Buyers Guide Update: iMacs, Mac Minis, and Mac Pros

[MacRumors]

Even though Apple refreshed MacBook Pros and MacBooks just a couple of weeks ago, many are still holding out for additional updates from Apple.

Our Buyers Guide show both the Mac mini and Mac Pro well overdue for updates and persistent rumors point at iMac updates before the holidays.

iMac

The iMac was last updated in April of this year. Intel provided Apple with advanced versions (Montevina-like) of their processors that supported faster bus speeds (1066 MHz) well before they were in wide circulation. As a result, an update to the iMac is least pressing and rumors suggest that Apple will simply upgrade the internals of the iMac to NVIDIA-based chipsets to bring them in line with Apple's newest notebooks.

While it is rather late in the year for any new releases, it's not unheard of for Apple to issue a November upgrade. In 2003, Apple released an iMac update as late as November 18th. If Apple does update the iMac in November, it will likely be a simple press release rather than an organized media event.

Mac Mini

Unfortunately, there is little new to say about the Mac mini. The most recent rumors have declared the Mac mini to still be alive, but it seems just barely. Apple has neglected the Mac mini for over a year now. In fact, for the last update, Apple didn't even issue a press release and revealed the upgrade during a Question and Answer session.

Mac Pro

The Mac Pro was last updated in January of this year at Macworld San Francisco. The fate of the Mac Pro largely depends on Intel's delivery of suitable new processors.

Intel has confirmed that they will be delivering the first of the Nehalem (Core i7) processors to customers in November with expectations pointing to the 17th. The Core i7 represents a significant architectural improvement over the Core 2 Duos used in existing Macs. The exact rollout of these chips remains a bit unclear. The first processors to be released in November are said to be high end Desktop versions of the processor. Apple, however, has traditionally used Intel's server-class processors for the Mac Pro rather than the desktop versions. That being said, Apple has gotten special treatment from Intel in the past and may be able get access to chips earlier than their competitors.

The next major event for such a high profile release is Macworld San Francisco in January 2009. With recent updates to the rest of their product line, it seems there will be little else to talk about at Macworld except the Mac Pro. Unless, of course, Apple decides to introduce a new product or discuss the upcoming Mac OS X Snow Leopard at the event.


Article Link: Buyers Guide Update: iMacs, Mac Minis, and Mac Pros

[mattc1970]

Really hope Apple update the Mac Pro sooner rather than later. Im in one of those awkward stages at the moment where Im not sure wether to buy now or wait for the update.

[iGary]

17" MBP's (new form factor) at MWSF.

[ThinkBrilliant]

Originally Posted by iGary

17" MBP's (new form factor) at MWSF.

If this happens... It will be a "By the way, we've finally started shipping the new unibody 17" Macbook Pro." -- and that's probably it. No way is Apple spending another chunk of time at a media event to discuss notebooks.

[iGary]

Originally Posted by ThinkBrilliant

If this happens... It will be a "By the way, we've finally started shipping the new unibody 17" Macbook Pro." -- and that's probably it. No way is Apple spending another chunk of time at a media event to discuss notebooks.

Oh, of course not, but I'm sure that's when we'll see it (if not sooner).

The Mac Pro/Power Mac case is what, 5 years old now? I'd hope for a new case myself.

[jamiroquai]

I think that there will be updates to Mac Mini's for sure, Mac Pro's, iMac's and I think there will be updates to the iPhone. In the UK the contract rights may push out to another provider... I know I know... you all talk about it saying that O2 are in a tight contract blah blah blah, if Apple want out of something they get out of it and not even O2 are going to stop that from happening, the simple fact is the speed of selling the iPhone has been out of this world but with two providers it will be mind blowing, I know a lot of large blue chip companies and a muck load of consumers out there that will not switch to O2 just for the iPhone.... for instance the Orange market place especially in business hold a mass monopoly when it comes to large blue chip organisations, now with the recent update allowing Exchange in on the party the iPhone is looking more and more like something these companies would be more then interested in. We will wait and see as always but do not be suprised to see an updated iPhone in relation to capacity and another provider.

[FF_productions]

Originally Posted by iGary

Oh, of course not, but I'm sure that's when we'll see it (if not sooner).

The Mac Pro/Power Mac case is what, 5 years old now? I'd hope for a new case myself.

Other then internal upgrades, not much I'd want them to do to the case. They might ruin it.

