Mac Studio Release is Most likely for March Somewhat Than New 27-Inch iMac

Apple is anticipated to liberate numerous new units this yr, and it is most likely that an up to date 27-inch iMac and Mac Professional will probably be amongst them. Those are the closing Macs that also run Intel. And taking into account the two-year cut-off date Apple set to modify from the usage of third-party processors to its personal Silicon chips, it is a secure wager we will see some Apple M variations in 2022. However for the March 8 match, the possibly announcement looks as if a Mac Studio, a mini desktop plus a 27-inch show with the similar iPad-like profile because the 24-inch iMac launched closing yr.

Whilst we do not know many specifics, my bet is a brand new style of the 27-inch iMac will probably be introduced at the once a year Apple International Builders Convention this yr, which typically occurs in early June. If there are any new or distinctive features that Apple’s making plans so as to add with the once a year running gadget replace, device builders wish to be the primary to understand. 

When will the brand new iMac be introduced?

Even though the first Apple match of 2022 is showed for March 8, the typically spot-on show skilled Ross Younger thinks it is going to be bumped from his preliminary estimate of early this yr to debut someday between June and August, since he does not see panels for it delivery prior to June.

I feel later timing, regardless of the reason why, makes extra sense since a vital revamp for a higher-end gadget like this may not mesh with the lower-end focal point of Apple’s standard early-in-the-year bulletins. There are at all times new options within the running gadget that Apple likes to spotlight at WWDC, and it’s going to most likely desire a flagship gadget like this to turn them off.

What form of display will it have and the way large will it’s?

Up to now, it looks as if the preliminary rumors of a mini-LED-backlit show — the similar kind Apple’s followed for lots of of its different merchandise just like the MacBook Professional, iPad Professional and iPhone 13 — stay present in step with Younger. Like the ones different merchandise, this will most likely have a ProMotion show with a most 120Hz refresh fee. 

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I’ve seen some scattered moaning about “fewer zones” for the backlight, since that means less granular control over local dimming in HDR and therefore a potentially worse experience. But really bright LED backlights of 1,000 nits or more generate a lot of heat. A lot. So to be able to cool the display (and all the other heat-generating components Apple crams into it) and keep it thin would probably require some technological feats that would jack up the price. Look at the Pro Display XDR: The entire back is a heatsink, it’s a lot thicker than most monitors and it costs upwards of $4,999.

As for how big it will be, though initial rumors pegged it at 32 inches (like the Pro Display XDR), for the moment it looks like it will remain 27 inches.

Wait, what? A Mac Studio instead?

This is an interesting question, since rumors of a large, revamped iMac tend to be vague. MacRumors thinks that a new 27-inch iMac will simply be branded “iMac Pro” to differentiate it from its 24-inch entry-level sibling. That might make sense. There’s no longer a MacBook, for instance, just the MacBook Air and MacBook Pros. (It’s also possible Apple could brand its rumored MacBook Pro 13 update as just “MacBook” and make the iMac naming supposition moot.) Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts that an iMac Pro could launch soon, writing that Apple is preparing for new Mac releases at the next Apple event in March and in May or June.

Given MacRumors’ expectation that whatever it’s called will incorporate the M1 Pro and M1 Pro Max chips which launched with the 14- and 16-inch M1 MacBook Pros in late 2021, however, the door remains ajar for an even higher-end Pro model with the earlier rumored 32-inch screen and possibly whatever CPU and GPU combos of Apple silicon end up in an all-Apple Mac Pro. The original iMac Pro was discontinued in 2021.

However, last-minute word from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, plus a report from AppleTrack based on leaks to Luke Miani accompanied by purported pictures, both indicate that a Mac Studio will be arriving before the big iMac. As shown, the Studio consists of what looks like a double-height Mac Mini and a 27-inch display that looks more like the smaller iMac than the big Pro XDR model. The monitor’s also thought by some to have an embedded M or A series processor, which was rumored to be in testing back back in July 2021. The Studio may account for the rumors about an upgraded Mac Mini that have also been floating around.

What else will we see?

There has been no mention of other design aspects, potential features or reliable rumors about it coming in colors like the iMac 24. It’s a good bet that it will incorporate an upgraded webcam. After all, Apple managed to get one in the 24-inch iMac. 

It would be nice to see a smarter design with, for example, a couple of the Thunderbolt ports and SD card reader on the side, a way to raise and lower the screen (maybe even swivel or rotate!), an HDMI connection, user-upgradeable memory and storage and support for Face ID. But I don’t hold out much hope for any of that.

When and how much?

If the announcement happens around June, it could potentially ship close to when the new operating system becomes available. Young tentatively pegs it for August at the earliest. As for pricing, until we know more about the components and features, I can’t even hazard a guess. And I haven’t seen anyone else hazarding yet either. We don’t even have a ballpark for the Mac Studio, but $1,500 total would be reasonable provided it has the same or better specs as the MacBook 16.