Apple Expected To Offer ‘Budget’ iMac in 2014

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, Apple is expected to offer a new lower-cost version of its iMac desktop in 2014.

Kuo believes that the lower pricing will boost overall iMac shipments by 10 to 20 percent year over year. Currently Apple’s most affordable 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1,299.

According to Kuo, fewer than expected iMacs were shipped after the redesign in late 2012. He believes the price was set too high and offering a ‘budget’ or lower-cost iMac will help drive shipments in non-US markets.

Apple just refreshed its iMac lineup late last month with Intel’s Haswell CPUs, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Nvidia GeForce 700-series graphics. Here is an unboxing and first look at Apple’s newly refreshed iMac (late 2013).

Kuo also expects that the second-generation iPad mini, rumoured for a October 22 announcement, will feature a Retina display.

At its next event, Apple is expected to refresh its notebook lineup, including the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and release the final version of OS X Mavericks. Apple has given us a sneak peek at the new Mac Pro but it is unknown whether it will make an appearance in the next Apple event, or if it will have an event of its own later this year.

[via Apple Insider]