Apple’s Phil Schiller Teases iMac Refresh And Mac Pro Redesign

Apple is due to update its iMac line of all-in-one desktop computers, with it planning to usher in a configuration for power-user professional workloads.

The Cupertino company is also looking at completely refreshing its Mac Pro desktop machine, with an emphasis on a more configurable design, while the Mac Pro in its current guise will get a solid specification refresh.

Apple will also release a ‘Pro Display’ for use with the desktop. However, further details on the display and the next-generation Mac Pro, including pricing and a release date were not mentioned; the ‘new’ Mac Pro is expected 2018 at its very earliest.

Mac attack

The information came courtesy of Apple’s marketing guru Phil Schiller during a media round table.

“We’re going to begin making configurations of iMac specifically with the pro customer in mind,” Schiller was reported to have said, while shunning the idea of desktop touchscreens.

“Touch doesn’t even register on the list of things pro users are interested in talking about. They’re interested in things like performance and storage and expandability.”

Regarding the Mac Pro, which has not had a refresh in design since 2013, Schiller noted that Apple is “completely rethinking the Mac Pro”.

“We have a team working hard on it right now. We want to architect it so that we can keep it fresh with regular improvements, and we’re committed to making it our highest-end, high-throughput desktop system, designed for our demanding pro customers.”

Such a redesign could help attract customers to the Mac Pro, a desktop that has arguably been overshadowed by the svelte iMac in the creative industries; common stomping ground for Apple products.

However, Apple will really need to bring something special to the table, as there are increasing amounts of workstations both in desktop and laptop form that offer plenty of power for competitive prices. And for Apple to make waves in the desktop arena it will need to compete a little with its MacBook Pro line, which can offer professionals plenty of power to play with once they creep up towards the £2,000 mark.

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