Archive for: mac pro
The big news surrounding Apple today is that it’s Tuesday — a day that at several points during the year is the birth date of new Apple products and mild refreshes. What did Apple have in store for us?
The iMac line did in fact get the highly rumored Core i3 dual-core processors for the lower end units. Ranging in speed from 3.06GHz-3.2GHz, the small increase in speed isn’t quite as important as the change in architecture. Intel’s Core i3 dual-core line is a considerably better proc than the aging Core 2 Duo. All iMac’s have received minor bumps in graphics cards (ATI 5670 and 5750) and slightly more capacious entry-level hard drive options. Awesomeness all around.
Moving onto bigger and better things, the iMac’s bigger brother, however, received an even bigger shot of muscle, with new processor options randing from 4 all the way up to 12 cores — 12…count them…12! Sadly we’ll have to wait a few more days-weeks as the new Mac Pros are listed as “coming in August”. At the very least, a few more days isn’t so bad, is it? I can lie and say I’d stress a 12-core Mac Pro, but it would be nothing more than pure bragging rights. Hey, we all deserve to smile.
Taking a step away from the computers themselves and focusing on accessories, Apple took the wraps off of their new Magic Trackpad — $69 — (think of it as a cross between the Magic Mouse and your standard laptop trackpad…except way bigger). 
I personally don’t have much use for the trackpad at this point, though I could see how it would be a huge help and time saver in many different types of editing applications and possibly even normal web browsing when gesture-based controls are used.
And last but not least — a new battery charger.
**Almost forgot — The IPS-based Cinema display now tops out at 27″ and features 2560 x 1440 resolution all for a cool $999.
It looks like Apple is putting the final touches on a brand new 27″ LED Cinema Display, as well as a fatty update to the Mac Pro lineup this June. The Mac Pro has been slated for a refresh for a while, and with the release of the i7 iMac, I would only assume the Mac Pro would be the next in line. It has been reported by AppleInsider that the Cupertino pimps will possibly be sticking with Xeon processors from Intel, supposedly the Xeon 5600 Series “Gulftown” chips for the guts.
This beast is reported to be buffing up to a whopping 12-cores! At the moment, we are given the option for 4 and 8 core models, with this update it is rumored we’ll be seeing 6 and 12 core models available. With the chips Apple is reportedly going to be using, I would assume we’ll see a hefty price jump, but only time will tell.
Also in June, as I mentioned above, Apple will be adding a bigger LED Cinema Display to it’s roster. Currently we have the 24″ model introduced back in 2008, we now will have a bigger sexier model measuring in at 27 inches and sporting a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. It will contain similar components to that of the 27″ iMac recently released, but hopefully won’t mirror the problems we had with that model late last year.
So with these major upgrades to Apples roster, I’m assuming this will make the business world, as well as the fanboy basement parties very happy. We don’t have any pricing info yet, but with the release set for another 3 or so months, I’m sure we’ll be getting something soon.
AppleInsider
- February 10, 2010 3:03 pm
As Apple transitions more towards actual desktop processors in the iMac line, heat is going to be an issue. The next logical step would be to add water cooling. But such setups take up pretty generous amounts of room — something the iMac doesn’t really have much of. But when there’s a will, there’s a way. A patent filed way back in ’06 showed Apple to be working on a type of iMac water cooled dock. While a dock and an actual iMac implementation are two completely different things, as processor speeds, cores, and demands rise, cooling will be an even greater necessity than before.
What kind of water cooling system would fit in something with as little space to spare as an iMac? That’s a good question. I’m not a hardware engineer so I can’t really offer up any beneficial solutions. Besides space requirements, actually maintaining and keeping a water cooled computer running is a much bigger job than a non-water cooled one. Spills and leaks are the number one danger of course, seeing as how water and electronics are violent enemies. Shockingly horrific self destruction tales aside, we have to expect that water cooling would come at some point, wouldn’t we?
Not necessarily. Just because a patent is filed doesn’t mean said feature is coming soon if ever. Sadly, in this day and age it is easier to file for a slew of patents just to cover you ass in stead of actually filing for patents on products you intend on bringing to market.
Another point worth mentioning — Mac Pro’s have a considerable amount more stuffed inside the case. From processors, to RAM, hard drives, and big fat video cards, I’d wager there’s quite a bit more heat under the hood of a Mac Pro than an iMac. Conversely, there’s also more room for cooling and fans. Valid points can be made both for and against water cooling. But really, it all comes full circle, back to reliability.
