Josh Ong
Apple on Monday showed off new versions of its MacBook line of computers, including updates to the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro and a new next-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina Display, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Updates to Apple's desktop computers were noticeably absent from the event.
However, The New York Times' David Pogue reported on Monday that an Apple executive had suggested new iMacs and Mac Pros might not arrive until 2013.
"Many Apple observers also wonder if Apple thinks that desktop computers are dead, since not a word was said about the iMac and Mac Pro," he wrote. "An executive did assure me, however, that new models and new designs are under way, probably for release in 2013."
AppleInsider contacted Apple for comment about the alleged remarks, but the company did not immediately respond.
Though the Mac maker did quietly update the Mac Pro on Monday, it did so with a two-year-old processor, rather than the Sandy Bridge Xeon E5 chip that some had been expecting. Blogger and developer Marco Arment called the update "half-assed," noting that Apple appeared to have sent the message that it "doesn't give a sh*t about the Mac Pro."
In the weeks leading up to WWDC, multiple sources had appeared to suggest that Apple would release a redesigned iMac. For instance, Geekbench benchmarks for an unreleased iMac model, known as iMac13,2, were spotted online last month. Apple last updated the iMac in May 2011, adding the Thunderbolt port and a FaceTime HD camera.
As portables have become an increasing part of Apple's Mac sales, many observers have expressed fears that Mac desktops would fall by the wayside. Those concerns have been further exacerbated by the fact that the bulk of Apple's revenue now comes from iOS, especially the iPhone. Apple did hold a "Back to the Mac" event in 2010 to reemphasize its focus on OS X and the Mac, but the event was largely centered around a new MacBook Air that drew inspiration from the iPad and iOS.
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169 Comments
Like fun they won't.
You know what else makes it look like Apple doesn't care about the pro line anymore? The industrial design. The "cheese grater" case has been around how long now? Almost exactly nine years, with the introduction of the PowerMac G5. Apple has never kept any design for any other computer around that long. It's not like it's a great design, either. Bulky, with those curved handles. Ridiculously heavy thanks to the heavy gauge aluminum. And to my eyes, butt ugly. Sure is less elegant than the simple and sleek Quicksilver (but similarly bulky) PowerMac G4. Granted, the internals are very neatly laid out and getting to them is easier than with PC towers. But to be absolutely honest, a very dated design.
[quote name="Kolchak" url="/t/150635/apple-exec-suggests-new-imacs-may-not-come-till-2013#post_2125531"]You know what else makes it look like Apple doesn't care about the pro line anymore? The industrial design. The "cheese grater" case has been around how long now? Almost exactly nine years, with the introduction of the PowerMac G5. Apple has never kept any design for any other computer around that long. It's not like it's a great design, either. Bulky, with those curved handles. Ridiculously heavy thanks to the heavy gauge aluminum. And to my eyes, butt ugly. Sure is less elegant than the simple and sleek Quicksilver (but similarly bulky) PowerMac G4. Granted, the internals are very neatly laid out and getting to them is easier than with PC towers. But to be absolutely honest, a very dated design. [/quote] Not really.
This is an insult to all professional Mac users out there. Content creators: video editor, photographers, graphics designers, book publishers, creative houses... require massive amount of computing power and expandability. Investments in the Apple platform is not cheap and yet Apple feel it's fit to leave them completely in the dark. Even a word about when they will release a new Mac Pro will be reassuring. I've sunk nearly $20K into Apple products for my studio, and literally put my credit card on the table, begging Apple to take it and giving me a new Mac Pro in return. No, it din't happen. They even dare to charge the same price for 2 year old computer!!! They came out with a new version of Aperture with more "auto" features, instead of the Aperture 4 for the pro photographers to compete with Lightroom. Can they be more polite, more gentle and only kick my ass one at a time please?
I don't fucking need a new design, just give me the same Mac Pro, with 2012 CPUs, Thunderbolt, etc. the stuffs they have for even a machine at half the price (or a quarter of the price at my specs).
I envision a day when most contents viewable on iPad comes with the tag line: "Proudly made on a PC running Windows XX". The day of "Made on a Mac" is almost over. I fear it, but Apple has the cards to play. Focus on sales figures, profit margin, market share, popularity, etc... is the typical mindset of a company runs by a bunch of MBAs, not the daring, bold Apple I've known and loved.
Kolchak, I disagree. It's a classic design and it still works. Looks great with Apple's latest display. To the extent you can see it that is ... The Pro tends to live in the shadows, under desks and on the floor. Apple knows this, why mess around then with a design that works and generally remains hidden most of its life. I do agree however, that the fact they havent updated it in 10 years means, they care much less about it than any other product they sell. After all, we're talking about Steve Jobs, the man who wanted to chrome plate the inside of the Apple II.