Evidence that Next iMacs and Mac Minis to use NVIDIA Chipsets

[mdriftmeyer]

You'd be much better off with a Pentium Dual-Core for that. Why go Atom in the mini?

You're correct:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

They'd get more bite for their buck if they go this route:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206

Both are 64 bit architecture compliant.

The Atom isn't 64 bit architecture compliant:

http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=35460

Result: Atom is a no-show.

All CPUs moving forward for the Server and Desktop are 64 bit architecture compliant.

 

[localoid]

You're correct:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

They'd get more bite for their buck if they go this route:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206

Both are 64 bit architecture compliant.

The Wolfdales wipe the floor with the Atoms, but Apple would never use a Wolfdale in a Mac mini. My overclocked E7200 Wolfdale gets a Geekbench of 4937, which is higher than the 3973 score of the average 3.1 GHz iMac (Early 2008, C2D E8435).

The Atom isn't 64 bit architecture compliant:

http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=35460

Result: Atom is a no-show.

All CPUs moving forward for the Server and Desktop are 64 bit architecture compliant.

The Atom CPU is great for a low-power solution, like a netbook that can go 6-hours on battery. Or for a low-heat (and thus silent) solution, like a 24/7 file server or media device.

But the Atoms lack any serious amount of raw CPU horsepower. They seem to Geekbench in the 900 range, which is even less than the 1397 score for the original Intel Core Solo T1200 1.5 GHz (1 core) Mac mini.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

The Wolfdales wipe the floor with the Atoms, but Apple would never use a Wolfdale in a Mac mini. My overclocked E7200 Wolfdale gets a Geekbench of 4937, which is higher than the 3973 score of the average 3.1 GHz iMac (Early 2008, C2D E8435).




The Atom CPU is great for a low-power solution, like a netbook that can go 6-hours on battery. Or for a low-heat (and thus silent) solution, like a 24/7 file server or media device.

But the Atoms lack any serious amount of raw CPU horsepower. They seem to Geekbench in the 900 range, which is even less than the 1397 score for the original Intel Core Solo T1200 1.5 GHz (1 core) Mac mini.

Who said the iMac isn't going to get an update?

 

[flottenheimer]

mmm Mac Mini for movie streaming, dvr, gaming, dvd watching, ad-hoc connection goodness!

I want now!

If the new mac-mini has a MATSHITA UJ-868 DVD-drive (like the Unibody laptops) you wont be able to make it region free. Major downer.

 

[localoid]

Who said the iMac isn't going to get an update?

I said absolutely nothing about an Imac update, so I don't understand your (rhetorical?) question.

My comments were regarding the Mac mini, specifically that in terms of raw CPU horsepower the Atom CPU would be too little and the Wolfdale would be too much. Too little power and the mini's users would be disappointed. Too much power and Apple's accountants would have to double up on their meds.

 

[mosx]

If the new mac-mini has a MATSHITA UJ-868 DVD-drive (like the Unibody laptops) you wont be able to make it region free. Major downer.

My aluminum MacBook has an LG DVD writer in it.

 

[VicMacs]

kextfile

does it say anything about a new Mac Pro?

they need to be revamped now!

 

[0098386]

I like my Macbooks 9400M, I can play the only PC game I really go on now in native res with everything on full on Team Fortress 2... But given that the iMac has a larger resolution I sure hope that 9400M is reserved for the lower model only. I'd like something higher so I never have to drop below 30fps again.

 

[puffnstuff]

If the new mac-mini has a MATSHITA UJ-868 DVD-drive (like the Unibody laptops) you wont be able to make it region free. Major downer.

Doesn't the software you use determine the region?


The monitor doesn't make much sense with the notebook but it does make sense with the mini the only thing that is strange is the price. But then again this is

 

[surroundfan]

Doesn't the software you use determine the region?

Nope - region coding's hard coded into the drive. Unless you run hacked firmware, it'll get five changes and then lock. Thusfar, the person who hacked the firmware for older Matshita drives has not done them for newer drives.

If you run hacked firmware, you can use Region X to bypass software-based locks...

Personally, it's not a big issue for me because I have a dedicated DVD player in my home theatre (the Mini I'm eager to replace is used to play DIVX files and music)...

