Apple reportedly prototyped three different 27-inch iMac models in 2021, including one with the M1 Max chip.

For now, Apple’s only iMac variant comes with a 24-inch display. The company quietly removed the 27-inch variant a while back. And while there have been rumors that a replacement is on the way, we’re still waiting for it to actually happen. And it looks like Apple is at least playing with the idea.

Or at least they were last year, according to a forum poster called “Amethyst”on the MacRumors Forums (via MacRumors). The forum writer, who has had correct prior information about other Apple products in the past, says that Apple has prototyped at least three different iMac models with larger displays.

The first prototype of the model was created before August 2021. This model apparently used the same design as the discontinued Intel-based 27-inch iMac and featured an M1 processor. The next one happened around the same month last year and featured a similar design to the 24-inch iMac but with a larger 27-inch screen. This model was also a prototype with the M1 chip.

The third and final 27-inch iMac tested by Apple last year didn’t arrive until November and featured the same design as the 24-inch iMac but with a larger screen. This model was also tested with an XDR display, black finish and an M1 Max processor.

The original post from Amethyst was published in March. And, according to the poster’s unnamed source, Apple hasn’t made any other 27-inch iMac variants since the three last year.

But wait, there’s more

According to the same source speaking to Amethyst, Apple is also making some changes to the Mac Pro:

Earlier this month, citing the same source, Amethyst also shared details on the alleged Mac Pro pre-logic board, which includes a 40-core Apple silicon chip (32 performance cores, eight efficiency cores) and a 128-core GPU. This prototype Mac Pro board is also reported to include at least one PCIe x16 slot.

So there could be a lot of changes at work. Especially with the 27-inch iMac variant. Or we may not see Apple update this particular lineup anytime soon. We just have to wait and see how things turn out.

Are you hoping to get a new 27-inch iMac in the future?