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Analyst Speculates on iMac Delays: Quad vs Dual Core?

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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AppleInsider relays the latest analyst report from Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu claims that the iMac delays could relate to both technical and strategic decisions from Apple.

First, the analyst claims that even at this late date, Apple is still grappling with core design decisions:
Apple is in the midst of figuring out whether to power the new iMac with Intel quad-core processors or more high-powered dual-core processors with larger caches"
Click to expand...
Wu also relays circulating speculation that the iMac cooling systems may see a redesign to deal with the higher heat dissipation of the quad-core processors. From a strategic perspective, Apple is said to be debating the use of Quad-Core processors to avoid cannibalization of the low end Mac Pro, but AppleInsider points out that this reasoning makes little sense given that Apple recently admitted that their desktop business is "primarily iMac".

Unfortunately, Wu's report reads as if it were based on circulating speculation about the iMac rather than any particular insight into the new machine's manufacturing process. Our tracking of Wu's previous predictions has shown a very poor track record.

Article Link: Analyst Speculates on iMac Delays: Quad vs Dual Core?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/26/analyst-speculates-on-imac-delays-quad-vs-dual-core/
L

lftrghtparadigm

macrumors 6502
Oct 12, 2008
462
0
MacRumors said:
Unfortunately, Wu's report reads as if it were based on circulating speculation about the iMac rather than any particular insight into the new machine's manufacturing process. Our tracking of Wu's previous predictions has shown a very poor track record.
Click to expand...


And what part of that makes you think this is reasonable article to post?

Macwildspeculation.com sounds like a more accurate description
 
L

lftrghtparadigm

macrumors 6502
Oct 12, 2008
462
0
And to weigh in on the iMac, I say Dual Core, larger caches. Go that way Apple. Thats better low end performance, which is what you need on a consumer machine.
 
K

kolax

macrumors G3
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Possible I suppose.

I'm sure we'll hear all about it when the iMac's are released - we'll be briefed on what's what and why.
 
Tallest Skil

Tallest Skil

macrumors P6
Aug 13, 2006
16,044
4
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
There will BE no cannibalization, "analyst". Anyone who needs the power of a Mac Pro is going to buy a freaking Mac Pro.

Let's say I'm a professional in, oh, any field.

Eight-core Gainestown Xeon with desktop GPU or quad-core LAPTOP CHIP with MOBILE GPU.

HMMM... Which will I choose? :rolleyes:
 
T

tbealmear

macrumors regular
Jul 1, 2007
114
0
Morgantown, WV
I see them doing kind of what they did with the high end processors before. I see the quad core option being in the high end 24" model only. That is, if they put a quad in there at all.
 
I

iOrlando

macrumors 68000
Jul 20, 2008
1,811
1
its clear that there is a segment of the population that would still prefer powerful desktops for mostly work-related matters, but to make a claim that these same people have been going out and buying macbook pros...hmm not so sure about that.
 
K

kolax

macrumors G3
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Tallest Skil said:
There will BE no cannibalization, "analyst". Anyone who needs the power of a Mac Pro is going to buy a freaking Mac Pro.

Let's say I'm a professional in, oh, any field.

Eight-core Gainestown Xeon with desktop GPU or quad-core LAPTOP CHIP with MOBILE GPU.

HMMM... Which will I choose? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Money.
 
7

7egend

macrumors newbie
Jun 5, 2008
17
0
I say go with the Dual Cores, and Save the Quads for the Pro end of the line. Sure people like "more" but more really isn't always better, chances of the average consumer using 4 cores is slim, and plus with Snow Leopard on the Horizon that GPU is going to be doing some of the work for you.

I would however like to see a middle range Desktop that uses Quad Core desktop chips and not work station chips and just call it a "Mac" that would give consumers a buffer zone between the iMac and Mac Pro, with those two choices it's kinda like all or nothing, and no in between.

Just my opinion though.
 
gnasher729

gnasher729

Suspended
Nov 25, 2005
17,980
5,565
Tallest Skil said:
There will BE no cannibalization, "analyst". Anyone who needs the power of a Mac Pro is going to buy a freaking Mac Pro.

Let's say I'm a professional in, oh, any field.

Eight-core Gainestown Xeon with desktop GPU or quad-core LAPTOP CHIP with MOBILE GPU.

HMMM... Which will I choose? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

There is also the saying: If you don't cannibalise your sales, someone else will. Keeping one product line down to support another one is a bad long-term decision, because competitors won't respect the limits that you set yourself.
 
JG271

JG271

macrumors 6502a
Dec 17, 2007
784
1
UK
I really don't put much stock in analysts. Spending time over what chip to use? If there is a delay, it is probably because its taking longer to integrate new chips.Something like that!*


*Look, I'm an analyst too!
 
S

SirOmega

macrumors 6502a
Apr 17, 2006
715
6
Las Vegas
Apple needs to come to the realization that not everyone needs a Mac Pro, and some folks who need a little extra power (but not 8 cores) have been overbuying for a while now.

A QC mid-range desktop will suit the needs of a lot of people who have either not bought or have overbought with the Mac Pro.

Someone who needs the horsepower will never go with an iMac because of the built in display - when it comes time to upgrade to that new core revision in two years, they'll have to get rid of that monitor and the computer, rather than just sell the Mac Pro.

And besides, a 2.0GHz QC mobile chip in an iMac is not a replacement for a 4 or 8 core MP at 2.8+GHz.
 
K

kolax

macrumors G3
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Tallest Skil said:
A quad-core iMac is going to be... what, $2,400? The Gainestown Mac Pro will start at $3,000, and potentially even less.

Is saving $600 really worth one quarter of the performance?
Click to expand...

If you are talking about the 24" iMac, then add a 24" display to the price too..
 
A

Axemantitan

macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2008
535
96
Do regular consumers even look at the number of cores or do they look at the clock speed? I would think that a higher-clocked dual core will appeal more to the iMac consumer base than a lower-clocked quad core, especially when compared to the competition's offerings. They would otherwise see a higher-clocked PC and buy that. Leave the quad core to the pro market.
 
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