PowerMac G5 Updates - March 23rd?

[MacRumors]

French site, MacPlus.org, reports that according to their source, 3 new PowerMac G5 models will be released on Tuesday, March 23rd.

According to their information, the new machines will come in at the following specs:

Dual 1.8GHz G5, 256MB DDR400, 80GB HD, GeForce 5200 Ultra
Dual 2.2GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600
Dual 2.4GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600

MacPlus.org does not frequently publish rumors, but has published an accurate release date in the past.

 

[mymemory]

Good I didn't buy a G5 2 weeks ago.

 

[yoman]

not as fast an upgrade as I had hoped but good news none the less.

 

[russed]

bring on march 23rd then

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Look a little on the conservative side to me. No graphics card update and it's about time they made 512MB RAM standard on all models, how about a gig on the top end? Is that really too much to ask?

But then, maybe they'll get the date right, but a few of the details may be sketchy.

 

[the_mole1314]

Seems more solid than other rumors. I can't wait!

 

[off/lang]

The return of an all dual line up. Interesting.

 

[hob]

not as fast an upgrade as I had hoped but good news none the less.

An upgrade is an upgrade is an upgrade! Don't be too disapointed - it's still only another rumor!!

 

[ickoonite]

Disappointing Graphics

I'd have like to have seen ATI Radeon 9800s, to be honest, at the very least in the top model (although, as MacPlus notes, a 9800 is available as a Build To Order option).

Otherwise, though, this is a Good Thing.

iqu

 

[lalcan]

Well, i guess the recent rise in the Apple stock reflects some insider info leaking into the financial market! That, more than the small speed increase, are good news!

Any pricing info?

 

[hvfsl]

The new R420 and NV40 cards will be out then (next generation Radeon and Geforce cards). So I dont think those specs are correct. I would expect the R9600pro to be the low end and the R420 or NV40 in the high end. Plus I thought IBM had chips running at 2.5 Ghz now.

 

[edesignuk]

Look a little on the conservative side to me. No graphics card update and it's about time they made 512MB RAM standard on all models, how about a gig on the top end? Is that really too much to ask?

I agree 100%. These machines are not cheap, but memory is. There is no reason why 512MB should not be minimum accross the line, topping out at 1GB (stock). 256MB in a Power Mac is just a joke!

 

[gwuMACaddict]

WOOHOO!!!!

 

[Foxer]

So they're downgrading the RAM and HD in the dual 1.8? Interesting. At least the whole line is dual processors. Should have been that way all along. I hope these machine fit into the same price structure that the current line-up does.

 

[miloblithe]

I agree, 256MB is too little for a powermac these days. That should be the minimum for all macs. OSX simply doesn't work on 128MB (or work tollerably).

higher end graphics cards will at least be an option.

It does sound like a pretty solid lineup. And if the Powermacs are all duals it clears the way for single G5s in iMacs . . .

I'm such an optimist.

 

[Stelliform]

Would that still put Apple on schedule to release the 3.0 Ghz as hoped? (What was it Steve said? Next year? Did that mean December 31st, 2004?)

 

[agreenster]

WOW. About friggin time!

About the videocard thing, it really isnt Apple's fault. Have to blame ATI, nVidia, etc etc...

Wow. I'm startin to drool. Hope this is true.

STELLIFORM:

I think the rumor target month for 3 ghz models is August...

 

[McMike]

Why put a dual 1.8 GHz as the basic model? I think even for the image it would be better to run just 2+ GHz models... Apart from that the present PMs have a 200 MHz gap between each of them! So I would bet on dual 2, 2.2, 2.4 GHz. How's that?

 

[Kid Red]

Where is the dual 2.0? I'm surprised they would drop that and keep the 1.8gz model.

 

[Dippo]

I don't understand why they only have the Radeon 9600???

 

[Sabbath]

Seems liek not as high numbers as many would have hoped, but that bottom of the line dual sure seems interesting to me. I wonder if it means that well see an iMac G5 soon, with the fact powermacs are dual separating the two lines.

That is of course if its true

 

[MattG]

Are you ready to rock?

I SAID ARE YOU READY TO ROOOOCCCCKKKK????!?

 

[DTG]

I agree 100%. These machines are not cheap, but memory is. There is no reason why 512MB should not be minimum accross the line, topping out at 1GB (stock). 256MB in a Power Mac is just a joke!

If Apple can keep the low-end prices down by skimping on the RAM, then so be it!

A dual 1.8Ghz G5 for just $1799? - Yes please.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Mind you, I wonder if they should keep a low end single proc G5 as the "headless iMac". The current 1.6 G5 is more powerful than the iMac and doesn't have a screen, but, apart from that, serves the same function. Make it way cheaper and there you go. Then have the top two (or even three models) as duals.

 

[Mudbug]

So they're downgrading the RAM and HD in the dual 1.8? Interesting. At least the whole line is dual processors. Should have been that way all along. I hope these machine fit into the same price structure that the current line-up does.

I don't see any reason why they wouldn't - they tend to keep at least a relative price structure to the current (old) models, so there's not quite so much sticker shock.

And I too am glad to have at least a target date to shoot for - we began "discussions" again at the office about a new machine, and I just knew I'd get the green light to buy about a week before new models showed up. Now I can wait with a small smile on my face.