[.Chris]

Originally Posted by ThinkBrilliant

If this happens... It will be a "By the way, we've finally started shipping the new unibody 17" Macbook Pro." -- and that's probably it. No way is Apple spending another chunk of time at a media event to discuss notebooks.

unless they introduce matte and firewire back to keep those witho are cring about

[queshy]

The mini is very embarrassing for Apple at this point. This wouldn't have even washed that well in 2006 with everyone. Combo drive? Common. As of now, I don't know any other "desktop" for sale today with no DVD burner.

[kmcrawford]

I really like the idea of the Mac Mini.. I've just been waiting for it to be upgraded to be a little faster. I've been waiting for a long time....

[macaco74]

Originally Posted by kmcrawford

I really like the idea of the Mac Mini.. I've just been waiting for it to be upgraded to be a little faster. I've been waiting for a long time....

+1 - woul really love the new mini sooner rather than later

[The Awesome]

Originally Posted by kmcrawford

I really like the idea of the Mac Mini.. I've just been waiting for it to be upgraded to be a little faster. I've been waiting for a long time....

http://kendevelopment.blogspot.com

I'm never in the market for a Mini, but I'm always interested with its concept - too bad Apple's letting it ebb away like the G4 Cube.

The Mini should get Unibody MacBook-like specs like the 9400M and 2GB DDR3 RAM, at least.

[billystlyes]

Update the Mac mini now!

[ssalerno]

Hey gang:

January has the following possibilities:

As always a sales and progress report especially on iPhone and Macbook success. The new stuff/ announcements.

iPhone 8GB price drop to $99 (if it doesn't happen before the Holidays) or expanded 32 GB model - one or the other or both

Big discussion of Snow Leopard Progress

iLife/ iWork updates and demos- iMovie 09 very much needed!!!
Pro App upgrades and demo- Final Cut and Logic Pro Studio's

New Mac Pro's -big focus- number one new item -a definite

17 in Macbook Pro shipping announcement

then maybe a Mac Mini / Apple TV update/upgrade either earlier in the show if an upgrade or later as a "one more thing" if monumental change-i.e. merging of the two

lastly a slim chance at a Netbook/ tablet/ big brother iPhone concept

a very strong "one more more thing" possibility might be an Apple/ Beatles on iTunes/ iPod if it doesn't happen before Christmas

[davco9200]

I submitted this a couple days ago:
This tech info doc from Apple's bit on 64 bit windows so that the current models are now called "Mac Pro (Early 2008)"

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846

Check it!

Colin

[SydneyDev]

i7 based Mac Pro? Don't tempt me!

[princigalli]

I'm waiting for a macbook pro update. It's largely overdue and I would really like to see a new Apple notebook.

[schneb]

Psystar has traction because Apple is choosing to ignore a key demographic desiring a mid-range, or half-height Mac Pro. I am hoping that Apple has something up their sleeves seeing they have given Psystar a pass--legally. This bodes for a new tact by Apple. If they do not do something to compete with the Hacintoshes waiting in the wings, they will see a decline in sales and a red line of models they COULD have sold!

[BornAgainMac]

The Mac Pro should include USB 3.0 and eSATA and drop the old FW400 port. FW800 and beyond support should of course stay around. I hope it has some killer graphics card for consumers and the memory is DDR3 and maybe a new look.

[Patriks7]

My guess would be that they will make a somewhat unibody for all the computers.. Would be nice to see the Mac Pro refreshed and maybe a tad smaller..

[Intel Inside]

i think that -

iPhone - 1/2

OS X 10.6 - 1/4

Macs (17" MBP, Mini speed bump) - 2 mins MAX

Software (Pro Apps) - 1/4

Just a Guess

[Felix01]

Originally Posted by iGary

17" MBP's (new form factor) at MWSF.

Absolutely...I can't believe the article writer overlooked the flagship MBP. I'm even hoping there'll be something a little extra to differentiate it from the 15" models (other than the screen size and extra ports).

[Dejavu]

Originally Posted by iGary

17" MBP's (new form factor) at MWSF.

I'm sick of the boxy shape. They've had it for at least eight years. My prediction is it will be rounded and shaped like a waffle.

Waffles = WIN!

[ThinkBrilliant]

The speculation makes sense Arn. For sure. I will say that we shouldn't expect a Snow Leopard release by any means in January. Like you mention, if anything, it will be a discussion. I'd say that iMac speedbumps are more than likely coming. Apple knows that buying an iMac doesn't take much configuration by its customers, and in preparing for the holiday season, expect this product to be even shinier and slightly refreshed.

I doubt anybody's Mac Mini/Apple TV dreams are going to come true. But we'll see.

[pyroDcsk8er]

I really hope they update the desktop line, especially the Mac Pro because I would like to get one in the next year or two, andif they can get a price drop and spec bump, it would be very tempting.