Snow Leopard in September, Xserve in June, Mac Pro Speed Boost, and More?

Dias said:
Shake was discontinued, to begin with. That's enough to assume that everything else are fake rumors.
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That's the first thing I thought of. The only thing this could be reference to is the much rumored Apple Phenomenon, but that has seen so little light that I consider it vaporware.

P-Worm
 
commander.data said:
I think the Quadro FX 5800 is very likely since the Mac Pro is missing a high-end GPU option. The 512MB HD4870 is a mid-range card with a MSRP of $150 so it should have replaced the HD2600XT not the 8800GT. Personally, I'm hoping that Apple adds the upcoming 1GB HD4890 alongside the Quadro FX 5800 since the HD4890 is a true high-end GPU.

The delay with the Quadro FX 5800 probably isn't engineering resources on Apple's part but more availability of the 55nm GT200b chips since I'm guessing nVidia is concentrating them on the desktop market to beat back ATI's HD48xx series.

In regards the 3.2GHz model, if it's introduced it'll have to be as an option on top rather than directly replacing a previous model since Intel has no near-term Xeon price drops planned. People shouldn't have much reason to complain since there would be no changes to existing configurations.


Heat shouldn't be a big issue. The 3.2GHz Harpertowns used in the previous Mac Pros had 150W TDPs for 300W total. Dual 3.2GHz Nehalems with 2x130W TDPs would still have breathing room.

Personally, I'm still disappointed with Apple's overall CPU choices for the Mac Pro. The entry level Nehalem Mac Pro uses a 130W TDP 2.66GHz W5320 which costs $284 (http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=39718&code=W3520). In contrast, the previous entry level Mac Pro used dual 2.8GHz Harpertown E5462 which cost $797 each (http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=33084&code=e5462). Since Intel has each price point representing a performance class, Apple is choosing significantly lower-end CPUs for the latest Mac Pro, but I can't see them making changes now.
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Agreed on all points.
 
i was hoping to buy a new mac before the fall semester starts. i believe there's a discount for upgrading the os shortly after buying a new computer, can anyone enlighten me on it? thanks!
 
cg0def said:
There will be no Nahlem for notebooks this year and no Mac Pro updates either ( especially when the Mac Pro just got updated ).
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I don't see why either is out of the question.

Clarksfield is out in Q3 and will have models that have 45W TDP which will fit in the MacBook Pro since thats about the same TDP as current 35W TDP CPUs + ~10W northbridge. It's not like the processors aren't available. And the MacBook Pro would be due for a refresh by November anyways.

For the Mac Pro, the 3.2GHz W5580 wouldn't be added to replaced existing configurations since Intel has announced any price drops. If it's added, it'll instead by an additional more expensive option and won't change existing configurations to avoid complaints. I'm pretty sure this exact same thing happened with Cloverton which was added as an option alongside existing Woodcrest CPUs instead of replacing them.

One thing that I would like see updated is the Apple TV. It's hardware is more than 2 years old now. I'm sure nVidia is itching to get Apple to publicize their Ion platform, since dual core Atom + 9400M for h.264 decode would be perfect for the Apple TV.
 
P-Worm said:
That's the first thing I thought of. The only thing this could be reference to is the much rumored Apple Phenomenon, but that has seen so little light that I consider it vaporware.

P-Worm
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Yup I'm thinking Phenomenon is V-A-P-O-R

Apple hasn't shown me that they can develop a Shake class application from the ground.
 
iMacmatician said:
Since Clarksfield is 45/55 W (35/45 W in Penryn terms), only the low-end Clarksfield(s) are likely to be able to fit in the MacBook Pro unless cooling has been improved. Since the MacBook uses 25 W CPUs, who knows if they'll be able to support Clarksfield. MacBook Air…nope.

Also, Clarksfield is to be as high-end as the current 2.0/2.27/2.53 GHz quad-cores (which are $348 to $1038), so I doubt they'll be used in the MacBooks (which use $241 and cheaper CPUs).

But if Apple gets Arrandale early (Intel said production in Q4 I think), then we could see Clarksfield/Arrandale notebooks in November, although I don't think that's likely.

Agreed. Unless they get updated in the next few months with the Penryn updates.
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What's happening with Clarksfield release date - is Arrandale going to slide? Presuming it's too hot for a laptop, will Intel get Apple Arrandale by November?
Could Intel pull a 35W Clarksfield out of the hat for the next MacBook Pro?
 
commander.data said:
Clarksfield is out in Q3 and will have models that have 45W TDP which will fit in the MacBook Pro since thats about the same TDP as current 35W TDP CPUs + ~10W northbridge. It's not like the processors aren't available. And the MacBook Pro would be due for a refresh by November anyways.
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I hope that's what they'll do, even if quad-core is only an option, but I'm also considering the view that the whole line, MacBooks and iMacs, will go Arrandale next year.

t0mat0 said:
Could Intel pull a 35W Clarksfield out of the hat for the next MacBook Pro?
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45 W Clarksfield is 35 W in Penryn terms. So it would fit in the MacBook Pro. The most concrete info I've seen about Clarksfield says the low-end model (successor to 2.0 GHz Penryn quad) is 45 W while the other two (successors to 2.27/2.53 GHz) are 55 W.
 
t0mat0 said:
What's happening with Clarksfield release date - is Arrandale going to slide? Presuming it's too hot for a laptop, will Intel get Apple Arrandale by November?
Could Intel pull a 35W Clarksfield out of the hat for the next MacBook Pro?
Click to expand...
Clarksfield's release date is unchanged as H2 2009 leaning more heavily toward Q3. Arrandale's release date is also unchanged at H1 2010, leaning towards Q1.

