Next-Generation iMac With SD Slot, Quad-Core, Possible Xeon? New Mouse and Remote in Pipeline?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/25/next-generation-imac-with-sd-slot-quad-core-possible-xeon-new-mouse-and-remote-in-pipeline/)

French site Mac4Ever reported (http://www.mac4ever.com/news/48037/apple_ce_qui_se_dit_dans_les_couloirs_imac_et_souris_tactiles/) [Google translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.mac4ever.com/news/48037/apple_ce_qui_se_dit_dans_les_couloirs_imac_et_souris_tactiles/&hl=en&langpair=auto|en")] earlier this week that it had received a number of tips from sources regarding Apple's upcoming product plans. Among the most near-term topics of interest is the iMac, which has been rumored by several (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/15/analyst-imac-and-macbook-updates-coming-within-weeks/) sources (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/24/next-generation-imacs-already-in-production/) to be seeing a refresh in the very near future.

While details of the update have been scarce, Mac4Ever's sources point to the inclusion of an SD card reader, as found in the 13" and 15" MacBook Pro, and the use of quad-core processors, which conflicts with a subsequent report (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/24/next-generation-imacs-already-in-production/) claiming that the new iMac will continue to use dual-core processors. Interestingly, one of the sources also spoke of the inclusion of Xeon processors, which would presumably only be used in high-end configurations if the information proves accurate.

Mac4Ever's sources have also reported a number of other tidbits about Apple's product pipeline for the next few months, including a new 100% touch-enabled mouse capable of advanced mouse functions, as well as a new aluminum Apple Remote. Other claims include a continued shift of Apple's software to 64-bit and optimization for Snow Leopard (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/16/grand-central-dispatch-and-open-cl-bring-significant-performance-improvements-for-optimized-applications/), as well as the much-rumored tablet, which sources vaguely claim will be very different from concepts that have appeared on rumor sites thus far.

Article Link: Next-Generation iMac With SD Slot, Quad-Core, Possible Xeon? New Mouse and Remote in Pipeline? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/25/next-generation-imac-with-sd-slot-quad-core-possible-xeon-new-mouse-and-remote-in-pipeline/)

[Eidorian]

Can't we get this all in one thread? :confused:

Lots of news overlap with the Macbook and iMac updates. What's the benefit of Xeon in an iMac?

[thegoldenmackid]

Shocking...where is the Bluetooth?

[safasule]

Gonna buy one for sure if there's a quad-core in it :) Would be my first iMac ever! Really want one ..

[puckhead193]

interesting.... time will tell if these rumors are true; i'm still waiting for my powerbook g5 :rolleyes:

[DHagan4755]

Take this with a grain of salt...some of this is likely to be true...most of it is likely to be horsesh....

[thecartoonguy]

Shocking...where is the Bluetooth?

I was just thinking the same thing.

[synth3tik]

At first I thought a new mouse would be a good thing, but then I remembered what Apple did to my track pad.

I just don't see how they could make the iMac thinner, AND throw in a XEON.

[Neotyguy40]

I hope the new mice let's you press both buttons at the same time. I hate needing to use my old ball-motion mouse for my gaming...

[apfhex]

I was just thinking the same thing.
Where's the bluetooth what? Don't they already come with Bluetooth? Or are you all thinking of Blu-ray?

Quad core would be interesting indeed. But Xeon? Sounds unlikely. The "touch enabled mouse" could be real and SD card slot seems likely enough.

[thecartoonguy]

I'm really glad I decided to wait.

[thecartoonguy]

Where's the bluetooth what? Don't they already come with Bluetooth? Or are you all thinking of Blu-ray?

Quad core would be interesting indeed. But Xeon? Sounds unlikely. The "touch enabled mouse" could be real and SD card slot seems likely enough.

You're right I was thinking Blu-Ray. Getting my thoughts scrambled.

[Eidorian]

At first I though a new mouse would be a good thing, but then I remembered what Apple did to my track pad.

I just don't see how they could make the iMac thinner, AND throw in a XEON.Xeon in the iMac doesn't make any sense at all. There are low power versions of Lynnfield under the L34xx line but that's absurd over Clarksfield. ECC RAM in the iMac is the new gimmick?

[SeattleMoose]

Getting rid of that pesky old FW port in lieu of a SD card slot?

Apple gets it right again!!!!:mad:

[smithlua]

I don't see any way or reason why a Xeon would be in an iMac. Especially if they want to lower the prices. Just another rumor.

[zedsdead]

This is the best news in a while. Hopefully it's true, but the Slimmer, Dual-Core iMac sounds more like Apple.

[thecartoonguy]

Getting rid of that pesky old FW port in lieu of a SD card slot?

Apple gets it right again!!!!:mad:

Is it just me who doesn't really use the SD card slots?

[dlewis23]

The intel Xeon in higher end rumor is just stupid thinking, thats not gonna happen.

I would say quad core for sure, there is no way Apple can hold off that any longer in the iMac.
4GB of ram standard across the line,
1 TB hard drive standard in the upper 2 models (If they keep 4)
Better graphics cards for sure. Probably still Nvidia integrated in the lower end models and the upper 2 Nvidia GT200 series cards.

I would like them to stick a 4870 inside the iMac but thats just me.

[alexandr]

these better have an option for a matte display.. or this will be another useless imac imho...

[Mousse]

...most of it is likely to be horsesh....

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the Xeon in a thin form factor? Horsesh...:p Now if the new iMac sported fins (lots and lots of cooling fins) I don't see how they're gonna keep the Xeon cool. Liquid nitrogen (maybe), like they use in those super computers?:D

[Xtremehkr]

If there is a quad core option they have a guaranteed sale.

[Maserati7200]

I'm starting to highly doubt that all of these rumors of the new iMac in October are true. Xeon in an iMac? Clarksfield maybe... but not Xeon. Besides, if the iMac were to get updated, they would do it in March/April like they usually do. Updated MBP's and MB's are possible, but i highly doubt the iMac is going to get updated now.

[miki66]

interesting.... time will tell if these rumors are true; i'm still waiting for my powerbook g5 :rolleyes:

agree, will definitely buy a new mouse if it comes out

[anubis]

Quad core? Possibly in the high end model. Xeon? Very hard to believe.

[rwilliams]

Yeah, how are they going to put a Xeon in the iMac AND make it thinner? That makes no sense.

[johnrs]

Xeon is not going to happen. Too expensive for the imac. If you want that sort of CPU power you will buy a PRO

[Lesser Evets]

woooowww. An SD slot.
Billions backflip in unison.

-_-;

[techpr]

If there is a quad core option they have a guaranteed sale.

+1

If Quad Core and under $1000- will buy one in no time!.

[Neotyguy40]

I think we have established that this rumor is most likely untrue...

They can't make a thinner and cheaper iMac with a quad-core CPU... Especially the Xeon chip...

As much as I hope I am wrong (and I wish I am), I doubt this will happen.

[NT1440]

I hope the new mice let's you press both buttons at the same time. I hate needing to use my old ball-motion mouse for my gaming...

What buttons?;)

[Michael73]

it would be nice. I was at a funeral on Tuesday and a person there who knows that I'm a Mac guy said, "I can't find a satisfying video editing solution on my PC and want to make the move to a Mac. I want to talk to you later about your recommendation."

Now, I know this guy and he's OCD with his camcorder. He's got only one son and takes more movie footage than you could believe of him.

The bottom line is that he doesn't have the $ for a MP and that left me recommending an iMac. The problem as always is that the gulf in performance between the 2 machines is astounding. Video encoding and rendering that takes just seconds or a couple of minutes on a MP is going to take a lot longer for him on an iMac and may degrade his experience.

I'd love for a high-end config quad-core iMac as a half-step in the performance gap between the two machines. But like I said, the chances of it happening are about as slim an the reported new iMac enclosure.

[Chimpy]

Touch enabled mouse? That sounds interesting...

[MWPULSE]

Correct me if I'm wrong but don apple have enough problems getting a dual core in there and keeping it the same size. So they're gonna put in a higher temp processor with a smaller size?? How? Lol

[Maserati7200]

Xeon is not going to happen. Too expensive for the imac. If you want that sort of CPU power you will buy a PRO

Exactly, not to mention it would be too hot for the iMac's case and that it has more wattage than the current processors in the iMac.

[ivladster]

FINALLY! I can't wait! I wonder how they gonna revolutionize mouse again.

[iMacmatician]

Good news if true. But I'm going to think about things for a little while before lowering my pessimism.

[Zargot]

I could probably convince my school district to buy 350 or so if they include Core i7 chips at the same price as the current lineup, but not for more Core 2 Duos when we can get Core 2 Quad systems for less... We're a Dell shop now but with no Core i7 in their business desktops yet this might be a chance for Apple to give a better value in the minds of the bean counters.

Oh, and a matte display option would be nice...

[xIGmanIx]

nix the SD card in preference for an express card slot

[mr_matalino]

+1

If Quad Core and under $1000- will buy one in no time!.

Quad Core will probably on be in the more expensive models (i.e. dedicated VRAM). I don't see Apple putting a quad in a 20-inch shared graphics iMac...

[SirOmega]

The only thing a Xeon in an iMac makes sense is if they go and build an iMac pro - essentially segregating the iMac into two lines like the laptops.

iMac: C2D 2.6-3GHz, 4GB, etc for $999-$1699
iMac Pro: Low power Xeon L3426 45W 4C/8T with turbo boost (1.86->3.2GHz in Turbo 1 core) for $1999 (the CPU is only $300 and its designed for 1U server applications which is about the same thermal performance of an iMac)

It could happen its not physically impossible to cram that chip in there...

[Cartman356]

FINALLY! I can't wait! I wonder how they gonna revolutionize mouse again.

hopefully better then last time.. *glances at his mighty mouse*

[alent1234]

xeons will never happen in an imac

we have xeons in servers and the heat sinks are taller than the imac depth

[Maserati7200]

The only thing a Xeon in an iMac makes sense is if they go and build an iMac pro - essentially segregating the iMac into two lines like the laptops.

iMac: C2D 2.6-3GHz, 4GB, etc for $999-$1699
iMac Pro: Low power Xeon L3426 45W 4C/8T with turbo boost (1.86->2.5GHz in Turbo 1 core) for $1999 (the CPU is only $300 and its designed for 1U server applications which is about the same thermal performance of an iMac)

It could happen its not physically impossible to cram that chip in there...

Definitely not happening. iMac Pro? No way.

[rwilliams]

FINALLY! I can't wait! I wonder how they gonna revolutionize mouse again.

Looking at their recent trends, they'll just add the two buttons that every other mouse has had for years, slap a couple of buzzwords on it, and make the fanboys wet their pants.

[PeterQVenkman]

If there is a quad core option they have a guaranteed sale.

