Will Apple announce an updated iMac at WWDC? [Archive]

ouimetnick

May 8, 2010, 10:31 AM

Yeah, i'm pretty sure the low end 21.5 will get i3, the high end 21.5 will get i5, and the 27 ones will stay the same. ATI 5xxx cards for high end 21.5 and up.

But putting in an i3 is stupid. It has a very little performance gain compared to the Core 2 Duo. AND they would need to use intel's IGP and a descrete card. The current base iMac 21.5 had a integrated 9400M and a C2D. The base 21.5 iMac needs at least an i5.

I was thinking that Apple may just go with AMD. Apple switched over to Intel because of the new Core micro architecture. That architecture lasted from 2006-2010. The future at Intel is Nehalem. I don't think Apple really likes the new arrendale chips. Because Its either the ****** Intel IGP OR a desecrate graphics card. No integrated Nvidia or anybody else in arrendale. the only integrated graphics with arrendale are Intel's own.

Hellhammer

May 8, 2010, 10:40 AM

But putting in an i3 is stupid. It has a very little performance gain compared to the Core 2 Duo. AND they would need to use intel's IGP and a descrete card. The current base iMac 21.5 had a integrated 9400M and a C2D. The base 21.5 iMac needs at least an i5.

I was thinking that Apple may just go with AMD. Apple switched over to Intel because of the new Core micro architecture. That architecture lasted from 2006-2010. The future at Intel is Nehalem. I don't think Apple really likes the new arrendale chips. Because Its either the ****** Intel IGP OR a desecrate graphics card. No integrated Nvidia or anybody else in arrendale. the only integrated graphics with arrendale are Intel's own.

i5 also has integrated graphics.... Apple can add low-end dedicated GPU such as ATI 5450 for low-end iMac.

Switching to AMD isn't something that can be done in one night, it requires A LOT work from Apple and iMac is the only Mac where AMDs could be used (check the AMD iMac thread for more). I really doubt we'll see AMD...

ouimetnick

May 8, 2010, 10:56 AM

i5 also has integrated graphics.... Apple can add low-end dedicated GPU such as ATI 5450 for low-end iMac.

Switching to AMD isn't something that can be done in one night, it requires A LOT work from Apple and iMac is the only Mac where AMDs could be used (check the AMD iMac thread for more). I really doubt we'll see AMD...

I know the arrendale i5 has integrated graphics. But it wouldn't make since using an i3. It offers very similar performance to the c2D, but then you need to add a discrete graphics chip, and that might drive up the price. It doesn't make since to invest time to add a new CPU and then have to add a discrete GPu, and see little performance boost, so if Apple used an iSeries chip, it would make since using a i5.

NintendoFan

May 8, 2010, 11:05 AM

I could see it being updated silently before or soonish after WWDC. But it really is just a guessing game.

washburn

May 8, 2010, 12:01 PM

I hope so..

Steve Jobs mentioned "New Macs for 2010 are going to take Apple to the next level"

Hellhammer

May 8, 2010, 12:14 PM

I know the arrendale i5 has integrated graphics. But it wouldn't make since using an i3. It offers very similar performance to the c2D, but then you need to add a discrete graphics chip, and that might drive up the price. It doesn't make since to invest time to add a new CPU and then have to add a discrete GPu, and see little performance boost, so if Apple used an iSeries chip, it would make since using a i5.

Arrandale is a mobile chip, we won't see one in iMac.... Clarkdale (i3, i5)which is desktop variant of Arrandale is still dual core but offers a lot higher frequencies than Arrandale (starts from 2.93GHz). Clarkdale too has an integrated GPU. Keep in mind that integrated GPUs like 9400M aren't free either, e.g. ATI 5450 would cost like 20$ for Apple...

We won't see Lynnfield i5 in 21.5", that would make it boil as it's 95W chip. Apple might do it like they did in MBPs, low-end with C2D and e.g. 320M and then other models with iX and dedicated GPU

ledocol

May 8, 2010, 07:52 PM

I hope so..

Steve Jobs mentioned "New Macs for 2010 are going to take Apple to the next level"

Next level would be a 22 inch touchscreen seems like.

TMRaven

May 8, 2010, 08:47 PM

Touchscreen desktop is an oxymoron.

TennisandMusic

May 8, 2010, 09:06 PM

Touchscreen desktop is an oxymoron.

Not exactly, but it is moronic. ;)

qtx43

May 8, 2010, 09:42 PM

Hellhammer

May 9, 2010, 02:48 AM

It's a conference about software development for programmers, why would they make a hardware announcement for the retail market? I don't know the history of Apple on this, maybe they do, but it doesn't seem likely to me.

