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Apple Releases Plethora of New Hardware: Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac

Aviv — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:11:05 +0000

Mac Pro

Apple today has released an upgrade to its professional line desktop, the Mac Pro. Alongside redesigned interiors that make it easier to expand the machine, the new Mac Pro includes Intel “Nehalem” Xeon processors capable of running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz.

“The new Mac Pro is a significant upgrade and starts at $300 less than before,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The Mac Pro features an advanced system architecture, new faster processors and our best-ever graphics options to deliver a faster, more powerful system that our professional customers are going to love.”

“An optional ATI Radeon HD 4870 is available for even more performance. With both a Mini DisplayPort and DVI port, the new Mac Pro provides out-of-the-box support for the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display, the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, or other DVI based displays. ”

iMac

Apple also released updates to its all-in-one desktop machine, the iMac. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the machine’s price. For $1,499 you can now purchase a 24-inch iMac for the same price as the previous generation 20-inch model.

“Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $1,499,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO.

“The elegant, full-featured iMac line starts with the 20-inch iMac for only $1,199 with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory, a 320GB Serial ATA hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. The 24-inch iMac features a beautiful 1920-by-1200 pixel widescreen display that offers 30 percent more screen real estate than the 20-inch model, and starts at just $1,499. The 24-inch iMac includes up to a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory, a 640GB or 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, and a variety of graphics technology from NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics for ultimate performance.”

Mac mini

And for those fearing the end of the Mac mini, Apple rekindled some old flames by giving some much needed attention to the Mac mini in the form of sweet upgrades. The new Mac mini “features the same groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics introduced with the aluminum unibody MacBook family.”

“The Mac mini is not only our most affordable Mac, it’s also the world’s most energy efficient desktop computer,” said Apple COO, Tim Cook.

“Starting at $599, the Mac mini is an innovative, tiny desktop measuring only 6.5 by 6.5 by 2-inches. Available in two models, Mac mini features a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, up to 320GB Serial ATA hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and a SuperDrive®. The Mac mini features NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for up to five times better graphics performance than before* and now with dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections. Using less than 13 watts of power at idle, up to 10 times less power than a typical desktop PC, the new Mac mini is the most energy efficient desktop in the world.”

The All New Mac Pro: Sleeker, Sexier and More Refined

Dave — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:49:16 +0000

While everyone waits for Apple to update their Mac Pro workstation, we felt it best to render out some 3D concepts based on what we hope to see, coupled with what makes most sense for Apple moving forward with the machine.

Originally announced on August 7, 2006 at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) the Mac Pro had taken the reigns from its predecessor, the Power Mac G5, becoming Apple’s high end workhorse machine known for its outward appearance and capacity for expansion. On January 8, 2008 Apple introduced the 3.2 GHz, dual quad-core Intel Xeon (Harpertown 45nm), becoming Apple’s most powerful machine to date, yet retained its familiar facade. Over a year has passed since the last Mac Pro update, leading many to believe that an overhaul will be unveiled in the near future.

Set as the Intel-based replacement for Apple’s Power Mac G5, the much anticipated Mac Pro gave users a viable high end option. Rumors and speculation of the Mac Pro’s appearance became wildly popular as even the machine’s namesake became clear due to the company’s dropping of the term “power” for “pro” on their higher end notebook. The Mac Pro has been generally well received since its launch, and users have primarily responded well to the updates that it has seen over the past couple of years. Its performance, expandability and sleek design makes the Mac Pro an industry standard high performance piece of machinery that is often the mark by which others are compared. The Mac Pro’s price points can seem rather steep, as an uber supped model can easily fetch in excess of $20,000, yet the performance speaks for itself.

As of late there has been minimal speculation or rumors regarding a Mac Pro update. Over the past couple of weeks, we have caught word of a few minor aesthetic enhancements including the loss of its cheese grater-esque front and back exterior for a more refined laser cut micro-perforated face. Additionally, conceptual slot loading front end drives will allow the Mac Pro shed its outdated mug and eliminate the risk of breakage. It’s important to remember that Apple most likely won’t completely redesign its high-end professional line of machines. Instead, subtle and elegant refinements throughout the machine making for a much sleeker and sexier look is what we expect to see. Apple will most likely make use of its new aluminum manufacturing methods as well.

