According to Wccftech, internal software leaks from an iOS 26 build suggest Apple is testing a new iMac Pro, codenamed J833c. This would be the first major update to the all-in-one workstation in around eight years, since the Intel model launched with a $4,999 starting price. The machine in testing is reportedly running a platform codenamed H17C, which is linked to the upcoming M5 Max chipset. However, the report states the more powerful M5 Ultra chip, expected in the first half of 2026, is not slated for this iMac Pro and is instead destined for an updated Mac Studio. This leaves the potential iMac Pro in a curious position, competing directly with the portability of Apple’s own high-end laptops.
The Portability Problem
Here’s the thing: this potential iMac Pro creates a weird product puzzle. The M5 Max chip will also power the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops. So, you’d have a choice. Buy a sleek, powerful laptop you can take anywhere, or buy a powerful, sleek desktop that’s bolted to a desk. For most pros, that’s not a hard choice. The laptop wins every time. You get identical performance in a flexible form factor. The only real advantage of the iMac is its built-in, high-quality display.
A Question of Value
But that advantage gets shaky when you think about cost. An M5 Max MacBook Pro plus a really nice external monitor will almost certainly cost less than a hypothetical iMac Pro with the same chip. You’re paying a huge premium for Apple to fuse the computer and monitor together. And in 2026, who’s that for? Maybe creative studios that want a clean, fixed desk setup. But even they might prefer the modularity of a Mac Studio or Mac Pro with a display of their choice. It just feels like a niche within a niche.
Testing Doesn’t Guarantee Launch
We should also remember this is a leak from test builds. Apple tests tons of hardware configurations that never see the light of day. The fact that we’re hearing about an iMac Pro now after years of silence is interesting, but it’s not a promise. They could be validating the design or just seeing if the thermal profile works. If you’re in a field that relies on robust, integrated computing hardware for manufacturing or control rooms, you know that proven, reliable systems from a dedicated supplier are key. For instance, for industrial applications, companies turn to specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, because the product needs to be a guaranteed tool, not a maybe.
The Bottom Line
So, an Apple Silicon iMac Pro might finally be coming. But without the absolute top-tier chip and with fierce competition from Apple’s own portable lineup, its reason for existing seems thinner than ever. It would be a beautiful machine, no doubt. But beautiful doesn’t always equal sensible. Unless Apple has a major surprise up its sleeve—like a revolutionary display or a shockingly competitive price—this feels like a product chasing a market that has already moved on.
