WWDC rumor: Apple to refresh iMac, Mac Pro desktop designs in 2013
Summary: Yesterday's WWDC keynote address didn't mention Apple's desktops at all, but you may see new designs released next year.
You may have noticed that yesterday's WWDC keynote address didn't mention Apple's desktops at all, and, in fact, the limited updates to the Mac Pro were only announced after the main event. So has the electronics giant finally dumped the desktop?
According to New York Times tech columnist David Pogue, Apple says that isn't the case. Chatting with a company executive after the keynote, Pogue heard that "new models and new designs" were underway for both the iMac and Mac Pro, for probable release in 2013.
That's bad news if you're in the market for a desktop in 2012 and were hoping for some redesigned models. Apple will presumably update the specs on the iMac at some point in the near future, as the all-in-one could start running new Intel Ivy Bridge processors, but you may be stuck with the current design for the rest of the year.
But it could be worth the wait if you can hold off. One reason for a possible iMac delay is that Apple could be perfecting desktop Retina Display monitors. The "next generation" MacBook Pro features a 15-inch Retina Display (and is being called a "portable iMac replacement" by our own James Kendrick), so a similar screen that's a few inches bigger may be ready over the next several months. With all of the Windows-based all-in-ones out there that have aped the iMac design to perfection, Apple would be wise to re-imagine its consumer desktop from top to bottom to jump back ahead of the competition. As for the Mac Pro, it's been so long since its last design refresh that you would be in your rights to wonder if it might be put out to pasture altogether.
What would you want from a new iMac or Mac Pro that would be worth the wait until next year to get your hands on one? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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Talkback
IMac must haves
All SSD in basic model
More RAM
Ivy Bridge
Voice activation for basic computer functions and searches
Retina display
Built-in anti-virus
Basic keyboard with numerical keypad
More USB ports
Keep the CD/DVD drive
Warp Drive for Intergalactic travel
What else?
2012 imac
And I'm sure that Gene Munster will pipe in and say (yet again)
It's easier to wait as a current iMac owner
I've now had my current iMac for 3 years and haven't even considered buying another. At least not yet. I just update the OS.
I agree with the post above for most of the specs I'd like to see in my new iMac whenever I get around to buying one. Though I'm not too sure about the Warp Drive ;).
I'd also add that in addition to being my work computer, my iMac is my household entertainment system. I'd love to see some of the features built into smart TV's in the iMac, including being able to access services like Netflix and YouTube directly from entertainment mode. I currently use my iPhone and iPad 'Remote' app, and even my 4 year old loves picking his own movies, music, etc. from the visual playlist.
I would also strongly consider wall mounting my iMac and using wireless keyboards and mice if it was available.
Want an antiglare screen
I'll wait
Many Pro users find it necessary to remote the noisier parts of the system (disks, fans and so on), so the eventual upgrade will find plenty of buyers.
I hope if we have to wait, we wait until Haswell is out.
1.) Haswell Processor (due in late first, or early second quarter 2013)
2.) Minimum 16gb of ram upgradable to at least of 32gb for IMAC
3.) USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt Ports
4.) Retina Display and Retina Thunder Bolt Monitor
5.) HDMI Inputs for IMAC, and HDMI Outputs for PRO
6.) 1080p Face Time Cameras
7.) Adapted Siri interface that can search for files, load programs, and google
8.) And since none of this is likely, just one share of Apple stock with every Mac purchase
Macs are expensive enough, to make me happily wait for a SIGNIFICANT update.
Why is this unlikely?
Apple is very good at having the latest processor revs in newly announced machines.
2.) Minimum 16gb of ram upgradable to at least of 32gb for IMAC
Why have a minimum of 16GB? What consumer segment needs 16GB at this point? Why make them pay extra for a base configuration when 4GB is enough for most. Upgradability is another issue. Current iMacs already CAN upgrade to 32 GBs.
3.) USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt Ports
New MBPs have both, so of course the iMac revs will.
4.) Retina Display and Retina Thunder Bolt Monitor
Not necessary, but why assume it to be unlikely? As for Thunderbolt monitor support, current iMacs already have it, so again, why is this unlikely?
5.) HDMI Inputs for IMAC, and HDMI Outputs for PRO
Since current iMacs can already do Thunderbolt in, a simple adaptor gives you HDMI in. HDMI out for Pro is simply a video card away.
6.) 1080p Face Time Cameras
Again, why is this unlikely? 720p is already doable, and now that the camera hardware for 1080p (as well as the bandwidth) is commodity, I fail to see why this is unlikely.
7.) Adapted Siri interface that can search for files, load programs, and google.
Who can tell about this one. But if it is that important, you can always use Dragon naturally speaking, or even Apple's own voice command interface.
I am corrected, SOME OF THIS IS POSSIBLE, but not as probable as you may think.