Me too! Especially if it has Hyper Threading. 8 render buckets in C4d....

Mmmmmmm.....

[GeekLawyer]

Yeah, how are they going to put a Xeon in the iMac AND make it thinner? That makes no sense.

Retain the current thickness for a new line... the iMac Pro!!!



(or not)

Like he just said:

The only thing a Xeon in an iMac makes sense is if they go and build an iMac pro - essentially segregating the iMac into two lines like the laptops.

iMac: C2D 2.6-3GHz, 4GB, etc for $999-$1699
iMac Pro: Low power Xeon L3426 45W 4C/8T with turbo boost (1.86->2.5GHz in Turbo 1 core) for $1999 (the CPU is only $300 and its designed for 1U server applications which is about the same thermal performance of an iMac)

It could happen its not physically impossible to cram that chip in there...

[pechspilz]

I see some substance to the quad core rumor but definitely not with Xeon. The 1156 Lynnfield Nehalem socket seems to be the way to go for lower cost (mind you, the north bridge is in the CPU) better speed and saving some space at the same time. There's support for 4 cores (with/without HT) with Lynnfield Core i5 and i7, that would make it ideal for a redesigned iMac. Any notebook CPU would make an iMac look bad. And I don't think the Clarkdale is for the iMac either because of the integrated graphics processor. I see Clarkdale in the next Mac Mini.

[Eidorian]

The only thing a Xeon in an iMac makes sense is if they go and build an iMac pro - essentially segregating the iMac into two lines like the laptops.

iMac: C2D 2.6-3GHz, 4GB, etc for $999-$1699
iMac Pro: Low power Xeon L3426 45W 4C/8T with turbo boost (1.86->2.5GHz in Turbo 1 core) for $1999 (the CPU is only $300 and its designed for 1U server applications which is about the same thermal performance of an iMac)

It could happen its not physically impossible to cram that chip in there...Isn't the single core Turbo Boost on the L3426 going to be x24 for 3.2 GHz?

[Neotyguy40]

Just wait until people replace silicon with synthetic diamond... THEN I will believe they will make a quad core processor in there.

[rdowns]

Quad cores? Xeon? Thinner? Tablets? New mouse? You're all wrong. Apple is secretly working on the fabled xMac.

[danielwsmithee]

I like the SD Card slot. Much better then the current USB dongle I'm using.

The Xeon is a possibility. The L55XX series are listed as 60W TDP which I think is possible in an iMac with some design changes. These chips are meant for very thin low power rack mount servers, so yeah I think they could work in an iMac. The price/performance ratio is better then Clarksfield too. The 2.0 Ghz clarksfield is $1000, 2.26 GHz Xeon is ~$500.

Also it don't think intel's production of Clarksfield has ramped up enough to supply a huge order that the iMac would require, especially if they went into production a few weeks ago. The Xeons have been out since March, plenty of time to design an iMac around and ramp up production.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem_(microarchitecture)

I could see Apple take advantage of quantities and release a 1U XServe based on the same chips. Would go with their new "green" effort.

[jmpage2]

The iMac uses mobile CPU so the chances of it having Xenon are almost exactly 0%.

I wouldn't be shocked though to see the new mobile i7 quad core in it. Those chips are lightning fast and would run great with snow leopard.

However, I'm feeling that the chances of a matte screen option or Blu-Ray are slipping.

Which is a shame, since those are the two things that need to happen for me to upgrade my headache inducing, glossy display, seven month old iMac.

[xIGmanIx]

Looking at their recent trends, they'll just add the two buttons that every other mouse has had for years, slap a couple of buzzwords on it, and make the fanboys wet their pants.

:eek: priceless, and agree. There are many other vendors out there that have done it better for longer than apple. However, some people prefer their products and that is fine too.

[pimentoLoaf]

When is the MacXeon notebook coming out, the one made with a recycled NASA shuttle heat-shield tile? :eek:

Xeon processors aren't exactly cool when running full tilt. Both notebooks and iMacs aren't exactly designed for hot-running processors.

[SirOmega]

Isn't the single core Turbo Boost on the L3426 going to be x24 for 3.2 GHz?

Yea you're right. 3.2Ghz top speed for one thread. I'll go edit my post above...

[bagelche]

I think we have established that this rumor is most likely untrue...

They can't make a thinner and cheaper iMac with a quad-core CPU... Especially the Xeon chip...

As much as I hope I am wrong (and I wish I am), I doubt this will happen.

I still stand by my belief that thinner refers to the bezel and chin more than the front-to-back depth of the machine.

I also think that there will be some more stratification to the line. The low end will probably not have significant bumps, but will feature a price cut. The audience that that is geared towards doesn't need more the processing power of a quad-core and the associated price increase. I'm a power user in a sea of "regular" users. They get along just fine on a 3yo C2D (and for most tasks, so do I).

[Eidorian]

Yea you're right. 3.2Ghz top speed for one thread. I'll go edit my post above...It's all right. I'm new at this Turbo Boost thing too.

It's going to be 2/2/9/10 on the L3426.

[Reason077]

Bravo for a new mouse design - its about time! The mighty mouse is seriously about the biggest pile of crap in Apple's line up these days. Highly questionable ergonomics and that terrible scroll ball which is constantly gumming up and ruining my day. I'm kind of amazed it has lasted this long without a refresh.

[NT1440]

I like all the justifications against X or Y because "the imac doesnt _____"

You guys get that this is a redesign right?

I'm not saying that feature a or b will be there but saying it wont be because of the current design is just plain dumb.

[FoxyKaye]

Is it just me who doesn't really use the SD card slots?
I'd use an SDIO slot in a laptop, but of course that's too much to ask.

I'd rather see an ExpressCard slot in the iMac - at least it would have more damn utility than a SD card reader taking up space on the motherboard, especially on a desktop.

[exkeks]

Looking at their recent trends, they'll just add the two buttons that every other mouse has had for years, slap a couple of buzzwords on it, and make the fanboys wet their pants.

No, I think they'll wrap a MultiTouchPad on a mouse body: multibutton clicks, scrolling in any direction, no mighty dirt ball - would be a nobrainer to me! :rolleyes:

[ob81]

If there is a quad core option they have a guaranteed sale.

Yeah. I need something a little closer to the Mac pro, but not quite. The macbook pro is damn near better than the iMac thses days.

[macklos]

I want http://www.dearcupertino.com/2008/09/wireless-keyboard-with-multitouch.html
I have always hated trackballs...I also now hate mice...I love my MBP Uni trackpad...and want the same functionality when @ work with the iMac! Add stylus capability and its a DONE deal.

[danielwsmithee]

That is a good catch on the L3426 processor. There is no reason why that processor could not fit in an iMac.

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43233

Better performance and cost then the new Clarksfield processor with the same power usage. It wouldn't surprise me if intel would create a custom processor run for the iMac like they did previously.

[The Samurai]

And here we go again...

Just want to put my 2 cents out... don't cry if this isn't real, cause I suspect (as always) theres going to be a lot of moaners if these 'rumours' aint gonna be true.

Dont say I didnt warn ya ;)

[iOrlando]

100% bull(#2)

[NT1440]

That is a good catch on the L3426 processor. There is no reason why that processor could not fit in an iMac.

Better performance and cost then the new Clarksfield processor with the same power usage. It wouldn't surprise me if intel would create a custom processor run for the iMac like they did previously.

They made a custom processor???:confused::confused::confused:

[*LTD*]

Where's the Bluetooth, damnit!! This is 2009!

[Shake 'n' Bake]

I am 100000000% certain there will never be anything with "Xeon" on it inside the iMac.

I don't want a SD card reader; the built-in ones (on some computers) can't be replaced, so when you get the next format card, you're out of luck. Plus I think it's much easier to just plug in the cable.

[xIGmanIx]

Where's the Bluetooth, damnit!! This is 2009!

didn't you get the word? jobs thinks bluetooth is a bag of hurt and decided instead, the speaker phone is the wave of the future. bluetooth devices are sooo 2008.

[NT1440]

Where's the Bluetooth, damnit!! This is 2009!

Silent inclusion i'd bet.

[charlituna]

Getting rid of that pesky old FW port in lieu of a SD card slot?

Apple gets it right again!!!!:mad:

keep in mind that you are getting pissed about something on a rumor site, sourced from another rumor site which sourced from yet more rumor sites.

we don't even have confirmation that any updates at all are happening. so perhaps this article is talking out its derrière

[Rychiar]

:eek: ... :::imagines a world where the macmouse doesnt have a top trackball that permanently breaks within a month of owning it::::: :rolleyes:

[jamesryanbell]

The iMac uses mobile CPU so the chances of it having Xenon are almost exactly 0%.



Yeah, I don't think they'll put Xenon headlights on the iMac either. Good call.

[danielwsmithee]

They made a custom processor???:confused::confused::confused:Yes the current iMac uses a custom run of the Core 2 Duo mobile processor. They did the same for the MacBook Air when it first came out. Here is a link. The 3.06 GHz version wasn't announced by intel at the time. They later modified it and released it as an extreme edition to other manufacturers.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/28/new-imacs-running-an-overclocked-penryn-chip-not-montevina/

[sanPietro98]

The Mighty Mouse definitely needs an upgrade. I hope the mouse rumors are true. But what is a touch-enabled mouse?!?

[*LTD*]

Silent inclusion i'd bet.

I just had to pick up on the BT comment on the first page. It'll be the new meme for iMac/Macbook rumours.

[Razeus]

Why does Apple continue to shaft CF Cards. Don't they know a lot of Mac users use pro-sumer grade DSLR's??? Sigh.

[johnrs]

Where's the Bluetooth, damnit!! This is 2009!

Err what Bluetoof??? :p

[NT1440]

The Mighty Mouse definitely needs an upgrade. I hope the mouse rumors are true. But what is a touch-enabled mouse?!?

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/12/1-1.jpg

[xIGmanIx]

Why does Apple continue to shaft CF Cards. Don't they know a lot of Mac users use pro-sumer grade DSLR's??? Sigh.

see your wrong, apple is ahead of the curve on this one :rolleyes: why not put in express card and let the end user figure it out? oh wait, because they don't care.

[*LTD*]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/12/1-1.jpg

That looks hawt.

[Icaras]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7C144 Safari/528.16)

I hope the new mice let's you press both buttons at the same time. I hate needing to use my old ball-motion mouse for my gaming...

I think we're looking at a new patent by Apple! Introducing the new mighty mouse with "Multi-click".

[crackbookpro]

quad-core!!!!

...I'm sold!

[Lesser Evets]

"Xeon heat sink. Xeon heat sink..."

You guys are amateurs. They'll make the heat sink into a spoiler, so the iMac looks cool, like a sporty car that drives too fast and creates huge carbon footprints. Chic Ghic.

