Apple Confirms No 27-Inch iMac with Apple Silicon, Opens Door to Larger Future Models. In a definitive move that sets the future course for its iMac lineup, Apple has officially stated that a 27-inch iMac equipped with an Apple Silicon chip is not on the horizon. This announcement, made to journalists from top US tech outlets including The Verge and TechCrunch, comes in the wake of the unveiling of new iMacs sporting the M3 chip.
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The journey of the 27-inch iMac began back in October 2009, with Apple faithfully updating this larger-screened all-in-one over the years. The trajectory seemed to shift with the launch of the Mac Studio and Studio Display in March 2020, signaling a new direction for Apple’s desktop solutions.
For a while, industry watchers and fans speculated on the potential discontinuation of larger iMac models, especially those beyond 24 inches. With Apple’s recent confirmation, the curtain officially falls on the prospect of a new 27-inch iMac, dashing the hopes of enthusiasts longing for a large desktop experience powered by Apple’s custom silicon.
However, Apple’s announcement comes with a subtle yet intriguing caveat: the absence of a 27-inch model doesn’t necessarily close the door on potentially larger all-in-one Macs in the future. Speculations have been rife about a possible 32-inch iMac, although details remain speculative at this point.
For users craving the expansive real estate of Apple’s larger screens coupled with robust performance, the current lineup offers alternatives like the Mac mini, which boasts configurations up to a 10-core CPU, and the more potent Mac Studio, which can be outfitted with the M2 Ultra chip featuring a 24-core CPU and a 60-core GPU. Complementing these options is the 27-inch Studio Display, rounding out the suite of high-performance large-screen Apple experiences.
The existing 24-inch iMac, while smaller, still satisfies many with its 4.5K Retina display, offering crisp visuals at 4480×2520 resolution and 218 pixels per inch. On the processing front, choices range from an 8-core CPU (with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores) and an 8-core GPU, up to a variant with a 10-core GPU. This compares to the older Intel-based models that offered choices between Core i5 or i7 processors to match different user needs and budgets. Notably absent, at least for the time being, is a 24-inch iMac with an M3 Pro chip, leaving some room for future product line expansion.