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

As far as ports are concerned, we believe that a new Mac Pro could sport additional USB 2.0 inputs, a single FireWire 400 and multiple FireWire 800 ports, dual eSATA and HDMI inputs and also be able to support the new 24″ LED Cinema Displays with dual Mini DisplayPorts and MagSafe power. Two Dual-link DVI ports would remain on the machine for users of the older Apple Cinema Displays.

Recent evidence has also pointed to the adoption of the new eight-core Intel Nehalem class processors that are set to be announced at next month’s International Solid-State Circuits Conference. The ISSCC notes that Intel will show off an “eight-core, 16-thread Xeon processor manufactured with a 45-nanometer process,” that would certainly lend itself nicely to a Mac Pro update. The Mac Pro has not been given any sort of love in over a year, making way for an update that may include new processors which would boost the machine’s overall speed and performance.

Slap on a shiny black trimmed Apple logo to match the new notebook line and you’ve got yourself one hot machine. Without even so much of a whisper about the Mac Pro at this past Macworld ‘09, we expect to see it receive some attention over the next couple of months.

More Intel Evidence Shows that Mac Pro May be Moving to Nehalem

Aviv — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:04:24 +0000

Intel is set to unveil its first new eight-core processor next month at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco. A peak at the show’s program sheds light on the notion that these are Nehalem class processors that may find there way into Apple’s Mac Pro workstation and XServes.

The ISSCC program, which you can download here, states that Intel will discuss an “eight-core, 16-thread Xeon processor manufactured with a 45-nanometer process”. Macworld notes that this likely suggests the Nehalem class processors which have been rumored since November.

Thanx to 9to5mac for the Intel Roadmap image

As we explained back in November, “Currently, Apple’s Mac Pro uses Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Harpertown” processors, and they max out at 3.2Ghz. It only seems like a natural progression for Apple’s top of the line desktop workstations to adopt the new Xeon CPUs Intel unveils, which will be equipped with Core i7’s QuickPath architecture.” Additional speculation leads Macworld to believe that these processors will be dubbed the Tylersburg platform.

The timing of the presentation suggests the eight-core Xeon processor is likely to be the Nehalem EP processor, an upcoming chip that is designed for dual-socket servers and workstations. This segment of the Xeon line is due for a refresh, and the Nehalem EP processor is scheduled to be released during early 2009.

Like other Nehalem chips, the Nehalem EP chips will include an integrated memory controller and use Intel’s Quick Path Interconnect (QPI), which replaces the front-side bus and allows more data to flow between the processors and other components in the computer, speeding up the computer’s overall performance.

The Mac Pro hasn’t been touched in over a year. The new processors would boost performance even higher in Apple’s desktop workstations and make them among the first to market with these innards. While some had speculated that the Mac Pro would be mentioned at Macworld ‘09, this did not happen and we still expect to see it get some attention in the next few months.

An Apple “Desktop Media Event” in Early February?

Aviv — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:13:05 +0000

Digital Daily’s John Paczkowski kicks off speculation about what the industry may see from Apple in the coming weeks after Macworld ‘09. If new products are in fact planned, Apple may already have something lined up.

Given the announcements at Macworld ‘09, Apple left many wondering when a few products would get some attention. In particular, the Mac mini, long overdue Cinema Displays, Mac Pro, and a speedbumped iMac weren’t mentioned, but all are rumored to be coming “soon,” in one way or another.

“Clearly there’s quite a precedent for post-Macworld announcements, and in all likelihood this year will see a few as well. Certainly, an Apple desktop event later this month or in early February would be an elegant way for the company to dovetail the official release of iLife ’09 with some new desktop hardware, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Macintosh and prove once and for all that it doesn’t need Macworld to publicize new product releases,” Paczkowski explains.

Apple has historically used late January and February as launch months for new products during their lifecycles, so it’s rather expected that we see something announced shortly. “Apple has on many occasions uncrated new products on the heels of Macworld,” Paczkowski explains. “In February of 2008, the company announced new iPhone & iPod touch models. In February of 2006 it debuted the Intel Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi. In January 2005 it uncrated new PowerBooks and a month later, it announced a new iPod mini and an update to iPod photo.”

28″ iMac, Mac Pro Rumored to Start Shipping in February

Aviv — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:26:03 +0000

PC Perspective’s Ryan Shrout has released some information regarding a few upcoming products we may see at Macworld this week. While most of the information corroborates with what we’ve heard, new specs regarding a 28″ iMac and new Mac Pros have popped up as well.