[segfaultdotorg]

They need a Core 2 Quad iMac already. I bought a $600 Dell last December that had a Core 2 Quad. I bought another one for under $600 with a monitor this October.

[*LTD*]

see your wrong, apple is ahead of the curve on this one :rolleyes: why not put in express card and let the end user figure it out? oh wait, because they don't care.

CF cards are a bag of hurt. Same for Express cards. And Flash, too. And 64-bit iTunes, and . . . Bluteooth.



http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/image/product/4057931/view/1/type/png/width/280/height/280

[segfaultdotorg]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/12/1-1.jpg

Where's the clit for scrolling?

[charlituna]

Besides, if the iMac were to get updated, they would do it in March/April like they usually do. Updated MBP's and MB's are possible, but i highly doubt the iMac is going to get updated now.

oh please. everyone get over this. stop saying 'like they always do'. just because they used to do something this way or that doesn't mean they will keep doing it that way.

they were ALWAYS at Macworld. guess what. not anymore. they told us that 2009 was it.

they ALWAYS update the laptops in the fall right after the back to school is over. well guess what, before this year that was THE time of updates but in June 2009 they did a laptop update. so hey, crazy thought, maybe they have decided for customer service reasons to make laptop update time the start and not just after that promo and thus no more 'they ALWAYS update the laptops in the fall'

and by the same token, now that they are no longer tied to having something big to talk about at Macworld,maybe they won't ALWAYS update the desktops in early spring. perhaps, another crazy thought, they realized that the best time to sell a computer that is more likely to be used by a family is the whole 'Christmas' holiday season. So maybe in the interest of raising sales for that period and avoiding a bunch of pissed off folks that just got a new one two months ago, they are going to update pre Holiday and not post.

OR maybe I'm just a crazy moron for believing that Apple might do something to benefit the customers

[NT1440]

Where's the clit for scrolling?

Do it the same way you do on a trackpad, two fingers moved across the face of the multitouch area

[*LTD*]

Where's the clit for scrolling?

Nah, it's givin it up smooth.

[psingh01]

Yeah, how are they going to put a Xeon in the iMac AND make it thinner? That makes no sense.

I agree. LOL at whoever came up with this rumor.

[xIGmanIx]

CF cards are a bag of hurt. Same for Express cards. And Flash, too. And 64-bit iTunes, and . . . Bluteooth.

Leave it to apple to set us all straight!

[nukiduz]

what about black keys in the keyboard?

[jjxc90]

At first I thought a new mouse would be a good thing, but then I remembered what Apple did to my track pad.


+1 quiet single button trackpad back please.

[johnrs]

I am just hoping that Apple are starting to see that if they really want to complete then they need to have a desktop iMac that can preform both on hardware and also price.

The nvidia 9400 is a waste of time and really should not be in a desktop system. The 120 and 130 should be entry level cards

Lets hope they see sense and give its customers what they want. I am on hold for an iMac. While I don't expect the new ATI 5800 cards to be part of the new iMac line up I am hoping that they can do better a 120 or 130..

Not sure that I want to hold my breath on this, but hey ho...

[Razeus]

see your wrong, apple is ahead of the curve on this one :rolleyes: why not put in express card and let the end user figure it out? oh wait, because they don't care.

I have an expresscard in my Fall 2008 MBP. That was fine for when I used SD card, but I've yet to find a ExpressCard for CF type cards.

[armoguy94]

Can't we get this all in one thread? :confused:

Lots of news overlap with the Macbook and iMac updates. What's the benefit of Xeon in an iMac?

Are you kidding me? Seriously I think that the Xeon in iMacs rumor is false but who WOULDN'T want one? Why are you complaining? Apple users have been complaining for YEARS about the **** hardware in its computers for mad money prices.... now that Apple is supposedly improving on that, who are YOU to complain?

[xhambonex]

The only thing worse than a mighty mouse with one button is a mighty mouse with no buttons. If the right click recognition wasn't great how's it going to pick up multiple different touch click patterns.

Simple you just make an external trackpad...and if you don't Wacom was kind enough to provide me withthat option supporting both multiple-touch and stylus/pen input. Just don't make the mouse worse apple...

[NT1440]

The nvidia 9400 is a waste of time and really should not be in a desktop system. The 120 and 130 should be entry level cards

Lets hope they see sense and give its customers what they want.

:rolleyes:

[bloodycape]

I could see the used of the lower end Core i7 Quad Core to be used. I am reading that on idle usage its power consumption is lower than a Core 2 Quad, and even a bit lower than the top end Core 2 Duo(of course this is referring the to the laptop i7). Hell, it can just use once core over clocked if it believes there is no need for the other three cores to be used at that point in time.

[Eidorian]

Are you kidding me?You'll know how I feel when I'm posting in 4-5 threads on the same subject. :rolleyes:

[GQB]

I've been expecting a multi-touch pad or mouse for desktop machines for quite a while. I would expect that a 'touchpad mouse' would be an accessory that could be used with existing Macs using running Snow Leopard. I'd get one of those.
I've been using my iPhone as a multitouch pad using Air Mouse, and love it.

[HiVolt]

I don't understand why they need to make the iMac thinner... It's not a portable, and it's already thin enough. It sits on a table for crying outloud...

How about Apple keep it the way it is and migrate to desktop-class architecture for a change. One of the reasons I will never buy an iMac is because it's basically a laptop.

[*LTD*]

Apple fan site members have been complaining for YEARS about the **** hardware in its computers for mad money prices.... now that Apple is supposedly improving on that, who are YOU to complain?

Fixed.

We don't speak for the bulk of Apple's market.

But the rest of your post is dead-on.

[jeznav]

The Mighty Mouse definitely needs an upgrade. I hope the mouse rumors are true. But what is a touch-enabled mouse?!?

Definitely needs an upgrade. Yesterday, I was about to replace my Mighty Mouse until I found this: Multi-touch Mighty Mouse (http://www.macblogz.com/2008/12/19/one-more-thing-apples-new-multi-touch-mighty-mouse/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/07/apple-multi-touch-mouse.jpg

The entire mouse seems to be the multi-touch trackpad. No more ball scrolling.

[bloodycape]

The nvidia 9400 is a waste of time and really should not be in a desktop system. The 120 and 130 should be entry level cards

Lets hope they see sense and give its customers what they want.

You know the nvidia 120g is just like a 9500(or was it 9600GT) renamed with a slight higher clock, and in some cases a little more ram. If anything we should be getting the 200m line, if not demand Apple to give it to us.

[*LTD*]

I don't understand why they need to make the iMac thinner... It's not a portable, and it's already thin enough. It sits on a table for crying outloud...

How about Apple keep it the way it is and migrate to desktop-class architecture for a change. One of the reasons I will never buy an iMac is because it's basically a laptop.

Thinness is a huge selling point in Apple's market.

[Vidd]

Anyone know what the 24" 2007 iMacs are worth now? :p
I'm semi-serious.

The current iMacs are nothing special but Quad Core, new remote, SD-card slot? Yes please.

[xhambonex]

I've been expecting a multi-touch pad or mouse for desktop machines for quite a while. I would expect that a 'touchpad mouse' would be an accessory that could be used with existing Macs using running Snow Leopard. I'd get one of those.
I've been using my iPhone as a multitouch pad using Air Mouse, and love it.

Wacom Bamboo Touch...they just released it.

Multi-touch, app specificuser defined gestures, express keys.

It's basically a glorified trackpad...and since wacom made it I'll trust that it works as good as the rest of their product line.

Oh yeah, it's $70. And I'd expect apple to make something similar.

[Rocketman]

Clarksfield could be the chip in the new iMac.

Clarksfield Wikipedia link. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarksfield_%28microprocessor%29)

It has been announced this week so it is quite possible Apple has been installing them for 2-4 weeks now. Apple announces products on the same day its ecosystem partners announce related products.

Apple likes bleeding edge stuff for the iMac so I claim it is the most likely chip.

Rocketman

Intel Core i7 - Quad-Core Mobile Processors
i7-7xxQM 6 MB 45 W (all you need considering everything around it)
i7-8xxQM 8 MB 45 W

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i7_microprocessors#.22Clarksfield.22_.2845_nm.29

[stellaclose]

I wonder if they'll also release iLife '10 alongside this update to sell these new iMacs.

[jmpage2]

Yeah, I don't think they'll put Xenon headlights on the iMac either. Good call.

Dammit.

[*LTD*]

Wacom Bamboo Touch...they just released it.

I want one. Looks great. Doesn't seem to have arrived in Canada yet, or else BestBuy.ca hasn't been updated.

[danielwsmithee]

Clarksfield could be the chip in the new iMac.

Clarksfield Wikipedia link. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarksfield_%28microprocessor%29)

It has been announced this week so it is quite possible Apple has been installing them for 2-4 weeks now. Apple announces products on the same day its ecosystem partners announce related products.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_i7_microprocessors#.22Clarksfield.22_.2845_nm.29Clarksfield, Xeon I don't care which one as long as it is not a Core 2 Duo. They will both fit in the power profile for an iMac. The last iMac used a 55W processor (on the 3.06Ghz version). Clarksfield and the low power Xeons run 45W to 55W and include the northbridge which save another ~10W. They could put either in and still go a tiny bit thinner then the current design (personally I don't care about thinness that much).

[Eidorian]

Apple likes bleeding edge stuff for the iMac so I claim it is the most likely chip.Why no Core 2 Quad then? :confused:

[charlituna]

Getting rid of that pesky old FW port in lieu of a SD card slot?

Apple gets it right again!!!!:mad:

yeah lets get pissed about something on a rumor site, sourced from another rumor site, sourced from yet -- wait for it -- more rumor sites.

just for you my friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgsVNMD9Ae8

agree, will definitely buy a new mouse if it comes out

FINALLY! I can't wait! I wonder how they gonna revolutionize mouse again.

by getting rid of it. the mouse is soooo last year. it's all about the trackpad.

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab249/charlituna_photos/keyboard2.jpg?t=1253911832



The bottom line is that he doesn't have the $ for a MP and that left me recommending an iMac. The problem as always is that the gulf in performance between the 2 machines is astounding.

but is it really. I work for a house that does short clip editing (PSA, Music Videos, Demo Reels) just fine on the high end iMac. sure they are a bit slower than a Pro but not so much that it is a huge deal for us. perhaps it wouldn't be for him either.

nix the SD card in preference for an express card slot

I will agree with this. I like the idea of the card slot cause doing video I would love to be able to use esata. there are cards out there for pretty much everything, why not let me swap in and out what I need. at least for the Mac Pro and the upper iMacs.

or even make the SD the standard but allow for an online swap to a blank slot. I wouldn't mind waiting a couple of days to get a machine if I had that choice

Looking at their recent trends, they'll just add the two buttons that every other mouse has had for years,

the mighty mouse has two buttons. you just don't have the break on the outer case.
Where's the Bluetooth, damnit!! This is 2009!

i'm fair sure you mean bluRAY and a thought to consider on that question is:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-new/#itunes-extras

why not put in express card and let the end user figure it out? oh wait, because they don't care.


maybe maybe not. the answer to the riddle could be in their business customers. the ones that are more in line with the die hard original users. if they are using the upper imacs and the pro as they likely were the 17 inch MBP then having an express card at least as an order option is possible. because they are likely the reason why the matte screen stayed on the 17 inch and came back on that high 15. that's what they were likely buying.

