In February, we learned that Apple was working on redesigning its future iMac line in 2021, as it would with other Mac products. And that’s because Apple is expected to use its own ARM-based M1 processors in its new iMacs as well. The two models, which are 21.5 inches and 27 inches respectively, are codenamed J456 and J457, according to a Bloomberg report.
However, last month 9to5Mac unveiled some new Apple iMac device IDs called “iMac21.1” and “iMac21.2” in the MacOS Big Sur 11.3 beta update. While we’re not sure if these new IDs are the same as those mentioned in the Bloomberg report, what we can say is that a Geekbench version of the iMac 21.1 was seen today by a self-titled Twitter user. ‘Leakbench’. While leaked Geekbench scores aren’t always reason enough to excite us, what really caught our attention is the bizarre, weird processor that apparently powers the system.
The iMac 21.1 appears to be powered by an eight-core “ARM Qualcomm” processor, however, it is detected as an Intel Genuine processor. And the motherboard seems to be detected as “Intel Corporation iMac21.1”. The test was performed on macOS Big Sur 11.1 build 20C69.
Geekbench often reports incorrect clock speed, so it’s best not to look at this to determine the final specifications, however, other details like the amount of cache or kernels are more reliable numbers and are much less likely to ever change. The processor appears to be an octa-core ARM chip just like Apple’s own M1. However, the M1, which seems to power this year’s 21.5-inch iMac, far outperforms this unknown Geekbench processor by almost double the scores, suggesting that the iMac21.1 could be a completely different product.
But it has to be said that we are talking about a potentially unfinished part and it is probably best not to look too closely at these numbers. No matter, this is how the new weird processor worked.
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Apple will host the four-day spring event on April 20, and the company may be talking about the upcoming iMac line. The 21.5-inch iMac seems to be running out and could be waiting for the arrival of the latest models.
Source: Leakbench (Twitter) through 9to5Mac