iMac Pro
The iMac Pro is a high-end all-in-one desktop computer developed by Apple Inc., featuring a distinctive space gray aluminum enclosure and a 27-inch Retina 5K display with 500 nits brightness and P3 wide color gamut.[1] Released on December 14, 2017, it was marketed as the most powerful Mac ever built at the time, targeting professionals in video production, 3D rendering, music production, and software development with its workstation-class hardware.[2] Equipped with configurable Intel Xeon W processors ranging from 8-core at 3.2 GHz to 18-core at 2.3 GHz, the iMac Pro supported up to 256 GB of DDR4 ECC memory, up to 4 TB of SSD storage, and AMD Radeon Pro Vega graphics with 8 GB to 16 GB of HBM2 memory.[1] It included one 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, four USB 3 ports (USB-A), and an SDXC card slot, emphasizing connectivity for pro workflows, while running macOS and integrating seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem of software like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.[1] Priced starting at $4,999 for the base model, it received a minor update in 2020, when the 8-core configuration was discontinued, making the 10-core processor the base model, with no major redesign or updates to processors or graphics during its production run.[3] Apple discontinued the iMac Pro on March 19, 2021, as the company shifted toward Apple silicon chips in its Mac lineup, with the Mac Studio and updated Mac Pro filling the professional desktop niche.[4] Despite its brief four-year lifespan, the iMac Pro remains notable for bridging Apple's consumer iMac line with enterprise-level performance, influencing subsequent all-in-one designs and underscoring the transition to ARM-based architecture in modern Macs.[4]Development and Announcement
Background and Development
Apple's strategic emphasis on professional workstations intensified in 2016 and 2017, responding to increasing demands from creative industries for high-performance all-in-one desktops capable of handling intensive tasks such as 3D rendering and video editing.[5] This shift addressed gaps in the Mac lineup following criticism of the 2013 Mac Pro's limited upgradability, with the iMac Pro conceived as a stopgap solution to provide workstation-class performance in an all-in-one form factor until the release of a new modular Mac Pro in 2019, positioning it as a bridge between consumer iMacs and enterprise-grade systems.[6][7] The project marked Apple's first integration of workstation-class components into the iMac form factor, evolving from the all-in-one design philosophy established in the original iMac line since 1998.[8] Development focused on incorporating Intel Xeon processors and AMD Radeon Pro Vega graphics to deliver unprecedented power within a compact chassis.[9] Engineers prioritized compatibility with macOS High Sierra, ensuring seamless performance for professional workflows from the outset.[8] The timeline accelerated toward a June 2017 announcement, with shipping planned for December, reflecting Apple's response to pro user needs for a unified desktop solution without the modularity of traditional towers.[8] A primary engineering challenge involved thermal management in the all-in-one form factor, where sustained high loads from Xeon and Vega components generated substantial heat without the benefit of a separate cooling tower.[9] To address this, Apple implemented a redesigned thermal architecture featuring dual fans that increased airflow by 75% and overall cooling capacity by 80%, maintaining quiet operation even under full CPU and GPU stress.[10][8] This solution allowed the system to handle demanding loads, though it occasionally relied on performance throttling to prevent excessive temperatures, balancing power with the slim iMac enclosure.[10]Announcement and Marketing
Apple unveiled the iMac Pro on June 5, 2017, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California, positioning it as a new workstation-class product line tailored for professional users.[8] The announcement emphasized its capabilities through a live demonstration by John Knoll, chief creative officer of Industrial Light & Magic, featuring a Star Wars-themed mixed reality VR experience that showcased real-time 3D rendering and immersive content creation. This demo underscored the iMac Pro's potential for high-end graphics workflows, distinguishing it from standard consumer models.[11] Marketing efforts highlighted the iMac Pro as "the most powerful Mac ever," targeting professionals in fields such as film production, virtual reality development, and software engineering.[8] Apple promoted its suitability for demanding tasks like advanced 3D modeling and machine learning, with John Ternus, Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering, describing it as a machine that delivers unprecedented performance in a compact all-in-one form.[8] The campaign focused on its pro-grade features, including support for multiple high-resolution displays and rapid data transfer, to appeal to creative industries requiring intensive computational power.[12] Pre-orders for the iMac Pro began on December 14, 2017, with Apple promising initial shipments by late December, starting with deliveries as early as December 27 for some configurations.[13] Advertising campaigns further differentiated the product through its exclusive space gray enclosure and matching accessories, such as the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse, which were initially available only with iMac Pro purchases to evoke a premium, professional aesthetic.[14] These elements were showcased at events like the Final Cut Pro X Creative Summit, reinforcing the iMac Pro's identity as a high-end workstation distinct from the consumer iMac lineup.[15]Design and Hardware
