When Applekilled off the iMac Proand then completelyremoved the 27 - inch iMacfrom its online store , we thought that was the end of the route for the big all - in - one calculator . mightily now , Apple only sells one sizing of iMac : the little 24 - in variation . But what about that gaping hole in the iMac lineup previously occupy by the 27 - inch model ?
It could be that Apple decides to leave this twist idle and buried and instead hopes that theMac Studio and Studio Displayscratch that itch — that ’s sure as shooting whatsources at 9to5Machave contend . But there are cod clues that Apple is consider offering a larger iMac with a great level of public presentation thanthe 24 - in iMac . Regardless of whether this is stigmatise aniMac Proor an iMac , here ’s everything we know about the next gamey - close all - in - one from Apple .
Price and release date
At itsPeek Performanceevent in March 2022 , Apple unveiled an all - new Mac Studio and accompany Studio Display . It also revealed that the Mac Pro wasthe last Macyet to make the transition to Apple atomic number 14 . For all intents and purpose , that seemed to be the end knell for the future tense of larger iMacs .
That ’s probably truthful for the iMac Pro , at least . As this was always a freestanding product contrast from the standard iMac , Apple ’s announcement would seem to confirm that the iMac Pro will not get a fresh handout date any time presently . It does n’t necessarily hold true for the iMac , though . Since the 24 - inch iMac already comes with an Apple silicon chip , it leave launch the possibleness of a new 27 - inch iMac ( equipped with Apple silicon ) coming out while still conforming to Apple ’s assertion that the Mac Pro was the only Mac waiting to make the transition to the Apple atomic number 14 fleck .
And there ’s another cue . On its web site , 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 cellular inclusion of the mensuration in the name could be translate as an implication that there is another size of it on the way .
If that ’s right , when could we see the declamatory iMac make a splash ? Reliable Apple analyst Ming - Chi Kuo has pinned the high - end iMac ’s release dateon 2023 . Adding to that impression is well - sleep together Apple diarist Mark Gurman . In early July 2022 , Gurman explain in his newssheet that he expected the orotund iMac to hail with the option of M3 Pro or M3 Max microchip . In June 2023 , Gurman tot up more detail , explicate that the outsized iMac could make it in later 2023 or early 2024 . In Apple ’s lingo , “ early 2024 ” could be as late as May .
Interestingly , MacRumors claims Apple has testedmultiple iterations of a soup - up iMac , including an Apple silicon variant house inside the Intel 27 - inch iMac ’s chassis , a surmount - up version of the 24 - inch iMac , and a gamey - ending edition with an XDR showing , M1 Max chip , and black finish . However , none of these came to fall , perhaps owing to global supply chain return . If dependable , though , it tally weightiness to the idea that Apple is pouring imagination into a fresh iMac — and hopefully , that mean it is n’t far from launch .
We can get some clues on the possible price by await at Apple ’s other desktop offerings . The 24 - inch iMac currently set forth at $ 1,299 . On the other hand , the Mac Studio and Studio Display combine start at $ 3,598 . That stand for there ’s a huge gap of over $ 2,000 in the lineup — at $ 1,599 , the Studio Displayalonecosts more than the 24 - in iMac .
So if Apple were to relaunch a 27 - in iMac , we ’d expect it to have a price tight to the $ 1,799 it had before it was stop . That begin price could creep up to $ 1,999 , as the MacBook Pro short letter see a standardised leap when the14 - inch MacBook Procame out . Either way , it ’ll fill up a gap in the pricing spectrum for Apple .
Design: bright colors or muted tones?
When Apple redesigned the iMac in April 2021 , it impart back the classic , colorful look of the iMac G3 from 1998 . The new iMac is kitted out in a mountain chain of snazzy colors , from pinko to yellows to blues , give it a playful vibe that Apple hopes will make it down - to - earth and accessible , just like its G3 inspiration .
Will the high - end iMac get the same treatment ? That belike depends on how Apple position it . If , as expected , it ’s simply branded as a larger edition of the 24 - inch iMac , then brilliant colors are all but guarantee . It would merely be an extension of the existing mannikin , so maintaining the color continuity would make mother wit .
If , on the other paw , Apple wreak back the iMac Pro nomenclature , then the colors are out . Apple ’s Pro devices ordinarily total in muted , “ professional ” colors like hoar and ash grey . A pro - grade machine apparel in smart pinkish or yellow shades would in all likelihood feel out of place . However , given Apple ’s statement on how many devices are yet to make the switch to Apple silicon , we do n’t study iMac Pro branding to be likely .
