iMac Pro release date, news and rumors

We knew they’re coming. Apple recently stated that it would launch new iMacs this year and it delivered the goods with new Kaby Lake-equipped models. But in an unexpected turn of events, the Cupertino company also announced a much more powerful iMac Pro for power users.

The new iMac Pro is basically a supercharged 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display that includes an up to 18-core Intel Xeon processor and AMD’s upcoming Vega graphics.

• What is it? Apple’s most powerful all-in-one desktop PC
• When is it out? December 2017
• What will it cost? $4,999

iMac Pro release date

When Apple first confirmed that new iMacs would arrive in 2017, naturally executives offered nothing as to when these new computers would release. However, at WWDC, Apple fully laid out its release plans for its new iMac Family,

The freshly updated iMac’s equipped with Kaby Lake processors will be available immediately, meanwhile, the iMac Pro will be available in December 2017.

iMac Pro price

The iMac Pro starting configuration starts at a kingly sum of $4,999, but you get a hardy configuration that includes a 27-inch Retina 5K display, 8-core Intel Xeon processor, AMD Radeon Vega graphics, 32GB ECC memory and an 1TB SSD.

 Of course, for those who don’t need that much power the consumer grade iMac isn’t going anywhere. For the most part the prices stay the same as the last generation. It’s $1,099 (£1,049, AU$1,699) to start for the 21.5-inch iMac and $1,799 ($1,749, AU$2,799) for the 27-inch model to start. The iMac Retina 4K 21.5-inch model, however, has gone from a starting price of $1,499 to $1,299.

iMac Pro design

As a Reddit thread predicted in early June, the latest generation doesn’t look much different from the current iMac design. The iMac Pro is the only exception and that’s really thanks its Space Gray coat of paint.

While the new iMac Pro features same all-aluminum, curved shell we know and love since its introduction with the iMac 2017, Apple claims to have revolutionized the iMac Pro’s internal cooling system.

That said, it’s suggested that Apple plans to introduce a major industrial design overhaul for its all-in-one iMac brand in 2018, according to that same Reddit thread. This refresh could include a black finish and “more glass” in addition to the revival of the light-up Apple logo in the form of a micro-LED panel.

iMac Pro Specs

Apple was expected to put an Intel Xeon chip inside its all-in-one, but we didn’t think the iMac Pro would come with an up to 18-core processor. The other processor choices include an 8- and 10- core Intel Xeon processor.

AMD Radeon Vega graphics are also on the docket. While Apple didn’t say specifically what chips will come onboard, the company promised up to 11 teraflops of single precision and 22 teraflops of half precision compute power.

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June 06, 2017 at 01:33AM
Kevin Lee