Dual 2.5GHz PowerMacs Shipping

[wdlove]

3 GHz is coming in the next generation IBM multi-core processor Q1 or Q2 2005. How hot or cool that will run, I haven't seen discussed anywhere.

I certainly hope that Apple has learned from the heat and fan issues with the 2.5 model. Hopefully the 3.0 model will be like a Rev. B. Maybe Steve will have an announcement for us at MWSF.

 

[grebo]

Stripped

Well, I feel naked now. I've packed it all up and boy does my desk look bare. I'm hesitant to set up my G4 in its place until I after this weekend's London Apple Store opening.

Cheers all,

Grebo

 

[wdlove]

Well, I feel naked now. I've packed it all up and boy does my desk look bare. I'm hesitant to set up my G4 in its place until I after this weekend's London Apple Store opening.

Cheers all,

Grebo

I feel your pain grebo. Hopefully the London Store opening will be a time to cheer you up. Being able to be clothed in the warmth of Apple.

 

[KaiMac]

Well, I feel naked now. I've packed it all up and boy does my desk look bare. I'm hesitant to set up my G4 in its place until I after this weekend's London Apple Store opening.

Cheers all,

Grebo

Good Luck Grebo. I'm sure they will take care of you. I'll be in North London in March for the Arsenal v. Newcastle match. Go Gunners! I'll be sure to stop in and check out the new London Apple Store.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[si-valleyguy]

Re: Fan Management and firmware 5.1.8f7Fan Management and firmware 5.1.8f7

I certainly hope that Apple has learned from the heat and fan issues with the 2.5 model. Hopefully the 3.0 model will be like a Rev. B. Maybe Steve will have an announcement for us at MWSF.

I just upgraded my firmware to the 5.1.8f7 revision. I've read there is improved fan management amoung other things. My first take on this is that things are now quieter in the "highest" CPU mode. For example, in Photoshop, I don't get much of a fan rev when cropping. In iTunes, turning on visualizer I still notice a fan rev but it's less loud. In general, I notice less fan noise as I do this and that. I don't feel the need to go back to "reduced" CPU mode at present. Nice to have that extra snap back!

First Impressions. I welcome other comments.

 

[FFTT]

I've followed Apple forums long enough to know that Revision "A"
may be tempting, but Revision "B" or later is always much safer as far
problematic issues.

What concerns me here is wondering whether the choice of graphics cards
is causing more of the fan noise problems than people realize.

If your primary concern is quiet audio recording, I would think that
the 6800 Ultra, using 2 PCI slots AND having yet another fan would be
the first thing I would avoid.

Of course none of this SHOULD be an issue with an Apple product,
but bells and whistles are hard to resist.

From what I'm reading here, if you MUST have the 30 inch display,
I suppose the best attitude is to wait just a bit longer to see what happens with the next revision as well as the single slot ATI X800 Pro card.

Grebo,

I can't imagine how you must feel after all you've gone through.

You might consider the downgrade to the 2.0, or just hang in there
a bit longer and put your money into more RAM memory, a single slot Pro
graphics card and leave room for a really nice A-D interface.

You're only looking at 2 more months before you know what will be available in the next revisions.

 

[grebo]

I've followed Apple forums long enough to know that Revision "A"
may be tempting, but Revision "B" or later is always much safer as far
problematic issues.

What concerns me here is wondering whether the choice of graphics cards
is causing more of the fan noise problems than people realize.

If your primary concern is quiet audio recording, I would think that
the 6800 Ultra, using 2 PCI slots AND having yet another fan would be
the first thing I would avoid.

Of course none of this SHOULD be an issue with an Apple product,
but bells and whistles are hard to resist.

From what I'm reading here, if you MUST have the 30 inch display,
I suppose the best attitude is to wait just a bit longer to see what happens with the next revision as well as the single slot ATI X800 Pro card.

Grebo,

I can't imagine how you must feel after all you've gone through.

You might consider the downgrade to the 2.0, or just hang in there
a bit longer and put your money into more RAM memory, a single slot Pro
graphics card and leave room for a really nice A-D interface.

You're only looking at 2 more months before you know what will be available in the next revisions.

Hi, thanks for the 'sound' advice!

You're right, I'm sure the hurking fans on the video cards were adding to the mix. I went down to the Apple Store yesterday (at a sensible hour, thank you) and had one of their Geniuses demonstrate to another 2.5 in a quiet studio environment (there are two studios in the back of the store). I still heard plenty of fan noise. I'm beginning to think I'm after something that doesn't exist.

Maybe when these low power G5 chips come out, that'll be the machine I'm after. Then again, maybe I'll just bite the bullet and deal with it. Will keep you all posted.

Cheers

Grebo

 

[wdlove]

Hi, thanks for the 'sound' advice!