Exterior and Build
The iMac Pro features a 27-inch aluminum unibody enclosure finished in space gray, distinguishing it from the silver models in Apple's consumer iMac lineup. This enclosure tapers to a remarkably thin 5 mm edge profile while maintaining structural integrity for professional use, with the aluminum construction contributing to its overall weight of 21.5 pounds (9.7 kg).[1][2][16] The integrated stand provides tilt adjustability of up to 5 degrees forward or backward for ergonomic viewing, with an 8-inch depth that supports stable placement on desks. For enhanced flexibility in studio environments, the iMac Pro is compatible with VESA mounts via Apple's optional VESA Mount Adapter Kit, allowing attachment to third-party arms or wall setups.[1][17] All ports are positioned on the rear of the chassis for a clean aesthetic and optimized professional workflows, including four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports for high-speed data transfer and display connectivity, an SDXC card slot for direct media import, four USB-A ports, 10Gb Ethernet, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.[1] The thermal design incorporates an all-new architecture with larger internal fans to handle sustained high-performance loads, providing up to 80 percent more cooling capacity than previous iMac models while operating quietly at 13 dBA during idle states— a notable improvement over consumer iMac cooling for pro applications.[2][1]Display and Peripherals
The iMac Pro features a 27-inch Retina 5K display designed for professional workflows in video editing, graphic design, and 3D rendering, offering high pixel density and color accuracy essential for creative tasks.[1] This display provides a native resolution of 5120-by-2880 pixels at 218 pixels per inch, supporting one billion colors for nuanced detail in high-dynamic-range content.[1] It achieves 500 nits of brightness, enabling visibility in varied lighting conditions, while the wide color (P3) gamut ensures precise reproduction of colors critical for color grading and print-to-screen matching.[1] Integrated into the all-in-one chassis, the display pairs with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera positioned at the top bezel, delivering sharp video for professional conferencing and content creation.[1] Audio input is handled by a four-microphone array that captures clear voice with reduced background noise, supporting features like voice commands and high-quality recordings for podcasters and filmmakers.[1] For output, the system includes stereo speakers tuned for wide stereo sound, providing immersive audio playback suitable for music production and video review without external monitors.[1][18] The iMac Pro ships with a Space Gray Magic Keyboard featuring a ten-key numeric keypad, optimized for data entry in spreadsheet-heavy professional applications, and a Space Gray Magic Mouse 2 for intuitive multi-touch navigation.[1][16] Users could opt for a Space Gray Magic Trackpad 2 in place of the mouse during configuration, enabling gesture-based controls beneficial for designers and editors.[16] Connectivity for external peripherals emphasizes Thunderbolt 3 ports, with four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 interfaces supporting daisy-chaining of high-speed storage, displays, and input devices up to 40Gb/s.[1] An integrated Nbase-T Ethernet port offers flexible wired networking at speeds of 1Gb, 2.5Gb, 5Gb, or 10Gb, catering to data-intensive professional environments without needing an adapter.[1]Internal Architecture
The iMac Pro employs a modular internal layout for its core components, enabling post-purchase upgrades to RAM and storage while prioritizing thermal efficiency and integration within its all-in-one form factor. The system utilizes four DIMM slots for DDR4 ECC memory, configurable from 32GB up to a maximum of 256GB at 2666MHz, allowing users to install compatible third-party modules for expansion. Storage is provided via dual SSD modules connected to the logic board, which can be replaced individually, though both upgrades require partial disassembly of the chassis, including removal of the display assembly and logic board extraction, rather than a dedicated access panel. This design contrasts with more sealed consumer iMacs but facilitates serviceability for professional users.[1][19] At the heart of the architecture is Apple's custom T2 security chip, a second-generation system-on-chip integrated directly onto the logic board. The T2 handles critical functions including secure boot via the Secure Enclave processor, real-time SSD encryption, image signal processing for the camera, and audio controller duties for the built-in speakers and microphones. It also incorporates the System Management Controller (SMC) for power management, overseeing voltage regulation, thermal monitoring, and battery-like functions for the internal components, thereby enhancing overall system security and efficiency without burdening the main CPU.