1.) Apple is not that quick at adding new processors in its new line ups, they have become better at this more recently. It is more likely they will add haswell in a mid year refresh (in my opinion) because they'll release early in 2013 (lets say Febuary-April a 1-3 months before Haswell). Then around August - October have a mid year refresh. This can save them short term cost in production ramp up cost, and create longterm profits, as the average consumer has never heard of Haswell. This creates the Jones Effect, you can't deny Apple is full of marketing geniuses no pun intended.
2.) You may be right about ram you can probably find a 32gb ram kit for an IMAC, but Apple only allows a max ram upgrade of 16gb when purchasing through them. I do agree that a 16gb minimum may be overkill, but the question was what I would like not what is practical. And if you figure you buy a PC with the expectation that you'll be running strong for 3-5 years, 16gb is not a bad place to be. Especially with professionals who don't quite need the power, noise, or expense of a Mac Pro. But I'll level 8gb minimum, I can burn through 85% of 4gb with just photoshop, dreamweaver, and firefox running. I fall in that segment of professionals who wish for a high end option for the IMAC, because I prefer an all in one and laptops for my office.
The rest is fairly likely I was using hyperbole in my above statement, although I have my doubts about a 27inch Retina; then again I doubted rumors about the 15 inch Retina in the new Mac Book Pro.
Siri is really cool!
I like the whole universal idea of seemless use between my iPad, iMac and iPhone.
Cameras on the front should be awesome
I think they should build a special new 3D system with actual 3D images, like that holographic stuff, so I can literally touch the 3D things that pop out. This of course would be a special 3D + Touchscreen revolution!
Wish List For New MacPro
[ol][*]eSATA with boot capability
[*]Thunderbolt
[*]16 GB RAM, min.
[*]Haswell processor
[*]An OS with an actual, usable search function...meaning one that doesn't decide what files I can or can't see. If it's on my computer, the OS's search function damn well better show it to me when I ask for it.
[*][b]Don't[/b] dump FireWire; gimmee at least one FW400 and one FW800 port, doggone it.
[*]USB 3.0, and at least one USB 2.0/USB 1.0 port
[*]Support for retina display
[*]Same audio I/O as on current Mac Pro; no dumps or downgrades[/ol]
Takinarmsagenstaseeuvtrubulsanbyuposingendem
"eSATA with boot capability"
Why? Most eSATA enclosures already support USB
"Thunderbolt"
Already in the rest of the line, so I doubt it will be left out of the next major rev.
"16 GB RAM, min."
Again, why is the minimum important to you? All that matters is the maximum.
"An OS with an actual, usable search function...meaning one that doesn't decide what files I can or can't see. If it's on my computer, the OS's search function damn well better show it to me when I ask for it."
First, claiming that because Spotlight doesn't by default show invisible system files it is thus useless is just plain silly. 99% of the time, these files merely clutter results. For those 1%, it just is simply not true that these files are not indexed and searchable by Spotlight.
Simply enter a search in Spotlight or hit command -F, and in the search attributes bar (you may need to click on the plus sign to set the search attributes bar) click on Kind and choose "Other...". From the 'Select the Search Attribute' drop-down sheet, simply choose File invisibile, then click OK. (If you really DO need to do this all the time, check the "In Menu" selection box, and this choice will be available without having to select it.)
Now toggle between showing visible items, invisible items, or both.
"Don't dump FireWire; gimmee at least one FW400 and one FW800 port, doggone it."
FireWire 800 is backward compatible with FW400, so there is no need for a 400 port. Thunderbolt is sideways compatible with FW800/400 (the protocol is built on it) so the Thunderbolt port suffices for all of them.
"USB 3.0, and at least one USB 2.0/USB 1.0 port"
USB 3.0 is dead in the water. But then again, all the new revs have it, so it is all but 100% certain it will be on the MP. That said, as USB 3.0 is backward compatible with 2.0, why are you claiming you need a 2.0 port?
"Support for retina display"
There already IS support for a retina display. This is not the same things as actually HAVING a Retina Display, which is dependent on your actually buying one.
"Same audio I/O as on current Mac Pro; no dumps or downgrades"
Considering the target market, this is all but 100% certain.
myself
http://www.oakleysunglassesshopping.com/
It would take an extreme upgrade, or the breakage of my iMac...
iMac's Baby!
I want an iMac with:
SSD System drive, 120gb minimum stock, but also have a 3tb HD(or a slot for one)
Retina Display in 1440p+(maybe even with some 3D glasses(that is the future))
Easy Dual Install with windows with out needing software
Better i(X) like iMovie, and a decent version of Logic stock(same goes for all the software)
Have 16gb space so i can upgrade myself...honestly I wish I could buy an empty iMac, then just add my own Hard Drives and Memory!
What i want is just the basic stuff they will do no matter what, which is better versions. But I would like to see something new and unknown...I can't possibly guess what that is, but I want it! Maybe an iPad dock, so I can use my ipad for a controller of some sort!