Leakers hint at colorful iMacs with iPad Pro-like processor for April 20 event

February renders of what a new iMac could look like [Jon Prosser]

Rumors about Apple's April 20 special event has Apple launching a number of different devices, including updated iPad models and an Apple Silicon version of the iMac. Well-known product leaker "L0vetodream" suggests in further analysis of the AR teaser for the event that the iMac update could be colorful.

Tweeting on Saturday, the account puts together an image of the AR invite's logo alongside one displaying multiple G3 iMacs. The model in question was well known for being offered to the public in a wide variety of bright colors.

However, following initial reports on the tweet, "@L0vetodream" offered in a second message that they "didn't say anything" in that first post.

Previously, the tweeter speculated that Apple could introduce an iMac with a much larger screen than the existing 27-inch iMac model, though stopped short of advising on sizes.

Previous rumors have claimed Apple is mulling over providing color options for the new iMac, such as in renders published in February. The models were described to be a blend of the Pro Display XDR and iPad Pro, complete with edge-to-edge displays and colors similar to the iPad Air.

It is highly likely that Apple will use such an iMac launch to introduce Apple Silicon, but it is unclear if it will continue with the M1 or introduce a new variant. Posting on Friday, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg mused "Would anyone else find it odd if a big iMac was using essentially the same processor as an iPad Pro?"

It is unclear if this refers to the M-series chips being similar to the well-known A-series, or if Apple plans to use a modified version of the M1 in the iMac. Apple typically uses upgraded versions of A-series chips in its iPad Pro lineup, so Gurman's mention could infer that something similar could happen for the iMac.

Speculation from February had the "M1X" as a 12-core CPU, up from the 8 cores in the M1, as well as increasing the GPU from 8 cores to 16 cores. There were also claims the chip is made using a 5-nanometer process, have 256 execution units versus 128 in the M1, and be able to drive three displays instead of two.

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