PowerMacs in August? Video iPod and Intel iBook April?

[m-dogg]

Video iPod, eh. The more i see this picture over and over and over the less i am impressed or interested. Sure it'd be cool for a while, but i mean ugh i don't know. Perhaps after the "surprise" has set in, it seems like no big deal, not even an interest. Capacity and battery life would be intriguing to see however, i must admit. And as far the durability, this thing better be pretty solid. How many more "my iPod already is scratched" threads must we be tortured with?!?!

That's what I'm thinking - People are going to be bugging out that their screen is ruined - Just think how many threads there will be! Ugh!

 

[Shadow]

same here! uggh, I need a laptop and have my eye on a few but I dont want to buy until I see what apple offer. There painfully overdue, and if the reviews I've read are anything to do buy the are in need of a processor upgrade.

Finally, someone who agrees with me. Anyway, I already have a "decent-ish" non-Mac but am ready to take the plunge into Mac. Every review I have read has been good (so far)! I was going to get an iBook G4, but I always check up on the subject, see if theres any new products coming out. I saw the Core Duo intelBook (or read about it) and fell in love (not literally )! I only want a laptop cos...well...I do really. Do the math: Mac=no viruses, Laptop=portable! What would be betteR?

 

[localghost]

Still nobody speculating about the PowerMac configs?

What about

2,33 GHz Conroe (same price as 2 GHz PPC)
2,66 GHz Conroe (same price as 2,3 GHz PPC)
3,xy GHz ConroeEE (same price as 2,5 GHz PPC)
xy GHz 2x Woodcrest (more expensive than the Quad)

Would the ConroeEE (Dual Core) be able to beat/match the current Quad, at least in Apples Benchmarks? Quad owners are not allowed to answer this question.

There have been times Apple offered 4 PowerMac configs, the last one could be min. spec. for the new FinalCutExtreme.

 

[boncellis]

Yeah, I wonder what Apple will eventually release to replace the Quad G5, becasue that's one bada$$ machine! It will have to be more powerfull than that, which will be impressive...

Not to rehash speculation from previous threads, but I think Conroe is in the PowerMac's future. Early reports are that it's impressive, moreso than some of the other processors in the pipeline, but I'm not sure what that translates into. The question I have is what else will change about the PowerMac? Will it get a Blu-ray drive, have a redesigned case, be pin-compatible? It's loaded the way it is now so I'm having a hard time imagining any upgrades besides the Intel architecture.

I might be the only one, by the way, who enjoys reading the threads about scratched iPod screens...they're usually ripe with hilarity.

 

[nataku]

http://www.intel.com/technology/architecture/coremicro/

Conroe is targeted for introduction in the third quarter of 2006.

Well as you can see, Intel says that Conroe is scheduled for intoduction Q3 of this year. August falls perfectly on that given timeline. I'd say we'd get new PowerMacs. WOohooo!

I also cant wait for OS 10.5 announcements

 

[iSee]

I think Apple used up some of their good will with the last "fun" announcements. Many in the "tech reporting" industry were a lot disappointed with the offerings, most felt should simply have been announced via a press release. I must say that I agree - the mini going intel is cool, but the rest of it was probably not worthy of a town hall meeting.

if they have another event in just a little over a month later, it had really better be worth people's trouble, or you are really looking at some negative press.

Um, I think it was actually people on rumor sites that were disappointed.

The press coverage of the event that I saw seemed pretty positive.

 

[freeny]

Um, I think it was actually people on rumor sites that were disappointed.

The press coverage of the event that I saw seemed pretty positive.

I second that.

The last "fun" announcements presented exactly what Steve had preluded to and what I expected as well.

 

[sam10685]

i think the new power mac will be the first "super-computer for the home".

 

[dongmin]

Yes

Edit: you changed your question. The stock jump is as a result of information leaked by Apple, plain and simple.

You're joking right? These rumors have been making the rounds for the last couple of months. You'd be an idiot not to bet on a major announcement at Apple's anniversary and WWDC.

 

[iSee]

PowerMac downgrade?

I'm sure it won't end up like this, but it seems like we need to watch out for a PowerMac downgrade. I guess it depends on the chip used for the PowerMacs.


Despite all the Duo Core hype, the Intel chips we've seen so far are not as powerful as a G5, clock-for-clock, core-for-core. I've got a Rev A. Dual G5 2.0 on my desk, right next to an iMac Core Duo 1.83 (both with 1GB RAM), and, while both are fast, the G5 is more than 30% faster than the iMac for processor intensive stuff (well, the only things i've timed are H.264 and mpg4 exports from QT Pro).

