Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently revealed a 2023 launch for a redesigned iMac Pro. This news was followed closely by some reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who took to Twitter to drop some more info on Apple’s plans for the Mac Pro and Mac mini.
When asked about the M1-based Mac Pro and iMac timeline, Gurman replied that the company doesn’t usually dive into rumors. Still, he expects early performance tests of the upcoming Mac Pro will begin as soon as this summer. The updated machines are expected to arrive sometime in 2022.
He also observed that Apple is actively working on redesigning the iMac and Mac mini models. The version of the 2021 iMac design already planned includes several stunning color variants alongside upgraded processing power and GPU performance. Furthermore, Gurman suggested that a more drastic redesign may be coming in 2023 with a “complete overhaul” featuring improved cooling systems among other features being looked at and tested.
Apple is reportedly planning to redesign the Mac mini this year, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It will be the first redesign of the compact desktop since 2018, and it is expected to feature the company’s latest silicon, including a new M1 chip.
M1 Mac Pro
The M1 Mac Pro is a powerful computer with the first ever Apple Silicon processor. This processor is 8-core and brings a huge step up from the Intel processor used in the previous models. This processor has been praised for its performance and long battery life, which has made the M1 Mac Pro a popular choice for people who want a powerful machine.
Let’s discuss more on the M1 Mac Pro and its capabilities.
Design
The Mac Pro has been completely redesigned with the M1 chip. Apple has incorporated its classic tower design, reinvigorated for the current generation of powerful Macs. The casing includes a lattice pattern that houses two internal fans to help keep your computer running cool, reducing mechanical noise. Additionally, two Thunderbolt 4 ports connect your device to high-speed charging and data transferring devices. It has 6 USB C ports and Apple’s famous T2 security chip.
The speaker grilles have deeper holes than on previous models, designed to emit a broader dynamic range of frequencies better than previous Mac Pros could achieve. With an M1 processor, doubling the size of RAM is also possible—with 8 cores enhanced by 8 more performance cores, this new update brings much faster processing power over past Mac Pro models, making it ideal for even the most demanding production tasks and workloads.
Performance
The M1-equipped Mac Pro will offer high performance and improved power efficiency compared to its Intel counterparts. In addition, apple claims the M1 Mac Pro delivers maximum compute performance up to twice that of the standard Intel-based configuration and offers superior integrated graphics performance compared to other discrete GPUs.
Regarding memory, the M1 Mac Pro is outfitted with DDR4 system memory and fast storage with I/O speeds up to twice as fast as before. Further, M1 features a unified memory architecture that enables faster shader performance for immersive graphics rendering.
The combination of acceleration hardware plus co-processors in the SoC, along with optimized software drivers from Apple and its developers delivers ultimate performance on creative tasks such as 4K video processing, photo editing, AI inferencing, game development and 3D printing. In addition, the new 8-core GPU within the SOC takes graphics rendering performance to a level never seen before on an Apple device.
Price
The base cost of the new Apple M1 Mac Pro will start at $5,999; however, the entry-level configuration is expected to include more than enough horsepower for most users, including a 3.2GHz 8-Core CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. When fully kitted out with up to 2TB of storage, 8TB of RAM, and an A14X 4-Core processor running at 3.5GHz (or 2.0GHz 12-Core), the M1 Mac Pro could end up costing as much as $17,899.
The price tags might seem expensive, but it’s important to remember that the Apple M1 Mac Pro is designed for professionals who need powerful performance to carry out their work tasks efficiently and effectively — not just as a tool for everyday tasks such as web browsing or word processing. This enables professionals to get more done in less time and may improve their efficiency or help them make higher quality creations than they could create with a less powerful machine.
It’s possible that Apple could introduce a redesigned Mac mini with a more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities while still managing to keep the same price or reduce it slightly. This would be attractive for those looking for a powerful computing experience on a budget.
Mac Mini Redesign
Apple is reportedly planning to redesign the Mac mini this year, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It will be the first redesign of the compact desktop since 2018, and it is expected to feature the company’s latest silicon, including a new M1 chip. This could mean improved performance for the iconic desktop, as the M1 chip has already proven itself in MacBook Pro and Air models.
Let’s dive in and look at what else the Mac mini redesign could bring.
Design
The forthcoming Mac mini has been rumored to feature a redesigned form factor. Gurman further expands on that by stating that Apple has no reason to refresh the current model’s design, except for aesthetics. This could mean that Apple is exploring a more compact chassis akin to the iPad Pro. The Mac mini already ships in a tiny box, and it would be helpful if Apple can make it even smaller while keeping just as much power loaded into its burly frame.
