iMac Pro

In 2013, Apple replaced its tower Mac Pro workstation computer with a radically redesigned cylindrical model. The 2013 Mac Pro was sold for years without any updates, and Apple later said that its small design and focus on dual graphics processing units (GPU) had been a mistake. In April 2017, Apple convened a roundtable of journalists and executives to restate their commitment to professional Macs. As part of the announcement, Apple said a new monitor and Mac Pro were being developed but would not arrive that year. In June, Apple announced the iMac Pro to fill the gap.{{Cite web|url = https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/4/15175994/apple-mac-pro-failure-admission|title = Apple admits the Mac Pro was a mess|date = April 4, 2017|access-date = October 7, 2021|archive-date = October 7, 2021|website=The Verge|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211007151550/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/4/15175994/apple-mac-pro-failure-admission|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|authorlink=Jason Snell (writer)|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/229852/the-good-news-and-bad-news-of-apples-mac-pro-announcement.html|title=The good news and bad news of Apple's Mac Pro announcement|website=Macworld|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007151548/https://www.macworld.com/article/229852/the-good-news-and-bad-news-of-apples-mac-pro-announcement.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/04/apple-pushes-the-reset-button-on-the-mac-pro/|title=Apple introducing new Mac Pro, pro iMacs and external display over coming years|website=Techcrunch|date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007151824/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/04/apple-pushes-the-reset-button-on-the-mac-pro/|url-status=live}}

The iMac Pro is an all-in-one workstation computer. It uses nearly the same chassis design as the 27-inch iMac that it was sold alongside, having the same screen, exterior dimensions, and stand.{{cite web|last=Bohn|first=Dieter|date=December 14, 2017|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/14/16775156/apple-imac-pro-photos-xeon-radeon-power-vr-final-cut-8k|title=The iMac Pro is a beast, but it's not for everybody|website=The Verge|access-date=July 30, 2024}} The iMac Pro comes in a darker "space gray" finish, with a color-matched Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. The iMac Pro also has more connectivity options than the iMac, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, four Universal Serial Bus (USB-A) ports, a headphone jack, and an SDXC card slot. The iMac Pro was the first Mac to ship with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, which can switch between speeds based on the connected network. The iMac Pro has IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless networking built in.

Internally, the iMac Pro has a substantially different arrangement than the regular iMac. The space for a 3.5-inch hard drive has been removed, being replaced with a larger cooling system for the processor.{{cite web|last=Joseph|first=Cliff|date=February 19, 2018|url=https://www.zdnet.com/product/apple-imac-pro/ |title=Apple iMac Pro (late 2017) review: an AIO for the pro crowd|website=ZDNet|access-date=August 15, 2024}} The iMac Pro uses Intel Xeon-W processors. It was the first Mac equipped with Apple's T2 chip, a custom Apple coprocessor that performs tasks, including the system management and storage controllers, previously performed by a number of different chips. It also encrypts the iMac Pro's storage, and has an image signal processor. Other changes from the regular iMac include a webcam that records at higher resolutions (1080p), additional microphones for better sound quality, and larger speakers.

Unlike the 27-inch iMac, the iMac Pro does not have a memory access hatch on the back, and upgrades require disassembling the computer. The processor is likewise socketed for upgrades, although the graphics processing unit (GPU) is soldered to the motherboard. The solid-state drive (SSD) is user-replaceable, but requires disassembly of the iMac Pro and an Apple Configurator restore after the new storage modules are installed.{{cite web |title=Mac Pro 2019: interchangeable parts, T2 security & custom configuration |url=https://macfinder.co.uk/blog/mac-pro-2019-interchangeable-parts-t2-security-custom-configuration/ |website=MacFinder |date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802030749/https://macfinder.co.uk/blog/mac-pro-2019-interchangeable-parts-t2-security-custom-configuration/ |url-status=live }} The iMac Pro's stand is user-replaceable with a licensed OEM VESA mount kit sold by Apple. The mount uses zinc screws that may be prone to breaking.{{cite web |last=Wuerthele |first=Mike |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Flaws in Apple's iMac Pro VESA mount fueling new episode of repair anxiety [U] |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/05/30/flaws-in-apples-imac-pro-vesa-mount-fueling-new-episode-of-repair-anxiety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003032/https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/05/30/flaws-in-apples-imac-pro-vesa-mount-fueling-new-episode-of-repair-anxiety |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=July 20, 2019 |website=AppleInsider}}

