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3U Blades

Originally posted by RalphNumbers
That 3U XServe is such a lousy idea. Rack computing is all about density these days, Even 1U units are being phased out in favor of blades in alot of places. A 3U unit is just *way* too big.

And there's no reason it should have to be that big either. There are blades and 1U servers with intel chips that run significantly hotter than the G5, not to mention IBM's upcoming PPC970 blades...

I can't see Apple going any bigger than the current 1U for future XServes.

Aren't Blade servers usually around 3U? Could be Apple's got a blade Xserve coming?
 
Re: xServes are on sale now

Originally posted by ffakr
Apple is offering xServes and xServers with xRAID for discounts right now. I was told $600 to $1000 off (though these are NOT default, minimum configs).
Sale runs till mid December. This could be a clearing of stock, but they've offered xServe deals in the past without an update (they were offering deals on purchases of 4 or more xServes a few months ago)

These offers have been going on since June/July. Nothing new.

As for a new version of FCP... maybe they should fix the current one first!
 
have both 3U (or even 4U) and 1U, as well as blades

Originally posted by RalphNumbers
That 3U XServe is such a lousy idea. Rack computing is all about density these days, Even 1U units are being phased out in favor of blades in alot of places. A 3U unit is just *way* too big.

There's room for both a 3U (or even 4U) as well as 1U (and maybe even blades).

The 1U systems don't have enough PCI-X slots for larger departmental servers, let alone enterprise multi-tier apps. I see many of these small 3U systems tricked out with 4 Fibre Channel ports, 4 to 8 GigE ports, etc. You don't run a big database on a 1U config.

Look at the Dell, HP and IBM server lines - they have 2U, 3U and 4U systems that are virtually the same CPU power as their 1U systems. The bigger guys have more I/O slots, more memory, and more redundancy than the smaller 1U systems.

Adding a 3U unit with G5, 16 GiB ECC RAM, dual power supplies and six PCI-X slots would get Apple some real attention in the enterprise.

Keep the 1U, upgraded to dual G5.

Resell the IBM BladeCenter PPC970 blades in brushed aluminum with an Apple sticker on the front. Shouldn't be too hard to get OS X running on them....

The 1U Xserve was a nice start in the server space, but the lineup needs to be broadened - a 1U won't do for many jobs.
 
I think an anniversary product would be awesome...the last one they did was a cool design...but with Apple I.D. they could do much better. Hopefully they will introduce one at the expo...I'm sure it would be awesome...maybe this time it could be somewhat experimental, and if the idea flies, then they could capatilize on it....just an idea
 
Originally posted by ITR 81
At MacWorld I expect the following:
I figure they will annouce something at CES as well..so it may not all get annouced at MacWorld.
I like it. Nice backpedal at the end. :wink:
 
Originally posted by RalphNumbers
That 3U XServe is such a lousy idea. Rack computing is all about density these days, Even 1U units are being phased out in favor of blades in alot of places. A 3U unit is just *way* too big.

If Apple wants to get serious, they need a quad processor server. It is pretty tough to go with quad processors, internal disks and expansion slots and not be at 3U.

Many 1U units can be phased out by blades because typically 1U servers had little expansion and no more than dual processors. They typically are used for Web, file and print servers. Blades can easily provide equivalent function in a smaller space.

But if you need four or more processors, and multiple fibre channel and/or network connections, blade servers just don't cut it. You are looking at 3U (and above).
 
Was the chip or the computer?

Originally posted by Coca-Cola
Saying that you will have a 3.0 Ghz chip by the end of the year is pretty risky. Steve must be pretty confident that these chips will be made. Let's just say that they were close when he announced that. I am going to go all out and predict dual 3.0, dual 2.5, and 2.0 very soon.


He said, "G5 will be running at 3GHz by next summer" ... or something like that, was he talking that IBM would have the chips ready or Apple will be producing? Two different points of view, if is the first one, delivery would be late as the DP 2 GHz
 
An expandable, available dual is needed - perhaps more than a quad

Originally posted by ktlx
If Apple wants to get serious, they need a quad processor server.

