While Apple is believed to be working on new versions of the iMac and Mac Pro for release later this year or in 2013, hidden files discovered deep within Boot Camp in OS X Mountain Lion seem to confirm that new models are indeed being tested.
AppleInsider reports:
Internal configuration files in Mountain Lion make apparent references to yet-unreleased new generations of Apple’s iMac (iMac13,0) and Mac Pro (MacPro6,0), both in the context of USB booting options that indicate the new Mac desktops could, for the first time in nearly 20 years, lack built-in optical drives.
The config file in question is a plist file used by Boot Camp, but the mere mention of the new models isn’t the only interesting bit. According to the report, the config file is one that designates which makes can support an optical or USB boot volume used for installing Windows – a file which usually only lists Macs without optical drives.
What’s interesting about this is that it could suggest that future iMacs and Mac Minis might ship without optical drives. While this makes sense for the iMac, I’m not convinced that removing the optical drive (or at least the option for one) from the Mac Pro would be a wise move. Many users, such as video editors, who use the Mac Pro likely still use optical drives.
While MacRumors notes that these references have actually existed since November 2011, the discovery is still very interesting, especially considering that no new models of the iMac or Mac Pro have been released since that time (with the exception of a very minor unannounced update to the Mac Pro).
Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook (as well as an anonymous Apple spokesperson) confirmed that Apple will release a redesigned Pro-level Mac sometime in 2013.