A colorful mindset was not the only makeoverthe iMac got in April 2021 — it was also made radically thinner . Will this slimline design continue with the larger iMac ? We call back there is a full chance . kick in how efficient Apple silicon chip are and how niggling space the SoC takes up compare to a system that uses discrete GPU and memory modules , it ’s possible the larger iMac will not need to bitch up to accommodate it . The only question is how sinewy the chips inside the larger iMac are , and whether they need extra chilling . That could impact the equipment ’s physical body breadth .
Bet on Apple silicon
The iMac Pro ’s shape depends a lot on the chip that powers it . The 24 - in iMac felt like the first Mac that was contrive around the benefits of Apple Si , but that does not intend its high - last sibling will go the same manner .
Journalist Mark Gurman is predicting the top - end iMac will probably amount with the selection of an M3 Pro or M3 Max crisp , which could arrive afterwards in 2023 or early in 2024 . Those microchip choice make a band of sense . The current iMac uses an entry - level M1 , so fit out its tumid sibling with the next chips in the line - up ( rather than the super - in high spirits - ending Ultra crisp ) would give possible users a simple choice without creating too much of a disconnection between the various iMac size .
TheM3 chipgeneration is expected to be a huge step up in terms of execution thanks to its use of a small 3 - nanometer fabrication process . In secular ’s terms , this should lead in a much more powerful and efficient splintering , with obtrusive improvements over the M2 predecessor . If that pan out , the large iMac could be the performance powerhouse the iMac Pro was before it was discontinued .
Whatever happens , Apple will dispense with a distinct graphics card in the 27 - inch iMac . Apple is clearly sure-footed in the ability of its own poker chip , as the maxed - out , highest - end Mac Studio retains the in - built graphics of the M2 Ultra . Even theMac Pro , which was build around the conception of modularity and antecedently came with discrete art cards , now utilize the built - in GPU in its M2 Ultra chip . If the Mac Pro has jettisoned its standalone graphics cards , you may bet the gamey - end iMac will too .
An XDR display seems probable
The current iMac sits at 24 inches across , up from the 21.5 - column inch model it replaced . That increase size came from Apple decoct the bezels around the bound of the screen door . If Apple launches a larger iMac , it is almost certain this will get the same handling 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 - in display but cut back the size of the soma caparison it by cutting down the bezel .
The display size could impact the resolution . The 27 - inch Studio Display has a 5 K resolution , while the Pro Display XDR weighs in at 6K. If Gurman is right at the next iMac time in at over 30 column inch across , a 6 thousand solving could be in the cards . If Apple stick with the 27 - column inch size of it , however , 5 K might be more probable .
We might see more than just an impressive closure , though . To augment the increase pixel numeration , we would not be surprised if Apple brought its mini - LED XDR firebrand name into gaming as it did for thelatest iPad Pro . This fetch a huge contrast ratio and peak luminousness , as well as cardinal techs like ProMotion and HDR support . Display industriousness expert Ross Young has express his belief that the larger iMac would come equipped with amini - LED paneland 120Hz variable refresh pace . That would really help set it apart .
Everything else we expect to see
Touch ID has been around on Macs for years , but it only came to the iMac ’s Magic Keyboard in April 2021 as part of the midrange $ 1,499 offer . That makes it a utter cert for the gamy - end iMac when it releases , giving the quick convenience of access and verifying purchases with a tinge of your finger .
Alternatively , Apple could supercede Touch ID with something even better : Face ID . We love the caller is work on adding this secure login technical school to the Mac thanks to asmattering of patent — the only question is whether it is ready to go . Given the chaos that the coronavirus has caused in the industry , Face ID seems unlikely . Never say never , though — reliable reporter Mark Gurman saysFace ID is on the way . While that affirmation was made in January 2021 and the iMac has understandably been delayed since then , it imply Face ID might not be too far from prime time .
lastly , iMac devotee will have been heartened to see the2021 MacBook Proget much more larboard variety , including the return of the HDMI slot and SD card reader . Given the professional audience who might be attract by a big iMac — and the mixture of peripherals and devices they use — the next top - end iMac is probable to have many more porthole than just the USB - C slots offered on the current entry - tier iMac . With that in mind , the new MacBook Pro models could volunteer a sneak peek at the ports that are coming to this gimmick .
