Apple’s iMac gets a 2x performance boost thanks to these two major hardware upgrades: 8-core Intel 9th-generation processors and the Radeon Pro Vega Graphics. Are these upgrades act as a prologue for the March 25 special event?

New processors and Graphics

8-core Intel 9th-generation processors: X 2.4 faster performance (maximum estimation)

Apple upgraded the iMac processors as follows:  The 21.5-inch iMac now features 8th-generation quad-core, and for the first time 6-core processors, delivering up to 60 percent faster performance. The 27-inch iMac now for the first time features up to 9th-generation 6-core and 8-core processors, delivering up to 2.4 times faster performance. (see benchmark testing below):

Radeon Pro Vega Graphics: X1.5 faster graphics performers (maximum estimation)

Radeon Pro Vega graphics come to the 21.5-inch iMac, delivering up to 80 percent faster graphics performance. The 27-inch iMac with Radeon Pro Vega now delivers up to 50 percent faster graphics performance (see benchmark testing below).

Customers are going to love the huge boost in iMac performance. With up to 8-core processors and powerful Vega graphics, the iMac lineup is stronger than ever

As stated by Apple: “Customers are going to love the huge boost in iMac performance. With up to 8-core processors and powerful Vega graphics, the iMac lineup is stronger than ever…With its stunning Retina display, amazing design, twice the performance, and macOS Mojave that our customers love, iMac is by far the best desktop in the world.”

Product Highlights (highest spec configuration)

• 3.2 GHz Intel Core i7 6-Core
• 32GB DDR4 | 1TB SSD
• 21.5″ 4096 x 2304 IPS Retina 4K Display
• AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 (4GB HBM2)
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Reader
• Thunderbolt 3 | USB 3.0 Type-A
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Bluetooth 4.2
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Magic Keyboard & Magic Mouse 2 Included
• macOS

Pricing and Availability

The new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display starts at $1,299 and the new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display starts at $1,799. The most expensive high-spec best-configured iMac will cost you $3350 (for the 21-inch). 

Final thoughts

We wrote a few articles about Apple ditching NVIDIA GPUs (due to a strategic decision which is derived from a long patent war) and thus locate its professional users between the hammer and the anvil. There is a defined strategic direction to adopt Radeon’s GPUs in order to accelerate complex tasks like editing and grading ultra resolution footage. We can see here the results. Apple is definitely trying to transform its products into more pro-related. The iMac Pro for example is a beast and one of the best Apple machines out there in regard to heavy editing demands. It will be interesting to explore the rabbit in the hat at Apple’s conference on March 25. We’ll update you on the coming news, so stay tuned.

Would you consider using the new iMac in your post production workflow? Let’s know.