Apple Buying Up High End Penryn Processors?

[statikcat]

If they are just now buying or talking of buying these processors I dont see how a new Mac Pro line could be ready this year. I think January (unfortunately) may be possible. How can they be ready by Octo or even Nov? If so close to January convention thing why not just wait to have a big showcase then? I think they will need time to assemble and test out any issues with this processor and Leopard.

 

[cube]

Please, no Blu-ray until they also have HD DVD.

 

[~Shard~]

I'll tell you I have had my Mac Pro 3.0 ghz Octo since May and it runs rings around the G5 quad. The processor performance has been more than enough in my case.

However, the GPU was old when I bought it. ATI X1900. I hope when they update the MacPro they also offer the new GPU cards for individual sale.

I don't think I am in violation of my NDA when I say the current 3.0 Ghz Octo screams under Leopard. Just simply unbelievable difference.

I have no doubts that's the case. Nonetheless, from a sheer time perspective, it has been over a year since we've seen a processor update so this will be a nice one. And Mac Pro users definitely need some new GPU options.

Using Xeon Processors Apple has to. Until Intel switches them over to something else.

Interesting, I guess they will be using them for a little while yet then...

 

[statikcat]

Please, no Blu-ray until they also have HD DVD.

Apple is on the Blu-ray board. And with Microsoft being a huge HD DVD backer I would expect Apple's attention and support mostly towards Blu-ray.

 

[~Shard~]

Please, no Blu-ray until they also have HD DVD.

What about a Blu Ray / HD-DVD combo Superdrive?

 

[cube]

Apple is on the Blu-ray board. And with Microsoft being a huge HD DVD backer I would expect Apple's attention and support mostly towards Blu-ray.

Apple supports both. Check the PR.

 

[~Shard~]

Apple is on the Blu-ray board. And with Microsoft being a huge HD DVD backer I would expect Apple's attention and support mostly towards Blu-ray.

Apple is fully backing both formats actually.

Apple is committed to both emerging high definition DVD standards—Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. Apple is an active member of the DVD Forum which developed the HD DVD standard.

 

[Umbongo]

I wonder if Apple didn't bother updating the mac pro in the last year (stuff like the GPU could have been updated, even if there weren't any better processors available) because they anticipated high demand with the launch of major Universal Binary apps like CS3? Perhaps as sales level off, they'll feel more of a need to keep stimulating sales by keeping it a bit more up to date in future? Lets hope.

I would think GPU updates never came because there wasn't enough demand for them. Yes I know there are alot of users on here that want better GPUs, and certainly even more outside of the MR community, but I can easily imagine there were not enough to satisfy all parties involved (Apple, GPU manufacturer, video card manufacturer).

Maybe if Leopard had come earlier they would have invested in development earlier, or maybe they really just don't care one way or another and MP updates will always be driven by workstation platform or processor updates.

 

[CWallace]

The last Friday of October could be shaping up to be a major event if all the rumors come true:

1. Leopard.
2. New Mac Pros with better CPUs and (please) GPUs.
3. New AppleTV with larger HDDs and a DVD.
4. The "Mac Nano" replacing the Mac Mini in a smaller form factor.

 

[cube]

What about a Blu Ray / HD-DVD combo Superdrive?

I am tired of these "Superdrives" which are nothing super.

The Blu-ray burners with HD DVD ROM support (and DVD-RAM) are only called Super Multi Blu drives.

So I guess something which also burned HD DVD would have to be called Super Multi Blu HD.

 

[72930]

The last Friday of October could be shaping up to be a major event if all the rumors come true:

1. New AppleTV with larger HDDs and a DVD.
2. The "Mac Nano" replacing the Mac Mini in a smaller form factor.

Mac OS Rumors is not a real source of info, its more like a joke of crazy speculation...

 

[~Shard~]

The last Friday of October could be shaping up to be a major event if all the rumors come true:

1. Leopard.
2. New Mac Pros with better CPUs and (please) GPUs.
3. New AppleTV with larger HDDs and a DVD.
4. The "Mac Nano" replacing the Mac Mini in a smaller form factor.

These Penryn processors are not out until November, so I think Mac Pros at the end of October is unlikely, unless it is an announcement with a shipping date several weeks out. Of course, Apple could always have somehow got advanced copies of the chips and have had them up and running for months...

As for a Mac nano, nah, give me a Yorkfield Mini-tower!

