2022 could be the year Apple takes iMac to the next level. Various leaks point to an iMac Pro with a blazing-fast processor and a beautiful screen.
But it’s not supposed to be any larger than the biggest current iMac, though the overall design is expected to change.
2022 marks return of the iMac Pro
A redesigned 24-inch iMac with an Apple M1 processor launched in 2021. But the 27-inch version still in Apple’s product lineup runs Intel chips.
This will allegedly be replaced with a 2022 iMac Pro featuring a new M1 Max Duo chip with up to 20 cores for processing and up to 64 cores for graphics. This would make the future all-in-one desktop even faster than the new MacBook Pro with the speedy M1 Max processor.
And the built-in display will reportedly be a mini-LED screen, bringing higher contrast, blacker blacks and improved brightness. Plus, the ProMotion display will offer a 120Hz refresh rate. But, as noted, it’s expected to stay at 27 inches, not get any larger. That’s a bit surprising, considering the screen in the 2021 iMac is 24 inches, up from 21 inches.
Other features from the current model are also expected to reach the Pro, like a super-flat design and magnetic charging cable.
The 27-inch iMac Pro will launch in spring 2022, according to unconfirmed reports. And it’ll come in a range of color options like its smaller sibling. Pricing is unknown at this time.
What about the 24-inch iMac?
Photo: Apple
So far, there have been no leaks giving advance details on Apple’s plans for the current 24-inch iMac.
But at some point this smaller version of the macOS desktop is likely to get an upgrade to the upcoming M2 processor. And a mini-LED screen, too. Whether these enhancements will happen in late 2022 or 2023 is anyone’s guess.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
