NVIDIA insider chimes in on new iMacs, mini and Mac Pro
A recently reliable third party claims that Apple plans to launch some NVIDIA-based iMacs at Macworld -- including a possible 28-inch model -- and that Intel's new Core i7 platform may play a greater role in the Mac maker's lineup than expected.
Ryan Shrout of PC Perspective claims to have heard that Apple will have "at least" four iMacs enroute this week that use the NVIDIA MCP79 (GeForce 9400M) chipset that Apple itself has inadvertently confirmed through its own system files referencing unreleased versions of the desktops.
Two of these will reportedly be 20-inch models, with a higher-end version carrying the same GeForce 9600M as for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Two 24-inch versions are also said scheduled and would use the 9600M in the base model while moving to the much faster 9800M in a top-end version.
Provocatively, however, Shrout also claims to have received word of a new, 28-inch version that would mark a radical break from its smaller counterparts.
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.
Other systems are allegedly slated to get updates in the near future as well. Supporting both Apple's leak and others, Shrout believes some form of the MCP79 chipset is bound for the Mac mini but will be underclocked versus that in the MacBook and MacBook Pro, if faster than in the extremely thin MacBook Air.
He also believes Mac Pros will be upgraded to Core i7 architecture early this year; while claiming it will use a similar platform, the processor is more likely to be one of Intel's new Core i7-based Xeons than the consumer-grade parts. Even so, the similarity between the supersized iMac and the Mac Pro tower is described as small enough that the main difference will be the workstation's dedicated graphics, which Shrout hears will use some variant of NVIDIA's GT200 graphics card line.
Some of these systems may not necessarily ship to stores at or shortly after the start of Macworld Expo. The 28-inch iMac and the Mac Pro will supposedly be pushed back to February where the smaller iMacs and the Mac mini are more likely to ship quickly.
Whether or not this latest report is accurate is less than clear. Although he uses a suspected fake mockup of a Mac mini to illustrate one of his points, Shrout's insight was key to confirming NVIDIA-based MacBooks as early as the summer; the technology writer is now thought to have sources close to NVIDIA, which is now effectively Apple's premier partner for mainboards and graphics.
With Phil Schiller's opening keynote just two days away, and AppleInsider's own sources anticipating Mac minis in the near future, these latest claims should be tested soon.
Ryan Shrout of PC Perspective claims to have heard that Apple will have "at least" four iMacs enroute this week that use the NVIDIA MCP79 (GeForce 9400M) chipset that Apple itself has inadvertently confirmed through its own system files referencing unreleased versions of the desktops.
Two of these will reportedly be 20-inch models, with a higher-end version carrying the same GeForce 9600M as for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Two 24-inch versions are also said scheduled and would use the 9600M in the base model while moving to the much faster 9800M in a top-end version.
Provocatively, however, Shrout also claims to have received word of a new, 28-inch version that would mark a radical break from its smaller counterparts.
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.
Other systems are allegedly slated to get updates in the near future as well. Supporting both Apple's leak and others, Shrout believes some form of the MCP79 chipset is bound for the Mac mini but will be underclocked versus that in the MacBook and MacBook Pro, if faster than in the extremely thin MacBook Air.
He also believes Mac Pros will be upgraded to Core i7 architecture early this year; while claiming it will use a similar platform, the processor is more likely to be one of Intel's new Core i7-based Xeons than the consumer-grade parts. Even so, the similarity between the supersized iMac and the Mac Pro tower is described as small enough that the main difference will be the workstation's dedicated graphics, which Shrout hears will use some variant of NVIDIA's GT200 graphics card line.
Some of these systems may not necessarily ship to stores at or shortly after the start of Macworld Expo. The 28-inch iMac and the Mac Pro will supposedly be pushed back to February where the smaller iMacs and the Mac mini are more likely to ship quickly.
Whether or not this latest report is accurate is less than clear. Although he uses a suspected fake mockup of a Mac mini to illustrate one of his points, Shrout's insight was key to confirming NVIDIA-based MacBooks as early as the summer; the technology writer is now thought to have sources close to NVIDIA, which is now effectively Apple's premier partner for mainboards and graphics.
With Phil Schiller's opening keynote just two days away, and AppleInsider's own sources anticipating Mac minis in the near future, these latest claims should be tested soon.
Comments
With quad cores it must employ some new cooling architecture as rumored.
It was obvious that there could have been no better way to ease Phil Schiller's debut (and SJ's absence).
How about a 17" for those who don't need more than that?
