Apple’s iconic 24-inch iMac seems ripe for an update. This is considering its last refresh occurred in 2021—a lifetime in the tech world. But contrary to widespread anticipation, the latest rumours suggest that the upcoming iMac may not sport the long-awaited M3 chip. Instead, the buzz is that Apple might opt for M2 and M2 Pro processors, aligning the iMac more closely with the recently released 2023 Mac mini as reported by T3.
The performance of the M2 Pro chip in the new Mac mini is certainly impressive. It easily runs demanding applications like Logic Pro X, suggesting that if the iMac goes the same route, it wouldn’t necessarily be a letdown. However, it does raise questions about whether the new iMac will be the significant leap forward many were hoping for.
Next iMac specs eerily similar to the current Mac mini
Spec leaks from the Japanese blog Mac Otakara offer a glimpse into what the next iMac might feature. The leak indicates the new iMac will support Thunderbolt 3, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.3, while offering the M2 and M2 Pro as processor options.
If these specs seem déjà vu, it’s for a reason. They almost exactly match the current Mac mini, which also offers M2 and M2 Pro processors, as well as 8GB or 16GB of unified memory, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. This essentially means that the forthcoming iMac could be a Mac mini enveloped in a high-quality display.
Unpacking the mystery of the missing M3 chip
The report from Mac Otakara stands alone in claiming the next iMac will exclude the M3 chip. Why the deviation from earlier expectations? Most theories point to timing. It’s speculated that the M3 chip won’t be ready for mass production in time for a 2023 launch. This aligns with prior reports indicating the M3 chip’s debut had been moved from late 2023 to as far off as late 2024.
If an iMac with an M2 chip is on the horizon, don’t look out for an extravagant Apple event to introduce it. Given the speculated timelines, it’s more likely that Apple will announce the new iMac through a press release rather than a showy event hosted by Tim Cook.