 

[puffnstuff]

that sucks I was hoping to use it as a dedicated player

 

[jzuena]

For whoever is still interested in future low-end Mac ideas, check this one out. It looks real to me. I know that people could easily photoshop this in, but I think its real:

http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/photos/photo1jz6.jpg

Does anyone besides me think this is real?

Of course its fake. Apple never uses the Windows logo on their site. And they never mention Linux at all (when talking about what runs on a Mac), let alone use the penguin logo.

 

[jzuena]

Nope - region coding's hard coded into the drive. Unless you run hacked firmware, it'll get five changes and then lock. Thusfar, the person who hacked the firmware for older Matshita drives has not done them for newer drives.

If you run hacked firmware, you can use Region X to bypass software-based locks...

Personally, it's not a big issue for me because I have a dedicated DVD player in my home theatre (the Mini I'm eager to replace is used to play DIVX files and music)...

Software such as vlc don't require the region code on a drive and disk to match. This article covers how vlc does its thing on a Mac.

 

[igazza]

does it say anything about a new Mac Pro?

they need to be revamped now!

Totally but macworld probably not the place

 

[Eidorian]

You're correct:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

They'd get more bite for their buck if they go this route:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206

Both are 64 bit architecture compliant.

The Atom isn't 64 bit architecture compliant:

http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=35460

Result: Atom is a no-show.

All CPUs moving forward for the Server and Desktop are 64 bit architecture compliant.

The Wolfdales wipe the floor with the Atoms, but Apple would never use a Wolfdale in a Mac mini. My overclocked E7200 Wolfdale gets a Geekbench of 4937, which is higher than the 3973 score of the average 3.1 GHz iMac (Early 2008, C2D E8435).

This happens every time I mention Pentium Dual-Core. You do know they make mobile versions of them, right?

 

[Sellihca]

My two cents:

If the entry line mini now starts at $599, and apple is updating it with newer hardware, there is no way it will drop in price. Apple hasn't dropped the price of its other computers, with the exception of the "slap in your face xmas discount", why would it do it from its lower profit margin mini? We will all be lucky if the price stays the same. We all love apple here but we also know that apple does not drop prices.

9400m possible but not likely and if it does go in, the price will go up for sure.

There is no way firewire will be part of the new mini. If apple axed it from the macbook, why wouldn't they do it from the mini?

Optical drives....this is a poor-dying media but it will be part of the new mini. I'm sure apple wants to phase out optical drives but will not be the first. Look at the backlash that they got from axing firewire from the macbook. The sooner people abandon optical media the sooner companies stop making billions of a dying tech. Not only are cd/dvds a horrible media type, the are also wasteful-Flash is the future.

p.s. I've been a longtime apple owner and I love them but the only poor part of their close to perfect computers has always been graphics. Every new mac has had 6 month to 1 year old GPU's or sub-par GPU's. I know heat is always a factor in the form-fitting computers apple makes but this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

hope life is smiling on you all

 

[igazza]

I think therfore imac

So what cpu will the new imacs have, core 2 quad?
Is core i7 possible for imacs ?

 

[Eidorian]

9400m possible but not likely and if it does go in, the price will go up for sure.

If Apple wants to keep milking the mini crowd. You do know that the 9400M G is the chipset and IGP all-in-one. The difference over GM45 is going to be a few dollars. Not to mention nVidia rode in with Apple as its flagship for the 9400M G.

There is no way firewire will be part of the new mini. If apple axed it from the macbook, why wouldn't they do it from the mini?

Doubtful

Optical drives....this is a poor-dying media but it will be part of the new mini. I'm sure apple wants to phase out optical drives but will not be the first. Look at the backlash that they got from axing firewire from the macbook. The sooner people abandon optical media the sooner companies stop make billions of a dying tech. Not only are cd/dvds a horrible media type, the are also wasteful-Flash is the future.

I take it you'll never buy a disc again then?

So what cpu will the new imacs have, core 2 quad?
Is core i7 possible for imacs ?

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/6631864/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/602822/

 

[Sellihca]

Eidorian:

Optical media is too sensitive, balky for its size, slow and the drive itself is massive for what it provides. I don't know, am I being to out-there? What do other think?

 

[iDave]

9400m possible but not likely and if it does go in, the price will go up for sure.

