iMac Pro 2017 Rumors: Kaby Lake E3-1200 v6 Xeon Chip, 64GB ECC RAM, And Keyboard With Touch Bar

It has taken Apple a lot of time, but the Cupertino-based tech giant is finally preparing to take the wraps off the latest incarnation of its iconic all-in-one, the iMac 2017. With Apple executives Phil Schiller, Craig Federighi, and John Ternus directly stating that the most recent incarnation of the iMac would be released in the near future, speculations and leaks about the upcoming machine have started to gain steam. If these rumors are any indication, it seems that the iMac 2017 would be Apple’s best all-in-one desktop yet.

One thing that has caught the attention of numerous Apple fans is the executives’ statement that a powerful iMac “Pro” would be released this year. Federighi even elaborated further, stating that the Cupertino-based tech giant has “put a lot of energy behind” the upcoming server-grade all-in-one desktop, according to a MacWorld report.

With these statements in mind, numerous speculations have emerged stating that the iMac Pro 2017, the most powerful variant of the all-in-one desktop, would be released sometime around July to October 2017. Rumors about the device’s launch are many, with some stating that the machine would be launched sometime in Q4 and others predicting that it would launch during WWDC 2017 instead.

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— iGotOffer (@iGotOffer) April 24, 2017

Considering Apple’s release history, both timelines are possible. The Mac Pro, one of Apple’s most formidable desktops in recent years, was released in WWDC 2013, while the MacBook Pro 2016, the latest line of laptops from the Cupertino-based tech giant, were launched in October. Since the iMac Pro is all but confirmed for a 2017 launch, it appears safe to expect the device to enter the market sometime during the second half of the year.

While the release date of the iMac Pro 2017 is all but certain, the features that the upcoming desktop will be equipped with are an entirely different matter. Since its existence was confirmed by Apple, various rumors about the iMac Pro 2017 have emerged, focusing on the device’s processors, memory, and unique features. Needless to say, these recent rumors paint a picture of a formidable computer that appears designed to breeze through any task, regardless of how intensive it might be.

The processor of the iMac Pro 2017 has been a focus of rumors over the past few months. While an Intel Kaby Lake chip is all but confirmed for the all-in-one desktop, only a handful of speculations have emerged about the actual processor that the all-in-one would be equipped with. According to a MacRumors report, however, rumors have recently emerged stating that the iMac Pro 2017 would be fitted with a Kaby Lake E3-1200 v6 Xeon processor, a formidable chip that is yet to be shipped by Intel.

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— iZenica (@iZenica) April 30, 2017

Xeon processors are pretty new to the iMac line, considering that only the Mac Pro has used a variant of the chip. Nevertheless, if these rumors prove true, the iMac Pro 2017 would most definitely be a powerhouse. Coupled with a rumored 64GB ECC RAM and up to 2TB of flash storage, the upcoming all-in-one definitely appears to be the machine’s most powerful iteration to date.

Another rumored feature of the iMac Pro 2017 that has attracted the attention of numerous Apple fans is its keyboard. The current iMac line uses Apple’s Magic Keyboard 2, which is a capable enough keyboard on its own. For the upcoming iMac Pro 2017, however, rumors have emerged stating that the device would most likely feature a keyboard “with adaptive input.” The actual nature of this particular keyboard remains unknown, though the patent for the accessory suggests a design that is remarkably similar to the MacBook Pro 2016’s Touch Bar.

The iMac Pro 2017 is steadily building up to be one of Apple’s most formidable desktop computers. With a renewed sense of purpose in the professional content creation market, the Cupertino-based tech giant definitely appears to be sparing no expense when it comes to the development of one of its most iconic products.

[Featured Image by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images]