The iMac Pro could be poised for a major return — years after Apple discontinued the power all-in-one computer. This time, the professional desktop will be powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 Max chip, according to information found in internal Apple software.
It would be a change in strategy for Apple, but it seems the company is at least exploring the idea of an updated all-in-one desktop for the pro and prosumer markets.
Leaks point to return of the high-end iMac Pro with M5 Pro
The iMac Pro launched in 2017, with a powerful Intel Xeon processor, a 27-inch 5K display and a starting price of $5,000. The first all-in-one iMac desktop designed for professionals, the pricey computer failed to find a market. Apple nixed it in 2021 without releasing follow-up versions. But that could change in 2026.
Leaked Apple internal code — spotted by MacRumors deep within kernel debug kit files normally used by Apple engineers — reveals identifiers pointing to an unreleased iMac model running the M5 Max chip.
That advanced processor would make the desktop computer more appealing to professionals, as it can handle demanding workflows like 3D rendering, video editing and AI development. Apple has yet to unveil the M5 Max, but the M4 Max sports 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores. It’s up to 2.2 times faster than the CPU in the M1 Max.
Apple launched the basic version of the M5 processor this autumn in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, but we don’t expect the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants of the chip until 2026.
The leaked Apple internal code reveals nothing about screen size. The original iMac Pro came with a 27-inch screen, but the upcoming version could potentially go larger.
Note that the device is reportedly in internal testing, which isn’t a guarantee that Apple will eventually launch it.
Demand for a professional-grade all-in-one?
Apple currently offers the Mac Studio and Mac Pro for professionals shopping for a desktop computer. However, some have long hoped for an all-in-one Mac with a large, high-quality display and top-tier specs. Rumors of just such a device being in development in Cupertino pop up occasionally.
On the other hand, the original iMac Pro went off like a wet firecracker. It only remained in Apple’s lineup for a bit longer than three years and was never upgraded or replaced.
The challenge for all-in-one desktop computers aimed at professionals is that processors go obsolete much more quickly than screens do. Pros need the latest chips, so they typically upgrade to newer computers more frequently than consumers do. If they’re using an iMac Pro, they have to bear the expense of replacing a perfectly good screen to get a faster processor.
That’s why Apple recommends professionals use a Mac Studio and an external monitor. (Read our buying guide: How Apple Studio Display stacks up against Pro Display XDR and others.)
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
