Tag: apple silicon

Apple confirms existence of Apple Silicon iMac in Xcode crash log
The leak: Apple has confirmed that an iMac with Apple Silicon inside is in active development, as first shared by developer Dennis Oberhoff.
- According to 9to5Mac, “What this screenshot shows is that this developer’s application crashed while being used on an iMac powered by an ARM processor. Apple does not currently sell an iMac powered by an ARM processor, so this signals that the app was being used on an unreleased iMac with Apple Silicon processor.”
- Apple’s redesigned iMac with Apple Silicon inside could launch as early as Apple’s rumored April special event, but sources broadly aren’t expecting the new models to drop until Fall
Our take: Another indicator that Apple may be planning to launch these new iMacs soon. No release date is confirmed yet, but I am cautiously optimistic based on previously reported timelines and the slew of iMac news lately.

https://twitter.com/DocterD/status/1372186358974984193?s=20
March 18, 2021
New MacBook Pros may not launch until second half of 2021
The rumor: Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro models may not be launching for a few months still, according to Nikkei Asia (not yet tracked).
- Nikkei says that mass production, which was initially scheduled for May or June, will not happen until the second half of 2021
- Previous reports suggested that the new MacBooks could lunch as soon as this Summer
Our take: If there’s any good news in the story, perhaps it’s the fact that something like the iMac may have been pushed up for release…but that’s just a guess. Doesn’t seem like these new MBPs will be launching until sometime in the Fall.
March 10, 2021
New iMac is reportedly ‘ready’ and could launch any time
The rumor: The highly-anticipated iMac redesign could be releasing sooner than later, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).
- Prosser says a new iMac is “ready” and could theoretically launch at any time…but it is not likely coming at Apple’s March 23 event
- Other sources have suggested the new iMac would launch sometime later in 2021
Our take: I mean I’m wildly excited but skeptical at the same time. Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate) has a better track record and says that we shouldn’t expect new iMacs for a few months still. Perhaps they’re both right: one iMac model in the first half of this year and the second a bit later on.
March 9, 2021
Prosser: Leaked Apple M1X benchmarks are legit
The rumor: Apple’s follow-up to the M1 processor will be quite the upgrade, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).
- Data from cpu-monkey suggests that in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark, the Apple M1X is nearly 100% faster than the M1 chip
- Single-core scores, on the other hand, appear to remain unchanged
- As mentioned first on the Genius Bar podcast, the M1X benchmarks are said to be legitimate
Our take: I canceled my order of a high-end iMac Pro after seeing these scores. I don’t think the future of resale for Intel Macs is going to be fun for anyone once the M1X Macs drop.
March 2, 2021
2021 iMac may come in 5 different colors
The rumor: The iMac line is about to get a lot more colorful, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).
- The redesigned iMac may come in Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green and Sky Blue
- Rumors suggest Apple will launch the 2021 iMac sometime in the Fall (October/November)
Our take: If this doesn’t scream nostalgia, I don’t know what does. Between AirPods Max and iPad Air, Apple seems to be pretty set on this color palette. I’m into it!
February 24, 2021
2021 MacBook Pro may see return of HDMI port & SD card reader
The rumor: Apple is preparing to make the MacBook Pro, pro again, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).
- In addition to the SD card reader returning, a physical HDMI port may also see its return to the MacBook Pro lineup
- Rumors suggest the MacBook Pro update will be happening sometime this summer
Our take: This is incredible news from a super credible source. Fantastic that we are getting more I/O back on a notebook that never should have lost it.
February 23, 2021
Redesigned iMacs to launch ‘toward the end of’ 2021
The rumor: Apple still plans to introduce revamped iMacs this year, but not imminently, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).
- Gurman says the first full iMac redesign in nearly a decade will happen “toward the end of this year”
- Redesigned iMac models will feature larger displays with slimmer bezels and new Apple Silicon inside
Our take: With other reputable sources like Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate) suggesting a 24-inch iMac is set to launch earlier in the year, I could see Apple doing a staggered launch. Perhaps we’ll see the smaller iMac in the Spring and bigger iMac in the Fall.
February 18, 2021
2021 MacBook Air: Slimmer bezels, thinner/lighter design & MagSafe
The rumor: Apple is preparing a redesigned MacBook Air that could release as soon as soon as the second half of 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

Here’s what to expect:
- “Thinner and lighter” design with Apple Silicon inside
- The same 13.3-inch display, but with slim bezels
- 2 USB 4 ports for I/O
- MagSafe charging is also making a comeback
- This new MacBook Air will be a higher-end offering, with the existing model remaining as the entry-level option
Our take: Seems like Apple is giving all their notebooks the thinner bezel treatment in 2021, which will make them look significantly more modern. For the MacBook Air, I’m most excited to see how the thinnest and lightest MacBook gets thinner and lighter.
January 22, 2021
Next Mac Pro could resemble Power Mac G4 cube
The rumor: Apple is planning two new models of the Mac Pro, with one being significantly smaller than what we have currently, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).
- 2 new models: the first will look identical to what we have now, but with faster Intel chips; the second will be less than half the size of the current Mac Pro with Apple Silicon inside
- Gurman notes the smaller Mac Pro design “will feature a mostly aluminum exterior and could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube, a short-lived smaller version of the Power Mac, an earlier iteration of the Mac Pro”
Our take: The current Mac Pro is a pretty sizable machine, but slimming it down to less than half its current size? That will be a sight to see. Depending on how powerful the 2021 iMacs are, this new machine could definitely be a contender for me.
January 15, 2021
2021 iMac redesign detailed: ultra-thin bezels and flat back
The rumor: After nearly a decade, Apple is planning a major overhaul for the next generation iMacs, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).
- Bezels on the new iMac will be similar to those found on the Pro Display XDR
- The rear housing of the iMac will also return to being flat
- “The iMac redesign will be one of the biggest visual updates to any Apple product this year” Gurman says
Our take: If there is one product that I’m looking forward to this year–more than anything else–it’s this new iMac. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this machine. It is shaping up to be the perfect machine for me!
January 15, 2021
2021 14/16″ MacBook Pros to have upgraded screens, release in mid-2021
Updated 1/22: Gurman has released a new report saying that the SD card reader will make its way back to MacBook Pros as part of an upgraded I/O effort.

The rumor: Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro models are coming in the middle of 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

Similar to Kuo’s recent report, here’s what to expect:
- “Minor design changes” for the new MacBook Pro models
- 14/16-inch displays, with “brighter, higher-contrast panels”
- New Apple Silicon chips with “more cores and enhanced graphics”
- MagSafe port replacing current USB-C charging which will support faster charging
- The Touch Bar may be removed
- A new, redesigned MacBook Air is also in the works…but it isn’t coming anytime soon
Our take: Seems like Kuo and Gurman disagree on how significant the design changes will be. Incredible to hear that the displays are getting significant upgrades and faster charging is in the works. These machines sound almost perfect.
January 15, 2021