The iMac Pro was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 5, 2017, and was released on December 14, 2017. Apple billed it as "the most powerful Mac ever made".{{cite web|last1=Chen|first1=Brian X|last2=Manjoo|first2=Farhad|last3=Goel|first3=Vindu|date=June 5, 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/05/technology/apple-wwdc.html|title=HomePod speaker and new iMacs: what we saw at Apple's WWDC|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 15, 2024|page=B1}}{{Cite news|last=Haselton|first=Todd|date=December 14, 2017|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/14/imac-pro-now-available-for-purchase.html|title=Apple's most powerful computer ever is now available for purchase|website=CNBC|access-date=August 15, 2024}} The computer shipped in a base configuration of an 8-core Xeon processor, AMD Vega 56 GPU, 32 GB of ECC memory, and a 1 TB SSD. It could be configured to an 18-core Xeon processor (sacrificing per-core clock speed for more multiprocessing power,) AMD Vega 64 graphics, 128 GB of memory, and a 2 TB SSD. Unlike other Apple computers of the time, each component upgrade was available a la carte, rather than some upgrades being tied to higher-priced configurations.

The iMac Pro received only minor updates after release. The configuration options were updated on March 19, 2019, adding a 256{{nbsp}}GB memory and AMD Vega 64X graphics option.{{cite web|last=Loyola|first=Roman|date=March 18, 2019|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/232058/apple-new-2019-imac.html|title=Apple updates iMac with 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors|website=Macworld|access-date=August 15, 2024}} Apple discontinued the 8-core processor option on August 4, 2020, making the 10-core model the base model.{{Cite web |last=Slivka|first=Eric|title=Apple bumps iMac Pro to 10-core processor on base configuration |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/04/imac-pro-processor-bump/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806074637/https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/04/imac-pro-processor-bump/ |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=MacRumors |date=August 4, 2020 |language=en}} The iMac Pro was discontinued on March 5, 2021; Apple continued to sell the computer while supplies lasted. It was delisted from Apple's website and online store on March 19, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Clover |first1=Juli |title=iMac Pro officially discontinued, removed from Apple's site and no longer available for purchase |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/19/imac-pro-officially-discontinued/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927140015/https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/19/imac-pro-officially-discontinued/ |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2021 |website=MacRumors|date=March 19, 2021 }} Apple directed customers to either purchase an iMac, which had become faster than the iMac Pro, or to the Mac Pro.{{cite web|last=Axon|first=Samuel|date=March 8, 2021|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/03/the-imac-pro-has-been-discontinued/|title=The iMac Pro has been discontinued|website=Ars Technica|access-date=August 15, 2024}} The discontinuation preceded the release of iMac models powered by Apple's custom processors, which pivoted the iMac line towards a more entry-level consumer focus; Apple targeted the enthusiast and professional market instead with more powerful Mac minis and a new machine, the Mac Studio.{{cite web |title=Apple's Mac Studio is the iMac Pro reboot you've been waiting for |url=https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/apples-mac-studio-is-the-imac-pro-reboot-youve-been-waiting-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706071343/https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/apples-mac-studio-is-the-imac-pro-reboot-youve-been-waiting-for |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=PCMag |date=March 9, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Chant |first1=Tim De |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Mac Studio is far better for the climate than the iMac Pro—even with the display |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/mac-studio-is-far-better-for-the-climate-than-the-imac-pro-even-with-the-display/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712063811/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/mac-studio-is-far-better-for-the-climate-than-the-imac-pro-even-with-the-display/ |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}{{cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Andrew|date=November 7, 2024|url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2024/11/thoughts-on-the-m4-imac-and-making-peace-with-the-death-of-the-27-inch-model/|title=Thoughts on the M4 iMac, and making peace with the death of the 27-inch model|website=Ars Technica|access-date=November 7, 2024}}

The iMac Pro was positively received. Jason Snell, writing for Macworld, said that it was clearly not for average customers, but filled a niche for users like himself who had drifted from using pro desktops to iMacs yet still wanted more power than Apple's consumer line could offer.{{cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|authorlink=|date=January 18, 2018|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/230880/imac-pro-review-mac-pro-power-in-the-shape-of-an-imac.html|title=iMac Pro review: Mac Pro power in the shape of an iMac|website=Macworld|access-date=January 12, 2023}} Wired, ZDNet, and others considered the iMac Pro a statement from Apple that it was renewing its commitment to pro Macs.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2017/06/imac-pro/ | title=The new iMac Pro is Apple's most bonkers supercomputer ever | magazine=Wired| last1=Pierce | first1=David |access-date=July 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Moren|first=Dan|date=December 14, 2017|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/3243025/apple-putting-the-pro-back-in-promise.html|title=Apple off to a promising start with its revamped pro Mac lineup|website=Macworld|access-date=August 15, 2024}} Ars Technica{{'}}s Samuel Axon and Macworld{{'}}s Dan Moren found that while the machine was priced and equipped beyond what a consumer would need, it felt short addressing every professional niche that the Mac Pro traditionally filled;{{cite web|last=Axon|first=Samuel|date=February 16, 2018|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/02/imac-pro-review-not-a-consumer-machine-but-not-quite-perfect-for-pros-either/|title=iMac Pro review: working as intended|website=Ars Technica|access-date=July 31, 2024}} The Verge{{'}}s Dieter Bohn and PCMag{{'}}s Tom Brant suggested that some professional users would want to hold off on buying an iMac Pro, since it was unclear at launch how it would compare to the upcoming Mac Pros.

