Last Minute Specs: iMac, Mac Minis, Airport Extreme, Time Capsule and Mac Pros?

MacRumors · 04:16 AM

There's only a few hours left before Apple's rumored announcement of new iMacs and Mac minis but a list of parts/specs posted to our forum indicate that Apple may be pushing out a number of updates including iMacs, Mac minis, Mac Pros, Airport Extreme, and Time Capsule. The posting was made by someone who has had access to Apple part numbers in the past, and we've since been able to confirm that these part numbers and specs are valid and found in Apple's systems.

The list of parts and specs correspond to the previous iMac rumors with one 20" model and three 24" models. The speeds of the processors appear comparable to the previous iMacs. Hard drive capacities and RAM, however, have been bumped to twice their previous amounts. The iMac will almost certainly adopt the NVIDIA platform which brings with it accelerated video that should also support Apple's upcoming Snow Leopard.

The Mac minis are said to be 2.0 GHz each with improved hard drive space. We've heard whispers that the entry level price for the Mac mini may finally fall to $499, representing a $100 drop. The adoption of the NVIDIA platform in the Mac mini should also provide a significant performance boost over the existing models.

Meanwhile, new Time Capsule and Airport Extreme models are consistent with FCC filings that were just published this week. The timing of the release of these filings almost certainly means these releases are imminent.

Finally, the parts list surprisingly reveals that the Mac Pro will finally be updated alongside a new ATI RADEON HD 4870 graphics card. The Mac Pro specs reveal the following specs:

- MAC PRO 2.26_8CX/6X1G/640/GT120/SD-USA
- MAC PRO 2.66QCX/3X1GB/640/GT120/SD-USA

The 2.66GHz configuration is a familiar baseline configuration for the Mac Pros and it seems likely there would be build-to-order processor upgrades. The 2.26GHz configuration, however, seems more of a mystery. While a 2.26GHz Xeon processor seems to exist, it does not appear to come in 8-core configurations. Otherwise, the specs seem consistent with the adoption of Intel's Nehalem processors.

Article Link: Last Minute Specs: iMac, Mac Minis, Airport Extreme, Time Capsule and Mac Pros?

wesleyh · Mar 3, 2009, 04:09 AM

The lamest update yet.. I'll probably get something else now.

nerdish · Mar 3, 2009, 04:11 AM

2.26GHz Mac Pro?

So a price drop then?

mrkgoo · Mar 3, 2009, 04:12 AM

Oboyoboyoboy

I'm not even in the market for a new computer.... :/ Why am I excited?

ltldrummerboy · Mar 3, 2009, 04:12 AM

I for one am pretty excited about this update. Hopefully the midrange iMacs will now be fairly decent gaming machines. I'm looking at you COD4!

BenManchester · Mar 3, 2009, 04:13 AM

What graphics on the high-end iMac? I'm dying to know.

talkingfuture · Mar 3, 2009, 04:13 AM

Looks like they've been busy in Cupertino over the last few weeks.

troller · Mar 3, 2009, 04:14 AM

I hope there are some high end mini models...if not, they have learnd nothing !

Blue Sun · Mar 3, 2009, 04:14 AM

Just give me a 9800m GT (or better) and I'll be happy.

hacksaw-C87 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerdish

2.26GHz Mac Pro?

So a price drop then?

Surely both are unlikely. That would make the Mac Pro slower than the top-end Macbook!! I hope that's wrong for all you desktop users. IMO not an inspiring update based on the information we currently possess.

BenManchester · Mar 3, 2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Sun

Just give me a 9800m GT (or better) and I'll be happy.

+1

Kaptajn Haddock · Mar 3, 2009, 04:16 AM

The only reason for these updates (if true) is to have a somewhat up to date line of consumer Macs and lowered prices due to the financial crisis. Whenever Snow Leopard comes out we will see updates again with quad core, LED and you name it. Apple has done this before.

mj1903 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:17 AM

Looks like some solid updates!

gianly1985 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:17 AM

2,4ghz + 5ghz (double frequency at SAME TIME) Airport Extreme?

nerdish · Mar 3, 2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacksaw-C87

Surely both are unlikely. That would make the Mac Pro slower than the top-end Macbook!! I hope that's wrong for all you desktop users. IMO not an inspiring update based on the information we currently possess.

