New iMac Pro and M3 iMac coming, but not in 2022

While Mac users wait for Apple to launch M2 models in 2022, it seems the company may already be working on the generation after that, with M3 and an iMac Pro possibly arriving in 2023.

Apple is expected to bring out new Macs sporting M2 chips, with a variety of launches anticipated for 2022. However, Apple is apparently already testing out what could be its third generation of Apple Silicon.

According to Mark Gurman in the Bloomberg "Power On" newsletter, an M3 chip is "already in the works" and currently undergoing testing. Though Gurman doesn't offer details of what the chip will offer, he expects it won't launch "until the end of next year at the earliest," referring to late 2023.

Gurman adds that he still thinks "an iMac Pro is coming. It just won't be anytime soon." The iMac Pro offered a high-performance alternative to the iMac, and a revival of the model was rumored to arrive in 2022 complete with a mini LED backlit display.

As for the M2 roadmap, Gurman outlines the plan as an M2 release in a new MacBook Air, entry-level MacBook Pro and Mac mini. M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are expected for updated 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and a dual M2 Ultra chip is touted for the Mac Pro.

34 Comments

9secondkox2 3148 comments · 8 Years

About 2 years ago

As I said.

Much to the chagrin of some a month ago who were riding “the iMac is discontinued” line hard. A hiatus is not discontinued.

The m1 series just wasn’t ready for a true modern iMac Pro. The Studio is a nice stopgap like the old iMac Pro was. The ultra chip has been revealed to need some design review in order to unleash its full potential. More forgivable in something like the Studio vs a Mac Pro or iMac Pro.

It’s an amazing machine that fills in the gap while we wait for the high end iMac. The coming Mac Pro makes the Studio somewhat redundant, though on a lower tier. It could stick around between the Mac mini and Mac Pro, but it would make iMac pricing strategies a bit problematic.

While the m3 is “in the works,” it doesn’t equate to availability. With m2 launching in the fall this year, we could see m3 one year later. So this timeline sounds right. M1 went on a bit long, but that’s due to apple expanding the lineup and getting processes right. They have a path to follow now so things will speed up.

sandyman18 10 comments · 2 Years

About 2 years ago

The lack of a better chip option for the 24" iMac is a mystery. A maxed-out current model iMac does not match the graphics of a maxed-out 21.5-incher from the previous generation. Please Apple, just offer an M1 or M2 Pro (when they come out) in the 24" iMac!

Marvin 15355 comments · 18 Years

About 2 years ago

9secondkox2 said:

As I said.
Much to the chagrin of some a month ago who were riding “the iMac is discontinued” line hard. A hiatus is not discontinued.

The m1 series just wasn’t ready for a true modern iMac Pro. The Studio is a nice stopgap like the old iMac Pro was. The ultra chip has been revealed to need some design review in order to unleash its full potential. More forgivable in something like the Studio vs a Mac Pro or iMac Pro.

It’s an amazing machine that fills in the gap while we wait for the high end iMac. The coming Mac Pro makes the Studio somewhat redundant, though on a lower tier. It could stick around between the Mac mini and Mac Pro, but it would make iMac pricing strategies a bit problematic.

While the m3 is “in the works,” it doesn’t equate to availability. With m2 launching in the fall this year, we could see m3 one year later. So this timeline sounds right. M1 went on a bit long, but that’s due to apple expanding the lineup and getting processes right. They have a path to follow now so things will speed up.

There's no reason for a hiatus when they managed both an M1 iMac and a Studio display. Gurman is just doing what all analysts do when they have wrong predictions. To avoid it being a stain on their record, they try to spin it into a later timeline and eventually they stop mentioning it until people forget they said it. One of them kept going on about Apple making a TV for years. Gurman said an iMac Pro was coming this year:

https://www.imore.com/gurman-next-imac-pro-likely-look-bigger-imac-better-chips

He was wrong. Permanent stain on record. Remember it every time he says something and pretends it's inside info.

The 27" Studio display costs $1600, the entry Mac Studio is $2000, that would make the entry non-XDR iMac Pro $3600 unless they had M1 Pro at the entry level. Either way, it would leave a significant gap between it and the M1 iMac and wouldn't offer anything over a Mac Studio + Studio display.

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

About 2 years ago

Marvin said:

9secondkox2 said:

As I said.
Much to the chagrin of some a month ago who were riding “the iMac is discontinued” line hard. A hiatus is not discontinued.

The m1 series just wasn’t ready for a true modern iMac Pro. The Studio is a nice stopgap like the old iMac Pro was. The ultra chip has been revealed to need some design review in order to unleash its full potential. More forgivable in something like the Studio vs a Mac Pro or iMac Pro.

It’s an amazing machine that fills in the gap while we wait for the high end iMac. The coming Mac Pro makes the Studio somewhat redundant, though on a lower tier. It could stick around between the Mac mini and Mac Pro, but it would make iMac pricing strategies a bit problematic.

While the m3 is “in the works,” it doesn’t equate to availability. With m2 launching in the fall this year, we could see m3 one year later. So this timeline sounds right. M1 went on a bit long, but that’s due to apple expanding the lineup and getting processes right. They have a path to follow now so things will speed up.

There's no reason for a hiatus when they managed both an M1 iMac and a Studio display. Gurman is just doing what all analysts do when they have wrong predictions. To avoid it being a stain on their record, they try to spin it into a later timeline and eventually they stop mentioning it until people forget they said it. One of them kept going on about Apple making a TV for years. Gurman said an iMac Pro was coming this year:

https://www.imore.com/gurman-next-imac-pro-likely-look-bigger-imac-better-chips

He was wrong. Permanent stain on record. Remember it every time he says something and pretends it's inside info.

The 27" Studio display costs $1600, the entry Mac Studio is $2000, that would make the entry non-XDR iMac Pro $3600 unless they had M1 Pro at the entry level. Either way, it would leave a significant gap between it and the M1 iMac and wouldn't offer anything over a Mac Studio + Studio display.

Did he claim any insider source for the iMac Pro expectation? You haven't linked to a Gurman article there, just an article re-reporting him.,

rob53 3312 comments · 13 Years

About 2 years ago

Most consumers don’t read AI so this information generally won’t stop them from buying when they want to.

Of course, all of us care and we know new products are always on the horizon. Problem is I want to replace my iMac 2015 one more time while I still have an interest in computers and the constant new products give me heartburn trying to decide when to spend money on one last, almost full-blown Mac. Please tell me the M1 Max will not be EOL’d in the next 10 years (software wise) and I would be comfortable with the new, base model Mac Studio (of course with more storage and maybe memory) and the Studio Display.