[20] The cooling subsystem is engineered for sustained high-performance operation, featuring a dual axial fan array coupled with an expansive aluminum heat sink assembly and a prominent rear exhaust vent. This configuration provides approximately 80% greater airflow than previous iMac models, effectively dissipating heat from power-intensive components with thermal design power (TDP) ratings up to 300W, such as the integrated GPU. Airflow is directed across the logic board and processor area before expulsion through the chassis back, maintaining acoustics below 25dB under typical loads while preventing thermal throttling during prolonged workloads.[21][22] Power delivery is managed by an internal switched-mode power supply unit rated to support the system's peak demands, with measured maximum consumption of 370W during CPU-intensive tasks and idle draw around 64W. This setup ensures reliable operation for high-end configurations, incorporating active power factor correction for improved energy efficiency, though specific 80 Plus certification details are not publicly detailed by Apple. The PSU is mounted adjacent to the logic board, with cabling optimized to minimize interference with airflow paths.[23]Release and Configurations
Launch Timeline
The iMac Pro was officially made available for purchase on December 14, 2017, following its announcement at WWDC earlier that year, with initial orders accepted in the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom, and most European countries, among other select markets.[2][24][25] First shipments of pre-orders for the base 8-core and 10-core configurations began arriving to customers in the US and select initial markets around December 27, 2017, though delivery estimates for many orders extended into late December due to high demand.[26] Initial supply constraints, stemming from limited production of high-end components like the Vega Pro graphics cards and higher-core Xeon processors, resulted in delays for custom and top-tier models, with some regions experiencing extended wait times into early 2018.[27] The 14-core and 18-core variants, which required additional manufacturing ramp-up, did not begin shipping until January 30, 2018, in the US, pushing deliveries for those configurations to February.[28] Availability expanded more broadly to international markets throughout January 2018, including fuller rollout in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions, as Apple addressed logistical and inventory challenges; for instance, in-store displays and sales became widespread in European countries like France by mid-January.[29][30] Apple continued fulfilling remaining pre-orders and implementing restocking through mid-2018, with shipping times gradually normalizing to 1-2 weeks for most configurations by spring, enabling sustained availability amid ongoing demand from professional users.[31]Pricing and Options
The iMac Pro launched with a base price of $4,999 USD, which included an 8-core Intel Xeon W processor (3.2 GHz base clock with Turbo Boost up to 4.2 GHz), 32 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 ECC RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and an AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 GPU with 8 GB of HBM2 memory.[2] This configuration was designed for professional workflows, emphasizing expandability through build-to-order customizations available directly from Apple at the time of purchase.[32] Processor upgrades were offered in tiered configurations, allowing users to select higher core counts for more demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering. The available options started at $5,799 for the 10-core model (3.0 GHz base with Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz), $6,599 for the 14-core model (2.5 GHz base with Turbo Boost up to 4.3 GHz), and reached $7,399 for the top 18-core model (2.3 GHz base with Turbo Boost up to 4.3 GHz).[32] These upgrades added $800, $1,600, and $2,400 to the base price, respectively, reflecting the increased computational power without altering other base components.[33] Additional build-to-order choices focused on memory, storage, and graphics to tailor the system for specific professional needs. Memory could be upgraded from the base 32 GB to 64 GB for an extra $800 or to 128 GB for $2,400, using soldered ECC modules for reliability in data-intensive applications.[17] Storage options extended to a 2 TB SSD for $800 more or a 4 TB SSD for $2,800, both utilizing Apple's custom PCIe-based design for high-speed access. The GPU could be upgraded to the Radeon Pro Vega 64 with 16 GB of HBM2 for $600, providing enhanced performance for graphics-heavy workloads.[17] A fully configured 18-core model with 128 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD, and Vega 64 GPU reached $13,199.[33]| Upgrade Category | Option | Additional Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 10-core Xeon W | +$800 |
| Processor | 14-core Xeon W | +$1,600 |
| Processor | 18-core Xeon W | +$2,400 |
| Memory | 64 GB ECC RAM | +$800 |
| Memory | 128 GB ECC RAM | +$2,400 |
| Storage | 2 TB SSD | +$800 |
| Storage | 4 TB SSD | +$2,800 |
| Graphics | Radeon Pro Vega 64 (16 GB) | +$600 |