Retina Display iMacs Coming Before the End of the Year?

Apple AAPL is reportedly developing a brand-new iMac that will contain the company's largest Retina Display yet. According to DigiTimes, sources from the "upstream supply chain" claim that the new iMac will be released in October. Those same sources reported that Apple may release another iMac revision in 2013, but the degree of that upgrade is currently unknown. Regardless of what Apple releases, some analysts are skeptical about any rumors that promise a Retina Display upgrade. Trip Chowdhry, the Managing Director of Equity Research at Global Equities Research, told Benzinga that if Apple were to release a 17-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina Display, it could cost $700 more than the 15-inch model. "Right now, we don't have the economies of scale and economies of scope with the displays," Chowdhry explained. "The cost of a large display is not linear. You cannot say, 'The 15-inch model costs [X amount] more, a 50-inch model would cost three or four times more.' It does not work like that. The cost of the Retina Display grows exponentially." According to both Chowdhry and DigiTimes, Retina Displays are much more expensive than the standard, full-HD panels. This could make it difficult for Apple to produce a 21- or 27-inch iMac without raising the price. Follow me @LouisBedigianBZ