Apple updated MBPs, MB and MBA in WWDC last year.... iPhone has always been WWDC release. Many people saying that "WWDC is for devs, there'll be no MBPs" but they had to eat their words, they were totally wrong

qtx43

May 9, 2010, 11:10 AM

That's weird, scattering their focus on different subjects. I guess Steve Jobs is a multitasker after all.

iMJustAGuy

May 10, 2010, 03:09 AM

Sorry, no.

heliocentric

May 10, 2010, 08:40 AM

Sorry, no.

No sorry what?

davidcmc

May 10, 2010, 05:25 PM

I'll keep my eyes on this topic.
I was planning to buy an iMac 27" soon, but I think it's smarter to wait for the new generation of them. :cool:

Radeon 5850/5870? Huh? Huh?! :D

TMRaven

May 10, 2010, 09:04 PM

I'm guessing they'll go with a 4870.

teleromeo

May 10, 2010, 09:10 PM

an updated Mac Pro is more likely.

AlexisV

May 11, 2010, 05:35 AM

Should be a quiet refresh between now and end of August.

WWDC isn't the place for unveiling refreshed products. Not really relevant to coders.

blinkin182

May 11, 2010, 06:57 AM

No sorry what?

I think he means, "no, I don't think Apple will announce an updated iMac at WWDC..." :D

Hellhammer

May 11, 2010, 07:08 AM

Should be a quiet refresh between now and end of August.

WWDC isn't the place for unveiling refreshed products. Not really relevant to coders.

MBPs, MBA and MB were updated in WWDC last year... People were saying the same thing as you're now and they were totally wrong.

Arron Rouse

May 11, 2010, 07:14 AM

Here in the UK, the following are starting to go "Out of Stock" at various places: MacBook Air, iMac 21.5 and iMac 27.

It's also noticeable that the iMac 27 i7 had been a rare sight in the Apple Store refurb section since I started looking in February, often only appearing for an hour before selling out. In the last two weeks, they have been available constantly.

Lastly, a couple of big retailers have been selling the base Mac Pro for £1699 where the Apple Store charges £1940. That's Lasky's and Comet for anyone who is desperate. As any regular will know, supplies of Apple equipment tend to dry up very quickly for retailers that discount. That two big national retailers are discounting...

So I'd have to suspect that the Mac Pro, iMac and MacBook Air are all going to be refreshed.

Niko03

May 11, 2010, 11:27 AM

MBPs, MBA and MB were updated in WWDC last year... People were saying the same thing as you're now and they were totally wrong.

You guys are killing me.

I've been waiting for 3 yrs to buy my first Mac.
The time was right - wife's new sofa's got delivered today - and I have the cash. I transferred the funds from savings into checking yesterday and was going to the local Apple store over lunch today to go on a buying spree.

Now I'm having second thoughts... I was going to get a 21.5" iMac, but if they get updated to the new quad core mobile processors over the next 2 months I'll probably puke.:(

I could go 27" i7 to somewhat futureproof, but then I would have less left-over for accessories/Applecare (maybe an iPad as well.)

Guess I'll just go to the Apple store and play.... sigh

Hellhammer

May 11, 2010, 11:41 AM

You guys are killing me.

I've been waiting for 3 yrs to buy my first Mac.
The time was right - wife's new sofa's got delivered today - and I have the cash. I transferred the funds from savings into checking yesterday and was going to the local Apple store over lunch today to go on a buying spree.

Now I'm having second thoughts... I was going to get a 21.5" iMac, but if they get updated to the new quad core mobile processors over the next 2 months I'll probably puke.:(

I could go 27" i7 to somewhat futureproof, but then I would have less left-over for accessories/Applecare (maybe an iPad as well.)

Guess I'll just go to the Apple store and play.... sigh

There won't be quad core in 21.5" for at least a year.... I'd wait till WWDC as it's only less than a month away and if no updates, go and buy one

Niko03

May 11, 2010, 11:51 AM

There won't be quad core in 21.5" for at least a year.... I'd wait till WWDC as it's only less than a month away and if no updates, go and buy one

Oops thought the new mobile i5/i7 in the MacBook pro's were quad core, I see they aren't now thanks.

Waiting for WWDC was kinda what I was thinking. But patience isn't one of my strong points. (and cash tends to burn a hole in my pocket):D

jlblodgett

May 11, 2010, 12:10 PM

I doubt the iMacs get updated. They were just updated in October. There are other product lines that need to be updated.

