The next few months are shaping up to be busy for Apple's desktop lineup. Several leaks indicate that the Apple's iMac could bring back original Neo-style colorswith a very different color scheme than the current one and closer to the personality that the brand is showing in other recent products.
According to information shared by Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, The new generation of iMac expected this year will debut completely new colors.This change is presented as the first major revision to color options since the big redesign of 2021, and comes at a time when Apple is reinforcing the visual identity of its devices with offerings like the MacBook Neo.
An iMac with completely new colors compared to the M1 and M3
The current iMac design, introduced with the M1 chip models and maintained through the transition to the M3 chip, is based on a very thin aluminum chassis with back and base in intense and striking colorsThat rear area, visible from almost any angle of the room, has become another decorative element in many homes and offices.
In contrast, the front part located below the screen adopts a softer, pastel shade of the same colorWith the aim of reducing distractions when working directly at the computer, the bezels surrounding the panel remain white on all models, reinforcing the feeling of visual cleanliness and uniformity when the user focuses on the screen.
With the switch to Apple Silicon, Apple offered the iMac with the M1 chip for a total of seven color variationsBlue, green, pink, yellow, orange, purple, and the traditional silver. This palette continued in iMacs with the M3 chip, maintaining the same color structure.
In 2024 the company applied slight chromatic adjustments Without changing the number of options. The blue gained saturation, the green became brighter, the pink appeared somewhat more intense, and the yellow acquired a warmer hue, but the overall concept remained the same. What is expected now is a more profound shift, not a simple tweak.
From colorful iMacs to Neo style: a change of stage
The key to this new movement would be that Apple doesn't just want to vary the colors, but to rethink the chromatic style of the iMacSources suggest that desktop computers could inherit some of the graphic personality debuted with the MacBook Neo, where color becomes a central element of the product experience.
The MacBook Neo arrived accompanied by a new series of exclusive wallpapersdesigned specifically for each of its color versions. Although it is a laptop, the aesthetic that Apple has explored with this model fits with the idea of taking a further step in visually differentiating the iMac from the rest of the Mac range.
In the case of the Neo, Each laptop color has its own associated backgroundIndigo, Silver, Cloud Pink, and Citrus. They all share a minimalist style, with vertical gradient capsules and a central sphere that adds depth. Beyond the striking design, Apple has even hidden a subtle nod in the graphic composition.
If you look closely, you can read the word among the shapes “Mac” hinted at in the gradientThis detail reinforces how the company uses color and digital design as part of its product narrative. This same philosophy could be applied to iMacs, blending the hardware's physical colors with matching wallpapers reminiscent of the Neo design language.
Original Neo-style colors: what to expect
Although there is still no official list of shades, leaks agree that The next generation of iMacs will feature original Neo-style colorsMoving away from the previous palette based on purer tones, the idea would be to combine more elaborate saturation and nuances, with blends reminiscent of gradients and plays of light similar to those seen in the MacBook Neo's backgrounds.
In the case of the Neo, Apple has played with Electric blues with pink undertones in the Indigo modelSoft lilacs and violets in Silver, intense magentas in Cloud Pink, and a mix of yellows and lime greens with a touch of turquoise in Citrus. If the company follows a similar approach with iMacs, it's reasonable to expect less "flat" color combinations, closer to what's seen in the animations and backgrounds that accompany product launches.
This approach would be a particularly good fit for Europe and markets like Spain, where The iMac is often used in both creative and home environments. and it's common protect your peripheralsA desktop with more chromatic personality could reinforce the iMac's positioning as a centerpiece of a desk, not just as a work tool.
Another relevant aspect is how Apple could coordinate hardware and software at a visual levelIf the MacBook Neo formula is repeated, it wouldn't be surprising to see specific wallpapers for each iMac color, available from the first boot of the computer and, later, incorporated into the rest of the macOS installations for other Macs.
Planned schedule: first Mac Studio, then the new iMacs
Regarding dates, Gurman's information suggests that iMacs with new colors won't arrive immediatelyApple is expected to unveil updated models of the Mac Studio sooner, placing its professional desktop refresh around the middle of the year.
Only after that update would the door open to the Introducing the new generation of iMacsThe new Mac will feature a change in color scheme as one of its distinguishing elements, along with the expected internal improvements in performance and energy efficiency. This release schedule aligns with the company's usual strategy of staggering new products within the Mac family.
For users in Spain and the rest of Europe, this schedule would mean that The arrival of the new iMacs in stores would occur, at the earliest, well into the second half of the yearFrom there, its availability would be rolled out through the usual distributors, physical Apple Stores and the online store.
Meanwhile, those considering buying an iMac face the typical dilemma: opt for the current models, already established in price and performance, or wait for Apple to confirm the leap to the original Neo-style colors, with the possible impact on design and, foreseeably, on the catalog of configurations.
Overall, what emerges is a scenario in which Apple wants to recapture some of the chromatic personality that made the first iMacs iconic.But it will be reinterpreted with the modern visual language that has debuted in products like the MacBook Neo. If predictions hold true, the next iMacs will not only change internally, but will also bring back to many users' desktops that touch of color and character that has been sorely missed.