You're right, I'm sure the hurking fans on the video cards were adding to the mix. I went down to the Apple Store yesterday (at a sensible hour, thank you) and had one of their Geniuses demonstrate to another 2.5 in a quiet studio environment (there are two studios in the back of the store). I still heard plenty of fan noise. I'm beginning to think I'm after something that doesn't exist.

Maybe when these low power G5 chips come out, that'll be the machine I'm after. Then again, maybe I'll just bite the bullet and deal with it. Will keep you all posted.

Cheers

Grebo

After all that you have been through, you are certainly demonstrating a very understanding spirit. Apple is lucky to have you for a customer. Maybe it will be best to have a G5 in '05.

 

[kornyboy]

Hummm....Curious

Hey,

I was just sitting here wondering if anyone knew the maximum number of posts that have ever been on a Mac Rumors thread? I'm sure that after watching this one for a while and posting a couple of times to it that it has to be pretty close to the largest with over 6100 posts. Just a thought.

kornyboy

 

[FFTT]

I think we are quite fortunate to have these informative discussions when one considers such a major purchase.

I also hope that members of this community will use the same effort
to contact Apple directly with their questions and concerns.

It's the only way we can actively support the positive improvements
we hope for.

 

[wdlove]

I think we are quite fortunate to have these informative discussions when one considers such a major purchase.

I also hope that members of this community will use the same effort
to contact Apple directly with their questions and concerns.

It's the only way we can actively support the positive improvements
we hope for.

Apple has certainly received a lot of phone call regarding delays in the shipping of the 2.5. Now will will just have to wait and see if Apple have learned anything from this issue. I think that Apple employees monitor forums like this. So they are certainly aware of comments.

 

[nfocus design]

Although I've no experience with the Raptor drives -- they ARE the fastest -- but with that, I assume there is more ambient noise as a result. I had no problems with Maxtor SATA drives (7200 RPM) being able to record and playback audio using Logic Pro.

My problem (as we all know) was with fan noise (and perhaps two disks spinning)... Am curious to hear reports from people who've implemented the solutions to allow five or six or TEN(!) internal drives?...

I have a Raptor drive in my 2.5 and it has been great. Unfortunately I can't say the same for my first 2.5. It wouldn't pass the hardware test from day one. It worked okay, but had some problems here and there. I finally took it in to my local Apple store a week ago. They replaced the logic board. Still didn't work. they replaced the front board where the power button is. Still didn't work so they determined they were not going to be able to fix it. They gave me a brand new 2.5. They put my raptor drive and the one it shipped with in the new 2.5 along with the extra RAM I had added. I ran the hardware test in the store before I left and everything passed. I was without my 2.5 for a week, but it was worth the wait, because this one has the Pioneer SuperDrive instead of LG ( I hated that drive and my boyfriend had actually just bought a Pioneer drive to replace it when I got my computer back) and they took the stock 512MB of RAM plus my 1GB and put in the new one, so I got 512MB free. The fans don't seem to rev as much on this one either.

 

[Red G5]

Placed my order at the Apple Store UK (Education) last night (08/11/2004)
Estimated ship date 29/11/2004

My brother orderd a BTO iMac G5 20" the same day. Be interesting to see which one arrives first!

I got shipping notification on Friday just gone (19th - a week and a half early!) and it's due to arrive on Wednesday 24th or Thursday 25th.

The iMac is due the exact same time, it's going to be close!

Ram arrived from Crucial today, Gigabit hub will be here tomorrow and new desk and chair from IKEA on Wednesday. An expensive month...

 

[daveL]

I got shipping notification on Friday just gone (19th - a week and a half early!) and it's due to arrive on Wednesday 24th or Thursday 25th.

The iMac is due the exact same time, it's going to be close!

Ram arrived from Crucial today, Gigabit hub will be here tomorrow and new desk and chair from IKEA on Wednesday. An expensive month...

You mention that you're getting and iMac, as well. Since you say you're getting a gigabit hub, I thought I'd mention that the iMac doesn't support gigabit ethernet, only 10/100. Of course, you may have other reasons for gigabit hub.

 

[~Shard~]

You mention that you're getting and iMac, as well. Since you say you're getting a gigabit hub, I thought I'd mention that the iMac doesn't support gigabit ethernet, only 10/100. Of course, you may have other reasons for gigabit hub.

Yes, one of my friends made that mistake as well, thinking the iMac had gigabit Ethernet. Make sure you're aware of these things before making certain purchases!

 

[Red G5]

You mention that you're getting and iMac, as well. Since you say you're getting a gigabit hub, I thought I'd mention that the iMac doesn't support gigabit ethernet, only 10/100. Of course, you may have other reasons for gigabit hub.

Yep, I'm well aware that the iMac's only 10/100.

I have a x86 FreeBSD box and my brother's games PC with gigabit that will also be on the network.

Thanks for pointing it out though!

 

[sash]

CTO

Hi!
I’m just curious. I’ve ordered (in Belgium) 2.5DPG5 CTO. What this CTO actually means? Thanks to all of you.
sash

 

[monogee]

Does anyone know the timeframe on when Apple releases it's computers?

