Apple Reportedly Testing New iMac Retina

A new report today claims that Apple is in the process of testing a new iMac built with a Retina display, which could be available for purchase this fall to coincide with the release of OS X Yosemite. If true, it could dovetail nicely with a new Mac Mini, rumored to be slated for October.

According to 9to5Mac, the new iMac Retina will have faster processors and improved WiFi connectivity. Moreover, the computer may take advantage of resolution dimensions found in beta versions of OS X Yosemite, including 6400 x 3600, 5760 x 3240, and 4096 x 2304. The report also says that the iMac Retina may be capable of 5K resolution, which will go along nicely with new versions of iMovie and Final Cut Pro that are capable of editing 4K quality video footage. In short, wash your eyeballs, because you’re going to need them to take in every pixel with this new iMac.

As you may recall, rumors have been swirling with rumors about an upcoming Apple event scheduled for October 21, at which we’re expecting to hear about a new version of the iPad. If the report about a new iMac Retina is true, there’s probably no better time to lift the curtain than at this event. One of iOS 8’s vaunted features from this past summer’s WWDC was Hand Off, which would allow users to easily switch from whatever they were doing on their Macs to their iPhones or iPads, and vice versa. If Apple’s going to truly debut a new iPad at an event in October – which will be running the recently released iOS 8 – it would make sense to show how cool Hand-Off can be on a new, refreshed version of the iMac, this time with a Retina display.

It makes sense, but of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen. Even still, you may want to hold off on buying a new Mac until after October, just in case new computers are announced, and prices on current models start to drop.

[Source: 9to5Mac]