Well the 2.66 and a 2.26 are both slower than the baseline Mac Pro's now, so might be a xMac

hacksaw-C87 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaptajn Haddock

The only reason for these updates (if true) is to have a somewhat up to date line of consumer Macs and lowered prices due to the financial crisis. Whenever Snow Leopard comes out we will see updates again with quad core, LED and you name it. Apple has done this before.

It'd be a kick in the teeth though, don't you think. Imagine if you just spent £2, 000 updating your iMac, only for another one to come out 4 months later with substantially better specs. I wouldn't buy a desktop from Apple again after that! (Not that I'd buy a desktop full stop, but that's besides the point).

nicolapo · 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacksaw-C87

Surely both are unlikely. That would make the Mac Pro slower than the top-end Macbook!! I hope that's wrong for all you desktop users. IMO not an inspiring update based on the information we currently possess.

How is a 8-core tower running Leopard or SnowLeo slower than a two-core MacBook?

hacksaw-C87 · Mar 3, 2009, 04:20 AM

Lol, good point. Hadn't considered the cores, just saw the 2.26 and jumped to conclusions!

herriiee · Mar 3, 2009, 04:21 AM

Looks like the stock videocard of the Mac Pros wil bee an GT 120. A rebranded Gef9500.

InkMaster · Mar 3, 2009, 04:23 AM

I for one am definitely excited about the new Airport Extreme/Time Capsule.

Finally will be able to use N at full speed w/o having the rest of the devices on the network slowing everything down.

spcdust · Mar 3, 2009, 04:24 AM

Is it me or are the rumoured update specs for the iMac pretty un-inspiring?

A genuine question here, are the Core 2 Duo processors installed in the iMacs really coming to the end of their life cycle or have I got this completely wrong?

If the spec rumours pan out to be true I think I'll skip this one and wait for something more impressive, hopefully we won't have to wait twelve months for the next one?

Ironduke · Mar 3, 2009, 04:24 AM

what do you guys expect?

After bring us the very sexual and very toight! unibody macbooks, its lame updates as per usual.

Kaptajn Haddock · Mar 3, 2009, 04:25 AM

This has to be a completely ninja like silent update from Apple, or else they will make a fool out of themselves. I can't wait to see if these updates will just show up in the store silently with a New sign on, or if Apple will clear the starting page at apple.com with tags like:

The New iMac - sort of.

or

Mac Mini - still Mini.

If these specs are true, this has got to be the sloppiest updates from Apple ever, and only a dramatic price cut will justify them.

Ironduke · Mar 3, 2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spcdust

Is it me or are the rumoured update specs for the iMac pretty un-inspiring?

A genuine question here, are the Core 2 Duo processors installed in the iMacs really coming to the end of their life cycle or have I got this completely wrong?

If the spec rumours pan out to be true I think I'll skip this one and wait for something more impressive, hopefully we won't have to wait twelve months for the next one?

They are uninspiring unless apple drop prices then they could be quite good.

Blue Sun · Mar 3, 2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaptajn Haddock

If these specs are true, this has got to be the sloppiest updates from Apple ever, and only a dramatic price cut will justify them.

Bigger HDD, better video card, more RAM. Better than a poke in the eye with a rusty stick.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:07 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Last Minute Specs: iMac, Mac Minis, Airport Extreme, Time Capsule and Mac Pros? There's only a few hours left before Apple's rumored announcement of new iMacs and Mac minis but a list of parts/specs posted to our forum indicate that Apple may be pushing out a number of updates including iMacs, Mac minis, Mac Pros, Airport Extreme, and Time Capsule. The posting was made by someone who has had access to Apple part numbers in the past, and we've since been able to confirm that these part numbers and specs are valid and found in Apple's systems. The list of parts and specs correspond to the previous iMac rumors with one 20" model and three 24" models. The speeds of the processors appear comparable to the previous iMacs. Hard drive capacities and RAM, however, have been bumped to twice their previous amounts. The iMac will almost certainly adopt the NVIDIA platform which brings with it accelerated video that should also support Apple's upcoming Snow Leopard. The Mac minis are said to be 2.0 GHz each with improved hard drive space. We've heard whispers that the entry level price for the Mac mini may finally fall to $499, representing a $100 drop. The adoption of the NVIDIA platform in the Mac mini should also provide a significant performance boost over the existing models. Meanwhile, new Time Capsule and Airport Extreme models are consistent with FCC filings that were just published this week. The timing of the release of these filings almost certainly means these releases are imminent. Finally, the parts list surprisingly reveals that the Mac Pro will finally be updated alongside a new ATI RADEON HD 4870 graphics card. The Mac Pro specs reveal the following specs: - MAC PRO 2.26_8CX/6X1G/640/GT120/SD-USA - MAC PRO 2.66QCX/3X1GB/640/GT120/SD-USA The 2.66GHz configuration is a familiar baseline configuration for the Mac Pros and it seems likely there would be build-to-order processor upgrades. The 2.26GHz configuration, however, seems more of a mystery. While a 2.26GHz Xeon processor seems to exist, it does not appear to come in 8-core configurations. Otherwise, the specs seem consistent with the adoption of Intel's Nehalem processors. Article Link: Last Minute Specs: iMac, Mac Minis, Airport Extreme, Time Capsule and Mac Pros? Last edited by arn : Mar 3, 2009 at 04:16 AM.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:12 AM	#5
ltldrummerboy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kenai Peninsula	I for one am pretty excited about this update. Hopefully the midrange iMacs will now be fairly decent gaming machines. I'm looking at you COD4! __________________ New to AT&T (30 days or less)? Want a $25 credit towards your next bill? PM me and we can both save!

