Over the past few days, several Apple-related rumors and leaks have surfaced at once. They range from upcoming software builds to internal hardware. Among all currently discussed topics, the most interesting for us was the possible iMac designed for professional users, as Apple has not updated this category for quite some time.
Against this background, recent leaks that suggest Apple may test a more powerful iMac attract attention. In this article, we collect all currently available rumors into a single overview to understand what Apple fans and professionals can realistically expect and whether a pro-oriented iMac still has a place in Apple’s plans.
Internal Apple Data Suggests a Shift in the iMac Line
The renewed discussion around a professional iMac comes from Apple’s own internal software rather than from analyst speculation alone. Researchers recently found references to an unreleased iMac model inside Apple kernel debug files, which Apple uses for internal development and hardware validation. These files listed an unknown iMac under the internal identifier J833c.
More importantly, the same entry links this iMac to the platform code H17C. According to reports, this platform code matches the internal codename “Sotra C”, which Apple uses for the M5 Max chip. This association strongly suggests that Apple tests an iMac configuration with a Max-class Apple Silicon processor, something the company has not offered since the Intel era.
As we mentioned earlier, Apple never paired Pro or Max chips with the current 24-inch iMac and positioned the modern iMac as a general-purpose desktop and pushed professional users toward the Mac Studio or Mac Pro instead. An M5 Max reference attached to an iMac identifier therefore points to a different category of product, not a simple refresh.
Another detail from the leak is what it does not include. There is no iMac entry tied to an M5 Pro chip. At least at this stage, Apple tests only a Max-level configuration. This could mean Apple evaluates thermal limits and performance at the top end first, or that it considers a single, clearly defined professional model rather than a full tiered lineup. The leak does not answer that question.
While internal testing does not guarantee a product launch, Apple rarely validates Max-class chips in form factors it has no intention to ship. But the leak does not confirm a release date or final specifications.
What This iMac Could Offer?
Beyond the fact that Apple appears to test a high-end iMac internally, confirmed details remain limited. Apple did not comment on the leak, and it did not acknowledge the existence of such a product. As a result, everything discussed below sits in the category of expectations and informed assumptions, based on analyst reports, past Apple decisions, and logical positioning within the Mac lineup. We collected the most consistent expectations below:
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported that Apple planned a higher-end iMac with a display around 32 inches. Apple also publicly ruled out a 27-inch Apple Silicon iMac, which makes a larger format more likely than a direct replacement of the old Intel model. If this product exists, it likely aims above the current size range, not beside it.
- Kuo tied the rumored larger iMac to mini-LED technology, the same approach Apple uses for MacBook Pro displays. That choice would place this iMac firmly in the professional category and separate it from the standard iMac line. Apple rarely mixes display tiers across product classes, and it usually saves mini-LED for devices it calls “pro”, even when it avoids the word publicly.
New iMac prediction update:
1. 24-inch iMac refresh in 2024.
2. Higher-end 32-inch mini LED display iMac in 2025. https://t.co/l7jzEecwZi— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) October 17, 2023
- No physical design details have leaked so far, but expectations remain fairly clear. This iMac would not follow the colorful approach of the 2024 models. Instead, it would likely use more subdued finishes and a restrained design.
Source: Apple website - The internal reference to a Max-class chip implies higher sustained performance. A device with that positioning would likely include improved cooling and fewer compromises compared to the current 24-inch iMac. Apple does not attach top-tier silicon to hardware that throttles under pressure. At least, not twice.
- No leak listed ports, but expectations remain clear. A professional iMac would need more flexibility than the current model offers. That likely means additional Thunderbolt ports.
Final Thoughts
This is everything known so far. Apple hasn’t verified the leak, nor shared anything about private tests. No real specs exist yet, no schedule either, plus zero public sign they’re working on it. Still, gut feeling says new info might pop up after the New Year.
While preparing this article, we reviewed several user discussions across forums. Opinions remain divided. Some users like the idea of a 30-32-inch iMac, since the current 24-inch model feels too small for professional work. Others prefer a modular setup and find separate components more flexible. Both viewpoints appear often, and neither looks wrong.
As for us, we wait for something official. A short reference, a minor leak, or a subtle signal would already move this story forward. Until then, the rumored professional iMac remains unconfirmed.
