A new line of iMacs with ultra high-resolution Retina Displays is in late testing stages within Apple, according to our sources who have used the future desktop computer. While the machine will sport a thin profile similar to that of the current design, which was introduced in 2012, it will be packed with new internals such as faster processors and improved WiFi antennas. The fact that the iMac is in late testing indicates that Apple could be preparing to launch it alongside OS X Yosemite this fall…
The Retina iMac will mark Apple’s first foray into Retina desktop computers. Apple first launched the Retina display with the iPhone 4 in 2010, expanded it to the iPad in early 2012, and brought the screen to the Mac with Retina MacBook Pros in late-2012. As for the resolution of the new Retina iMac, OS X Yosemite betas include references to 6400 x 3600, 5760×3240, and 4096×2304 resolution screens. Apple has been rumored to be working on a 5K iMac display for launch later this year, so perhaps that’s the direction Apple will take, and a recently introduced DisplayPort standard update could make this a reality.
Sources also say that Apple is preparing updates to iMovie and Final Cut Pro with improved tools for editing high-resolution, 4K footage. We first reported this past summer that Apple is preparing to launch OS X Yosemite in October as it prepares new higher-resolution desktops and laptops. Apple is also working on a 12-inch Retina MacBook line, but that product’s launch timeframe seems to be in flux between later this year and sometime in the first half of 2015. Blogger Jack March, who has previously published accurate information, has separately heard that a 27-inch iMac model with 5K display is due this year.
If the 2012 Retina MacBook Pro launch was any indication, it’s likely that these Retina models will exist as higher-priced variants alongside the current non-Retina line, which was updated early this year. While all current signs indicate that a Retina iMac launch is fairly imminent, sources say that Apple tested a thicker Retina iMac in 2012 but ultimately tabled the launch due to a lack of panel supplies and pricing considerations. So perhaps there is a chance that type of delay could re-occur. Besides new Macs, Apple has new iPads with Touch ID sensors and A8 processors in the pipeline.
It’s likely that Apple will uncrate all (or the majority) of these future products together at a media event to take place in the next several weeks.
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I am perplexed as to why the 27″ model would get this treatment before the 21.5″….
Maybe its following the pattern that the Retina MBP line followed….the larger (15″) got it first….because it was already a ridiculously expensive laptop, so the premium tacked on because of a Retina display was more well received.
Either way, I have no interest in a 27″ iMac…way too big for normal desk use. I use 2 1080p screens side by side, and I don’t feel that a 27″ iMac could replace that.
You get used to it. It is monstrous at first.
Do you think it can replace a 2 monitor setup? There are obvious other advantages to dual screens with OS X.
i.e. the way dual screens are handled since Mavericks is genius and I don’t think I could live without it now.
It depends, it’s certainly big enough to handle most tasks and plenty of working space. If increased resolution (i.e. screen space) is what you desire most, no, it will not replace it. I use a 27″ when working from home and a Dell 29″ (ultra wide) at work. There are many advantages of a wider display (or 2 monitors side by side). However, after using a retina display for months it is difficult going back.
Who says you can’t have a dual display with a 27″ iMac – at work I do. I have spaces set up on the iMac and have the display for the 2nd display show for all spaces and use that for emails/web.
You can never have too much screen real estate — I have an iMac in the middle and two 1080p screens on each side with 1 in portrait mode, which is great for holding bins when editing video.
A 27″ or a 21.5″? The latter I can totally see. I am so anal retentive I could never have two even slightly different displays side by side.
Took me a little while to get used to a 27″ display, but now there’s no going back. They’re awesome, and a 5K 27″ display would be absolutely mind blowing.
I just mean giving up the utility of two independent screens with their own desktops/space/full screen apps and going to 1 27″ iMac.
Because I don’t think I could tolerate a Retina 27″ iMac, and then a 1080p screen right next to it. My eyes wouldn’t appreciate that.