Mar 3, 2009, 04:13 AM	#7
talkingfuture macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The back of beyond.	Looks like they've been busy in Cupertino over the last few weeks. __________________ Futuristical bloggery with a twist.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:17 AM	#14
gianly1985 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2008	2,4ghz + 5ghz (double frequency at SAME TIME) Airport Extreme? __________________ 17" good old white iMac core 2 duo + 3gb RAM + Intel x25-M G2 160gb SSD ; iPhone 3g 16gb WHITE ITALIAN

Mar 3, 2009, 04:21 AM	#19
herriiee macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2009	Gt120 Looks like the stock videocard of the Mac Pros wil bee an GT 120. A rebranded Gef9500.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:09 AM	#2
wesleyh macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2007	The lamest update yet.. I'll probably get something else now.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:11 AM	#3
nerdish macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester, UK	2.26GHz Mac Pro? So a price drop then?

Mar 3, 2009, 04:12 AM	#4
mrkgoo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005	Oboyoboyoboy I'm not even in the market for a new computer.... :/ Why am I excited?

Mar 3, 2009, 04:13 AM	#6
BenManchester macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2009	What graphics on the high-end iMac? I'm dying to know.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:14 AM	#8
troller macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2008	I hope there are some high end mini models...if not, they have learnd nothing !

Mar 3, 2009, 04:14 AM	#9
Blue Sun macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne	Just give me a 9800m GT (or better) and I'll be happy.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:16 AM	#12
Kaptajn Haddock macrumors regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denmark	The only reason for these updates (if true) is to have a somewhat up to date line of consumer Macs and lowered prices due to the financial crisis. Whenever Snow Leopard comes out we will see updates again with quad core, LED and you name it. Apple has done this before.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:17 AM	#13
mj1903 macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2005	Looks like some solid updates!

Mar 3, 2009, 04:20 AM	#18
hacksaw-C87 macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Birmingham England	Lol, good point. Hadn't considered the cores, just saw the 2.26 and jumped to conclusions!

Mar 3, 2009, 04:23 AM	#20
InkMaster macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nagoya, Japan	I for one am definitely excited about the new Airport Extreme/Time Capsule. Finally will be able to use N at full speed w/o having the rest of the devices on the network slowing everything down. __________________  MichaelFlux.com 

Mar 3, 2009, 04:24 AM	#21
spcdust macrumors regular Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK	Is it me or are the rumoured update specs for the iMac pretty un-inspiring? A genuine question here, are the Core 2 Duo processors installed in the iMacs really coming to the end of their life cycle or have I got this completely wrong? If the spec rumours pan out to be true I think I'll skip this one and wait for something more impressive, hopefully we won't have to wait twelve months for the next one?

Mar 3, 2009, 04:24 AM	#22
Ironduke macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2006	what do you guys expect? After bring us the very sexual and very toight! unibody macbooks, its lame updates as per usual.

Mar 3, 2009, 04:25 AM	#23
Kaptajn Haddock macrumors regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denmark	This has to be a completely ninja like silent update from Apple, or else they will make a fool out of themselves. I can't wait to see if these updates will just show up in the store silently with a New sign on, or if Apple will clear the starting page at apple.com with tags like: The New iMac - sort of. or Mac Mini - still Mini. If these specs are true, this has got to be the sloppiest updates from Apple ever, and only a dramatic price cut will justify them.

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