Apple iMac Pro 2017 model launches later this year; No touchscreen display on board

The iMac 2017 refresh that has long been overdue is finally happening. Apple is set to update its desktop lineup in the coming months, which should satisfy fans that have been sorely waiting for an upgrade. What’s more, the company is adding something new to the mix: pro variants.

It has been a while since Apple updated the iMac. The most recent iMac unit was released on Oct. 13, 2015. The company has not really given any clear details about its successor lately, that is until April 4.

“We have big plans for the iMac,” said Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller during a recent reporter roundtable at the California-based tech titan’s Machine Shop hardware prototyping laboratory (as quoted by Buzzfeed). “We’re going to begin making configurations of iMac specifically with the pro customer in mind.”

This is definitely great news, especially since Apple made good on its promise. Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, previously made it clear that the desktop lineup was still very much on board even though it wasn’t often mentioned. Cook also assured investors during the February shareholder meeting that the Mac maker is focused on its professional customers and declared that fans will see Apple “do more” in the pro area. The company did not disclose specific details about the upcoming iMac Pro 2017 model, but it revealed that it’s not going to feature a touchscreen display.

“Touch doesn’t even register on the list of things pro users are interested in talking about,” said Schiller. “They’re interested in things like performance and storage and expandability.”

Going pro with the iMac is the right direction for Apple. The move is really not surprising since the all-in-one desktop computer is only second to the MacBook in terms of Mac popularity among the company’s pro users. The tech giant’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi can attest to that. The iMac has become increasingly more powerful with every upgrade, making it a popular choice for professionals even though it started out as a computer for average Joes and plain Janes.

“The iMac has seen an incredible evolution over the past decade,” said Federighi. “The original iMac you wouldn’t have thought of as remotely touching pro uses. But today’s 5K iMac in its top configurations? It’s incredibly powerful. Tasks that previously would have required the Mac Pros of old are now being well addressed by today’s iMac.”

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