So let's say the Intel PowerMacs get Conroe (last I heard, available September-close enough to August). I read somewhere that Merom is claimed to be about 20% faster than Yonah, which is what's in the iMac (although I can't find that reference anywhere). I'm not sure if that just means clock speed bumps, or the chip is just faster at the same clock speed or what. And I guess a desktop version of Merom must be even faster. Let's say another 20% (?) because there are no power constaints.

With all that, Conroe should be a bit faster than a G5, clock-for-clock, core-for-core. And if Apple sticks two Conroes in the top end PowerMac, and Conroe is available at clock speeds at or faster than 2.5 GHz, then a top of the line Conroe-PowerMac should edge out the current top of the line G5-PowerMac--on universal apps.

Hmmm.... I don't know. It seems possible that Conroe-Macs may not be faster than G5 PowerMacs. And if you use Adobe/Macromedia products, forget it, because they won't be Universal for a while.

Does anyone have insight into this? I can't believe Apple would release slower or equal PowerMacs, but maybe they've got Intel fever, and will do it whether or not it makes sense, speed-wise...

 

[DoktorFaust]

Little to do with PowerMacs

IMO pushing back the WWDC has little to do with PowerMacs. While WWDC could certainly be a venue for launching new machines, it's not a reason to push back the whole conference. The sessions are >90% cpu agnostic, the cpu has no bearing on most developers work.

The one reason I *can* think of for pushing back the conference would be to to give the folks in Apple another few months to develop 10.5. The next generation OS has a lot more bearing on most developers work.


DF

 

[boncellis]

I'm sure it won't end up like this, but it seems like we need to watch out for a PowerMac downgrade. I guess it depends on the chip used for the PowerMacs...

...Hmmm.... I don't know. It seems possible that Conroe-Macs may not be faster than G5 PowerMacs. And if you use Adobe/Macromedia products, forget it, because they won't be Universal for a while.

Does anyone have insight into this? I can't believe Apple would release slower or equal PowerMacs, but maybe they've got Intel fever, and will do it whether or not it makes sense, speed-wise...

I'm not an engineer, so I can't offer perhaps the insight you're looking for. I do think you're on to something though--for whatever my non-engineer opinion is worth. I agree that Apple wants to finish the transition to Intel as quickly as possible, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a "downgrade" if the PowerMac line were to include a Merom processor at a lower price than the currently least expensive G5. With the switch to the new architecture, Apple could label it a lateral move, at worst, with the average consumer seeing it as progress. If this does end up happening, watch for a clever marketing move on Apple's part as to narrow the divide between Merom and Conroe. It wouldn't be as quaint as G6, but you get what I mean...

Another possibility is a discrete product line between the entry-level Mac Mini and the high end PowerMac--other than the iMac. Whether such a machine is viable will depend, like everything else, on the price point. I have thought for a while that I would take a hard look at a desktop without the built-in monitor for around $999.

 

[localghost]

It seems possible that Conroe-Macs may not be faster than G5 PowerMacs.

If the benchmarks from IDF are not completely fake there is a VERY good chance that the performance boost is a LOT better than the last PowerMac revisions. Apple will do anything (well, except lower margins) to show that Intel also delivers for the desktop market + they have a well established watercooling system if they decided to use the CPUs at higher speeds. The only caveat could be that woodcrest is too expensive and conroe can only be used as a single CPU (dual core). Still a (even more expensive) QuadCore woodcrest would have the G5 for breakfast.

It will not be the same boost like G4->CoreDuo but it’s a whole new architecture that looks extremely promising so far.

 

[ITASOR]

I need to buy stock, and I need to buy it soon.

 

[localghost]

I need to buy stock, and I need to buy it soon.

that's so true, but damn it i can only get stock OR a powermac

 

[iHeartTheApple]

Some people may call me a sucker because I grabbed one of the last G4 Powerbooks instead of the then rumored Intel Powerbook (because school was starting and I couldn't wait), but I haven't been happier with any other computer. The FSB might be slow, but I still love it.

Come to think of it, that's what my wife says about me.

Same situation, all around. I probably could have waited a few months more for the MBP but I really wanted a 17" lappy and didn't know if there was one in the cards for the MBP line. My 17" PB is doing just fine...now I'm just not sure if I should buy an iMac now (to replace my PC desktop) or wait until they go 64-bit (Merom, etc.). Does anyone have an idea whether we'll be seeing a Rev. B iMac this year with the merom or conroe?