A quad would be a nice addition - but quads are usually quite a bit more expensive per CPU than duals.

A dual 3U is still needed - for expandability and availability, not as much for raw power. Use the Xserve chassis form factor as a start, have 7 disks, dual CPU, ECC memory, redundant power, 5 PCI-X slots....

Just as the Xserve 1U was a nice system to start with, a 3U dualie would be a good next step. Don't force people who need a couple of more PCI-X slots to pay for a quad.

After that step, add a quad and blades....
 
i know we'll be seeing new ipods for sure. I've seen a leak on apples "Job Search" page for a full time software engineer "will be designing with next-gen ipod software".
This was a few months ago.

I HIGHLY doubt an ipod with a color screen etc, that would boots the price largely and i dont think thats the path apple is trying to go down with the ipod, theyr already expensive as it is.
Apple is trying to keep ipod prices low for their campaign aimed at teenagers

ipodrocks.com
 
Software and gadgets

The PM have just been upgraded. They could go higher a little (2.4 instead of 2.0), but that's not interesting. The iMac has just been upgraded with a 20" screen. A faster G4 would be nice, but without a G5, no wow there either.
The iBook has just been upgraded. The PB hasn't, but again, a slightly faster G4 has no wow factor. Same goes for the eMac.
I don't think we're going to see any big announcements for these, maybe a "one more thing..."

So what's left? There are the XServes, which are definitely due for an upgrade. However, introducing a server has a wow factor. Putting a stronger processor in an existing server does not. I would guess a G5 XServe would either be a "one more thing" or else be announced slightly before or after the expo.

I think software and/or gadgets will be the focus of the keynote. Perhaps another office program (word-like), or seriously upgraded iApps. Maybe a new iPod or the forever-rumored "other gadget"

I'm still hoping for the tablet/picture frame. We'll see.
 
Originally posted by ITR 81
At MacWorld I expect the following:
New PM lineup
2.2, 2.4, 2.6
G5 xServes
4gen iPod
higher storage and better batterylife
Video iPod
since pretty much everyone and their mom has talked about it, it would seem like it all can't just made up.
PB's get speed bump:
1.25, 1.33, 1.42
New LCD's
20, 23, 30 models
new accessories for the iPod
Keynotes upgrade
Word like program released from Apple
Apple annouces iTunes Music Store in Australia, Japan, Canada, and select countries in Europe.
New promotions for the music store.
Annoucing more Apple retail stores in the US and overseas.
Jobs annouces they will be taken over some un-named company.
iSight and iChat AV get bundled together.
New ver. of iLife
New ver. of Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio pro.
I figure they will annouce something at CES as well..so it may not all get annouced at MacWorld.

This looks more like your [Holiday of Choice] wish list. :D

Only thing missing is iChat for Windows. . any new rumors on this one?

-rik
 
Does anyone know if it's been confirmed that Steve Jobs is actually presenting the Keynote at MWSF??


Also, any words yet on a stream??




Thanks :)
 
I think new XServe are coming.
And maybe a new version of keynote.

Not much more because apple wants to be in the press all the year, so they are releasing new products and updates all over the year.

The don't want to burn the firework in one session. They want publicity all over the year to get free promotion.

So I guess :
- new XServe
- new software (keynote)
- a long keynote showing what apple has done the past month (ibooks, G5 dp 1.8 ...)
- roadmap like 10.3.2 is coming in month X
- music store is doing so good ...

Thats I think.
 
Remember it was 2 and a half years between the introduction of the G4 PowerMac (Autumn '99) and the G4 iMac (Jan 2002). However, the G5 iMac will be sooner as the G3 iMac's good sales had something to do with that, as was the similarity between the G3 and G4 processors.

I reckon a new Keynote + some mystery new software, maybe even iChat AV for Windows.

Hardware-wise, G5 Xserves, at least a price reduction in current G5 line (or update a month later), no new PowerBooks, iBooks or iMacs.