Critics praised Apple for being able to fit a more powerful computer in the iMac's svelte frame.{{cite web|last=Hanson|first=Matt|date=April 16, 2021|url= https://www.techradar.com/reviews/imac-pro|title=Apple iMac Pro all-in-one computer review|website=TechRadar|access-date=July 31, 2024}} The identical design was considered a strength and weakness, with critics noting that the iMac Pro inherited the faults of the regular iMac's design, such as hard-to-reach ports, a wide bezel around the screen, and not allowing height adjustment using the stand.{{cite web |last=Westover |first=Brian |date=March 26, 2021 |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-imac-pro,review-5304.html |title=Apple iMac Pro review: a crazy amount of power |website=Tom's Guide |access-date=July 31, 2024 }}{{cite web|last=Grunin|first=Lori|date=December 14, 2017|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/apple-imac-pro-preview/|title=iMac Pro puts the soul of a Mac Pro in an iMac body|website=CNET|access-date=August 15, 2024}} CNET{{'}}s Lori Grunin faulted the professional machine for still using a consumer-class display from the base iMac, despite the all-in-one nature of the machine. Reviews noted that, even with its high-performance internals, the machine was quiet in operation.

Performance tests showed that the iMac Pro was highly performant, with PCMag ranking it as the fastest all-in-one computer they had tested.{{cite web|last=Brant|first=Tom|date=January 25, 2018|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-imac-pro|title=Apple iMac Pro review|website=PCMag|access-date=July 31, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Ritchie|first=Rene|date=June 7, 2019|url=https://www.imore.com/imac-pro-review|title=iMac Pro review: beauty of a beast|website=iMore|access-date=August 15, 2024}} ZDNet{{'}}s testing found that the iMac Pro regularly beat the iMac on most tasks, although depending on the workflow the speed might not justify the added cost. Though critics generally felt the high price was fair for the technology included, reviews often noted that most users could get a significant portion of the performance for much cheaper by getting a regular iMac. Grunin also questioned the wisdom of spending so much on an all-in-one machine when a user's needs could quickly outstrip the machine's capabilities. Subsequent iMac revisions narrowed the performance gap, with the cheaper models often faster in certain metrics.{{cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|authorlink=Jason Snell (writer)|date=April 2, 2019|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/232616/how-high-end-2019-imac-measures-up-imac-pro.html|title=Pro or no? How the high-end 2019 iMac measures up|website=Macworld|access-date=August 14, 2024}}

After the iMac Pro's discontinuation, Jason Snell picked the machine as one of the greatest Macs of the 2010s, and one that helped tell the story of Apple during that period. Suggesting the iMac Pro was at one time intended to replace the Mac Pro entirely, Snell referred to it as "the ultimate pro Mac of an alternate timeline" where this had come to pass.{{cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|authorlink=Jason Snell (writer)|date=March 10, 2021|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/338555/the-imac-pro-was-the-ultimate-intel-mac-of-its-era.html|title=Requiem for the iMac Pro, the ultimate Mac of the Intel era|website=Macworld|access-date=August 14, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Snell|first=Jason|authorlink=Jason Snell (writer)|date=March 6, 2021|url=https://sixcolors.com/post/2021/03/goodbye-parallel-timeline-apple-discontinues-the-imac-pro/|title=Goodbye, parallel timeline: Apple discontinues the iMac Pro|website=Six Colors|access-date=August 14, 2024}} Technology blogger John Gruber called the iMac Pro the best Mac of the Intel era.{{cite web|last=Gruber|first=John|authorlink=John Gruber|date=March 6, 2021|url=https://daringfireball.net/linked/2021/03/06/imac-pro-discontinued|title=iMac Pro discontinued|website=Daring Fireball|access-date=August 15, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Timeline of iMac models}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20210310173434/https://www.apple.com/imac-pro/|iMac Pro}} – official site at Apple, archived at the Wayback Machine on March 10, 2021

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Category:X86 Macintosh computers

Category:Macintosh all-in-ones

Category:Computer-related introductions in 2017

Category:Discontinued Apple Inc. products

Category:Products and services discontinued in 2021