itstargetnews
Every year, one part of Apple’s Mac lineup—the one that’s most begging for a glow-up—is sidelined instead for aging MacBooks. But why should Apple buyers buy an expensive screen and an expensive Mac when they can get them all in one big, expensive desktop? Yes, the iMac may finally see the return of a “Pro” version, and this could be just what the all-in-one needs.
Apple is set to will launch a smorgasbord of new products in 2026. That includes a new Studio Display 2. If Apple is refreshing the 27-inch 5K Retina display, why not just stick the sucker full of Mac Studio guts while we’re at it? According to MacRumors, based on leaked internal software, there are some references to a new iMac model. The identifying code for the platform it runs on is reportedly related to an as-yet-unannounced M5 Max chip. Apple iMac Pro is discontinued in 2021 thereafter just a few years on store shelves.
Check out the Apple iMac at Amazon
Apple did not release any M5 Pro or M5 Max chips with this year’s MacBook Pro refresh. This limits new stock to a base M5 of a 14-inch MacBook Pro. We fully expect Apple to launch its high-end chips in 2026 with all new MacBook models, including one—finally—with an OLED screen for better contrast. Bloomberg’s regular Apple leaker, Mark Gurman, previously suggested that Apple is working on a larger screen iMac that could be built for professionals.
The last few iMac all-in-one models have been pretty blasé affairs. the 2023 model came with a base M3 chip, while the 2024 refresh received the M4 upgrade. These 24-inch screens are designed for home use; therefore, it comes in a variety of rainbow colors that can make a Skittles fiend blush. However, in the apocryphal days pre-M-series and pre-pandemic period, Apple also wanted 27-inch screens, which is the larger iMac Pro with an Intel processor. Apple doesn’t feel the need to bring back a more powerful all-in-one model, but that may change in the new year.
An iMac with Mac Studio-level performance would be an attractive proposition. The M4 Max’s 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU proved to be a strong performer in our 2024 Mac Studio tests. If Apple upgrades the display from the old Retina display (it’s Apple’s own blend of LCD technology that usually boasts a higher pixel count), it will provide one of the best all-in-one experiences. Let’s be honest, how often do you take your big brick of a Mac Studio with you on the road?
The bigger issue for the iMac Pro is the price. Today’s 24-inch iMac starts at $1,300 for an 8-core CPU/GPU M4. The 10-core version is asking $1,500. Meanwhile, the 27-inch Studio Display starts at $1,600. When you combine that with a $2,000 M4 Max Mac Studio, you’re looking at a combo worth $3,600. The iMac Pro from 2017 costs $5,000 as a starting price. No wonder why the device doesn’t take off. Perhaps, with Apple’s M-series silicon, we no longer have to sit and guess why Apple’s Mac Pro desktop tower is once again “on the back burner,” according to Gourmet.