[RazHyena]

Quadcore is an absolute requirement in the new iMac lineup. At the very LEAST, the ultimate model should have it. Otherwise, we'll be presented with new iMacs that are behind the times by like 2 years.

[Trexznl]

I'm primarily looking forward to the mighty mouse refresh. I find the current one to be a pain in the a**. The trackball keeps getting stuck on me every week, at least. And the buttons on the side are just not working for me. A full multitouch mighty mouse might be very promising, when looking at the current multitouch trackpads on the MacBooks. (They're great, imo),

[Anonymous Freak]

At first I thought a new mouse would be a good thing, but then I remembered what Apple did to my track pad.

I just don't see how they could make the iMac thinner, AND throw in a XEON.

Xeon is just a name. The single-socket Xeons are nearly all exact duplicates of "Core" processors. (Look at the specs at the bottom of this page: http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20090908comp.htm)

The really interesting one is the new Xeon L3426. It's a "Lynnfield" core, with Hyperthreading and Turbo (so it would qualify as a "Core i7" on the desktop,) but it only uses 45W max power, as opposed to all the other Lynnfield-derived processors' 95W. Its base clock is "only" 1.86 GHz, but it has an amazing Turbo ratio that lets it boost up to 3.2 GHz. That's even better than the just-released mobile Core i7, which has the 2.0 GHz chip that boosts to 3.2 GHz.

If any Xeon is to go into an iMac, I imagine it would be that one. To top it off, that Xeon is only $284 in quantity, whereas the equivalent mobile i7 (the "Extreme" series which boosts to 3.2 GHz) is a whopping $1000! (And draws 10W more power.) The next i7 down, with a lower base speed, and a lower Turbo speed, is still over $500 (with the same 45W power draw.) So putting this low-power 'desktop' Xeon in just makes sense.

[danielwsmithee]

Why no Core 2 Quad then? :confused:The Core 2 Quad was actually out the last time they updated. It does not contain the TurboBoost feature that the nehalem architecture has. That means that you are taking a performance hit on your existing 2 cores by adding 2 more cores into the chip. So real world performance was better with a higher clocked dual core. With TurboBoost the chips will automatically switch over to a higher clocked dual or single core chip to provide the best performance possible.

[Ximie]

If every message says "New Imac update imminent", Why hasn't the buyers guide change yet?

It still says: Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle

It should say: "Don't Buy - Updates soon"

Right?

[pr5owner]

Thinness is a huge selling point in Apple's market.

but WHY do they need to make it thinner? its already thin, fans are happy that its thin, why make it even thinner? NOBODY is complaining its too bulky

[Plutonius]

The only thing that I'm worried about is if the iMac will come with a camera :).

[markm49uk]

:eek: ... :::imagines a world where the macmouse doesnt have a top trackball that permanently breaks within a month of owning it::::: :rolleyes:

I must be the lucky one then because I've had my wireless mighty mouse for years and not had any issues ?

[danielwsmithee]

The really interesting one is the new Xeon L3426. It's a "Lynnfield" core, with Hyperthreading and Turbo (so it would qualify as a "Core i7" on the desktop,) but it only uses 45W max power, as opposed to all the other Lynnfield-derived processors' 95W. Its base clock is "only" 1.86 GHz, but it has an amazing Turbo ratio that lets it boost up to 3.2 GHz. That's even better than the just-released mobile Core i7, which has the 2.0 GHz chip that boosts to 3.2 GHz.

If any Xeon is to go into an iMac, I imagine it would be that one. To top it off, that Xeon is only $284 in quantity, whereas the equivalent mobile i7 (the "Extreme" series which boosts to 3.2 GHz) is a whopping $1000! (And draws 10W more power.) The next i7 down, with a lower base speed, and a lower Turbo speed, is still over $500 (with the same 45W power draw.) So putting this low-power 'desktop' Xeon in just makes sense.I agree this actually makes a lot of sense. The last time the iMac was updated Apple had intel make a special run of mobile processors that were overclocked over their existing chips (the 3.06 GHz version that uses 55W).

I could see the iMac.

iMac 20" Core 2 Duo
iMac 24" Core 2 Duo
iMac 24" Xeon L3426 1.86 Ghz
iMac 24" Xeon L3426 ~2.2 Ghz

[Eidorian]

The Core 2 Quad was actually out the last time they updated. It does not contain the TurboBoost feature that the nehalem architecture has. That means that you are taking a performance hit on your existing 2 cores by adding 2 more cores into the chip. So real world performance was better with a higher clocked dual core. With TurboBoost the chips will automatically switch over to a higher clocked dual or single core chip to provide the best performance possible.Let me be more specific. Why didn't Apple slap in a QX9300, etc. into the iMac or some special Q84x5 (a la E8435) when Core 2 Quad at 45/55W came out?

I agree this actually makes a lot of sense. The last time the iMac was updated Apple had intel make a special run of mobile processors that were overclocked over their existing chips (the 3.06 GHz version that uses 55W).

I could see the iMac.

iMac 20" Core 2 Duo
iMac 24" Core 2 Duo
iMac 24" Xeon L3426 1.86 Ghz
iMac 24" Xeon L3426 ~2.2 GhzThey'd have to change the BCLK on Lynnfield.

[Ximie]

Definitely needs an upgrade. Yesterday, I was about to replace my Mighty Mouse until I found this: Multi-touch Mighty Mouse (http://www.macblogz.com/2008/12/19/one-more-thing-apples-new-multi-touch-mighty-mouse/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/07/apple-multi-touch-mouse.jpg

The entire mouse seems to be the multi-touch trackpad. No more ball scrolling.

That article dates back to december 2008. Imagine you wanted to buy a new mouse back in december and yoi discovered that article. You would have been waiting 9 months already lol!

[Sk8musiclife64]

All of these rumors remind me of this for some reason... http://bit.ly/Ac9rQ
All of the conflicting rumors, many of which don't make any sense!

[danielwsmithee]

Let me be more specific. Why didn't Apple slap in a QX9300, etc. into the iMac or some special Q84x5 (a la E8435) when Core 2 Quad at 45/55W came out?Who knows, my guess is they already had the transition to the new Xeon or Clarksfield in the work and decided not to.

They'd have to change the BCLK on Lynnfield.Good point. With the previous one it was just a change to the multiplier.

[skate71290]

im hoping that the "new mouse" will just be a sheet of something sort of as a standalone trackpad (like on a notebook) just movable with clicky buttons at the bottom, hope the remote is good as well and that both the mouse and the remote can be bought separately and are compatible with all aluminium imacs :D

[Eidorian]

Who knows, my guess is they already had the transition to the new Xeon or Clarksfield in the work and decided not to.How about Apple is the only company that can charge over $1,000 for a dual core laptop on a stick and call it a desktop? :rolleyes:

The quad core iMac has been a desire since Intel released the QX6700 back in November 2006.

Good point. With the previous one it was just a change to the multiplier.Only if it's unlocked.

[Rocketman]

The Quad-Core Mobile Processors Core i7 "Clarksfield" (45 nm) Core i7-720QM BX80607I7720QM is $364 in moderate quantity.

It uses economical and fast memory:

2 x DDR3-1333

http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/dram/ddr3/MT41J1G4_64M_32M_twindie.pdf

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190&cm_re=2_x_DDR3-1333-_-20-231-190-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139040&cm_re=2_x_DDR3-1333-_-20-139-040-_-Product

Rocketman

http://www.apple.com/imac/

[danielwsmithee]

The Quad-Core Mobile Processors Core i7 "Clarksfield" (45 nm) Core i7-720QM BX80607I7720QM is $364 in moderate quantity.

It uses economical and fast memory:

2 x DDR3-1333The Xeon L3426 uses the same memory, is cheaper at $284, and is faster.

[Eidorian]

The Quad-Core Mobile Processors Core i7 "Clarksfield" (45 nm) Core i7-720QM BX80607I7720QM is $364 in moderate quantity.Dell already has the i7 720QM out in the Studio 15 notebook for $999. :eek:

The Xeon L3426 uses the same memory, is cheaper at $284, and is faster.Saying DIMM vs. SODIMM would have been enough. The P55/H57 platform is great for Micro ATX and Mini ITX.

[SirOmega]

I would speculate:

$999 2.66Ghz C2D 2GB/500GB/9400M
$1299 2.8Ghz C2D 4GB/1TB/9400M
$1699 3.0Ghz C2D 4GB/1TB/240M GT
$1999 1.86/3.2Ghz L3426 4GB/1.5TB/240M GT (with BTO 260M GTX, 8GB, 2TB, etc)

The only caveat I have relates to ECC RAM - if its required on the L3426 or not. I don't know if there is a lot of ECC SODIMMs out there.

And yea, the turbo speeds on the L3426 are awesome - if the cooling can handle it, it runs at 2.13Ghz with 4 or 3 cores active, 3.06 at 2 cores and 3.2GHz at 1 core.

The L3426 looks way better than the Clarksfield options.

I wonder if Intel makes them call it a "Pro" just so all the other vendors don't skip Clarksfield CPUs for the Xeon L3426s.

I don't know if we'll get BR though. I would presume Apple would probably want to put BR into all their "pro" models at once (either as standard or BTO options). Maybe we see it now, or in February...

[bloodycape]

Exactly I don't want to see Core 2 Quad, hell even Xeon. I want to see the new Core i7 mobile. Its very efficient(even compared to the top mark Core 2 Duos), and better than the Core 2 Quad in every way.

[shanmugam]

Let me be more specific. Why didn't Apple slap in a QX9300, etc. into the iMac or some special Q84x5 (a la E8435) when Core 2 Quad at 45/55W came out?



Mobile Quads were expensive like the QX9300.

Desktop version of Quad Core 65W was just available in the year 2009 (i think) only and they are 65Watts not 55/45watts. I think by that time itself, the intel road map was clear with Core i5/i7 desktop/mobile. Surely apple hates to redesign the motherboard and the internals for every 6 months (because of so many sockets LGA775/1156/1136 and mobile sockets previous/m989 (now) )

No one know what apple planned to do then and now (as well) :rolleyes:

[bloodycape]

Dell already has the i7 720QM out in the Studio 15 notebook for $999. :eek:
Sadly all that beautiful power comes in an ugly Dell case(they have a business E series that doesn't look terrible, but most of Dell devices are ugly). They should have made it $1150 and gave it a better design.

