Another Apple page briefly mentioned mysterious 'mid-2014' 27-inch iMac
Apple may have accidentally tipped its hand on two imminent hardware releases this week, with support pages from the company referencing both new Mac mini and 27-inch iMac models listed with a "mid-2014" launch.
A reference to an updated Mac mini was first discovered on Tuesday, and French site ConsoMac chimed in on Wednesday with a separate mention of a mid-2014 iMac. Like the Mac mini, the reference was included in a chart detailing which versions of Microsoft Windows are compatible with Apple hardware.
Other than that, nothing is known about the mid-2014 iMac, such as internal specifications or screen resolution. Customers have been clamoring for a revamped iMac with a high-resolution Retina display for some time, but there has been no concrete evidence that such an update is imminent.
Apple's page has since been updated, but a Google cache still shows a reference to two new iMac models in 2014.
The company did introduce a new low-end model last month with MacBook Air components. That new 21.5-inch iMac reached a lower starting price of $1,099, a savings of $200 off the next nearest model in the same size.
But the 27-inch iMac has not seen an update yet this year. It's currently available in two default configurations: A model with a 3.2-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and a gigabyte of video memory for $1,799, and a higher end 3.4-gigahertz Intel core i5 model with twice the video memory for $1,999.
While Apple's new 2014 low-cost iMac was rumored before its launch, there have been no such indications of an impending refresh for the 27-inch variety before the listing appeared on the company's website. The same goes for the Mac mini, which hasn't seen an update in two years.
As such, it's possible that both references may have been errors on the company's part. Or it could be a rare slip-up for Apple, which is known for its legendary secrecy regarding future product plans.
A reference to an updated Mac mini was first discovered on Tuesday, and French site ConsoMac chimed in on Wednesday with a separate mention of a mid-2014 iMac. Like the Mac mini, the reference was included in a chart detailing which versions of Microsoft Windows are compatible with Apple hardware.
Other than that, nothing is known about the mid-2014 iMac, such as internal specifications or screen resolution. Customers have been clamoring for a revamped iMac with a high-resolution Retina display for some time, but there has been no concrete evidence that such an update is imminent.
Apple's page has since been updated, but a Google cache still shows a reference to two new iMac models in 2014.
The company did introduce a new low-end model last month with MacBook Air components. That new 21.5-inch iMac reached a lower starting price of $1,099, a savings of $200 off the next nearest model in the same size.
But the 27-inch iMac has not seen an update yet this year. It's currently available in two default configurations: A model with a 3.2-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and a gigabyte of video memory for $1,799, and a higher end 3.4-gigahertz Intel core i5 model with twice the video memory for $1,999.
While Apple's new 2014 low-cost iMac was rumored before its launch, there have been no such indications of an impending refresh for the 27-inch variety before the listing appeared on the company's website. The same goes for the Mac mini, which hasn't seen an update in two years.
As such, it's possible that both references may have been errors on the company's part. Or it could be a rare slip-up for Apple, which is known for its legendary secrecy regarding future product plans.
Comments
I am hoping the same thing!
Seriously, I can't wait for the new Mac Mini to come out.
I personally think every Mac mini should have Apple TV built in, plus a digital TV signal (over the air) tuner card.
I personally think every Mac mini should have Apple TV built in, plus a digital TV signal (over the air) tuner card.
Would love this. Or even just build a DVR and OTA tuner card right into ATV. One menu to rule them all.
Sounds to me like a forthcoming processor speed bump, and maybe a base RAM bump, similar to this week's MBP minor upgrade.
I'd like to see both a retina iMac display and the corresponding 27" freestanding cinema display, but it's not clear that Apple is ready for that yet. There are potential prices issues: a well optioned 27" iMac already runs about $3K (we have 5 of them).
Would love this. Or even just build a DVR and OTA tuner card right into ATV. One menu to rule them all.
You need several TerraBytes worth of disk space to make a DVR worthwhile - my TiVo has a 3TB HD, my EyeTV setup on the MacPro a 4TB drive.
The AppleTV is out of the question, the current model has 8GB storage, that is not enough for a single 1 hour recording. Even with the MacMini you would need an external HD for it to be practical... Also a single tuner, while better than nothing isn't practical vs. 6 tuners on the TiVo.
Serious question... How much engineering work would go into a "simple" upgrade of the Mac mini? Same form factor just something along the same processor/memory upgrades we would have seen in the 2012-2013 iMac or would expect in a 2013-204 iMac refresh?
Probably not a lot, especially since chips are putting out less and less heat so there's less stress on the cooling system and they don't require as much power. Now cost? That may be an issue. I'm not sure what the cost difference is between a dual-core i5 and a quad-core i5 like whats in the iMac. I'm not sure if they could use a quad-core i5, still sell it at $599 (USD) and make the profit they want on it. They do sell a quad-core i7 Mac mini and a Mac mini server with the quad-core i7, but those are higher price points. I think the issue simply comes down to cost and not engineering or power.
The lack of a Mac mini update either means they're going to permanently EOL it, or there's a major update coming for it. In the recent history of the Mac mini, it hasn't been updated very much.
I wouldn't hold your breath on that tuner card. It would negate a major point of the ATV, being those apps. Don't see apple confusing that front.
Please be true.
AI has notoriously called for the Mac mini's EOL because of the long delays in updates. Because of its low volume and low cost, which I equate to also being a low margin, entry-level machine Apple has little motivation to update this machine often. I don't think it's going anywhere and could see a major change to the internals, like PCIe-SSD over the 2.5" drive, but I can also see them maintaining the 2.5" drive design for a couple more year, as well.
If it was the same socket and removable that might be an inexpensive option but they have to build these before hand. If they don't think the unit sales would warrant the expense then they won't do it. How many Mac minis are being sold a quarter?
I personally think every Mac mini should have Apple TV built in, plus a digital TV signal (over the air) tuner card.
plus a beer spigot...
and a pretzel warmer
and a... pony.
This obviously the small screen version.
It's not unreasonable to expect greater entertainment options in a consumer-centric computer like the iMac. A DVR or digital TV tuner would fit the profile.
Make that base 1/2 the height and we've got something.