The iMac 2021 can be heard earlier than you think. When Apple discontinues products, it is a sign of one of two things: either the product is no longer popular and is going to waste, or the company recognizes that an update is due and stops accumulating stock in preparation for the next release.
For the iMac, it seems that option two is the most likely, and MacRumors noted that Apple has reduced the number of configurations available in the 21.5-inch version. The 512GB and 1TB SSD hardware configurations are no longer available, leaving buyers the less attractive choice of a 256GB SSD or the hybrid 1TB SSD / HDD Fusion Drive.
The 21.5-inch iMac is getting a little long, as it was last updated in 2019, but remains a popular line. Although the original HomePod was cut because the HomePod mini proved to be more popular, and the iMac Pro finally came to the end of its life because it got stuck between two markets, it would be a surprise if the 21.5-inch iMac was not replaced – and before instead of later.
Rumors of an iMac redesign for 2021 have been around for some time, promising a bold new look inspired by the Apple Pro Display XDR, with a flat back, reduced edges and the removal of the metal chin. If that sounds a bit austere for your taste, the rumor is that Apple will offer the hardware in a series of more fun colors, in a kind of throwback to the colorful iMac G3 range.
Of course, the expected changes are not just superficial, and the real star of the show is likely to be the switch from Intel processors to the company’s own Apple Silicon. The Apple M1 chip that powers the recent hardware of the MacBook Pro M1, MacBook Air M1 and Mac mini M1i has seriously impressed analysts with its performance and low power consumption, and it is rumored that the iMac will receive the same update, even if there are configurations Intel still available for those who depend on legacy software compatibility.
Last week, a crash report generated on DaftCloud pointed to the existence of an ARM-based iMac, so it looks like some hardware configurations are being tested – but that doesn’t mean we’re just looking at an iMac with the first M1 Chip generation of Apple Silicon Macs. According to a December Bloomberg report, Apple is testing a chip design with “up to 32 high-performance cores” to ensure that it can meet all performance requirements.
Given that the 21.5-inch iMac is a more basic Apple desktop at a compatible price, it is possible that the new version will come with something less ambitious to get things going. But as it looks like Apple is ending production of the current generation iMac models, we hope to find out for sure soon.