[Eidorian]

Mobile Quads were expensive like the QX9300.

Desktop version of Quad Core 65W was just available i think 2009 only and they are 65Watts not 55/45watts. I think by that time itself, the intel road map was clear with Core i5/i7 desktop/mobile. Surely apple hates to redesign the motherboard and the internals for every 6 months (because of so many sockets LGA775/1156/1136 and mobile sockets previous/m98 (now) )

No one know what apple planned to do then and now (as well) :rolleyes:No need to redesign when you have the Q9100 and Q9000 for Socket P. Take a look at the prices on those. :rolleyes:

The E84x5 series doesn't show up anywhere else but at Apple either. LGA 775 isn't the only path for Core 2 Quad and Intel seems to be happy to supply Apple with processor models out of the blue. Not to mention the 150W X5365.

[danielwsmithee]

The only caveat I have relates to ECC RAM - if its required on the L3426 or not. I don't know if there is a lot of ECC SODIMMs out there.
My guess is ECC memory is optional. Many of the Xeon based workstations you can order with or without ECC memory. Apple could probably just use normal SODIMMs.

[danielwsmithee]

Exactly I don't want to see Core 2 Quad, hell even Xeon. I want to see the new Core i7 mobile. Its very efficient(even compared to the top mark Core 2 Duos), and better than the Core 2 Quad in every way.The Xeon L3426 and Core i7 mobile are nearly identical.

[SirOmega]

Also, remember that these Lynnfield-based chips are very power efficient at idle (http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=17) - under 90W for an entire desktop system vs 115-120W for a Core i7 system.

Apple just put up that new evnironmental section, it would be no surprise to hear them tout the power consumption characteristics of a new top of the line iMac.

[mccoma]

My guess is ECC memory is optional. Many of the Xeon based workstations you can order with or without ECC memory. Apple could probably just use normal SODIMMs.

It's supported, but not required http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43233

[fpnc]

The intel Xeon in higher end rumor is just stupid thinking, thats not gonna happen.
Yes, very true.

I would say quad core for sure, there is no way Apple can hold off that any longer in the iMac.
I agree and this has already been discussed at length in the original "Next-Generation iMacs Already in Production" thread from just yesterday.

Better graphics cards for sure. Probably still Nvidia integrated in the lower end models and the upper 2 Nvidia GT200 series cards.
However, the NVIDIA 9400M can't be used with the new Core i7 Mobile. That's why I've been suggesting that Apple might keep the current Core 2 Duo and 9400M in the low-end 20" iMac. This means that any Core i7 Mobile iMac will have to use a discrete GPU (for the time being, might change next year). That's perhaps the only real sticking point in this rumor about Apple using the Core i7 Mobile in the next iMac update.

[gr81mgbgt]

When are we going to see an official announcement by apple for a media event? This upcoming week?

[dazey]

:eek: ... :::imagines a world where the macmouse doesnt have a top trackball that permanently breaks within a month of owning it::::: :rolleyes:
I have two from about 2006, one gets used as my work mouse, yes it needs a clean every 2 weeks but still works, the other gets periodic use and is fine,

When oh when will we see a proper mac desktop, no screen, quad core desktop processor, changeable graphics card, 3+ drive bays. I have no interest in an imac but a pro is just too much cash

[dominx]

OK, lets say there is a new option for a quad-core system. Who in there right mind will not get one...ME. Thanks

Ok, so I lied. I will get one and you will too

[slicecom]

While a new mouse sounds exciting, Apple has a history of making some of the worst mice on the market, so I don't think I'll be replacing my MX Revolution any time soon.

[shanmugam]

No need to redesign when you have the Q9100 and Q9000 for Socket P. Take a look at the prices on those. :rolleyes:

The E84x5 series doesn't show up anywhere else but at Apple either. LGA 775 isn't the only path for Core 2 Quad and Intel seems to be happy to supply Apple with processor models out of the blue. Not to mention the 150W X5365.

QX9300/X9100/Q9100/Q9000
$1058/$851/$851/$348

priced expensive even today!

and snow leopard was not available that time (to really take all the four core processing power) ;) - remember there was a debate faster duals vs slower quads?

it is glad that even though it is late, apple finally going to put quads into imacs!

[Eidorian]

remember there was a debate faster duals vs slower quads?Sorry, I had a Q6600 back in 2007 and just ignored those pointless debates.

[HuckFoley]

Hey all,

Long time AI lurker, but registered to post a thought here.

I remember reading a story on AI about Apple patents or something with a possible new cooling approach. Does anyone remember that?

If that is the case, it might be entirely possible to see a higher level cpu that what we all think will be able to fit into the iMac.

To the gentleman that posted the idea of an iMac Pro, I believe this makes complete sense to me.

If you think about it, with all the investment in behind the scenes technology that Apple has made with 64bit, Grand Central, OpenCL, it would make obvious sense to me that they didn't do all this for nothing.

Are we really there yet? Of course not, but I believe this is part of Apple's bigger roadmap.

We might actually get a Xenon or Quad, or even something more special.

Again, I like the iMac Pro idea, it fits in with the Macbook/Mackbook Pro segregation and offers a low cost line for consumers as well as a higher power line for professionals/prosumers.

If Apple releases some fantastic tricked out iMac with and LED backlight and Quad/Xenon processor, with some exotic cooling solution and thinner, I'm going to be making a purchase.

hf

[SwiftLives]

When are we going to see an official announcement by apple for a media event? This upcoming week?

Personally, I'm thinking we'll see a press release on Tuesday instead of a media event. The rumors don't point to enough of a tech advance or redesign (for either the iMac or MacBook) to warrant a dog and pony show.

Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see the new machines released the first Tuesday in October.

[gr81mgbgt]

Personally, I'm thinking we'll see a press release on Tuesday instead of a media event. The rumors don't point to enough of a tech advance or redesign (for either the iMac or MacBook) to warrant a dog and pony show.

Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see the new machines released the first Tuesday in October.

you mean there not going to show a new designed imac??? I disagree, i say they will go with a media event to take away some attention from Microsoft.

[Rodimus Prime]

Assuming the iMac gets an SD slot how long will it be until people start screaming about PC getting SD slots coping apple....

My answer is took apple long enough to put in something that been installed on PC for over 5 years now.

[Macnator]

Interesting.

[bloodycape]

The Xeon L3426 and Core i7 mobile are nearly identical.

If has the same power saving methods the i7 have then that could work, but if doesn't the i7 is the better choice(as it can produce heat).

[polaris20]

I don't see the point of a single Xeon when the i7 would be fine. Plus, I don't see an abundance of ECC SODIMM modules, and while it may be possible to have a Xeon without ECC, I've never personally seen a Xeon-based machine without it.

I think an i5 or i7 system running at 2.66Ghz would be nice.

[crobi222]

We will have a special event. Remember last keynote at the end Steeve Jobs say's, "Thank you for coming, SEE YOU SOON" with a little smile in his face.

Here's my prediction:

1-iMac pro 30 inch with Blu Ray at the same price than the actual high end iMac

2-Three other iMac without Blu Ray but cheaper than the actual and only 24 inch, no more 20 inch

3- New Apple TV , three model 160 Gb, 320 Gb and 500 Gb. Hopefully a 1T but it's a dream, support of 1080p, with support of iTunes extra and LP

4- The macBook will be the tablet

[Eidorian]

I don't see the point of a single Xeon when the i7 would be fine. Plus, I don't see an abundance of ECC SODIMM modules, and while it may be possible to have a Xeon without ECC, I've never personally seen a Xeon-based machine without it.

I think an i5 or i7 system running at 2.66Ghz would be nice.You don't have to use the ECC memory. Maybe you can save some money.

You can drop in a UP Xeon into any socket compatible board as well.

[crobi222]

by the way, the next iDVD will be iextra to make menu for iTunes or Apple TV for our home video.

You ear it here first ;)

[wizard]

Really nothing here to get stressed about. Here are a few comments:

1.
Xeon is not a problem and in lots of ways makes good sense. It all depends upon how Apple positions the hardware. For most of us though the big factor would be that it allows Apple to control pricing.

2.
If they don't go Xeon the Clarksfield is the only other reasonable choice. It is basically the same thing as Xeon anyways.

3.
12GB of RAM makes sense on the high end model if it is indeed Xeon as that would imply three channels.

4.
It would actually make perfect sense for Apple to deliver different models with different innards. This could explain conflicts with respect to rumors.

5.
An SD port also makes sense due to wide availability or implementation of the standard. I say that with a large investment I'd Compact Flash cards for my DSLR. Even the DSLR world seems to be moving to SD.

6.
If you have seen Intels fiber optic link demos you will realize that the two companies are real tight. Nothing would surprise me right now from this dou of Intel and Apple. That means I would not discount the possibility of a special run of Xeons built to Apples spec. I expect that this will be a heavily refactored iMac that will hopefully surprise many.



Dave

[Eidorian]

3. 12GB of RAM makes sense on the high end model if it is indeed Xeon as that would imply three channels.Not all Nehalem or Westmere processors are triple channel. The only viable model for the iMac would be dual channel and a Lynnfield derivative.

Clarksfield is just a power and thermal optimized Lynnfield. The same was true for Penryn mobile and the S Series Core 2 Quads.

[bloodycape]

I'd rather 4 channels, like i7 offers, which allows you use to a max of 16gb of ram but best yet make it cheaper just to run 8gb of ram.

[Macnator]

2-Three other iMac without Blu Ray but cheaper than the actual and only 24 inch, no more 20 inch

Noooo!!! There needs to be a 20 inch iMac still! I don't really have enough room on this desk to fit a 24 inch. :(

It might barely fit, it would be really cutting it.

[Warbrain]

Noooo!!! There needs to be a 20 inch iMac still! I don't really have enough room on this desk to fit a 24 inch. :(

It might barely fit, it would be really cutting it.

20 inch will stick around for the education market. It has to be there.

[flottenheimer]

Innovation. Bring it on.
We can handle it.

[Arcadie]

Can't we get this all in one thread? :confused:

Lots of news overlap with the Macbook and iMac updates. What's the benefit of Xeon in an iMac?

Because xeons were designed to be in 1u server chasis (1.75" thick) core2Quad's are not?

[foshizzle]

I think they'll release a 30" iMac alongside new 30" LED ACDs. Then they'll go Quad-core xeons, bluray, dual ethernet, dual display out, PCI slot(s), 5 firewire, 5 USB, an option for a multitouch/matte display, up to 16GB RAM. The iMac's stand will allow for landscape/portrait rotating, swivel horizontal/vertical, raise up and down. Display in to use the display with a laptop or mac pro. Just what I heard from my sources.

