AppleInsider is reporting that the long-rumoured iMac refresh will arrive just a few weeks after the iPhone release.

“People familiar with plans for the next-generation consumer desktops say Apple hopes to unveil the new systems sometime between the latter half of July and mid-August — a timeframe well suited to garner sales from higher-education individuals and back-to-school shoppers in general. Those same people add that the Cupertino-based Mac maker may also have a few smaller surprises in store for fans of its Mac line around the same time.”

The site also reiterates that the new iMacs will be “slimmer and sleeker” than its predecessor.

AppleInsider is also keen to knock Think Secret for originally claiming that Apple would release new iMacs at WWDC last week. Think Secret was quick to add an air of caution.

“Earlier this month, the Internet was rife with unsubstantiated rumors that Apple would use its developer conference (last week) to introduce new iMacs clad in “brushed metal” enclosures. AppleInsider, however, advised against those claims, explaining that the company would instead use the annual gathering to focus on Mac OS X Leopard, third-party iPhone development, and its software strategy in general.