 

[iHeartTheApple]

Memom? http://www.memom.org/

Haha, nice! BTW, Freeny...what is the clip in your avatar from? Is it a Japanese gameshow or something? I just realized I'd been staring at it for the past 10 minutes trying to figure it out.

 

[localghost]

Does anyone have an idea whether we'll be seeing a Rev. B iMac this year with the merom or conroe?

probably after the 'Books are complete and after the T/PowerMac - end 06, beginning 07 i guess.

 

[finchna]

I should get a Quad...hmmm.

The quad is a great machine!

 

[Plecky]

Same situation, all around. I probably could have waited a few months more for the MBP but I really wanted a 17" lappy and didn't know if there was one in the cards for the MBP line. My 17" PB is doing just fine...now I'm just not sure if I should buy an iMac now (to replace my PC desktop) or wait until they go 64-bit (Merom, etc.). Does anyone have an idea whether we'll be seeing a Rev. B iMac this year with the merom or conroe?

I'm with you, although I'll either see how the first intel PowerMacs look, or look to get a nice refurb. last-gen G5 one. That is of course, if I'm racking and rolling in such dough at the time, the way my apple stock is looking right now - I was losing and after today's surge barely breaking even. Another move past 80, and definitely if it ever hits that 100 mark some analyst place it at, then I think everything should be just fine... I'm more hopeful for this April 1st announcement just for their stock more so then what products they roll out, but both go hand-in-hand so I'm pulling for everyone that Apple releases what they want or something they didn't even know they needed, and really REALLY want. But from the sounds of it, some iPod update and updated iBooks/MacBooks may be enough. Although 13/17" MBP's and/or iTablet and/or other suprises couldn't hurt...

 

[evilbert420]

MacBook v PowerBook G4

So what are the chances that the new high-end i/MacBook (assuming it's dual 1.66 like the mac mini) will perform better than a PowerBook G4?

I can't remember a time where an iBook model came out that was more powerful than the previous generation's PowerBooks, but with the PowerBook G4 being so far behind the tech curve I'm thinking that PBG4 > MacBook might actually be a good step up.

In particular, with audio apps (Garageband, Live). I assume it'll have a slower HD but that can be addressed by me through an external FW400 drive.

 

[sfwalter]

I have to chuckle when I hear "According to their research, they expect Apple to release new Dual-Core PowerMacs in August.". So what research did the Citigroup Analysts do?

Well they read macrumors.com and Apple Insider. They also learned that 1+1 = 2. Of course Apple is coming out with new PowerMacs in August, that's when new Intel chips will be available. In terms of the iBooks, I believe that Apple Insider broke this rumor months ago.

I sure hope that macrumors and Apple Insider are getting good money for doing the leg work for the citibank analysts.

 

[youngcapitalist]

I haven't seen anyone propose this but why wouldn't Apple scrap the 12" macbook and build up from the current 15" (ie, 17" and introduction of 19") Lots of laptop makers are introducing 19" laptops and Apple seems to be a little behind. Plus the widescreen high res display would be sick!!

 

[AidenShaw]

As soon as it's announced

Does anyone have an idea whether we'll be seeing a Rev. B iMac this year with the merom or conroe?

probably after the 'Books are complete and after the T/PowerMac - end 06, beginning 07 i guess.

No, Apple will be forced to upgrade the MBP and iMac to Merom as soon as it's available.

All the other generic Intel vendors will have Merom kit on the shelf - you really think Apple will stick with 32-bit when everyone else is selling 64-bit for the same price? (Except, of course, everyone else also has a 64-bit operating system to run on the chips - Apple is pure 32-bit.)

 

[iHeartTheApple]

No, Apple will be forced to upgrade the MBP and iMac to Merom as soon as it's available.

All the other generic Intel vendors will have Merom kit on the shelf - you really think Apple will stick with 32-bit when everyone else is selling 64-bit for the same price? (Except, of course, everyone else also has a 64-bit operating system to run on the chips - Apple is pure 32-bit.)

Wow! Well, then if this is true, the Yonahs really were all about holding us over and getting the transition out of the way ASAP... If Apple is really going to hit the merom as soon as it's launched, then maybe I should wait for the iMacs/MBPs to switch to merom before buying anything else (since technically i don't *need* them right now, but want them).