[Eidorian]

Because xeons were designed to be in 1u server chasis (1.75" thick) core2Quad's are not?Forgive me if you want me to ignore the vendors placing desktop processors in notebooks, mobile Core 2 Quad, and Core 2 Quad S Series.

[LAS.mac]

I don't see imac having such all power somebody is describing, for the moment. Mac Pros have yet to be sold...
And, I don't think they'll put 12 Gb RAM either...
I'd think in a MINIMUM restyling, sticking with 20 and 24", 4 and 8 Gb RAM, more powerful CPU's and GPU's. SD card slot is fine, it can be useful and it's according to the last MBP line.
Eventually, a slight price drop of 150-250 USD, depending upon models.

[SandynJosh]

xeons will never happen in an imac

we have xeons in servers and the heat sinks are taller than the imac depth

Jobs will announce a temperature distortion field for the new iMacs. Problem solved.

[danielwsmithee]

3.
12GB of RAM makes sense on the high end model if it is indeed Xeon as that would imply three channels.
The Xeon L3426 along with many of the i5/i7 processors are dual channel not tripple. I still hope that apple puts 4 SODIMM slots in the iMac instead of just two though. That would let you put in 8GB cheap and max at 16GB.

5.
An SD port also makes sense due to wide availability or implementation of the standard. I say that with a large investment I'd Compact Flash cards for my DSLR. Even the DSLR world seems to be moving to SD.I agree almost all of the new DSLRs are going SD.

[HuckFoley]

guys, I was just trying to hint at the cooling solution type thing.

I know everyone is looking at the thermal output of new chips to base their ideas on, which makes total sense.

If in fact they did figure out something cooling wise, it upsets the balance on that is all I'm saying.

I didn't see the battery life charging intelligence coming earlier, which paid huge dividends.

Just wanted to throw out an idea, it's ok to pick it apart, it's a message board :)

hf

[danielwsmithee]

I know everyone is looking at the thermal output of new chips to base their ideas on, which makes total sense.

If in fact they did figure out something cooling wise, it upsets the balance on that is all I'm saying.There are a number of cooling techniques that I've seen research on the could be used. Liquid Micro-channels, vibrating heat sinks etc. They could come up with something, but I'd guess the best it is going to let you do is put 10% more power in there to maybe 60W. There really isn't that many processors to choose from in the 45-60W range.

Which is why I think they may take a 45W part and make a custom production run at a higher clock speed to get better performance but stay within their power thresholds.

[fleshman03]

hopefully better then last time.. *glances at his mighty mouse*

I know! I bought my MM even after hearing all the horror stories. After about 1 year and 1 month, the scroll button stopped worked.

Well stopped working isn't exactly what happens. I can scroll up. When I scroll down, the mouse scrolls up.

I'd welcome a better mouse from Apple. I really don't like mice from other companies. They are too bulky or the colors don't match my equipment.

I just want a nice mouse that works from Apple.

[ericksgotmac]

All I really want for christmas is...

13" Unibody Macbook Pro (Maybe larger/ a bit thicker 15")
Quad-Core 1.73GHz able to jump to nearly double GHz
Firewire 3200 (Is this even still reality?)
2x USB 3.0
ExpressCard 2.0 ( Screw SD Slot!)
eSata/USB Combo port
Back lit keyboard
Blu-Ray drive
Mini Display Port
Dedicated Graphics Card

Ability to combine integrated graphics with graphics card to boost performance!

Option to have either a second HDD (SDD) instead of a optical drive internal and have the blu-ray drive in a Apple-isc enclosure with USB 3.0/eSata/ or FireWire 3200 connection O.O.... I'd pay $2000 for that baby ;]

[billystlyes]

Really? Front page new worthy? These tiresome rumors are thinner than cheap toilet paper.

[jayducharme]

Oh please, oh please, please, PLEASE let there be a new mouse. The first thing I do when I get a Mac is toss the miserable Mighty Mouse in the trash in favor of a cheap Logitech. The MM is extremely uncomfortable to use and the finger sensors are a pain. I've never understood why Apple has stuck with that design for so long. Give me a nice big multi-touch trackpad like on the new Macbooks and I'll be happy.

[HuckFoley]

There are a number of cooling techniques that I've seen research on the could be used. Liquid Micro-channels, vibrating heat sinks etc. They could come up with something, but I'd guess the best it is going to let you do is put 10% more power in there to maybe 60W. There really isn't that many processors to choose from in the 45-60W range.

Which is why I think they may take a 45W part and make a custom production run at a higher clock speed to get better performance but stay within their power thresholds.

I agree with you to an extent, cooling solution have be tried by everyone with varying degrees of success.

Any engineering guys want to crunch any numbers?

Here is the patent back in early 2008:
http://forums.macrumors.com/show
thread.php?t=610277 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=610277)

another possibly more useful link: http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/02/apple-patent-for-liquid-cooled-portable-computer-submitted/

[cult hero]

At first I thought a new mouse would be a good thing, but then I remembered what Apple did to my track pad.

What did they do? The 2008+ (buttonless) trackpads are the coolest trackpads on the planet.

[mags631]

Really? Front page new worthy? These tiresome rumors are thinner than cheap toilet paper.

To think, rumors on a site called "MacRumors"...

[lanceh5]

Four cores! I will buy. The money is ready.

[currentinterest]

If indeed they sell a 4 core iMac, I will buy two. One for me and one for my son. Four RAM slots would clinch it.

[DUSTmurph]

just throw 2 of them bad boys in there and make it an octo-core imac.

[powers74]

Is it just me who doesn't really use the SD card slots?



Yeah, I;m not sure who uses those things. I'd just as soon use a USB card reader, convenient, cheap & versitile. But what I generally wind up doing is leaving the mini USB cord plugged in as many pictures as I take.

[fruitpunch.ben]

I don't understand why (if in fact they are) Apple would care so much about making it thinner. I understand the obsession with iPod's, phones and even laptops, because these are things people carry around. An iMac is a DESKTOP Apple!!! It doesn't need to be an inch thick. Make it as thick as you like, just give me decent CPU's and GPU's for the money!

[tjcampbell]

What's the big deal over an SD card reader? Woop-dee-doo. It's not like everyone uses SD and if it's a desktop there's more than enough space for a mutliread thumb drive.

[bretm]

I know! I bought my MM even after hearing all the horror stories. After about 1 year and 1 month, the scroll button stopped worked.

Well stopped working isn't exactly what happens. I can scroll up. When I scroll down, the mouse scrolls up.

I'd welcome a better mouse from Apple. I really don't like mice from other companies. They are too bulky or the colors don't match my equipment.

I just want a nice mouse that works from Apple.

Flip it over on a blank piece of paper and roll it around. It works. Thats what apple recommends, and it seems to work just fine. I have 2. Cant use any other mouse. I think its one of their best inventions myself.

[archer75]

An i7 with a good video card and i'll buy one!

[Clix Pix]

I agree about the SD card. I shoot with several cameras, a couple of which use CF cards, a couple of which use SD cards and one which uses an xD card. I have a FW 800 card reader for the CF cards and a pretty fast little UDMA USB port card reader for the SD cards, plus a separate card reader that handles the infrequent images I shoot with that weird little xD card. I don't need or want a card reader in my computer. Actually, my printer has those card slots in it but I've never even bothered to try it out. I'm perfectly happy using the current card readers I've got -- no biggie to plug whichever one I need into the computer at the time I'm ready to download from card into computer.....

As for mice, I love my wireless MM! Have no problems with it and love the design!

[ventro]

What's the big deal over an SD card reader? Woop-dee-doo. It's not like everyone uses SD and if it's a desktop there's more than enough space for a mutliread thumb drive.
Because the SD card slot in the MBPs can be booted off of. That's pretty useful. You could run a windows install off of it.

[jonnysods]

I totally want to get a job as an Analyst on Apple future product updates:

"sometime in the future Apple is going to release a new iMac, sometime in the next year, and it's going to have better things in it than the previous one."

Wow. Thanks Nostradamus.

[Sehnsucht]

I totally want to get a job as an Analyst on Apple future product updates:

"sometime in the future Apple is going to release a new iMac, sometime in the next year, and it's going to have better things in it than the previous one."

Wow. Thanks Nostradamus.

I lol'd.

[macintoshtoffy]

Is it just me who doesn't really use the SD card slots?

Not just you; some of us people who are sane have USB cables that don't require the removal of the card, inserting it, and doing the drag 'n drop dance.

I can't work out what is up with this SDCard fetish, it isn't as though a USB cable is an endangered species - or is this SDCard fetish a byproduct of this stupid idea that 'cables are old' and anything that replaces a cable (bluetooth, wifi etc) is automatically more modern and superior.

[shanmugam]

All I really want for christmas is...

13" Unibody Macbook Pro (Maybe larger/ a bit thicker 15")
Quad-Core 1.73GHz able to jump to nearly double GHz
Firewire 3200 (Is this even still reality?)
2x USB 3.0
ExpressCard 2.0 ( Screw SD Slot!)
eSata/USB Combo port
Back lit keyboard
Blu-Ray drive
Mini Display Port
Dedicated Graphics Card

Ability to combine integrated graphics with graphics card to boost performance!

Option to have either a second HDD (SDD) instead of a optical drive internal and have the blu-ray drive in a Apple-isc enclosure with USB 3.0/eSata/ or FireWire 3200 connection O.O.... I'd pay $2000 for that baby ;]

Current Quad Core i7s battery life is about 90 mins, even if snow leopard efficiency and better battery, it will be only about 4 hours which is lower than the current 7 hour advertised by apple.

wait for Core i5 with 25/35 watts for the macbooks.

the only place Quad core i7s might go is 17" macbook pro ...

[Rocketman]

Why does Apple continue to shaft CF Cards. Don't they know a lot of Mac users use pro-sumer grade DSLR's??? Sigh.

They have a thin form factor so selected the ONE form factor that is the most popular. I don't use SD cards on my photography equipment anymore, so I see your point. I use a USB dongle called Targus TGR-CRD25. It reads and writes MS (memory stick, typically Sony), CF, XD, SD. I have never used the XD slot. I think I actually bought it at Rite-Aid which is a popular drug store like Sav-On or Walgreen's.

Apple providing the SD slot is a convenience item that I am sure the vast majority of users appreciate. They certainly market tested it before adding it. That market testing may put Firewire at risk.

I wish Apple simply read more video camera file formats out of the box and backward compatible a couple of generations of cameras and computers. I can wish for Unicorns too if I want.