Apple doesn't need a 35W TDP Clarksfield for the MacBook Pro. They just need high clock speed 45W TDP Clarksfield. Clarksfield is a quad-core chip with the northbridge chipset integrated and so the 45W TDP includes both parts. Current MacBook Pros use 35W TDP CPUs and the 9400M has a 12W TDP so 47W. Going to 45W TDP Clarksfield will actually be cooler. Going to 55W TDP Clarksfield from the current 47W TDP may not be much of a stretch for the 17" MBP at least, especially if the southbridge is more power efficient and the GPU is choosen carefully. It's also important to note that Nehalem has better power control logic than Penryn, so even if TDP is higher, average usage should still see lower heat and longer battery life.

And on the IGP issue, it's painfully obvious that Apple's alliance with nVidia IGPs is short lived. With the northbridge already integrated in the CPU, there is no need for a separate northbridge with a IGP as is the case now. Clarksfield also doesn't come with an Intel IGP. Clarksfield and Arrandale also don't have QPI links and only have DMI links that are low-bandwidth and only suitable for connecting a southbridge. The good thing is that this should force Apple to include discrete GPUs.
 
commander.data said:
I think the Quadro FX 5800 is very likely since the Mac Pro is missing a high-end GPU option. The 512MB HD4870 is a mid-range card with a MSRP of $150 so it should have replaced the HD2600XT not the 8800GT. Personally, I'm hoping that Apple adds the upcoming 1GB HD4890 alongside the Quadro FX 5800 since the HD4890 is a true high-end GPU.

In regards the 3.2GHz model, if it's introduced it'll have to be as an option on top rather than directly replacing a previous model since Intel has no near-term Xeon price drops planned. People shouldn't have much reason to complain since there would be no changes to existing configurations.


Heat shouldn't be a big issue. The 3.2GHz Harpertowns used in the previous Mac Pros had 150W TDPs for 300W total. Dual 3.2GHz Nehalems with 2x130W TDPs would still have breathing room.

Personally, I'm still disappointed with Apple's overall CPU choices for the Mac Pro. The entry level Nehalem Mac Pro uses a 130W TDP 2.66GHz W5320 which costs $284 (http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=39718&code=W3520). In contrast, the previous entry level Mac Pro used dual 2.8GHz Harpertown E5462 which cost $797 each (http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=33084&code=e5462). Since Intel has each price point representing a performance class, Apple is choosing significantly lower-end CPUs for the latest Mac Pro, but I can't see them making changes now.
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Agreed on all points, but maybe an HD 4890 is being a bit too optimistic (although it would be awesome). Apple's never really been at the cutting edge for graphics cards and they probably won't make an exception.

I'm assuming the Nehalem chips Apple will use for their notebook will be dual-core (4 threads, i.e. virtual quad core). I hope Apple gets rid of the useless two graphics cards design and just have one strong graphics card which can downclock to save energy in the MBP.

I also hope the iMac comes down in price again and they offer better graphics cards all round in preparation for Snowy (HD 4770 please) :).
 
P-Worm said:
That's the first thing I thought of. The only thing this could be reference to is the much rumored Apple Phenomenon, but that has seen so little light that I consider it vaporware.

P-Worm
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Yeah, strange about the Shake update. Shake is dead!

Maybe thre just putting it in there because it still listed as a Apple Pro App. There was a 4.1.1 update a month ago or so.

Werid
 

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nuckinfutz said:
Yup I'm thinking Phenomenon is V-A-P-O-R

Apple hasn't shown me that they can develop a Shake class application from the ground.
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Hell, Apple hasn't even shown that they can buy a decent app and even keep it up to the same standard - see Logic.
 
milo said:
Hell, Apple hasn't even shown that they can buy a decent app and even keep it up to the same standard - see Logic.
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Jury is still out deliberating on Logic. Though let me not mince words here. Logic, prior to Apple ownership and UI reworking, was a mess. Once the learning curve was done I'm sure it was ok but for new users it was anything but "Logic" in design. Good news is, now that the UI is done I expect more rapid development of Logic.
 
i don't know, that's a lot of stuff in there for one rumor. i sure hope snow leopard gets here before that though
 
fleshman03 said:
Hey - what are the the icons under the user name? Are they new or am I just loosing my mind?
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Whether you are loosening or tightening your mind is your business, but if you mouse over the icons I think you'll understand why these icons appeared today... :p ;)
 
~Shard~ said:
Whether you are loosening or tightening your mind is your business, but if you mouse over the icons I think you'll understand why these icons appeared today... :p ;)
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Fixed... Funny though...

It says "rule A" "rule j) that kind of thing....
 
sn00pie said:
Bumping to Nehalem? That's going to make a few people angry.
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not really, my macbook will still perform great even when new versions come out...plus anyone can simply sell and "upgrade" for a minimal cost difference if they have to be on the front lines of new technology.

hearing about the news now may make some people upset but november is still 7 months away...
 
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