Mike Peterson
An updated iMac with the first redesign in years, plus upgraded internals could debut at Apple's WWDC 2020 event in June.
The last iMac spec boost came in March 2019, but the design itself hasn't been updated in years. According to leaker Sonny Dickson, that could change in 2020.
A 2020 iMac refresh, to be announced at WWDC, is predicted to get "iPad Pro design language, with Pro Display like bezels," Sonny Dickson said. Dickson claims that it will utilize the T2 chip for security plus video codec assistance, and an AMD Navi GPU.
The rumor predicts the demise of the Fusion Drive as well. This would presumably be replaced in favor of flash media options, similar to how the Mac mini refresh of 2018 got rid of internal spinning hard drives.
New iMac incoming at WWDC. iPad Pro design language, with Pro Display like bezels. T2 chip, AMD Navi GPU, and no more fusion drive
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) June 9, 2020
Although the leaker doesn't specify, in all probability the updated iMac will stick with an Intel-based processor. Reports of ARM Macs indicate that Apple will first make the switch on notebooks.
Earlier on Tuesday, a report suggested that Apple could announce its plans to transition to ARM-based chips at WWDC this year, but adds that ARM hardware won't be available until 2021. The updated iMac, by contrast, will likely be a 2020 model.
This isn't the first time we've seen rumors of an impending iMac redesign. In April, a supply chain report suggested that a lower-cost, 23-inch iMac was on the horizon. And Jon Prosser in May said an iMac was ready and could "drop at any time."
Known leaker Fudge, also known as choco_bit on Twitter, revealed the existence of an iMac redesign due at WWDC in a report submitted to AppleInsider.
Apple's WWDC 2020 conference kicks off on June 22 and will be the first to be held completely virtually.
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50 Comments
If it’s an iPad Pro Design for the Display it should be super thin and move the „computer“ to a base the size of an Mac mini. With a awesome tilt swivel arm like the Luca lamp iMac.
I want FaceID on the iMac and laptops.
I had just about given up all hope.
I can't see Apple putting out a redesigned iMac with Intel processors if the ARM switch is real and pending. And it seems likely that it is. Spec bump maybe, redesign seems un-Apple-esque. But then...all will be revealed at WWDC. Maybe.
All in all, there seems little for me to be interested in at this year's WWDC. YYMV. I might be interested in an Apple TV with a tuner for OTA, (yes, there are other boxes) an Apple monitor (and even if they went back into this business, they would be way overpriced) the return of Airport, (not happening ever) or even hearing about the Apple Glasses (too soon.) None of the rumored stuff is interesting to me.
A 22 to 32 inch iPad Pro like industrial design is the eventual end point for an AIO. Just a fancy looking display, and thin, thin, thin. It's not going to be 0.24" thick like an iPad Pro, but 0.5" maybe?
What will be interesting is if the magnetic mounting from the Pro Display XDR makes it over, as well as a stand that can do vertical transition and portrait rotation. Depending on cost and maybe Ethernet-over-TB3 networking, thought it'll would be fine with 10G Ethernet, buyers can increase their computational power by adding another iMac.
Comet Lake and Navi are going to be hot! Maybe a 400 W power supply over the current 300 W in the iMac 5K. iMac Pro territory. Once ARM is available, 0.25" thick.