Apple is apparently preparing the next M3 iMac for launch this fall, but don’t expect a bigger screen or exciting new colors.
- What’s happening? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that Apple will launch a refreshed iMac family this fall, likely with the new M3 chip.
- Why care? The all-in-one desktop has not been updated since 2021.
- What to do? Read Gurman’s report on Bloomberg.
iMac M3 to go on sale this fall
According to the latest edition of the Gurman Power On newsletter, two new iMacs, codenamed J433 and J434, are in advanced technical testing (EVT). Gurman mentioned the following features and improvements:
- The manufacturing process for attaching the iMac stand is “different.”
- Some of the internal components have been moved and redesigned.
- The models we tested have the same colors as the current iMac.
- The screen size will remain the same – 24 inches diagonally.
- Apple’s new silicon will replace the M1 chip
So, when is the updated iMac coming out?
Well, Apple is currently conducting production tests of the future machine. Gurman claims that mass production of the next iMac is expected to begin about three months ahead of its scheduled launch, sometime in the second half of the year.
September is reserved for new iPhones, but Apple is also hosting a Mac event in October. In other words, it’s safe to assume that the updated iMacs will go on sale this fall.
What about the iMac M2?
It doesn’t look like Apple will be releasing an M2-based iMac, and for good reason. Gurman claims the M2 should be a temporary chip ahead of the upcoming M3. So it doesn’t make sense for Apple to release the M2 iMac only to become obsolete when the M3 chip comes out in a few months.
Speaking of which, the upcoming M3 chip is expected to move from TSMC’s 5nm process to a new 3nm design, bringing much more significant performance and power improvements than the M1 to M2 upgrade.
The current iMac has a 24-inch 4.5K display, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and two USB-C ports. The machine is available in seven colors (silver, blue, green, orange, yellow, purple and pink) and the base model costs $1299.
Another new Mac coming in 2023
In addition to the upcoming iMac update, Gurman expects other Mac hardware updates to arrive throughout 2023. A total of three new Macs should be released between late spring and summer, Gurman writes in a newsletter.
In addition to the next iMac, Apple is also due to release its first 15-inch MacBook Air (J515), an updated 13-inch MacBook Air (J513), and the Apple Silicon Mac Pro.
Will there be Apple iMac Pro silicon?
The iMac was one of the first Macs to join Apple’s silicon. Apple announced a refreshed iMac lineup in April 2021 after discontinuing the Intel-based iMac Pro and 27-inch model to focus on a refreshed 24-inch computer.
Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t believe Apple is actively developing a larger-screen iMac. On the other hand, Gurman suggested that Apple could revive the discontinued iMac Pro based on the M3 chip and a more prominent display.