Does anyone know the timeframe on when Apple releases it's computers? Are there certain months or is it during the quarterly times of the year? Thanks

 

[mikepj]

Hi!
I’m just curious. I’ve ordered (in Belgium) 2.5DPG5 CTO. What this CTO actually means? Thanks to all of you.
sash

CTO stands for Configure To Order. Basically, it means you customized the configuration of your computer and didn't just buy the standard configuration.

 

[mikepj]

Does anyone know the timeframe on when Apple releases it's computers? Are there certain months or is it during the quarterly times of the year? Thanks

Typically Apple releases new computers either at MacWorld Expo SF in January, or at any number of conferences in the summer time (but mostly at WWDC in June). That's not a set rule though, as there have been plenty of hardware introductions scattered in the spring and fall, but in my experiences most of the spring/fall introductions are accessories like the iPod and occasionally the consumer machines before Christmas like the updated iBooks.

As for a G5 update, I'm not sure why so many people are expecting it might happen in January. Apple is still catching up with demand for the 2.5Ghz G5s, so I have no idea how they would release a faster model that quickly. Then again, there are other upgrades that could take place like the standard video card configuration, but this would be a pretty small upgrade. If I were to guess the next G5 updates, I'd say that it would be sometime next summer.

 

[wdlove]

I got shipping notification on Friday just gone (19th - a week and a half early!) and it's due to arrive on Wednesday 24th or Thursday 25th.

The iMac is due the exact same time, it's going to be close!

Ram arrived from Crucial today, Gigabit hub will be here tomorrow and new desk and chair from IKEA on Wednesday. An expensive month...

You are going to have quite an awesome setup. As long as it doesn't break the bank you will be OK. Just be careful that all that power doesn't blow you out of the room.

 

[grebo]

Back in the fray

After all that you have been through, you are certainly demonstrating a very understanding spirit. Apple is lucky to have you for a customer. Maybe it will be best to have a G5 in '05.

Well, with hat in hand and over £1200 back in the bank I've quietly re-entered the waiting queue again. Yes, I have a single-handed interest in seeing that this thread reach the 6800 mark for irony's sake (notice I didn't make a joke about thread count -- oops too late!)

You know, it's not common knowledge, but right now the Apple Developer Connection is offering a substantial discount on a single hardware purchase (for testing purposes) at their base 'Select' membership level, and if someone were to buy a 2.5 along with a new display and an iPod Photo 60 and an iSight - they might see their subscription paid to said service pay for itself three times over.

Usually you have to wait for the second year to receive the right to purchase at a discount, but right now, they're hungry for Tiger and Dashboard developers, so get cracking, and buy some O'Reilly books with the money you save and retire early on the shareware funds of your really cool widget.

I have an estimated delivery date of 14 December (plus or minus a week when it goes to Holland) bringing it perilously close to an aluminium Christmas.

 

[mikepj]

Grebo:

Hope the new machine with the ATI card treats you better. Thought I might mention an option for a case that holds a G4/G5 computer and reduces noise quite a bit. It's called the gCab, and I saw them at WWDC this year. They had a case with a few xServes in it, and the noise difference when opening and closing the front door was incredible. I couldn't find exact pricing, but I remember that they weren't cheap... If noise is a #1 priority though, I can't think of a better option.

http://www.acoustilock.com/gcab.html

 

[grebo]

Silence is golden!

Grebo:

Hope the new machine with the ATI card treats you better. Thought I might mention an option for a case that holds a G4/G5 computer and reduces noise quite a bit. It's called the gCab, and I saw them at WWDC this year. They had a case with a few xServes in it, and the noise difference when opening and closing the front door was incredible. I couldn't find exact pricing, but I remember that they weren't cheap... If noise is a #1 priority though, I can't think of a better option.

http://www.acoustilock.com/gcab.html

Hey thank you very much -- that looks good on two counts -- I have two cats and I noticed a few of their hairs in the G5s I sent back -- so it is probably better in the long run. Couldn't find any price info on the site -- but will inquire with the dealer via email.

Thank you!

NB: I could have gone with the fan-free 9600 but myself experienced some of the rippling issues reported in this thread. I decided to scale back this time around and drive the 23" instead of the 30" which -- although gorgeous and all that -- wasn't really worth an extra 1,000 pounds! The 23" are gorgeous in their own right, and I look forward to owning one.

Cheers

 

[wdlove]

Well, with hat in hand and over £1200 back in the bank I've quietly re-entered the waiting queue again. Yes, I have a single-handed interest in seeing that this thread reach the 6800 mark for irony's sake (notice I didn't make a joke about thread count -- oops too late!)

I have an estimated delivery date of 14 December (plus or minus a week when it goes to Holland) bringing it perilously close to an aluminum Christmas.

Welcome back to the waiting game. I think that you made a very wise decision. You will be onboard for the best Christmas ever.