Well, these are the next update in Intel's product lineup that the Mac Pro is part of. So this is an obvious one.
I wouldn't say it it was obvious, as there are only two processors that Apple would likely use, 2.8GHz and 3GHz, which I wouldn't think offer enough difference for a whole line.
I think they would struggle to upsell .2Ghz (x8), just a 7.4% theoretical performance increase for what would likely be $400-500 (Apple's pricing). They may, as I've speculated a couple of times in the MP&PM subforum, have access to the 5482 3.2GHz versions, which would give them a much better chance on the upsell and in that case I think it more likely. I could even see them foregoing having a lower speed downgrade in such a case.
The 1333MHz FSB Penryn Xeon range however is far more filled out, cheaper* too ($100 less for 2.83GHz, $150 less for 3GHz), and we haven't seen the real performance differences between the two yet. Apple could likely make more far more profit here and with a 2.83GHzx8 base system, 2.33Ghz downgrade and 3.16GHz highend maintain similar pricing differences to the current 2GHz and 3GHz quad upgrades while remaining competative with other dual Xeon workstation vendors.
On a personal level, I hope you are right, in addition I hope Intel continue to use Apple as a showcase and that they have 3.2GHz 1600MHz FSB Penryns as an option really putting the MP out there as a solid workstaion choice regardless of the software/OS you will be running.
I also would like to see this enable enough seperation between pro and consumer systems for Apple to fit a Core 2 Quad range in to their offerings, whether it be Kentsfield or waiting for Yorkfield. I'm not sure a $1,199, $1,499 and $1999 lineup at 4x2.4Ghz, 4x2.66GHz and 4x3GHz (with similar base GPU to the MP and 2GB of RAM on a solid x38 systemboard) would hurt Apple's iMac sales. I would think if anyone could balance such a thing in to their product range Apple could.
*I've based my prices on Intel's per 1000 unit prices for the sake of comparrison, although Apple no doubt get them far cheaper than that, I would think prices are still in proportion to each other across processor lines.
