Apple to debut 27" Retina iMac at Oct. 16 event, next-gen iPad Air supply to be limited
At its special media event on Thursday, Apple is expected to release a highly-anticipated 27-inch iMac with Retina quality display that will ship before the end of 2014, as well as a next-generation iPad Air that could see limited initial supply, says one well-informed analyst.
According to a research note obtained by AppleInsider, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will introduce the long-awaited high-resolution iMac alongside a next-generation iPad Air at a media event scheduled for Oct. 16.
Kuo expects only a 27-inch Retina iMac model to take the stage this week, though a 21-inch version is in the works and could debut in the second half of 2015. The analyst says Apple started on the 27-inch offering prior to the 21-inch because developing two different sized high-resolution panels is a demanding task. Comparatively, the larger-screened iteration draws high-end users who can afford the additional cost, making the model ripe for release.
Reports from September claimed the rumored 27-inch Retina iMac will feature a 5K display, though exact specifications have not been confirmed. Code discovered in an OS X 10.10 Yosemite beta in June pointed to 6,400-by-3,600-pixel screen resolutions, possibly hinting at scaling options for a Retina panel.
Out of the products being announced on Thursday, Kuo sees the new iPad Air generating the most interest, but the analyst notes production issues could stymie a massive launch. Poor yield rates associated with the tablet's anti-reflective screen coating have delayed manufacturing, prompting a downgrade in shipments to between 7 and 9 million units, lower than the 12 million units shipped with the first iPad Air last year.
The iPad mini with Retina display is unlikely to see a major revision this year as Apple is placing focus on a rumored 12.9-inch model to be released in early 2015.
Finally, Kuo does not expect Apple to ship any new MacBook products in 2014 -- including a rumored 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display -- citing chip shipment delays from Intel. The analyst believes new MacBook models will start production in the first quarter of 2015, but doubts Apple will announce the products on Oct. 16.
Kuo's predictions line up with a report from Tuesday claiming Apple will launch both a high-resolution iMac and next-gen iPad Air 2 at its upcoming media event, but is not planning to announce new MacBook Air hardware.
The company is also widely expected to announce public availability of OS X Yosemite, the next-generation Mac operating system with enhanced interaction with iOS devices through new Continuity features. Apple may take the opportunity to launch Apple Pay, which was promised to drop in October, suggesting the launch of iOS 8.1.
AppleInsider will be covering the event live on Thursday from 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. Apple is also offering a live stream accessible through the Web or Apple TV.
According to a research note obtained by AppleInsider, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will introduce the long-awaited high-resolution iMac alongside a next-generation iPad Air at a media event scheduled for Oct. 16.
Kuo expects only a 27-inch Retina iMac model to take the stage this week, though a 21-inch version is in the works and could debut in the second half of 2015. The analyst says Apple started on the 27-inch offering prior to the 21-inch because developing two different sized high-resolution panels is a demanding task. Comparatively, the larger-screened iteration draws high-end users who can afford the additional cost, making the model ripe for release.
Reports from September claimed the rumored 27-inch Retina iMac will feature a 5K display, though exact specifications have not been confirmed. Code discovered in an OS X 10.10 Yosemite beta in June pointed to 6,400-by-3,600-pixel screen resolutions, possibly hinting at scaling options for a Retina panel.
Out of the products being announced on Thursday, Kuo sees the new iPad Air generating the most interest, but the analyst notes production issues could stymie a massive launch. Poor yield rates associated with the tablet's anti-reflective screen coating have delayed manufacturing, prompting a downgrade in shipments to between 7 and 9 million units, lower than the 12 million units shipped with the first iPad Air last year.
The iPad mini with Retina display is unlikely to see a major revision this year as Apple is placing focus on a rumored 12.9-inch model to be released in early 2015.
Finally, Kuo does not expect Apple to ship any new MacBook products in 2014 -- including a rumored 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display -- citing chip shipment delays from Intel. The analyst believes new MacBook models will start production in the first quarter of 2015, but doubts Apple will announce the products on Oct. 16.