Rocketman

[blackhand1001]

The only thing a Xeon in an iMac makes sense is if they go and build an iMac pro - essentially segregating the iMac into two lines like the laptops.

iMac: C2D 2.6-3GHz, 4GB, etc for $999-$1699
iMac Pro: Low power Xeon L3426 45W 4C/8T with turbo boost (1.86->3.2GHz in Turbo 1 core) for $1999 (the CPU is only $300 and its designed for 1U server applications which is about the same thermal performance of an iMac)

It could happen its not physically impossible to cram that chip in there...

The only way a xeon makes sense is in a dual socket config. Otherwise its a bunch of wasted money and the desktop version would perform just as well.

[Chundles]

Not just you; some of us people who are sane have USB cables that don't require the removal of the card, inserting it, and doing the drag 'n drop dance.

I can't work out what is up with this SDCard fetish, it isn't as though a USB cable is an endangered species - or is this SDCard fetish a byproduct of this stupid idea that 'cables are old' and anything that replaces a cable (bluetooth, wifi etc) is automatically more modern and superior.

Most cameras are USB 1.1 - the card readers are MUCH faster. Many newer DSLR cameras shoot to SD cards now and transferring data over the USb cable can be awfully slow.

The card slot isn't a replacement for a FW800 card reader with UDMA cards but it's a damned sight better than the slow cable connection from the camera.

[macintoshtoffy]

Most cameras are USB 1.1 - the card readers are MUCH faster. Many newer DSLR cameras shoot to SD cards now and transferring data over the USb cable can be awfully slow.

The card slot isn't a replacement for a FW800 card reader with UDMA cards but it's a damned sight better than the slow cable connection from the camera.

I haven't noticed slowness; then again, I don't stare at the screen mouth breathing whilst the transfer is taking place - I go and get a coffee, pull a cone or take a leak.

[mlgacc]

cf card reader would have been better...... sd slot ? useless

[AidenShaw]

Jobs will announce a temperature distortion field for the new iMacs. Problem solved.

Which the fanbois will mis-hear as "temporal distortion field", and wonder why today Apple is still selling yesterday's technologies at prices too high for today.

[bloodycape]

Current Quad Core i7s battery life is about 90 mins, even if snow leopard efficiency and better battery, it will be only about 4 hours which is lower than the current 7 hour advertised by apple.

wait for Core i5 with 25/35 watts for the macbooks.

the only place Quad core i7s might go is 17" macbook pro ...

Which device is this, the new Dell M15x gaming rig, or the new Sager gaming/multimedia rig? Because HP is clamming 4-5 hours on power save mode out of their new Envy 15 machine, and with the larger extended battery 7 or so hours. Not bad for a 15in quad core machine that is reasonably thin. I think the new Dell 15 with the i7(which cost $1000) gets like 4 hours on power save mode. So, with OSX, lets say SL, it would getting about 30mins more battery life.

[Eidorian]

Current Quad Core i7s battery life is about 90 minsWhere did you find this?

[SeaFox]

...as well as the much-rumored tablet, which sources vaguely claim will be very different from concepts that have appeared on rumor sites thus far.

The "concepts that have appeared" so far include every possible version of an Apple tablet. From a keyboardless iBook, a full touch screen Apple Cinema Display, to an oversized iPod Touch.

I honestly do not think it's possible for the Apple tablet to be "very different" from the concepts we've seen thus far, unless they're going to make it round, or give it a lame keyboard like a Kindle.

[shanmugam]

Which device is this, the new Dell M15x gaming rig, or the new Sager gaming/multimedia rig? Because HP is clamming 4-5 hours on power save mode out of their new Envy 15 machine, and with the larger extended battery 7 or so hours. Not bad for a 15in quad core machine that is reasonably thin. I think the new Dell 15 with the i7(which cost $1000) gets like 4 hours on power save mode. So, with OSX, lets say SL, it would getting about 30mins more battery life.

i read the battery life performance from hothardware, anandtech (but all of them are pre-production units)

i wish the macbook/pro get quad core also :D and keep the battery life also ;)

[shanmugam]

Where did you find this?

here
http://hothardware.com/Articles/Intel-Core-i7-Mobile-Processor-Launch-Review/?page=11

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3647&p=8

[polaris20]

You don't have to use the ECC memory. Maybe you can save some money.

You can drop in a UP Xeon into any socket compatible board as well.

Interesting, never knew that (though admittedly I never had a need to look). which brings me back to the question, why both with a Xeon over a regular i7?

[Eidorian]

Interesting, never knew that (though admittedly I never had a need to look). which brings me back to the question, why both with a Xeon over a regular i7?There are many more options and price points. Right now you're better off getting a Xeon X34xx Series off of NewEgg when compared to its Core i5/i7 8xx siblings. You can get Hyper Threading for much less than the Core i7 860. The MHz difference can easily be made up with overclocking. Not to mention the Xeons are more hardened against heat and have better thermals. The Xeon X3220 was used as a quick replacement for the Q6600 if you could snag one cheap.

Not to mention you have the low voltage versions as well.

here
http://hothardware.com/Articles/Intel-Core-i7-Mobile-Processor-Launch-Review/?page=11

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3647&p=8Thanks. It's really good to see someone else reading those sites.

[Target362]

cf card reader would have been better...... sd slot ? useless

To tell you the truth many cameras use SD.

[shanmugam]

Thanks. It's really good to see someone else reading those sites.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-with-intels-blazing-core-i7-itll-rip-your-eyelids-off
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1084/10/

similar battery performance but they are not HP or Dell laptops, even though i doubt it has better battery performance (Core i7 Quads)

[NT1440]

To tell you the truth many cameras use SD.

Seems like almost every camera a normal consumer would want to buy uses them. You don't really see your normal camera buyer spending $500+ when nearly all of them are satisfied with a point a shoot, which almost exclusively use SD cards.

[polaris20]

There are many more options and price points. Right now you're better off getting a Xeon X34xx Series off of NewEgg when compared to its Core i5/i7 8xx siblings. You can get Hyper Threading for much less than the Core i7 860. The MHz difference can easily be made up with overclocking. Not to mention the Xeons are more hardened against heat and have better thermals. The Xeon X3220 was used as a quick replacement for the Q6600 if you could snag one cheap.

Not to mention you have the low voltage versions as well.

Thanks. It's really good to see someone else reading those sites.

Maybe a thermal efficient Xeon would be a good choice then afterall.

[mds]

It would be nice for Apple to sell something with more than 2 cores that isn't $2500...the gap between iMacs and Mac Pros is ridiculous...

[twoodcc]

well the SD slot will most likely happen. hopefully quad-core will happen. but xeon in an imac? i'll believe it when i see it.

[Eidorian]

Maybe a thermal efficient Xeon would be a good choice then afterall.Low voltage Lynnfield based Xeon on a P55 platform would make for a killer iMac after years of languish.

I'm really enjoying my Core i5 750 on Micro ATX. The two chip (processor + PCH) is great for smaller boards. Turbo Boost turns your quad into a great dual or single core as well.

[SmugMac]

If there is a quad core option they have a guaranteed sale.

Same! Although I'd also like to see LED Backlit Panel too. A SD Card Reader would also be very welcome for my needs.

[bloodycape]

similar battery performance but they are not HP or Dell laptops, even though i doubt it has better battery performance (Core i7 Quads)
Are you saying the HP and the Dell(with the new cpu) won't have better battery performance or Core i7 quads? Because, from what I have read Core i7 can shut down three cores and only use 1 core when see needed, which means it could possibly get battery performance close to higher end Core 2 Duo cpus. But, this all assumptions, so I could be better or worse depending on usage. Oh yeah that Celvo/Sager machine is more of a dedicated gaming laptop so its main focus is gaming performance, not really battery life.

[NathanCH]

If they add quad-core it better be the mid-range models not just the highest end one. Quad-cores aren't even expensive anymore

[AidenShaw]

If they add quad-core it better be the mid-range models not just the highest end one. Quad-cores aren't even expensive anymore

Except at apple.com, where the lowest price quad is $2499....

[danielwsmithee]

If they add quad-core it better be the mid-range models not just the highest end one. Quad-cores aren't even expensive anymoreThe low power ones are which is what would go in the iMac. The nice thing about the Xeon roomer is that they are $284 instead of $500 or $1000 for the Clarksfield Core i7 Mobile processors.

[danielwsmithee]

Are you saying the HP and the Dell(with the new cpu) won't have better battery performance or Core i7 quads? Most of the laptops that have benchmarked battery life for the Core i7 mobile processors are gaming laptops including the HP Envy 15 (Voodoo) or the Dell (Alienware) or the band X ones. They include very high end graphics chips, and some even include two in SLI/Crossfire configurations. I wouldn't put too much weight into battery benchmarks until a processor like this actually gets put in a MacBook Pro or other traditional/business grade laptop that is not going to use two $500 video cards.

[LEStudios]

Gonna buy one for sure if there's a quad-core in it :) Would be my first iMac ever! Really want one ..

Actually the 2002 was mine but if they do a Quad Core based on Intel's i7 Quad Core Chipset plus LED back-lit then yeah I'm going for it. I see 2TB HD as a option plus or Maybe NVIDA GTX285 512MB or 1GB? If they do this then got to go ALL 8-Core on the Mac Pro line. Plus a i7 in MacBook Pro! 2010 is the of Mac or Year of X! :D

[bloodycape]

The low power ones are which is what would go in the iMac. The nice thing about the Xeon roomer is that they are $284 instead of $500 or $1000 for the Clarksfield Core i7 Mobile processors.

That is true but there are also Core i7 that are going for $289. Granted these are desktop cpus to the mobile one may cost a bit more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%201050744915&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE

[Full of Win]

interesting.... time will tell if these rumors are true; i'm still waiting for my powerbook g5 :rolleyes:

I have one in the marketplace. Go check it out. :D I'm selling it because it will weight the unicorn down too much as it flies me to the moon tonight. :p

[bloodycape]

Most of the laptops that have benchmarked battery life for the Core i7 mobile processors are gaming laptops including the HP Envy 15 (Voodoo) or the Dell (Alienware) or the band X ones. They include very high end graphics chips, and some even include two in SLI/Crossfire configurations. I wouldn't put too much weight into battery benchmarks until a processor like this actually gets put in a MacBook Pro or other traditional/business grade laptop that is not going to use two $500 video cards.
I don't think we have see benchmarks for Envy 15 yet. There, I would kind of beg to differ about the Envy 15, as its not really a gaming laptop, its a bit more of an entertainment laptop(has Monster Beats Audio system). Its a bit like the MBA(as it also has no optical drive, and is thin for its class). I would like to think with its standard battery it should be around 4.5 hours as I hear with the extended it should be getting close 6-7 hours.