I think the correlation between the launch of the MacBook Pro with Retina display and this iMac might not be so direct. The first MacBook Pro with Retina was a shock to many pro-users whose workflows depended on the SuperDrive, and Apple likely kept the previous generation around to give this market time to adjust. The iMac however, has been without an optical drive since late 2012.
Don’t miss the optical drive at all, only needed to access DVDs a couple of times in the last 2 years, now I just put them in the PC sitting in another room and share its drive. If I had a greater need I’d just get an external USB one but it would live in a draw most of the time. No big deal for me not to have it built in. In fact it’s much better as less to go wrong, much easier to replace an external than built-in one.
I thought the same at first but quickly got used to my 2012 27″ iMac, plus unlike the 21.5 you can add your own RAM and it comes with faster CPU options and other stuff. Overall the 27″ is a much better investment and almost 2 years in it feels like new with Fusion and its thin edge design.
I was actually hoping Apple would up the size to 28″ or bigger this time around but I guess that all comes down to the screen makers and how much they change the current design. The only thing I would change is having the SD slot in a better place along with at least one USE3 port on the edge of the display.
I think a Retina 27″ iMac would be a great idea but 1440p is still a great resolution if your not working with 4k multimedia. Anything larger then 1080p/1200 is better for a desktop resolution!
iMacs are gorgeous. I love mine. Looking forward for this upgrade.
I think the new iPad will be of major interest specially if Apple take a chance and release so called iPad-Pro with 4k display and ability to show multiple apps running on the screen. Imagine special version of A8, 2GB of ram, improved Battery, NFC, and of course the fingerprint sensor is a given.
Would be nice to see an iMac or display with a slightly curved screen. Curved monitors seem to make more sense than tvs.
For all the curved content out there? I’m not sure I understand the utility of a curved monitor…I would prefer a monitor that doesn’t create illusions, but rather accurately represents what the rest of the world will see on their non-curved displays.
At my work place I have a multi monitor setup. I could see how curved monitors could make this setup less boxy and more seamless. I don’t want illusions, 3D, or anything of that sort. It would just be nice to have a seamless work space.
Curved screens also cut back on reflections. They are a good thing when implemented well.
No no no no no !!! Curved monitor is a great idea for gaming or watching movies, but a curved monitor is a terrible idea for photo / video editing. I can imagine TRYING to visually compensate for a curved screen… My brain would explode !!!
I understand you don’t want unnecessary tricks, neither do I. However, when you have a flat 30′ monitor, or two large flat monitors side by side, you will always look at the corners at a very different angle and distance compared to the middel of the screen. At a different angle there can be slight changes in color because of the backlighting and your eyes will have to accommodate for the different distance when going to and from the corners. With smaller computer monitors or at a larger distance like with a TV, this effect is much less noticeable.
When the screen is curved at approximately the radius of the distance between your eyes and the screen, this will be easier on the eyes because the won’t have to accommodate and the backlighting angle will always be the same.
Would be awesome if the hardware can keep up with those pixels. I’m weary of first generation Retina devices after iPhone 4 and iPad (3rd gen). Great at the time with performance issues later on.
I hope it supports the new type c usb and thus support being a display for things like an Xbox one and over video sources
XBox One content is, at most, 1080p. You are just showing a pixels worth of content on 4 pixels by using a UHD monitor with one. Get yourself a nice 1080p monitor for real cheap.
I don’t see why the 21″ model has to wait for Broadwell chips, but the 27″ can be released with Haswell chips.
I really don’t see any new Macs this year and if so all will have Haswell chips. I can’t see new form factors of the iMac and 12″ Air with Haswell chips. If they do release retina iMacs this year I would wait for next year for ones with Skylake chips.
27″ has plenty of room for discrete GPU but 21″ makes IGA more of a necessity, which means it needs the greater power of the newer generation. Larger iMac also less of a cooling challenge, a major Broadwell feature.