Kuo's predictions line up with a report from Tuesday claiming Apple will launch both a high-resolution iMac and next-gen iPad Air 2 at its upcoming media event, but is not planning to announce new MacBook Air hardware.
The company is also widely expected to announce public availability of OS X Yosemite, the next-generation Mac operating system with enhanced interaction with iOS devices through new Continuity features. Apple may take the opportunity to launch Apple Pay, which was promised to drop in October, suggesting the launch of iOS 8.1.
AppleInsider will be covering the event live on Thursday from 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. Apple is also offering a live stream accessible through the Web or Apple TV.
Comments
Great news about the antireflective coating, which are very much expected, and from what I gather the screen stays separate from the glass, which is the right decision in terms of repairs. This is "THE" update for the iPad.
Delaying shipment and lowering production rates are all fine if you want to get the product just right. That's why no one else has yet to manage to integrate glass as one piece with the lcd at 27".
I still feel we are going to get a really nice surprise with the new mini, which will be very unlike a mini mac pro, and very like a new cube. If they also manage to get dp 1.3 in there two these are going to be some really great computers.
I don't know why Kuo or anyone else has not mentioned this but to me it's almost certain a new acd will be presented too.
Lastly I think Yosemite might have a couple of weeks or so still and if the new iMacs ship in a couple of weeks they'll time it with that.
Looks like it's going to be a great event.
Well, Ming-chi's "report" aside, I'm hoping for a 5K iMac on Thursday.
Rehash of previous rumors with nothing new, but Ming-chi gets his own article every time?
Mich-chi gets his own artictle every time, because he is almost 100% accurate, every time
Think one of apples strengths is that they don't do short supply at launch! Cook seems to have that one covered.
None of the current rumors about the iPad Air get me all that excited. The top of the list for me would be the higher resolution coupled with the A8x. I'm hoping Apple surprises with unexpected graphics power prowess or some new screen technology. There's too much "iPad growth stagnating" verbiage online and hopefully Apple feels the need to be aggressive to reignite interest. The iPhone 6+ is going to replace iPads for some, not necessarily a good thing.
If it's just a little bit thinner and a little bit faster, the Apple haters will take to the web in droves to share new rumors of Apple's demise.
The iMac is pretty exciting. I hope it's priced aggressively.
Something else is in the mix. I haven't read anything online that makes me go AHA! regarding Apple's tagline, "It's been way too long." Even more intriguing is the fact that the logo is outlined in the original Apple logo colors.
Maybe they managed to keep secret something really cool and unexpected.
I picked up on the colors when the event was the lead article on AI the day it was announced ...I suggested it might mean the reuse of the colored Apple Logo ... I got thoroughly lambasted though, so it appears the consensus on AI that isn't going to happen. I like both the white and the colored version personally. I still have my set of the rainbow Apple enamel tie pins and lapel badges from the Apple ][ days. Not that i own a tie now ... LOL
I am sure there is something far more important than logos though, but as I say, IMHO it would be nice to see both used in the appropriate places ...
My prediction is for the introduction of the iPAD touch. At 5.5 colorful plastic inches, a screaming gamer with a8 and non-HD Rez screen but somehow 'tuned' for both gaming and great sound, and maybe Apple TV embedded. The new entry level. Thank you. 299
The 27" iMac is the product I most care about out of all these and it sounds like it's not delayed. That screen will just look incredible, like something from the future.
Sorry about the sentence fragment everyone, that I really want to fix, but I am in a hurry.
New slogan:
"I'm an enigma wrapped in sapphire"
When I first read the headline "iPad Air supply" I thought, oh wow! Apple has teamed up with legendary soft rock duo AirSupply to offer their latest album free for all who purchase the new iPad AirSupply. http://www.airsupplymusic.com ;
I ordered an Apple Cinema Display a week ago and it was supposed to ship the next day, and then it mysteriously got delayed. I am thinking that there is a refresh on the Cinema Display in the works.
Fingers crossed.