19" 22" 24" 28" would be sweet though
I wonder if the rumored 28" will have IPS panel and LED backlighting like the 24" Cinema display.
But it would have to be 24", as 28 is just too big/bright, too much sensory stimulus for me.
Then I thought about it a little more... Currently, the backside of the Mac Mini uses a significant portion for cooling vents. If the image above were to be true, the entire rim around the top could be used for cooling, which would seem to allow for considerably better cooling from a much greater area of vents that are more evenly spread abound the device, as opposed to just having them on the back.
Then I thought that optical drive in the center is all wrong as that would seperate the MoBo and HDD.
Then I thought about that a little more... The old swivel head iMac had the optical drive between the MoBo and HDD (getting to that HDD was a complain PITA!), so I can't see why Apple couldn't put the MoBo on the bottom, then the optical drive, then a 2.5: HDD.
If this pic is true, then Apple is moving away from the xMac as this is an even smaller setup.
28"? Sounds ridiculous. I'm more likely to believe in the actual TV version of AppleTV rumor instead.
For once I have to disagree with you. Apple making TVs or TVs with AppleTV's integrated is not advantageous for them. Their are so many sizes and types that people use for Apple to be able to focus on the most profitable with a limited selection. And I don't 28" is anywhere near the most common size for consumers today, much less the next 6 months from now.
That's all fine and dandy, but when do we get a nice 30 inch LED cinema display?
If the iMac is going to be 28", I would hope that we'll see new ACDs as well, and hopefully at sized greater than 30".
Suddenly, 24-inches seems so small.
I hope for:
28-inch high resolution
8 GB RAM
LED backlight
replacing my 16-month old 24-inch iMac with a 28-inch one.
Suddenly, 24-inches seems so small.
I hope for:
28-inch high resolution
8 GB RAM
LED backlight
Let's hope Apple doesn't screw these models up with Gradient displays and uneven backlight issues... If they fix these issues that have been around since the silver iMacs... I will be in heaven!
The question is what would the resolution be on that screen.
Dave
Sounds like one hot show!
The question is what would the resolution be on that screen.
Dave
Or the housing of it.
Dwight Shrout's image of the supposed new Mac mini is interesting.My first thought is that it's clearly fake as why would it need a pop top like thick, stubby MacBook?
Then I thought about it a little more... Currently, the backside of the Mac Mini uses a significant portion for cooling vents. If the image above were to be true, the entire rim around the top could be used for cooling, which would seem to allow for considerably better cooling from a much greater area of vents that are more evenly spread abound the device, as opposed to just having them on the back.
Then I thought that optical drive in the center is all wrong as that would seperate the MoBo and HDD.
Then I thought about that a little more... The old swivel head iMac had the optical drive between the MoBo and HDD (getting to that HDD was a complain PITA!), so I can't see why Apple couldn't put the MoBo on the bottom, then the optical drive, then a 2.5: HDD.
If this pic is true, then Apple is moving away from the xMac as this is an even smaller setup.
Once again, that image is SO faked. If any of my typography students brought me a piece of work with the kerning between the "d's" in "world's" like that, I'd fail them on that assignment. There is no way that would pass muster with any decent typographer, let alone Apple's print design team, ad agency, etc.
Dwight Shrout's image of the supposed new Mac mini is interesting.My first thought is that it's clearly fake as why would it need a pop top like thick, stubby MacBook?
Then I thought about it a little more... Currently, the backside of the Mac Mini uses a significant portion for cooling vents. If the image above were to be true, the entire rim around the top could be used for cooling, which would seem to allow for considerably better cooling from a much greater area of vents that are more evenly spread abound the device, as opposed to just having them on the back.
Then I thought that optical drive in the center is all wrong as that would seperate the MoBo and HDD.
Then I thought about that a little more... The old swivel head iMac had the optical drive between the MoBo and HDD (getting to that HDD was a complain PITA!), so I can't see why Apple couldn't put the MoBo on the bottom, then the optical drive, then a 2.5: HDD.
If this pic is true, then Apple is moving away from the xMac as this is an even smaller setup.
That looks very nice even though it might be fake. They'll need a smaller MacBook Air if the rumors about Dell's new laptop are true about it being thinner.
I wouldn't count the xMac out just yet.
With the Mac Pro looking to get an upgrade we should also see the xServer get a boost in the coming months. It'll be interesting to see how Apple supports the business market. xBlade is still a far off rumor that may never see the light of day.
All I can say is I've been hoping for new imacs since I'm in the market to finally get one but I've been waiting until MW. If the 28' i7 rumor is true, oh baby, that's the imac for me. name your price apple!