Bad Paper

May 11, 2010, 06:23 PM

I'm guessing early July for iMacs. So...not at WWDC.

peakchua

May 14, 2010, 06:30 AM

:confused: referring to the birght side of news article by theo valich, it said they would go to 5750 chips, would it be mobility? (inferior to mobility 4850 used nw) or does the article mean desktop chips? I really wish apple would put in a cooling system, the cpu heatsinik on the top to be like the early 09 imac (biggger and more efficient) and maybe more fans, more heatsinks, better air intakes (maybe through the odd and through the sides (one, in, one out) and maybe even side speakers...

kazmac

May 14, 2010, 06:56 AM

I hope Apple updates the Mac Pros and MBAs at WWDC. These two lines haven't seen a refresh in a long while (and despite buying a refurb iMac and MBP out of need), I know lots of folks are waiting for these and I would love to see both products get some respect from Apple.

With the fixes finally coming for the current gen iMacs I don't think an update will happen in June. Probably later in the Summer or early Fall as others have speculated.

miniroll32

May 14, 2010, 07:23 AM

Couldn't Apple just use the mobile variants from the MBP's in the iMac 21.5 models?

Alvi

May 14, 2010, 07:54 AM

Naw, i guess the new products that will come out at WWDC are the iPhone 4G, the MacBook Air, Mac Pro and maybe some iPods

Hellhammer

May 14, 2010, 07:56 AM

Couldn't Apple just use the mobile variants from the MBP's in the iMac 21.5 models?

iMacs now use desktop CPUs so 21.5" will likely get Clarkdale (desktop version of Arrandale)

Naw, i guess the new products that will come out at WWDC are the iPhone 4G, the MacBook Air, Mac Pro and maybe some iPods

iPods are usually updated in September after BTS promo

Alvi

May 14, 2010, 07:59 AM

You guys are killing me.

I've been waiting for 3 yrs to buy my first Mac.
The time was right - wife's new sofa's got delivered today - and I have the cash. I transferred the funds from savings into checking yesterday and was going to the local Apple store over lunch today to go on a buying spree.

Now I'm having second thoughts... I was going to get a 21.5" iMac, but if they get updated to the new quad core mobile processors over the next 2 months I'll probably puke.:(

I could go 27" i7 to somewhat futureproof, but then I would have less left-over for accessories/Applecare (maybe an iPad as well.)

Guess I'll just go to the Apple store and play.... sigh

Dont waste your time, i doubt the iMacs will get updated at WWDC and if you wait till then and they don't come out you'll have to wait till fall when they probably would come out, i also think the 27" i7 doesn't have anything to improve

I think the current iMacs have some of the best specs for the price

iMacmatician

May 14, 2010, 09:56 AM

There won't be quad core in 21.5" for at least a year.... I'd wait till WWDC as it's only less than a month away and if no updates, go and buy oneWith Sandy Bridge we could see at least the option for quad-core on the 21.5", as the 2011 successor to the 3.33 GHz E8600 is 65 W quad-core. The successor to the 3.07 GHz E7600 is still dual-core though.

Hellhammer

May 14, 2010, 01:56 PM

With Sandy Bridge we could see at least the option for quad-core on the 21.5", as the 2011 successor to the 3.33 GHz E8600 is 65 W quad-core. The successor to the 3.07 GHz E7600 is still dual-core though.

It took so long time to see quad in iMac at all so I doubt it. Maybe late 2011 if 27" gets six-core. Theoretically it's possible but I doubt Apple will use them yet

Pachang

May 14, 2010, 10:12 PM

I think the current iMacs have some of the best specs for the price

27" iMac was a pretty good price when it came out (ignoring any inconvenience you may experience due to screen/HD troubles)

21.5" is a bit weak. 9400m really doesn't cut it for.....anything where your computer needs to draw 3d objects on your screen...

Icaras

May 14, 2010, 10:21 PM

21.5" is a bit weak. 9400m really doesn't cut it for.....anything where your computer needs to draw 3d objects on your screen...

That's why its on the low end of the line. As long as you're downscaling from the 21.5"'s native resolution, the 9400 is still pretty maneagable for some popular 3D games. I can still manage to run L4D2 from my MBP with 9400M outputting to 1650x1050 external display with pretty reasonable framerates.

nuckinfutz

May 14, 2010, 10:34 PM

It's not going to happen this year at WWDC.

As one poster said refreshes aren't exciting unless something major
happens. I'm not expecting major iMac changes.

WWDC will likely focus on the iPhone which dominates the sessions
and Apple will refresh the iMac before Back to School and likely the
Mac Pro as well.

We shouldn't be hamstringing ourselves into thinking that Apple refreshes only at tradeshow. They can refresh whenever they feel like it.