[shanmugam]

Most of the laptops that have benchmarked battery life for the Core i7 mobile processors are gaming laptops including the HP Envy 15 (Voodoo) or the Dell (Alienware) or the band X ones. They include very high end graphics chips, and some even include two in SLI/Crossfire configurations. I wouldn't put too much weight into battery benchmarks until a processor like this actually gets put in a MacBook Pro or other traditional/business grade laptop that is not going to use two $500 video cards.

i agree, let us see (non gaming) laptops and that might clearly tell the battery performance.

[Freis968]

Bravo for a new mouse design - its about time! The mighty mouse is seriously about the biggest pile of crap in Apple's line up these days. Highly questionable ergonomics and that terrible scroll ball which is constantly gumming up and ruining my day. I'm kind of amazed it has lasted this long without a refresh.

Yea, I gave up on ever being able to ever scroll up again with my mighty mouse. It seriously pisses me off that this great giant company cannot make a simple device...a mouse...properly. It is the little things that stumps them. I am ok with the right and left click, just do something about the scroll wheel...DAMMIT!

I am very much looking forward to the new iMac by the way, did not want to be the one throwing this thread off topic as I rant and rave about the Mighty Mouse.

I was excited to read about a Quad Core iMac, but did not realize that a Xeon chip would be too hot for a slimmer iMac. I am no engineer, so that was surprising for me to read. I am all for a BluRay player/recorder. I think Jobs' statements about BluRay are idiotic to say the least. How in the hell can BluRay be a big bag of hurt? It has not hurt me...I love BluRay!

[danielwsmithee]

That is true but there are also Core i7 that are going for $289. Granted these are desktop cpus to the mobile one may cost a bit more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%201050744915&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICEYes those are desktop ones, and the price you pay at Newegg is the retail price. Apple would buy from intel in a large order and get better prices. You can see a basic list of prices in batches of 1000 on intel's website. There is an i7 mobile processor for $384 (720QM)but it is only 1.6 GHZ.

[bloodycape]

Yes those are desktop ones, and the price you pay at Newegg is the retail price. Apple would buy from intel in a large order and get better prices. You can see a basic list of prices in batches of $1000 on intel's website. There is an i7 mobile processor for $384 (720QM)but it is only 1.6 GHZ.

I don't see what the issue is with it being a 1.6ghz, these will still be faster, and use that power more efficiently than a 2.8ghz Core 2 DUuo BTW these new intel cpu dont use FSB standard any more.

[deconstruct60]

Seems like almost every camera a normal consumer would want to buy uses them. You don't really see your normal camera buyer spending $500+ when nearly all of them are satisfied with a point a shoot, which almost exclusively use SD cards.

Throw in the SD adapter for micro-SD cards (that many micro cards come with) and you have another multi-million device body of devices (phones. Photos/music/video without having to mess with some sync program.) .

Then throw in that the current CF standard is at a dead end (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_flash#CFast). Largely because SDHC is now at the stats that CF was. CF isn't the card format to target if want broad coverage.

[Eidorian]

I don't see what the issue is with it being a 1.6ghz, these will still be faster, and use that power more efficiently than a 2.8ghz Core 2 DUuo BTW these new intel cpu dont use FSB standard any more.It looks like the Turbos on Clarksfield are 2/8/9.

So that's 266 MHz for 4 Cores, 1066 MHz for 2 cores, and 1200 MHz for a single core of Turbo Boost.

[danielwsmithee]

I don't see what the issue is with it being a 1.6ghz, these will still be faster, and use that power more efficiently than a 2.8ghz Core 2 DUuo BTW these new intel cpu dont use FSB standard any more.Yeas I agree the 1.6 Clarksfield would be faster then anything we have now. What I was getting at is you can have a 45W Clarksfield for $384 running at 1.6 GHz (Turbo to 2.8) or a 45W Xeon (L3426) running at 1.87 GHz (Turbo to 3.2) for $284. The Xeon makes more sense.

[bloodycape]

Can the Xeon disable cores? If so that that is a good point. I don't why Apple can't give us a Lynnfield Core I5 quad in the imac. That should be even faster than Xeon and Clarksfield with out turbo mod.

[danielwsmithee]

Can the Xeon disable cores? If so that that is a good point. I don't why Apple can't give us a Lynnfield Core I5 quad in the imac. That should be even faster than Xeon and Clarksfield with out turbo mod.The Xeon L3426 is essentially a rebadged i5 without hyperthreading disabled. The Xeon would be faster then the i5 at the same clockspeed.

Yes it can disable cores. The turbo is even more aggressive then clarksfield or the i5 at 2/9/10. That is 2.14 Ghz 3 cores/3.06 2 cores/3.2 Ghz 1 core.

[DARKiLLUSiON]

+1

If Quad Core and under $1000- will buy one in no time!.


agree and to work along side with my (old 2007) white MB

[Eidorian]

Can the Xeon disable cores? If so that that is a good point. I don't why Apple can't give us a Lynnfield Core I5 quad in the imac. That should be even faster than Xeon and Clarksfield with out turbo mod.Anything based on Nehalem or the Westmere architecture can shut down the cores to a C6 deep sleep state and overclock one, two, three or four cores in some cases if there's enough thermal overhead.

The latest Xeon 55xx and 34xx are Nehalem.

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-029908.htm

http://www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/

[bloodycape]

Is this Xeon a desktop cpu, or mobile cause the i5 I was referring to was desktop. Just trying to clear it up a bit. Are these Xeons then using the 1366 socket then? I guess for some reason I was thinking you guys were not referring to newer Xeons that just came out.

[Eidorian]

Is this Xeon a desktop cpu, or mobile cause the i5 I was referring to was desktop. Just trying to clear it up a bit. Are these Xeons then using the 1366 socket then?Xeon is tailor more toward the workstation and server markets but in the uniprocessor sense they are just the standard desktop versions with ECC RAM support.

A LGA 1156 based Xeon X34xx will work in a P55 board even if it's not called Core i5/i7 8xx. They're all based on Lynnfield.

Clarksfield is power optimized Lynnfield for the mobile environment. The better chips get sent to mobile while the hotter ones go to desktop or server.

[danielwsmithee]

Is this Xeon a desktop cpu, or mobile cause the i5 I was referring to was desktop. Just trying to clear it up a bit. Are these Xeons then using the 1366 socket then? I guess for some reason I was thinking you guys were not referring to newer Xeons that just came out.The Xeon is actually designed to be put in very small 1U rack mount servers or small office servers, i.e. low power. It uses the LGA 1156 socket.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Xeon_microprocessors#.22Lynnfield.22_.2845_nm.29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynnfield_(microprocessor)

[bloodycape]

Clarksfield is power optimized Lynnfield for the mobile environment. The better chips get sent to mobile while the hotter ones go to desktop or server.
Really? So, then performance difference should not be that significant?

I thought I read somewhere that the new workstation cpu/Xeons were using the 1366 socket? Is that wrong?

[Eidorian]

Really? So, then performance difference should not be that significant?Clarksfield and Lynnfield at the same clocks are identical. You're just going to toss around prices for thermal performance and clock multipliers.

The Xeon X34xx/L34xx series is just Lynnfield with ECC RAM support and the low voltage variants.

[bloodycape]

Clarksfield and Lynnfield at the same clocks are identical. You're just going to toss around prices for thermal performance and clock multipliers.

So, Clarksfield would not have lower performance because it's a mobile cpu then?

[Full of Win]

Why not put an express card port on it instead?

I really do not want a low end camera card port on it... that may become useless as new SD standards are implemented in the coming years.

With an Express Card reader, you and plug in any module you want to. So many options - SD reader, eSata, CF-or USB 3.0-(soon). I know it will not happen, but it would still be an awesome feature - since we could tailor the system to our needs, not what Apple thinks we need.

[Eidorian]

So, Clarksfield would not have lower performance because it's a mobile cpu then?It's just lower clocked to meet the thermal requirements and higher priced for that too.

If you drop a Lynnfield down to the same clock speeds it will spit out the same performance as Clarksfield.

Does the -field and -dale make sense for a quad core and dual core? Intel's code names aren't that bad this time around.

Conroe
Wolfdale
Clarksdale

Kentsfield
Yorkfield
Lynnfield

Merom
Penryn
Arrandale

Penryn-QC
Clarksfield

[bloodycape]

Why not put an express card port on it instead?

I really do not want a low end camera card port on it... that may become useless as new SD standards are implemented in the coming years.

With an Express Card reader, you and plug in any module you want to. So many options - SD reader, eSata, CF-or USB 3.0-(soon). I know it will not happen, but it would still be an awesome feature - since we could tailor the system to our needs, not what Apple thinks we need.

There is a new SD standard coming out called SDXC, which wont be compatible with current SDHC readers(and I am not sure a firmware update will help).

[danielwsmithee]

Why not put an express card port on it instead?

I really do not want a low end camera card port on it... that may become useless as new SD standards are implemented in the coming years.

With an Express Card reader, you and plug in any module you want to. So many options - SD reader, eSata, CF-or USB 3.0-(soon). I know it will not happen, but it would still be an awesome feature - since we could tailor the system to our needs, not what Apple thinks we need.I agree, I think Apple figured out that most consumers didn't use the express card slot because most of them couldn't figure out what it was, i.e. that you could buy a reader. So they just switched to a consumer recognized port.

They should have just stocked express card readers in the apple stores, maybe even designed them to match the MacBook Pros then just sold them as accessories like the DisplayPort Adaptors. I think 90% would have bought a reader with their MBP.

[bloodycape]

Conroe
Wolfdale
Clarksdale

Kentsfield
Yorkfield
Lynnfield

Merom
Penryn
Arrandale

Penryn-QC
Clarksfield

Where does bloomfield fit in? Which is the dual cores or are these all quad cores?

A bit OT, but what is interesting is I have seen in a Honda CR-V an express card slot(from factory). Not sure what it really used for, unless its for a express card slot memory to playback music and videos? Odd considering we are assuming Apple thinks many consumers have not use for it, but a company like Honda thinks we may have a use for that slot. I know in some Audi's you get one or two sd card slot to play music.

[sushiman]

+1

If Quad Core and under $1000- will buy one in no time!.

+2 ...New mouse / LED / 4GB would be nice , too . :D

[RHeidenreich572]

Xenon is high end mac pro but that has slowly been outdated by the new i7 chips. I would assume that the iMac uses the new extreme i7 quad in the high end models considering the new alienware laptops are doing the same. MacBook pros use everything but the extreme chips (battery life purposes) in the past, but the iMacs do the same and allow extreme upgrade because they are plugged into the wall. Xenon is a custom chip that is a nethalem altered "slightly" for the mac pros. A slimmed down version probably wouldn't happen because that is an old chipsets. Think more towards the newly released intel i7's