Apple has discontinued the iMac Pro and it seems the decision is the result of other models proving too popular, creating a situation where the iMac Pro simply doesn't have a place any longer. The iMac Pro has remained an option for those looking for a powerful device, but while other Mac products from the company have been updated and/or dropped in price, iMac Pro hasn’t really changed all that much.
Apple first introduced the iMac Pro back in June of 2017, but the company’s “most powerful Mac ever” didn’t become available to buy until December of the same year. Apple positioned the iMac Pro as an all-in-one setup that was specifically designed for users in need of workstation-class performance. Which is not surprising considering the 2017 iMac Pro came with a 27-inch Retina 5K display, along with 18-core Xeon processors and up to 22 Teraflops of graphics power. Since the release of the 2017 Pro version, the standard iMac received a notable upgrade in 2020.
After the availability of the iMac Pro was noted having changed to “while supplies last,” Apple has confirmed to multiple outlets, including TechCrunch, that it has now discontinued the Mac device. The company also confirmed it had already stopped making new units. Due to this, the iMac Pro will only remain an option to buy while the current stock levels remain available. Once the last of the iMac Pro units are sold, that will be it for the company’s powerful Mac.
The Reason Behind Apple's iMac Pro Decision
Although this is a powerful device for consumers, it would seem the reason behind Apple discontinuing the iMac Pro is that it is just not popular enough. One of the reasons for the lack of popularity is the non-Pro version. Apple confirmed to media outlets that the newer 27-inch model is its best-selling among professionals. While the Pro version is more powerful, Apple also sells a Mac Pro model for those that need greater performance and power. Between the non-pro iMac and the Mac Pro, it is just a matter of Apple no longer seeing a place for its iMac Pro in the future.
Of course, the $5,000 price tag probably doesn’t help much either. With the base 27-inch non-pro model starting at $1,799, consumers have plenty of change left over from $5,000 to further upgrade their system if they need. Arguably, enough leftover money to create a setup that's fairly comparable to the iMac Pro. Likewise, with the Mac Pro starting at $5,999, anyone willing to spend $5,000 on a new system is likely going to consider going the Mac Pro route. Again, although the iMac Pro offers more value at the base price point, the greater number of upgrade options with the Mac Pro are more likely to appeal to the specific section of the market that’s going to be able and willing to pay the higher prices. This is likely to become even more the case if the company does start rolling out new non-pro iMac and Mac Pro models powered by its own Apple Silicon. With the iMac Pro simply being squeezed at both ends by other Mac products, Apple's decision to discontinue was probably more of a matter of when rather than if.
Source: TechCrunch