There is no way firewire will be part of the new mini. If apple axed it from the macbook, why wouldn't they do it from the mini?

Optical drives....this is a poor-dying media but it will be part of the new mini.

I agree and think the new minis will go for $699 and $899. Firewire will be gone. Magsafe and mini-DisplayPort will be new.

As for optical drives, I think they have a few more years to go. Flash storage (like SD cards) is getting so cheap I think it will eventually replace CDs for software and rewritable backups, sneakernet, etc.

 

[0098386]

Eidorian:

Optical media is too sensitive, balky for its size, slow and the drive itself is massive for what it provides. I don't know, am I being to out-there? What do other think?

I'm not massively keen on optical media now. I only get PC games from Steam and tend to stick towards film downloads than DVD disks. What do I think? I think it would be nice if Apple would at least give the option of replacing the optical drive with 1 or 2 extra HDD's. I'd give my MB 960gb storage over a DVD-RW any day of the week!

 

[Eric S.]

Okay....

So Apple won't make a netbook since they barely have a complete desktop lineup.

I may be in line to get an Apple netbook, and if it's priced right two of them, but I know that Apple is missing that wonderful mini tower which will always leave Apple with a missing machine.

We have plenty of laptops from them already.

I agree completely.

 

[RyanR.]

Magsafe nosense...

I don't understand why everybody what's to lead towards the magsafe on a mini. Don't get me wrong it's possible but then it would need a battery for a just in case scenario. (i.e. pulling out usb and slip the magesafe off by accident.)

As for the price of the new LCD Displays going with the Mac mini who is to say that they aren't going to drop the price now that all the hard core Mac Heads have gone out and spent twice as much as they will in 09.

As for me I am a refurb. Mac head switcher. I own a lot of Mac stuff but never spend top dollar. Don't get me wrong I would love to have the newest, but Jobs and the rest of them get enough of my money as is.

BTW I'm still waiting for an app. for my iPhone to make voice mail greetings through garage band, Mr. Jobs and friends.

 

[Sellihca]

raggedjimmi:

Options are always good, esp when one has the choice of bouncing a useless optical drive for close to a TB of harddrive space-that would be amazing-at least until SSD's take over. God let it be soon!!!

 

[commander.data]

The Atom isn't 64 bit architecture compliant:

http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupId=35460

Result: Atom is a no-show.

All CPUs moving forward for the Server and Desktop are 64 bit architecture compliant.

http://download.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/319977.pdf
http://download.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/320528.pdf

If you checked Intel developer documentation (page 6), the Atom 230 and 330 are actually Intel 64 compliant. The Atom architecture itself was built with 64-bit in mind. The feature is disabled for the N270 in netbooks and the Z models for MIDs.

But yes, going with Atom for the Mini is unlikely since the performance just isn't there. I could definitely see Apple using the Atom for the Apple TV though since the Apple TV is 2 years old on the same hardware and the 1GHz Dothan based Pentium M is getting really old and I'm pretty sure Intel designed the 1.6GHz Atom specifically to compete against a 1GHz Dothan. nVidia has also launched their Ion platform with the 9400M to couple with Atom in nettops, so all the components are now in place.

I'm kind of worried about putting too much support with nVidia though. Apple has also kept nVidia and ATI competing against each other in their models probably to get a better price. Putting the 9400M in the iMac would probably lock Apple in to using nVidia GPUs for Hybrid Power. And my complaint against nVidia GPUs is again that the 8x and 9xxx series do not support 64-bit floats for GPGPU, only the GT200. ATI however supports 64-bit floats in both the HD3xxx and HD4xxx series. If Apple wants to be ahead in GPGPU adoption, it'd probably be better to have more full-featured hardware in as many Macs as possible. 64-bit floats is currently an optional feature in OpenCL, but that could change in the next OpenCL spec.

It'd probably be best if Apple went with the upcoming ATI Mobility HD4xxx series, maybe a Mobility HD4670 with a Mobility HD4850 BTO for the iMacs. Maybe, Apple can figure out how to get Hybrid Power working between the 9400M and ATI GPUs. It can't be that hard since Intel's GMA X3100 and GMA X4500 dynamic power switching is GPU agnostic and works with both ATI and nVidia GPUs.