You can’t keep waiting for the next generation of CPU or you’ll never buy anything, there is usually only a small gain of maybe 10% between them. For most users they won’t see a difference until they wait 3-4 years between upgrades. If you system is still doing the job you need and can afford to wait then do that.
Apple is release the new iMac’s now to boost sales, retina iMac will be a big selling point and next year they will upgrade the CPUs and other bits.
I guess the 21.5 will be upgraded when the new CPUs are released.
Indeed. The ‘back to school’ sales moment is behind us. All those students (or their parents for them) have bought what they need and most won’t be buying a new Mac for at least year.
But not everybody is a student and it’s only two months to Christmas, the next – and always biggest – sales peak of the year. As always, timing is everything.
I think it’s worth it to try to buy strategically for as far as this is possible. You don’t know what Apple will introduce and when, but as long as your current hardware keeps working, you can make a fair judgement on whether it’s worth it to upgrade to a new machine. Like you said, yearly increments aren’t worth it. A retina screen will be a good incentive to buy for a large group of current iMac users though.
Even though a new processor type won’t make a huge speed bump, one day it might be the difference between being able to update to a newer OS version or not. A newer model also often sports a better WiFi card or other options. For historical example, support for Airdrop.
BTW Don’t underestimate the jump to a highres screen. It’s not just the screen that is more expensive: the GPU will have to be upgraded accordingly and the extra screen option too. It will pump a lot more data, so the main logic board probably will have to be upgraded too.
What no 4K pr0n jokes yet? You guys are slipping.
Retina all the things. And I’m not sure I could go down to a smaller display unless it was like PMZanetti’s dual display setup.
Eyes beginning to fail …need Al Bundy text size now (Biggins)
This is the news I’ve wanted to hear. Just so long as the RAM is still able to be installed by us, I have no problem with getting this beauty and rolling with it for as long as I can (like I have done with this iMac I’m using right now).
Oh yes! Bring them on, please! *mmmh! Retina iMacs*
Is Apple updating the Macbook Pro Retina that they slimmed down for the Late 2013 launch and barely updated in August?
5K: the numbrer of pixels, and the cost. : o
Glad to see more and more that resolution is no longer a limiting factor (yes, limiting…) And with all the 3K and 4K monitors now on the market at very competitive prices, if not sometimes lower in price than similar older 2K or less monitors there’s very little reason to make less resolution in a monitor. Only remaining reason would be for lower cost, which is totally acceptable in many cases (like a sub $300 laptop for example)
Looking to get a 27″ so I’m wondering whether I should wait to buy a new version with no memory upgrades or wait and buy an old version for cheaper with several memory upgrades. What do you suggest?
This doesn’t add up for me. I can see them producing a 5k or greater display for use with the Pro but for the iMac line I’d expect them to go with commodity parts where possible to keep the price suitable for the intended market. That means a 4k display, with the ability to drive at least one more externally, which would still pretty nifty and useful to serious video work.
I wish to play WoW and do some routine tasks, I can’t do that with 4-5K resolution( FirePro instead latest nVidia make me sad.
I wish I could afford this mac…. ;/ or any 27 iMac….
When is the thunderbolt display upgrade for the same panel due? Any ideas guys?
We will need the brand new Display Port 3 to drive a Retina Thunderbolt display. Maybe Apple will announce when they will upgrade the MBP and MB Display Ports, which will tell us when they can release a Retina Thunderbolt display.
Are 27″ ultra high-resolution Retina Thunderbolt displays also in the offing?
Looking forward to October 16th. I wonder how much this Retina upgrade will cost, and if regular iMacs will still be on sale afterwards. I set my mind last week on buying a 27 inch iMac, now with news like this I believe I should wait until the event to see how the pricing looks…
Would love if they handle heating issues better. As 3D artist I struggle with heating issues while rendering a lot .. And nMP is just to pricey and no Nvidia ….