New rumours suggest the iMac 2021 will be announced during the upcoming Apple Spring Loaded Event.
If the reports are accurate it’ll also be a radical departure from the current version, featuring a new redesign and an Apple Silicon processor upgrade.
Apple will redesign the iMac for the first time since 2012 according to a report from Bloomberg, claiming the next iMac will have a thinner bezel and will ditch the chunky metal chin below the screen. The curved rear is also expected to be replaced with a flat back more in-line with modern desktop designs.
However, not all of the changes are expected to be subtle. According to FrontPageTech’s Jon Prosser (via MacRumors), the new iMac will come in five colours. This includes Silver and Space Gray, along with three eye-catching new pastel shades: Green, Sky Blue and Rose Gold.
Image: Jon Prosser / Concept Creator
The above image gives us an idea of what to expect in terms of colour. However, Prosser notes he has yet to see the back of the desktop himself, so don’t take any other design hints from these renders.
There are two versions rumoured to be in the works. The computers have been given the codenames J456 and J457 and are expected to replace the existing 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs when they launch later this year. That said, renowned leaker l0vetodream (via 9to5 Mac) has claimed the upcoming iMac will also feature a bigger display than the existing 27-inch model. If accurate, this could potentially mean Apple is working on a 32-inch iMac.
Scroll down to discover all we know about the iMac 2021 so far and don’t forget to bookmark this page, as we’ll be updating it as more news rolls in.
iMac 2021 price – How much will it cost?
Apple is yet to release any pricing details for the iMac 2021, but we expect it to be in line with the company’s 2020 range. Apple didn’t raise the price for the MacBook Air M1, so we’re hopeful the company won’t charge more for an Apple Silicon-powered iMac.
The current 21.5-inch iMac can cost between $1099/£1099/€1299 and $1499/£1499/€1699, depending on which processor you get. Meanwhile, prices for last year’s 27-inch iMac start at $1799/£1799/€2099 and can go as high as $2299/£2299/€2599.
iMac 2021 release date – When will it launch?
It’s been suggested that the iMac 2021 could launch alongside the iPad Pro 2021 during the upcoming Apple Spring Loaded Event on 20th April 2021.
There are plenty of clues to suggest an iMac 2021 launch could be imminent too, with Apple recently discontinuing the iMac Pro and 21.5-inch iMac models models, while 9to5 Mac has pointed out that the recent macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta includes references to new iMac models.
However, there have also been conflicting reports that suggest the iMac 2021 won’t launch until the second half of 2021, putting it in the same timeframe as the anticipated MacBook Pro 2021 launch.
No iMac in March. Gotta wait til October apparently.
— LeaksApplePro (@LeaksApplePro) February 6, 2021
iMac 2021 specs – How powerful will it be?
The biggest upgrade for the iMac 2021 is expected to be the inclusion of Apple Silicon processors, as the company continues its transition away from Intel.
Apple officially unveiled the M1 chip in November 2020, which was used to power MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac mini. It’s currently unknown whether Apple will be fitting the existing M1 chip into the iMac 2021, or will instead use a more powerful variant that’s been rumoured for the MacBook Pro and iMac Pro.
The perks of Apple Silicon’s Arm architecture include better power and thermal efficiency, as well as a longer battery life. Apple claims the M1 in particular offers 3.5x faster CPU performance, 6x faster GPU performance and 15x faster machine learning when compared with the Intel chips found in previous Macs. We were really impressed by the MacBook Air’s performance jump, so it will be exciting to see the iMac treated to a similar upgrade.
iMac 2021 design – How will it look?
The iMac 2021 is also expected to see a major physical redesign, with Apple touted to slim down the bezel and ditch that chunky metal chin. While the wide strip at the bottom of the iMac currently allows the company to show off its iconic logo, it give the iMac a slightly outdated look.
The new iMac is expected to share a similar design to the existing Pro Display XD, which launched back in 2019. An edge-to-edge display, or even a slim bezel like that on the Pro Display XDR, would do a lot in terms of modernising the iMac’s design, while also potentially freeing up desk space.
It’s also been reported that Apple could offer an iMac screen size larger than the existing 27-inch model, while also adding multiple colour options to spice up the range. Apple expert Jon Prosser suggests there could be as many as five colour options, including Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue.
That’s all we know about the iMac 2021 so far. With rumours gathering momentum regarding an imminent launch, make sure to keep an eye on Trusted Reviews for all of the latest news on Apple’s upcoming all-in-one desktop PC.