One more thing...The return of the Cube. As someone else said, it would be nice for an eMac-priced headless consumer Mac - the iMac without the screen - G4-based. Maybe allow a little more expandability (i.e. changeable graphics card).
 
mwsf

What about serious price cuts on AirPorts? At this point, they seem to be priced more than twice as high as the competition.
 
Originally posted by ITR 81
At MacWorld I expect the following:

New PM lineup
2.2, 2.4, 2.6
G5 xServes
4gen iPod
higher storage and better batterylife
Video iPod
since pretty much everyone and their mom has talked about it, it would seem like it all can't just made up.
PB's get speed bump:
1.25, 1.33, 1.42
New LCD's
20, 23, 30 models
new accessories for the iPod
Keynotes upgrade
Word like program released from Apple
Apple annouces iTunes Music Store in Australia, Japan, Canada, and select countries in Europe.
New promotions for the music store.
Annoucing more Apple retail stores in the US and overseas.
Jobs annouces they will be taken over some un-named company.
iSight and iChat AV get bundled together.
New ver. of iLife
New ver. of Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio pro.
I figure they will annouce something at CES as well..so it may not all get annouced at MacWorld.

Well at least we didn't waste any time making a list of things no MWSF could ever live up to, thus ensuring our utter disappointment when the day arrives. You only left out iWalk, G5 PowerBooks, and Mac-powered rocketships to the next lunar exploration. :rolleyes:
 
No updates for 1.6 and 1.8 DP this soon

Apple just bumped the 1.8 to be DP a month ago, right? Would they have done that if they knew they were going to bump it again just two months later? Can anyone cite an instance (in the modern Jobs era) in which one of Apple's speed bumps lasted only two months? (I know the chip speed wasn't increased, but in effect, it was a speed bump.)

Yes, the 1.6 has been around longer, but if they don't bump the 1.8, they obviously can't bump the 1.6. And I imagine Apple's not too concerned about 1.6 sales anyway -- they'd much rather get someone into a DP model (fatter margin). For those who can't stomach the DP price, there's always the iMac.

My guess (only a guess) is that Apple will bump the top-end model to 2.5 DP, to give them new bragging rights and give those with a lot of money something to spend it on. Then they'll wait a couple of months (until the hubbub dies down) and then bump the lower two models.

(My $0.02)
 
That doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Remember the 867/1GHz TiBooks? Released in November 2002, then 12" and 17" PowerBooks launched in January 2003 with new form factors. The new dual 1.8 may just become the low end model for January with two high configs above it (and a price drop of course).
 
Prediction or wish list?

Originally posted by Awimoway
Well at least we didn't waste any time making a list of things no MWSF could ever live up to, thus ensuring our utter disappointment when the day arrives. You only left out iWalk, G5 PowerBooks, and Mac-powered rocketships to the next lunar exploration. :rolleyes:

Heh heh. Took the words right out of my mouth.

Just a thought -- if a person intends for their "prediction" to be taken seriously (instead of just laughed at), I'd suggest typing without the help of recreational drugs. ;)
 
Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
That doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Remember the 867/1GHz TiBooks? Released in November 2002, then 12" and 17" PowerBooks launched in January 2003 with new form factors. The new dual 1.8 may just become the low end model for January with two high configs above it (and a price drop of course).

Good point. You may very well be right.

However, I must point out that a form-factor change is a whole 'nuther ball game. One could argue that they released the PB bumps in November merely to stimulate flagging sales of the old form factor.

Also, not having a single-processor option at the low end seems a bit strange (maybe a single 1.8?)

But hey, we're all just guessing, right?
 
software

i'm with the software camp--i want to see this Office Killer already. AppleWorks is so Un-Aqua...they need something better and i'm sure it's coming.

i also want iPhoto 3--please make it usable for those of us with large libraries!

on the hardware front i'd like to see the new LCDs, but otherwise I'm not in the market for anything so whatever happens (or doesn't) will be fine with me
 
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