April 26th - New Macs?

[Platform]

If they want to bury disappointing upgrades to the PowerMacs, then yes, they will release all the Macs on one day, and then release Tiger a few days later to bury ALL the so-so hardware upgrades.

So 26th sounds about right to me, three days before Tiger. Which means its gonna be bad news.

Still, at WWDC we will probably see a range extension to the Powermacs, a top end 3ghz Quadcore for the sake of Steve's bragging rights (and earning top dollar!)

This will mean it won't actually be an update to the existing lines (so all the "Apple will never update the Powermacs after only 3 months" arguments are invalid") and if you think about it 2.0ghz, 2.3ghz, 2.7ghz & 3.0ghz are a typical spacing, looks to me like Apple is setting it up.

Well if they are going to introduce the 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 why can't they do that now.....bet they have something like that

 

[MacSA]

New iBooks with 512mb RAM and better graphics cards?...isnt that called a Powerbook? I find this pretty hard to believe. (but preys that it's true lol)

 

[keysersoze]

New iBooks with 512mb RAM and better graphics cards?...isnt that called a Powerbook? I find this pretty hard to believe. (but preys that it's true lol)

Looks like the iBooks will FINALLY get the hardware they deserve....

the geForce Fx go5200!



YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!
Thanks Apple!

 

[aussie_geek]

wait - could it be.... a IIfx style G5!

but if this is right on the PMs wouldn't it be just a speed bump as opposed to something which is really worth announcing at wwdc? If that's the case I can and would rather wait another month.
webobject

I reakon there will be only one PowerMac announcement at WWDC. They are going to scrap the 1.8 single don't you think, thus making a spot in the current lineup.It will be for a 'super G5' - dual processor, dual core.

It would be priced out of reach to most users. Think of it as a ultimate pro machine. If you think of it at the moment, there is only a small difference between the top G5 and the mid-range model. It would be in Apple's best interest to have a firecracker at the top end!

Does anyone sense that there will be a G5 equivalent of a IIfx comming round the corner??

Check out this link at EveryMac. Go through and compare the specs of the machines. The IIfx was a clear $2000 US above the other models

aussie_geek

 

[Yvan256]

I hope so!

Hopefully the *UP*date doesn't *UP* the price.

Why would they upgrade the Mac mini, beside the RAM (make it 512MB default, possibly for Tiger) and maybe also set 5400RPM HDs as standard (or, crazy thought, 7200RPM).

There could also be slight CPU increases (i.e. 1.25GHz->1.33GHz and 1.42GHz->1.5GHz), if only to be able to tell people "now faster than before".

Lastly they could be putting Wi-Fi and/or BlueTooth and/or SuperDrive as standard (not going to happen in an entry-level model).

Aside from those improvements they'd need to re-design the whole thing (or at least the motherboard).

I'm certainly not expecting a new GPU and/or more VRAM, nor more ports in the back (again, those would require motherboard changes, testing, QA, etc).

 

[Yvan256]

Hope this rumor is true.



Me want new iBook. A better GPU (with 64MB RAM) and 512MB RAM (1 DIMM) standard would make me very happy. But knowning Apple, they'll probably stick with the ATI Mobility Radeon 9200.

I'm also waiting for an iBook update. Hopefully they'll keep the 12" (or introduce an "iBook mini"), but a better GPU with 64MB VRAM and 512MB default would make me very happy indeed. Maybe bigger HD sizes by default? (not gonna happen, PowerBook territory. But I don't care, that's what BTO is for - make it 60GB!).

 

[Yvan256]

Looks like the iBooks will FINALLY get the hardware they deserve....

the GeForce FX Go5200!

Isn't that more powerful than a Radeon Mobility 9200? If yes, then bring it on! And make it 64MB VRAM! (if they do that, I'll be more than happy with the upgrade).

 

[webobject]

Think of it as a ultimate pro machine.

That's the sucker I'm after, 3d takes its toll on my poor Tibook and its time I got the wee thing a big daddy - after this purchase I won't be able to upgrade again for the foreseeable
Here's hoping it won't be any later than june..
WebObject

 

[uv23]

I'm waiting for a Mac mini update. I have the cash to buy one for my wife, but we're holding off for a Core Image-usable 64mb vid card. No more of this measely 32mb business.

 

[Yvan256]

I'm waiting for a Mac mini update. I have the cash to buy one for my wife, but we're holding off for a Core Image-usable 64mb vid card. No more of this measely 32mb business.

Core-Image doesn't only need "more than 32MB", it needs a GPU that can handle the tasks. And even if the GPU and/or VRAM aren't up to CoreImage specs, the CPU will handle it if necessary (visual eye-candy isn't necessary for the OS to run).

You can run Tiger on old G3 systems, the current Mac mini should handle it just fine (the current Mac mini is equal or even better than some 2-years-old PowerBooks models!).

 

[cube]

And even if the GPU and/or VRAM aren't up to CoreImage specs, the CPU will handle it if necessary (visual eye-candy isn't necessary for the OS to run).

Please stop spreading this "if gfx cannot do all Core Image, CPU will" misunderstanding.

 

[Sunrunner]

Please stop spreading this "if gfx cannot do all Core Image, CPU will" misunderstanding.

I dont think many people get the idea that CoreImage is merely an instruction set to speed certain specific graphic operations and calls. Its not like not having a card which CoreImage directly supports is going to break anything, you just wont see some of the performance optimizations.

 

[Etrain]

I'm waiting for a Mac mini update. I have the cash to buy one for my wife, but we're holding off for a Core Image-usable 64mb vid card. No more of this measely 32mb business.

