Apple's Pro iMac Slated For Release By The End of 2017?

Apple has already announced that it will launch a new iMac that’s intended for pro users this year. Now, new details regarding Apple’s new iMac has surfaced thanks to sources from a Taiwanese supply chain.

Apple is said to be testing a “server-grade” iMac for high-end users, according to DigiTimes. This particular model will be outfitted with an Intel Xeon E3-1285 processor along with an ECC RAM which can be configured from 16GB up to 64GB. ECC RAM is self-correcting meaning it can protect itself from data corruption.

As for storage, the report claims that the new high-end iMac will support up to 2TB of NVM Express PCI-e SSD storage. For graphics, Apple is expected to outfit its new iMac with the “latest discrete graphics card.” It’s expected that AMD will supply the graphics card for Apple as it currently has a contract with the tech giant.

This “server-grade model” of the iMac is expected to be announced before the end of 2017. However, Apple will also be refreshing its consumer-grade iMacs as well.

The new consumer-grade iMac models will go into production next month and will be launched sometime during the second half of 2017. It will most likely launch during the July-August timeframe, as speculated by 9To5Mac.

Both the consumer-grade and pro iMac will be available in the same 21.5-inch and 27-inch screen size options. Finally, the report claims that Quanta Computer will be handling manufacturing of Apple’s new iMacs for 2017.

It’s important to note that DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting these types of rumors. However, the the site did provide a reasonable timeline that seems to go inline with Apple’s previous announcement, as pointed out by MacRumors.

IBT also reported earlier this month that Apple might be working on a brand new keyboard for its new iMacs. Like the new MacBook Pros, the new iMac keyboard is rumored to feature its own Touch Bar.