Apple Still Developing Bigger iMac With Over 30-Inch Display

Apple is still working on a larger iMac with over a 30-inch display, but the development stage and potential release schedule for the all-in-one computer still remains largely unknown.

iMac Pro 2022 27 and 24 iMac
Following the launch of the Mac Studio and 27-inch Studio Display in March 2022, Apple discontinued the Intel-based 27-inch iMac. The company had already consigned the iMac Pro to its discontinued products list the previous March. Then in November 2023, Apple dashed hopes of a future 27-inch iMac when it confirmed to several publications that it had no plans to release such a machine.

Despite Apple's product reshuffle and its continued attempt to push customers to buy its 24-inch iMac or opt instead for a Mac Studio / Studio Display combo, there have been persistent rumors of a larger-screened iMac in the works that has a display that's over 30 inches in size. The machine was said to be in the early stages of development in mid-2023, but until recently the rumor mill had gone all but quiet about its progress.

Now, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has offered a ray of hope for fans of a larger model. "A larger iMac remains something Apple is exploring," he wrote in his latest weekly report. However, Gurman still says it is unclear if the device will use Apple's latest M4 processor. Apple plans to update its 24-inch iMac to an M4 processor later this year, but Gurman's comments suggest that this could be too early for the larger model, given its current development phase.

Gurman in June 2023 reported that Apple was in the early stages of developing a new iMac with over a 30-inch display, and that it was "further out," suggesting that it might be at least a year or two away from launching. Then in October 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected a 32-inch iMac with a mini-LED display to come out in 2025. Kuo did not specify, but such a machine could be positioned as an "‌iMac‌ Pro" to replace the 2017 model that Apple discontinued in 2021.

iMac Pro Mock Graphic Feature
So it seems Apple could still release a larger M4 iMac in 2025, alongside planned processor upgrades the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio next year. Another possibility is that Apple will hold out for its M5 chip, which could see the bigger iMac arrive in 2026 or later.

As the rumors indicate, the actual size of the bigger iMac that Apple is working on is still unclear, but the display is surely going to be over 30 inches. At 32 inches, it would offer the same dimensions as the 6K Pro Display XDR, which Apple sells for $5,000. As for the design, we could perhaps see slimmer bezels and a machine that is ultimately modeled after the Studio Display, with Apple eliminating the chin, but rumors are not clear on this point.

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Top Rated Comments

brofkand Avatar
15 weeks ago
I think there’s definitely a market for it, but personally I like the Mac mini better. I hate throwing away those beautiful displays when the iMacs get obsolete.
Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)
colmaclean Avatar
15 weeks ago
Only makes sense if it can be used as a standalone monitor after the computer reaches EOL.

Otherwise it's a waste of a good screen long-term (and not exactly A+ green credibility).
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeaz Avatar
15 weeks ago
I had several 27" iMacs over the years. I like the simple and clean solution it provided and it had enough power for me.

But the new 24" iMac, while looking nice, has just too small screen to be viable for me. Right now instead have a Mac Studio and Studio Display. It's nice, but actually for power a bit of an overkill, but wouldn't mind a bigger screen than 27".

So if they have a 32" ultra-wide concept as an iMac I'm all ears.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpotOnT Avatar
15 weeks ago
All the people who want an iMac over a Mac Studio/Studio Display because the iMac is “so much cheaper” are going to be so mad when this “big iMac” come out with a 5,000 USD starting price.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
15 weeks ago
Been saying this all along: IMO, iMac 27” wasn’t discontinued for lack of popularity or any other reason commonly slung. Instead, the problem for the corp was margin… as in not enough margin in it for Apple. So kill it for a while, then resurrect with a PRO (for PROfit) tag at a PRO price and leave the well established “starting at < $2K” margin problem behind.

Meanwhile, "let's kick the Mac guts OUT of the new iMac 27, rebrand it ASD and leave the price the same as historical iMac 27" pricing and see if they'll pay." They did. Many of "us" did... and basically established that only the monitor portion of the former iMac 27" was worth the full iMac 27" "starting at..." by itself. Rolling out a BIGGER monitor AND include a Mac inside too? Plus keyboard and mouse? Obviously, that must be priced MUCH HIGHER than ASD with stand option.

Let 24" iMac be the consumer AIO at consumer pricing. Those wanting bigger, pay up for "PRO." ??? Shareholders rejoice. Report "another record quarter..." in the next quarterly call.

Will all who keep saying how bad they want one be as interested when they see the new, improved (for the Corp) pricing? TBD. But anyone imagining anything close to old iMac 27” pricing should brace themselves… and their wallets and/or credit line. Doubt it? Answer this question (if you dare)...

[SPOILER="What was the former iMac Pro starting price?"]

[/SPOILER]

That was about 7 years ago. Apply some of that "inflation" we readily sling to rationalize price hikes. Apply some "supply chain" excuses. Even apply some "Covid" effects. Is Silicon not far superior to 7-year-old Xeons? Is this rumored screen not bigger than 27"? Is Silicon graphics not better than 7-year-old Vega? Is magical Apple RAM not better than 32GB ECC? Is Thunderbolt 4/5 not better than 3? If all of that could be spun at that price all those years ago, how much higher will the "starting at..." price for the new one go?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arkitect Avatar
15 weeks ago
Much as I have loved my iMacs, they have always been a wasteful solution.

The first iMac was a wonderful bright and revolutionary design to kick start iCEO Steve Jobs' new Apple in the late 1990s…

The all in one design has outlived its usefulness — unless the display can be shown to have a useful life after the Mac part of it dies.

Give us a Mac in a box and external displays.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)