Rumour: Apple to unveil 22-inch touchscreen iMac

by Stevie Smith - Jan 19 2010, 04:28

While the majority of Apple-flavoured speculation is firmly centred on the imminent unveiling of a certain 10-inch iSlate tablet computer, it’s not the only piece of unsubstantiated gossip currently floating around with regard to the Cupertino-based gadget maker. 

More pointedly, a report offered up by Chinese newspaper The Commercial Times and cited by DigiTimes, suggests 2010 will also see Apple whipping the covers off a brand new 22-inch variant of its popular iMac computer.

According to the report, the new model (although not a huge step up from the existing 21.5-inch iMac) will stand apart thanks to touchscreen functionality, with Taiwan-based Sintek Photronic expected to supply Apple with the new panel.

Although a sassy 22-inch iMac with a touchscreen interface would certainly be a tempting piece of hardware, AppleInsider notes that The Commercial Times doesn’t have a faultless track record when it comes to predicting Apple’s product line.

“Though the Commercial Times is generally somewhat reliable when it comes to Apple-related rumors, the newspaper did report last year that Apple was building a netbook that would feature a touchscreen display,” it commented.

While it’s certainly possible the touchscreen panels mentioned in that 2009 report could be connected to Apple’s mysterious tablet computer, Apple has made its standpoint regarding low-cost and underpowered Netbooks perfectly clear and has insisted it will never enter that particular sector.

Apple is scheduled to host a special invitation-only media event on January 27, which many believe the gadget specialist will use as a platform to officially unveil its iSlate tablet device – perhaps it will also announce a revised version of its stalwart iMac too?

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