Apple Reportedly Launching Updated iMacs with Faster Processors Next Week

Apple is planning to update its iMac line with faster processors and lower prices next week, according to a new report from MacGeneration (Google Translate). Citing the same sources that correctly predicted the MacBook Air refresh this past April, the website also notes that Apple may also include Thunderbolt 2 ports on the new iMacs and will launch them later in the week instead of the usual Tuesday release day as done for other Apple products.

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Like the MacBook Air refresh, Apple may be planning to increase the processor speed of at least some configurations by 100 MHz by using a number of recently launched processors, including the 3.3 GHz i5-4590, the 3.4 GHz i5-4690, and 3.6 GHz i7-4790 for the 27-inch model as well as the 3.0 GHz i5-4590S and 3.2 GHz i5-4790S for the 21.5-inch model. It is also possible that Apple will cut the price of the standard iMac configurations to go along with these minor spec bumps.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last year and earlier this year that Apple would be launching a lower-cost iMac in the near future to address growth in foreign markets.

Meanwhile, recent evidence in the OS X Yosemite developer preview has also indicated that Apple is gearing up to launch Retina Display-equipped iMacs in the near future. It is possible that Apple may then initially move to split the iMac lineup, selling the Retina models at higher price points alongside cheaper non-Retina models. A lower price point for the non-Retina models may also help address growth in critical foreign markets such as China.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

mad3inch1na Avatar
143 months ago
If this is true, I wonder why they just didn't announce this at WWDC?
Ha, can you imagine Phil Schiller coming out on stage and unveiling a 0.1 GHz bump?

On the big screen they would have a 3.3 being crushed by a 3.4. "Can't innovate, my...yeah sorry guys, Intel is behind on their processors. I don't know what else to say. Thanks for coming today."
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ohbrilliance Avatar
143 months ago
If this is true, I wonder why they just didn't announce this at WWDC?

The WWDC was all about developers and software.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thebeeobee Avatar
143 months ago
Why would someone want to waste GPU power on pushing more pixels on an imac? The resolution is fantastic, as is.

If you think you need a retina imac, then you are easily fooled by marketing gimmicks.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
143 months ago


If this is true, I wonder why they just didn't announce this at WWDC?

They had a lot of materiel to cover in the 2 hour keynote at WWDC. I can't imagine them cramming in even more.

Besides... a processor spec-bump is best suited for a press release announcement... not stage time.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zunairryk Avatar
143 months ago
So exactly like Macbook Air refresh. A 100MHz processor bump with probably like a $100 price cut.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lars666 Avatar
143 months ago
Why would someone want to waste GPU power on pushing more pixels on an imac? The resolution is fantastic, as is.

If you think you need a retina imac, then you are easily fooled by marketing gimmicks.
All I know is that after switching from my Retina Macbook Pro to my iMac, the iMac screen looks grainy like hell.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)