iMac 2016 release date, specs rumors update: Apple to unveil new iMac with VR support this October?

Miguel Salonga Monday, September 12, 2016

Weeks before the much-anticipated Sept. 7 Apple event, it was rumored that the next refresh of the iMac would be announced on the same day together with the iPhone 7 smartphones and the Apple Watch Series 2 wearable device. Much to the disappointment of those expecting the iMac 2016 last week, the Cupertino-based tech giant focused on their handset flagship and the new iOS 10 version during the event. Still, not all hope is lost for the new iMac upgrade as it is rumored that the Apple desktop PC will be unveiled a month after last week's Apple Event.

A sales assistant shows features of iOS 9 on an Apple iMac at an Apple reseller shop in Bangkok Sept. 18, 2015. | Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom

According to Mac World, there is a possibility that Apple needed to focus on the iPhone 7 and iPhone Plus during the Sept. 7 event, but the absence of the iMac 2016 does not mean that Apple has no plans to refresh the desktop computer this year. If anything, the public can expect the iMac 2016 to be announced at a separate event in October this year. To note, Apple also had two separate press events last year, and the later one for 2016 showcased the 2015 iMac version. Therefore, it is likely that the iMac 2016 will be unveiled in the next event of Apple this year.

As for the rumored specs of the iMac 2016, the speculation is rife that the new Apple desktop PC will be sporting virtual reality (VR) capability for the first time. According to WCCF Tech, the new iMac desktop will be using the AMD's latest 400 series Polaris-based graphics processing units (GPUs), which are known to offer quality VR experience for modern computer game titles.

Moreover, it is rumored that the iMac 2016 will be using Intel's next generation of processing chipsets called the Kaby Lake processors. It is expected to be much better than the Intel Skylake processors, thus having a full VR capability for the new iMac is not off the table due to its very powerful CPU and GPU.

Aside from the iMac 2016, Apple may also unveil the next iteration of their laptop labels, the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro 2016. It should be noted, however, that Apple has yet to confirm the rumored October press event of the company.