inch iMac. No matter whether or not that is branded an iMac Professional or an iMac, right here’s every part we all know in regards to the subsequent high-end all-in-one from Apple.
Worth and launch date
That’s probably true for the iMac Pro, at least. As this was always a separate product line from the standard iMac, Apple’s announcement would seem to confirm that the iMac Pro will not get a new release date any time soon. It doesn’t necessarily hold true for the iMac, though. Since the 24-inch iMac already comes with an Apple silicon chip, it leaves open the possibility of a new 27-inch iMac (equipped with Apple silicon) coming out while still conforming to Apple’s statement that the Mac Pro was the only Mac waiting to make the transition to the Apple silicon chip.
And there’s another clue. On its website, Apple lists the 24-inch iMac as “iMac 24.” If it was going to be the only size option in the iMac family, it seems likely Apple would just call it “iMac,” as there would be no need for a differentiator. The inclusion of the measurements in the name could be read as an implication that there is another size on the way.
If that’s correct, when could we see the 27-inch iMac make a splash? Well, now that the Mac Studio and its accompanying 27-inch Studio Display are out in the wild, we can’t see a 27-inch iMac on 2022’s horizon unless something very surprising were to happen. Indeed, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t believe the high-end iMac will come out until 2023. With a new 27-inch display just launched, Apple will want to give it some breathing space, which could mean a 2023 launch date for the larger iMac (if it comes out at all).
Predictions for Apple's new desktop products:
1. 2022: More powerful Mac mini and more affordable external display (27-inch without mini-LED).
2. 2023: Mac Pro and iMac Pro.— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2022
Including to that impression is well-known Apple journalist Mark Gurman, who possesses a powerful observe document for Apple leaks and rumors. In early July, Gurman defined in his publication that he anticipated the bigger iMac to come back with the choice of M3 Professional or M3 Max chips. Given we haven’t even seen M2 Professional and M2 Max chips but (and doubtless received’t till late 2022 or 2023), don’t count on the M3 to see the sunshine of day till late 2023 on the very earliest. That may very well be the soonest timeframe for the 27-inch iMac.
Curiously, MacRumors claims Apple has examined a number of iterations of a souped-up iMac, together with an Apple silicon model housed contained in the Intel 27-inch iMac’s chassis, a scaled-up model of the 24-inch iMac, and a high-end version with an XDR show, M1 Max chip, and black end. Nevertheless, none of those got here to cross, maybe owing to world provide chain points. If true, although, it provides weight to the concept Apple is pouring sources into a brand new iMac — and hopefully, meaning it isn’t removed from launch.
We will get some clues on the potential value by Apple’s different desktop choices. The 24-inch iMac presently begins at $1,299. However, the Mac Studio and Studio Show mixed start at $3,598. Meaning there’s an enormous hole of over $2,000 within the lineup — at $1,599, the Studio Show alone prices greater than the 24-inch iMac. So if Apple had been to relaunch a 27-inch iMac, we’d count on it to have a value near the $1,799 it had earlier than it was discontinued. That beginning value might creep as much as $1,999, because the MacBook Professional line noticed an identical leap when the 14-inch MacBook Professional got here out. Both approach, it’ll fill a niche within the pricing spectrum for Apple.
Design: Vivid colours or muted tones?
When Apple redesigned the iMac in April 2021, it introduced again the basic, colourful look of the iMac G3 from 1998. The brand new iMac is kitted out in a variety of snazzy colours, from pinks to yellows to blues, giving it a playful vibe that Apple hopes will make it down-to-earth and approachable, identical to its G3 inspiration.
Will the high-end iMac get the identical remedy? That possible is dependent upon how Apple positions it. If, as anticipated, it’s merely branded as a bigger model of the 24-inch iMac, then shiny colours are all however assured. It could merely be an extension of the present mannequin, so sustaining the colour continuity would make sense.
If, however, Apple brings again the iMac Professional nomenclature, then the colours are out. Apple’s Professional gadgets often are available muted, “skilled” colours like grey and silver. A professional-grade machine clad in shiny pink or yellow shades would possible really feel misplaced. Nevertheless, given Apple’s assertion on what number of gadgets are but to make the swap to Apple silicon, we don’t think about iMac Professional branding to be possible.