 

[Umbongo]

If they are just now buying or talking of buying these processors I dont see how a new Mac Pro line could be ready this year. I think January (unfortunately) may be possible. How can they be ready by Octo or even Nov? If so close to January convention thing why not just wait to have a big showcase then? I think they will need time to assemble and test out any issues with this processor and Leopard.

They will have been testing these for a long while both at Apple and Intel. Also it isn't a lengthy manufacturing process to get these ready, though no doubt there will be lengthy ship times on them.

 

[~Shard~]

I am tired of these "Superdrives" which are nothing super.

The Blu-ray burners with HD DVD ROM support (and DVD-RAM) are only called Super Multi Blu drives.

So I guess something which also burned HD DVD would have to be called Super Multi Blu HD.

Then it's settled - Apple will release a Super Multi Blu HD DVD RAM DL +- /?'~Superduperdrive!

 

[cube]

Then it's settled - Apple will release a Super Multi Blu HD DVD RAM DL +- /?'~Superduperdrive!

Super Multi drive already includes RAM, DL. +-

Apple should just use the regular name, unless they omit to add the "HD" when it also burns it.

Shouldn't be called Superduperdrive unless it also supported HD VMD and HVD.

 

[HLdan]

sometimes I feel like us mac pro/power mac users have been left out in the cold when compared to the iMac group. This would be a nice update but I think 16 months between updates is way too long for a model like this. In the very least Apple should at least offer some video upgrades to the mac pro over the last year.

What the heck are you talking about??? The Mac Pro is the grandpappy! 4-8 core Xeon processing, user switchable hard drives, user switchable graphics cards, option for up to 16GB of ram, 16X Superdrive, perfect gaming machine with no compromise. Most of that applies to the PowerMacs as well.

The iMac: way overdue for an update and when it came what did we get? Dual core processing on one CPU, 8X Superdrive, on-board mobility GPU, no way to upgrade hard drives, 4GB of ram max.

You were saying??

 

[statikcat]

Apple is fully backing both formats actually.

Yes, Apple will support both formats of course. They will not shut out one format. That would not be customer friendly. My point was Apple is on the Blu-ray board. They have money invested in Blu-ray technology. If you dont think this effects how Apple deals with Blu-ray over HD DVD in some reguard then you are probably wrong.

 

[~Shard~]

Shouldn't be called Superduperdrive unless it also supported HD VMD and HVD.

Don't forget PCD as well!

 

[cube]

Here's something hard: it's not superduper until it can finally read SACD.

 

[FoxyKaye]

The Xserve is in dire need of an upgrade, possibly more than the MP...I guess their updates will be announced together, but the Xserve will be 'in stores starting next month'...

You can say that again - we're waiting until the Penryns hit the XServes, since I absolutely refuse to pay this year's prices for last year's technology. I really hope they do concurrent releases with the press on the Mac Pro and the XServe being the "silent" update at the same time.

 

[diamond.g]

What the heck are you talking about??? The Mac Pro is the grandpappy! 4-8 core Xeon processing, user switchable hard drives, user switchable graphics cards, option for up to 16GB of ram, 16X Superdrive, perfect gaming machine with no compromise. Most of that applies to the PowerMacs as well.

Does OS X actually boot if you have a 8800GTX/GTS/Ultra plugged in? Cause if so then no one should be complaining about the GPU options offered. I also wondered why Apple mever replaced the X1900XT with the X1950XT. It ran cooler and was clocked higher(AFAIK).

 

[~Shard~]

Yes, Apple will support both formats of course. They will not shut out one format. My point was Apple is on the Blu-ray board. They have money invested in Blu-ray technology. If you dont think this effects how Apple deals with Blu-ray over HD DVD in some reguard then you are probably wrong.

I better understand your point now, didn't quite get it the first time. I'd agree with that.

 

[overcast]

Please, no Blu-ray until they also have HD DVD.

!!!

 

[diamond.g]

Yes, Apple will support both formats of course. They will not shut out one format. That would not be customer friendly. My point was Apple is on the Blu-ray board. They have money invested in Blu-ray technology. If you dont think this effects how Apple deals with Blu-ray over HD DVD in some reguard then you are probably wrong.

Ah, so that is why you can burn HD DVD in FCS and not Blu-Ray!!

 

[statikcat]

Ah, so that is why you can burn HD DVD in FCS and not Blu-Ray!!

I am sure there is a good reason.. I had read something about it awhile ago reguarding Blu-ray and Leopard and more Apple approve/friendly Blu-ray drives coming. I am not 100% sure though. Maybe someone has a more informed answer.