I am tired of hearing people crying about the GPU on the mini. It is an entry level machine! Dell's entry doesn't even have a dedicated graphics card. Who cares if core image won't work fully with the mini -- the other 199 new features will. You act like core image is the entire reason to buy, or not buy the computer. I am buying a mini but I am okay with the GPU because I have a PS2. I am just happy to be getting a mac. I would be getting the iMac but honestly, I would rather save $800 with buying the mini and a 20" Dell widescreen monitor.

Sorry to sound mean there but just be more positive. Nothing is ever perfect and there will always be something about any computer that isn't amazing. Love it for what it can do and for the fact that your getting an amazing piece of kit for cheap.

 

[Yvan256]

Please stop spreading this "if gfx cannot do all Core Image, CPU will" misunderstanding.

Then you better ask Apple to stop spreading it too.

Quote from the page:
"For computers without a programmable GPU, Core Image dynamically optimizes for the CPU, automatically tuning for Velocity Engine and multiple processors as appropriate."

 

[Sunrunner]

Then you better ask Apple to stop spreading it too.

Quote from the page:
"For computers without a programmable GPU, Core Image dynamically optimizes for the CPU, automatically tuning for Velocity Engine and multiple processors as appropriate."

Slam Dunk with that one mate

 

[uv23]

Wanting 64mb and the ability to support core image are two separate desires, both of which are requirements in order for me to get into a Mac mini. Argue as you may, I think those are both realistic expectations in this day and age. I don't use entry level PCs as a benchmark because I'm shopping for a mac, and only a Mac.

 

[cube]

Then you better ask Apple to stop spreading it too.

Quote from the page:
"For computers without a programmable GPU, Core Image dynamically optimizes for the CPU, automatically tuning for Velocity Engine and multiple processors as appropriate."

Forget about real-time performance of heavy filters for Core Video

 

[Yvan256]

Wanting 64mb and the ability to support core image are two separate desires, both of which are requirements in order for me to get into a Mac mini. Argue as you may, I think those are both realistic expectations in this day and age. I don't use entry level PCs as a benchmark because I'm shopping for a mac, and only a Mac.

I can easily understand the 64MB (that'd be so much better for games, and I also agree that 32MB is a joke, even though that's what my Mac mini has), but CoreImage WILL BE SUPPORTED no matter which GPU your computer have. Some G3 computers are listed as Tiger-compatible, which should remove any fears you might have of "being left behind in a year or so" if you buy the current/next Mac mini (whatever GPU the next rev. will have).

CoreImage simply won't be GPU-accelerated on the Mac mini. Asking for that in the newest, lowest-cost ever Mac is just unrealistic. And you SHOULD be using entry-level PCs as a benchmark, because the main feature of the Mac mini is the price (unlike the other computers from Apple). And most other 499$US computers sure don't have a Radeon 9200/32MB. Even some 999$US laptops still have a Radeon 7000, so I don't know what your problem is. This is a Mac mini, not a Mac. I even play World of Warcraft on mine (sure, in 800x600 with all settings "off" or "lowest", but I still get 25-30 FPS in most non-city areas).

And if you absolutely want a GPU-accelerated CoreImage in a Mac mini, you'll have to wait until at least january 2006 if you ask me.

Just wait for the next iMac revision if you really, really want a GPU-accelerated CoreImage Mac. The rumors say Radeon 9600 with 128MB, which would be nice. Sure it's a lot more expensive than a Mac mini, but the GPU should be better. Heck, the rumors even have the next eMac rev. with a Radeon 9600, keep your hopes up.

 

[Yvan256]

Forget about real-time performance of heavy filters for Core Video

Yes, of course. This is a Mac mini, not a PowerMac. But it'll still work, just (a lot) slower. In fact I wouldn't even expect real-time performance with a single light filter for CoreVideo.

...Who'd buy a Mac mini for real-time video editing anyway?!

 

[dotdotdot]

Maybe its a new line of Macs?

Like, desktops, like the PowerMacs, but of lower quality...

Like with a 1.6 GHz G5, 64 MB VRAM, and standard 256 MB RAM... but the reason it would be popular is because it supports a ton of upgrading... and it sports a new case design and a different name than the PowerMac...

And it would be sub-$1000 because its monitor-less...

And it would support Up to 2 GB RAM and 4 HDs...

that would be amazing

---

EDIT: Plus, it would be a gray/black color like rumors suggested with Tiger being Black as a primary color...

 

[Yvan256]

Maybe its a new line of Macs?

Like, desktops, like the PowerMacs, but of lower quality...

Like with a 1.6 GHz G5, 64 MB VRAM, and standard 256 MB RAM... but the reason it would be popular is because it supports a ton of upgrading... and it sports a new case design and a different name than the PowerMac...

And it would be sub-$1000 because its monitor-less...

And it would support Up to 2 GB RAM and 4 HDs...

that would be amazing

Don't be ashamed, just say it: PowerMac mini.

 

[dotdotdot]

Don't be ashamed, just say it: PowerMac mini.

Or... iMac maxi?

 

[swissmann]

The feeling of pessimism surrounding the probability of mediocre updates is depressing. I feel it and am certain the market will feel it too. Please Apple surprise us all.

 

[wdlove]

All this is very interesting. Still think that if there is a significant upgrade to the Power Mac, it won't be announced till WWDC. Steve will want to make some announcements there also.

 

[AppleAce]

Sounds about right but will they release all new Macs on the very same day? What about PMs on Monday, iMacs on Tuesday, iBook on Wednesday and eMacs on Thursday?

Heheheeh that would be nice......and one hell of a week for apple

And don't forget Tiger on Friday!

It's about time that we get some hardware refreshes, geesh. It would be nice if the PM updates were a little more than these underwhelming rumors. But then again, it just makes my 2.5 that much less obsolete But seriously, I would like to see some dual-core chips