A colourful outlook was not the one makeover the iMac got in April 2021 — it was also made radically thinner. Will this slimline design remain with the larger iMac? We think there is a good chance. Given how efficient Apple silicon chips are and how little space the SoC takes up compared to a system that uses discrete GPU and memory modules, it’s possible the larger iMac will not need to beef up to accommodate it.
Bet on Apple silicon
Still, the iMac Pro’s shape depends a lot on the chip that powers it. The 24-inch iMac felt like the first Mac that was designed around the benefits of Apple silicon, but that does not mean its higher-end sibling will go the same way.
We know Apple is working on monstrous 32-core chips, but we think that’s likely bound for the next Mac Pro. Previous rumors had suggested the M1 Ultra or a high-end M2 chip, but both now look highly unlikely.
That’s because Apple is now not expected to launch the new, high-end iMac for some time. Journalist Mark Gurman is predicting it will probably come with the choice of an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip, which is still some distance away.
Those chip choices make a lot of sense. The current iMac uses an entry-level M1, so equipping its larger sibling with the next chips in the line-up (rather than the super-high-end Ultra chip or the rumored Extreme version) would give potential users a simple choice without creating too much of a gulf between the various iMac sizes.
That might seem like a fitting chip for the iMac Pro, but if (as expected) the device turns out to be a 27-inch iMac, it’s probably too high-end. More likely is the M2 chip that’s expected to make an appearance this year in the redesigned MacBook Air. That would be a more fitting chip for a consumer machine like the 27-inch iMac, while still offering a performance boost over the M1 in the 24-inch iMac, thus helping to differentiate the two machines.
Whatever happens, it’s almost certain that Apple will forgo a discrete graphics card in the 27-inch iMac. Apple is clearly confident in the abilities of its own chips, as even the maxed-out, highest-end Mac Studio retains the in-built graphics of the M1 Ultra.
An XDR display seems probable
The current iMac sits at 24 inches across, up from the 21.5-inch model it replaced. That increased size came from Apple reducing the bezels around the edge of the screen. If Apple launches a larger iMac, it is almost certain this will get the same treatment as its 21.5-inch counterpart and have its screen size shifted up a notch. Our money is on something in the 30- to 32-inch range. Alternatively, Apple could stick with a 27-inch display but reduce the size of the chassis housing it by cutting down the bezels.
We might not get a greater screen resolution than the old 27-inch iMac’s 5K offering, though. The 24-inch iMac comes with an impressive 4.5K resolution, while the current 27-inch Studio Display sits pretty at 5K. While previously we expected the resolution to increase — that’s what happened to the smaller iMac, which went from 4K to 4.5K, after all — the introduction of the Studio Display with a 27-inch 5K display suggests that might not be the case. Apple’s Pro Display XDR (the monitor made for the Mac Pro) has a 6K resolution, but it weighs in at 32 inches across, so 5K at 27 inches seems like the sweet spot for Apple.
We might see more than just an impressive resolution, though. To augment the increased pixel count, we would not be surprised if Apple brought its mini-LED XDR brand name into play as it did for the latest iPad Pro. This brings a huge contrast ratio and peak brightness, as well as key techs like ProMotion and HDR support. Display industry expert Ross Young has stated his belief that the larger iMac would come equipped with a mini-LED panel and 120Hz variable refresh price. That may actually assist set it aside.
Every little thing else we count on to see
Contact ID has been round on Macs for years, however it solely got here to the iMac’s Magic Keyboard in April 2021 as a part of the midrange $1,499 providing. That makes it a lifeless cert for the higher-end iMac when it releases, giving the fast comfort of logging in and verifying purchases with a contact of your finger.
Alternatively, Apple might supersede Contact ID with one thing even higher: Face ID. We all know the corporate is engaged on including this safe login tech to the Mac because of a smattering of patents — the only question is whether it is ready to go. Given the chaos that the coronavirus has caused in the industry, Face ID might not be quite ready, but we have our fingers crossed. With the projected 2022 release date, that might be just enough time for Apple to make it a reality, and reliable reporter Mark Gurman agrees, predicting it could arrive as soon as later this year.
Finally, iMac fans will have been heartened to see the 2021 MacBook Pro get much more port variety, including the return of the HDMI slot and SD card reader. Given the professional audience who might be attracted by a larger iMac — and the variety of peripherals and devices they use — the next top-end iMac is likely to have many more ports than just the USB-C slots offered on the current entry-level iMac. With that in mind, the new MacBook Pro models could offer a sneak peek at the ports that are coming to this device.
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