Gurman also suggests that the current version’s pricing will remain intact, while those looking for higher-end specs may have to shell out some extra cash. This hints at components such as additional RAM and more storage being made available in pricier SKUs — though this is pure speculation, and nothing regarding internal hardware has been confirmed yet.
Other features rumored for the redesign include Thuderbolt 4 ports – an upgrade from current Thunderbolt 3 on some existing models – along with USB-C support, support for Wi-Fi 6 networking, upgraded cooling capabilities using expanded vents to take advantage of the powerful M1 SoCs currently powering many of Apple’s device lineup.
Performance
The new Mac mini may see an even bigger improvement in performance than the M1 Mac Pro. This is partially because M1 was intended for laptop use while Mac mini will take advantage of more powerful hardware specifically suited to powering a desktop device.
Reports from Mark Gurman have also indicated that both the Mac Pro and Mac mini may make use of specialized modular components like Apple Silicon cores, support for enterprise-grade networking, additional processor cores for disk encryption, and other features that could make a huge difference in performance when compared to its predecessor in the same form factor. In addition, this modularity could help keep pace with those regular hardware upgrades promised by Apple at WWDC 2021.
Additionally, when one considers the potential inclusion of a 16 port Thunderbolt hub and 64GB RAM configurations, it’s possible that a significant boost in performance could be achieved.
Price
The current Mac mini, last updated in March 2020, remains the most affordable way to get into the Mac ecosystem. The entry-level variant has an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD storage for $799. Apple offers higher-end options with faster processors and up to 2TB of storage, although this pushes the price up quickly — as high as $1,799.
It’s possible that Apple could introduce a redesigned Mac mini with a more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities while still managing to keep the same price or reduce it slightly. This would be attractive for those looking for a powerful computing experience on a budget. It would also help bring people over from Windows PCs put off by pricier models such as the already existing iMac Pro and incoming M1 Mac Pro.
iMac Pro
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is “actively developing” an updated iMac Pro that could arrive sometime in 2023. He also mentioned the company has a few Mac models in the works, some of which could be ready for launch as early as this year.
Let’s look at the details of the iMac Pro’s potential design and specs.
The iMac Pro, currently the top-of-the-line Mac desktop, has been rumored to be in active development with plans to release it as soon as 2023.
Design
The design of the next-generation iMac Pro is still in the early stages. Still, sources familiar with the company’s plans indicate that Apple targets a highly modern, flat-back design. However, it is unclear if this design language would be closer to the current body-style Mac Pro, or if it would draw inspiration from Apple’s other devices such as the slim metal and glass construction of the new iPad Pro models.
What colors and finishes Apple may use for its iMac Pro lineup is also unknown. Apple’s Mac Pro currently ships in black stainless steel while the aluminum iMacs are available in silver and space gray. In addition, there have been rumors of Apple offering a wide range of custom colors with any potential future Mac models.
Performance
The iMac Pro, currently the top-of-the-line Mac desktop, has been rumored to be in active development with plans to release it as soon as 2023. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, it will offer increased performance compared to the current model while being “slightly more adjustable”, but no other details have been revealed.
The iMac Pro will likely use Apple’s newest M1 processor or a custom version tailored for desktop performance. With this powerful processor and potential for minor adjustments, it could take on tasks previously seen as too demanding for a laptop like 4K video editing and 3D modeling. This would make it a great choice for professionals or users who need top performance in a versatile form factor.
Price
At its release, the original iMac Pro had a starting price of around $5,000. However, it was designed to expand significantly in configuration, including an 18-core Xeon processor and options for 4TB SSD storage and 128GB ECC memory. The iMac Pro also featured an innovative cooling system and a selection of ports including four Thunderbolt 3, four USB 3.0, gigabit Ethernet, an SD card reader and even a 1/8-inch headphone jack.
It is expected that any new incoming iMac Pro model would likely be sold at a comparable price point as the original device however current rumors suggest that the 2023 model may offer even higher spec configurations at potentially even higher prices. Reports also suggest the device will feature technology similar to Apple’s M1 chipsets found in its current Macbook range but with additional capabilities due to their more powerful nature. This could include advanced ray tracing capabilities for graphic needs or neural engines for machine learning and artificial intelligence tasks.
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