Apple is expected to release new desktops in the coming months. They are expected to refresh the entire line with great goodies. Let’s discuss the next computer in the series, the iMac. I covered the new 2012 iMac back in June but I figured that I would recover it and add some new stuff that has been found in recent months.

The iMac

The iMac is THE ultimate desktop computer. In between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro, it is perfect for the consumer and the professional, offering a powerful desktop experience only Apple can truly provide. The iMac was THE computer to bring back Apple from the brink and return it to profitability. It is the only product from Apple that has survived from 1997 on. It will continue to be a strong computer in both the consumer and professional markets.

Retina Display

Back in early June right before WWDC I written an article detailing that the iMac will have a Retina Display. I still believe that that is true. I believe that the iMac will have the Retina Display. Here is why I think so. One, they held off at introducing the new iMacs at the WWDC keynote which they could have easily just spec upgraded it and be done with it. They are doing something more with the extra time they are giving it. Could it be a Retina Display or even a 2160p screen? There might be. This is not to say the iMac screen is beautiful enough, I can barely see the pixels on it unless I look hard enough but with the Retina Display, it will look even better. Two, they put it into one of their computers and their iOS devices, why wouldn’t they continue that. Also the iMac is not battery powered so it will be easier to do with AC power. I believe strongly that the Retina Display screens will make a resolutionary breakthrough in the near future iMacs.

Ivy Bridge

Ivy Bridge has already been added to their laptop computers so it is without a doubt going to be added to their desktop computers. If technology analysts are right, the higher end iMac will sport an incredible 3.4 GHz with a Turbo Clock of 3.9 GHz quad-core processor that would make it a power horse. It is unclear what the lower end models will receive but we know it will be faster than last years.

RAM

With Apple looking to take-the-solder-the-RAM to the board approach (which I hope not), they are going to have to increase the amount of RAM they give you. They would therefore increase the standard 4 GB to 8 GB and give you the option to have 16 and maybe even 32 GB of RAM. Let’s ultimately hope Apple doesn’t solder it allowing you to upgrade your RAM months after you purchase the computer instead of coming with the computer and paying extra for it.

I/O

I believe some I/O on the iMac will improve. They first of all will have to upgrade the USB to 3.0. After that I would predict another ThunderBolt port (on both lower and higher ends putting it at two and three ports respectively) and possibly another USB port (putting it at five). They will also upgrade the bluetooth technology from 2.1 to 4.0.

Storage-HDD or flash?

It is apparent in recent months that Apple is making the move from HDD to flash. First of all, all iOS devices run on flash storage. The new “MacBook Pro with Retina Display”s run on flash storage. Also the MacBook Airs run on flash storage. See the trend? The new iMacs will follow the same trend. Apple will find it difficult in affording to put flash at such high GB storage but they probably will find a way to do it. It will remain the same GB offerings as now. There may be a chance it might decrease due to the new flash storage offerings a bit, but don’t expect a total collapse of storage.

Anti-Glare

I would strongly suggest Apple will finally make anti-glare standard since many people are complaining about it. I will admit it can get annoying. It didn’t happen on the new MacBook Pros but it is something to hope for. Anti-glare would certainly be a strong suggestion in Apple’s suggestion box, whether or not they will make it standard has yet to be seen.

For there to be or not to be an optical drive

Ahh, optical drives, the old technology Apple is trying to get rid of. They can break easy, they can get noisy and we don’t really need them, if we want to put a disk in, we just put it in a DVD/Bluray player or we just get an external drive. Apple doesn’t want them, and we really don’t need them. Unless you’re someone who burns CDs and DVDs all day, you don’t need it. Think for a moment how many times you really use your DVD drive (optical drive). I predict that while it may or may not happen this time around, Apple will get rid of the optical drives in the iMac sooner rather than later. It is possible it could and if it does, don’t expect a lot of people to care, they might even be glad it’s gone.

Changes to the case

I believe it is possible that the thickness of the computer will go down, but don’t expect anything else. Apple isn’t one to fix something that doesn’t need repair. With the removal of the optical drive expect the thickness to lessen. But don’t expect much else.

Release?

I believe that, like the Mac mini, the iMac is headed for a fiscal q4 2012 release or a fiscal q1 2013 release which could be anywhere in between now and January. It certainly is possible, and with over a year since the last release, it certainly is begging for a new update.

The iMac is another great machine from Apple that is expected to have another great update. With a spec bump, anti-glare Retina Displays, it will be another great computer from Apple. Stay tuned for the final part of this series, the Mac Pro.

Thanks for reading,

Joe