The report claims that Apple’s new iMacs should be making an appearance soon, most likely at Macworld, along with the widely anticipated Mac Minis. However, the 28″ iMac, along with supposedly new Mac Pros will begin shipping in February. Still though, Shrout believes Apple may announce these new machines at Macworld with a delayed shipping date.

Shout explains: The above five products (four iMacs and one Mac Mini) I feel nearly 100% confident are correct for tomorrow’s MacWorld Expo. There are some other parts that I have seen information on but haven’t seen creep up into the world of rumors quite yet. The most exciting of which is the possibility of a new 28″ iMac! Besides the much larger form factor and increased screen real estate, the hardware inside such a machine looks to be much different than the 20″/24″ iMacs; instead of using Intel’s Core 2 line of processors with the NVIDIA MC79 chipset these new computers are likely to use the new Intel Core i7 processor along with the Tylersburg chipset and platform.

Of the new iMacs expected, Apple Insider explains:

Instead of using the 9400M as its foundation, the system would use Intel’s X58 chipset and a processor using the Core i7 (previously codenamed Nehalem) architecture. As a result, it would not only include the four cores thought to be present in the upcoming Core 2-based iMac updates but would gain HyperThreading support that at times mimics the behavior of an eight-core system. NVIDIA at most would be used for dedicated graphics in the all-in-one computer.

Back in November, reports indicated that Intel leaks pointed to Mac Pro updates early in 2009, so the timing is naturally expected. The Mac Pro hasn’t been updated since January 2008, so some attention is due. In regards to Macworld, Our Rumor Roundup covers nearly everything that’s rumored for the week.

Intel Leaks Point to Mac Pro Updates Early Next Year?

Aviv — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:35:17 +0000

Digitimes is reporting that “sources at server makers” are pointing to a first quarter 2009 launch for Intel’s new Nehalem class (Xeon 5500, 3500) CPUs.

The two last Mac Pro updates Apple unveiled were on January 8, 2008, and April 4, 2007. MacRumors’ Buyer’s Guide has more information. Apple has recently squashed any rumors by announcing “no new products before the holidays.” However Intel’s roadmap, specifically with their server class chipsets, could point us to intelligently reason that Apple’s Mac Pro line would adopt these new, more powerful CPUs.

Currently, Apple’s Mac Pro uses Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Harpertown” processors, and they max out at 3.2Ghz. It only seems like a natural progression for Apple’s top of the line desktop workstations to adopt the new Xeon CPUs Intel unveils, which will be equipped with Core i7’s QuickPath architecture. A comprehensive list of benchmarks and reviews by TheInquirer can be found here.

“The faster Xeon 5500 line will be dominated by quad-core chips and should be headlined by a 3.2GHz, 130-watt Xeon W5580. Its Level 2 cache will drop from 12MB to 8MB but should be offset by Core i7’s QuickPath architecture, which reduces the lag in accessing memory and peripherals. It should cost about $1,600 in batches of 1,000 for computer suppliers,” Electronista explains.

Xeon 5500 series: quad-core W5580 (3.2GHz), X5570 (2.93GHz), X5560 (2.8GHz), X5550 (2.66GHz), E5540 (2.53GHz), E5530 (2.4GHz), E5520 (2.26GHz), E5506 (2.13GHz), E5504 (2GHz) and dual-core E5502 with prices at US$1,600, US$1,386, US$1,172, US$958, US$744, US$530, US$373, US$266, US$224 and US$188 in thousand-unit tray quantities.
Xeon 3500 series: Intel will launch three CPUs: quad-core W3570, W3540 and W3520 priced at US$999, US$562 and US$284.

As noted above, Apple’s Mac Pro does not have a consistent record for being released early in the year. However, seeing as how its most recent update was early January 2008, the information unveiled today can be correlated with the possible adoption by Apple’s workstations in the first quarter of 2009. Some have speculated that Macworld ‘09 could be a launching pad for the new machine. Last year, Apple unveiled the updated Mac Pro during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), even though Macworld was only a week away.

Interestingly, in January 2009, Macworld and CES will overlap. CES runs from January 8-11 and Macworld runs from January 5-9. A product announcement prior to Macworld seems unlikely. However, stealing some of CES’ thunder could become a favorite past-time for Cupertino, so we’ll see in January.