The only Mac’s to get water cooling from the factory were the higher-end 2.5GHz Dual-core G5′s. Even with Apple’s extra thorough testing and scrutinizing eye, the use of water cooling in the high-end G5′s was marginal at best. Ultimately, maintaining the water cooling system was more of a chore than the typical hands off approach Apple hardware boasts of.
Perhaps Apple is ready to give it another go. As we look towards the upcoming 6-core Gulftown processors and even larger graphics cards, unless something in those devices designs changes drastically, the heat issue for Apple, and iMac’s more specifically, are only going to grow.
What do you think? It’s no secret that Apple probably has a few water cooling test solutions working away, deep inside some secret Apple bunker. But will these designs ever make it to market? Or will Apple work some of their magic on the internal structures of iMacs, Macbooks, and Mac Pros to make them even more heat resistant without water cooling?
MacDailyNews > Patently Apple
[Image Source]
- February 2, 2010 10:14 am
It wouldn’t be the first time you know. Apple has over the years received special attention when it comes to the brainy silicon chips that power everything inside our computers. Everyone is currently rantin’ and ravin’ about the Core i7 iMac’s (both good and bad). And for most general consuemrs, the Core i7 (heck, even the Core 2 Duo and i5 variants) are more than plenty. But we’re not “normal” are we?
New word on the streets is that we can expect to see Apple enjoy a similar exclusive period as years past on Intel’s latest and greatest — namely the Core i9 980X and i9 970 processors. The former has a clock speed of 3.33GHz, 12MB of L3 cache and 12 threads (2 for each core…super hard math). The slightly cheaper though still screaming i9 970 will of course be clocked slightly slower and with a little less L3 cache. And for the enthusiasts, expect a dual 6-core option to bump the thread count to 24! Ya, pretty intense.
The numbers alone on the 980X are pretty drool inducing and make the wait until March (launch month) all the more harder. I know everyone in the world isn’t an Apple fan so let’s ask: Are you for or against Apple getting preferential treatment from Intel and access to the latest chips early?
AppleInsider
In what is definitely going to be a good day for Apple fans everywhere, in addition to updated iMacs, the Mac Pros are receiving their own welcomed upgrades. Follow on through for the goods.
Well folks the Apple Store is down which can only mean one thing. The rumors from yesterday about today being the grand revealing of revamped iMacs, Mac Pros, and Mac Mini’s is looking rather believable right now. Soon we will know. So which new iProduct will you be purchasing?
Source: Engadget
Chalk this up there as a big ‘ol rumor. This evening a flurry of activity is making its way around the digital world concerning Apple’s pretty much known refreshes for their iMacs, Mac Pros, and Mac Minis. The date that’s has been rumored so far is March 24th. However someone let slip tomorrow as the day of reckoning and now Mac fanboys everywhere are pouncing. While I would greatly appreciate tomorrow as a nice surprise, I don’t think tomorrow is a very plausible date. For one, Apple loves being the center of attention. CeBiT and PMA are both going on right now meaning Apple would have to compete for the media’s attention. Also, with so many refreshes and announcements to make, one would think Apple would do it in a more traditional method such as at a “show” and sending invites ot the media. However that hasn’t happened. Tomorrow is Tuesday however, Apple’s favorite day of the week so anything is possible. Come inside for the low down on what is supposed to be announced tomorrow…if not later this month..the list is pretty long so take a seat.
March 24th is the date for Apple junkies to mark on their calendars. Supposedly that’s when Apple will hold their next event and showcase their newest iMacs, Mac Pro’s and Mac Mini’s to the world. All I can say is I hope so! The iMac’s are rumored to be getting updated Nvidia graphics like the Macbooks as well as possibly a quad-core option. The Mac Pro’s are said to be receiving updated Xeon processors. And the Mini? More power? More storage? Start the guessing folks! Apple hasn’t publicly announced anything yet nor sent out any press invites. So here’s hopin’ for the best.
Source: Slashgear, My Apple Guide
- January 26, 2009 11:06 am
One of the biggest upgrades that has been rumored for Apple’s iMac lineup is the move to quad-core processors. The jump will bring pretty big performance increases in programs designed for multiple cores such as graphics software among others. However, new information is starting to show that iMacs may stay dual-core. Why you ask?
.jpg "surprise")
