Rumor has Apple hoarding supply of new 3.2GHz Xeons

[AppleInsider]

Apple is hoping to net the better part of Intel's high-end Penryn-based Xeon microprocessor when they launch next month, according to questionable reports based out of Japan.

The Inquirer, whose Apple-related track record is debatable, is citing sources in Tokyo who say the Mac maker has "pre-booked" the majority of Intel's upcoming 3.2GHz quad-core Xeon processors for the next-generation of its Mac Pro workstations.

The 45-nanometer chips, code-named "Harpertown," are indeed amongst the successors to those used in the existing Mac Pro. Pricing leaked out of Intel in August would have them fetching well over $1000 each, however, making for some pricey Apple desktops given that each Mac Pro would require two of these chips. It would also require that Apple update the Mac Pro's underlying architecture to accommodate a 1600MHz front-side bus.

Apple's modern day equivalent to such a system would be its custom-configuded 8-Core Mac Pro, which employs two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Clovertown" processors running on a 1333MHz front-side bus and retailing for $4000. The report suggests that Apple anticipates selling so many of these niche machines, that other PC manufacturers like Dell and HP would barely have enough supply of the 3.2GHz chips to announce availability of rival offerings.

Where the Inquirer's report really becomes suspect *is in its further claim that Apple is also craving tons of Intel's upcoming Yorkfield Extreme chips for its "mainstream boxes." Unfortunately, Apple's mainstream boxes are its iMacs, which are based on mobile chips, and Yorkfield is the successor to the Core 2 Quad (Kentsfield), which is based on a chip family Apple has never used. *

That being said, Intel earlier this year confirmed that it was supplying Apple with exclusive allotments of the aforementioned 3GHz quad-core "Clovertown" chips for the Mac Pro several months ahead of other system builders. Therefore, the claims regarding "Harpertown" cannot be completely ruled out.

According to the "Harpertown" related information accidentally leaked by Intel in August, the chips are slated to launch November 11th.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Joe_the_dragon]

a mac pro with 2 $1,172 cpus and FB-dimms apples price $4000 - $5000 1gb of ram?

At lest they are statring to use DESKTOP CPUS for there other macs.

[minderbinder]

I hope this means that Apple will start looking at actually using desktop chips in their desktops. Intel's mainstream desktop line has nice bang for the buck, and Apple hasn't taken advantage of it yet.

[Ireland]

If someone mentions xMac I will figuratively hurt them

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Ireland

If someone mentions xMac I will figuratively hurt them

Is it bad that I'm tempted to say it just to find out what the heck you have in mind?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Joe_the_dragon

a mac pro with 2 $1,172 cpus and FB-dimms apples price $4000 - $5000 1gb of ram?

That sounds like more of the same, that sounds like that's the price of the Clovertowns when they were released.

At lest they are statring to use DESKTOP CPUS for there other macs.

That's from this unconfirmed report, right? I think that's quite a dubious report unless they are very low power desktop, because the new, thinner iMacs are need very low power chips to stay cool. Now, there is a chance that there is a new machine coming whose informal code name shall not be repeated, that would be cool, but I'm not counting on it yet.

[Walter Slocombe]

Originally Posted by Ireland

If someone mentions xMac I will figuratively hurt them

YOU brought it up, does that mean you self harm?

[shanmugam]

everything is good with Apple!, all set for Leopard announcement and we have some upgrades to go with!

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Where the Inquirer's report really becomes suspect *is in its further claim that Apple is also craving tons of Intel's upcoming Yorkfield Extreme chips for its "mainstream boxes." Unfortunately, Apple's mainstream boxes are its iMacs, which are based on mobile chips, and Yorkfield is the successor to the Core 2 Quad (Kentsfield), which is based on a chip family Apple has never used. *

xMac

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

xMac

*slap*

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Walter Slocombe

YOU brought it up, does that mean you self harm?

Heck Walter you deserve a slap anyway *slap*

[mrtotes]

Macosrumours .. an even more unreliable source is reporting that the Mac Mini is to be replaced by the Mac Nano in the coming weeks. That would surely leave room in the desktop line up for an xMac.

</pure speculation>

[jasenj1]

New MacBooks!

- Jasen.

[daratbastid]

apple needs a low end mac "workstation"... Strictly a tower no screen for 999-1499..something you can expand that uses desktop class parts...they will not penetrate business with an imac and mac pro is overkill..this is an open gap imo

They can call it simply.... The Mac i guess

[pixelcruncher]

It would be just ducky if Apple made a very public effort to impress pro users. If OS, software, and hardware were firing on all cylinders, I'd be pleased as punch. I've been holding off purchasing a long time now.

[Thomaspin]

Fine, insightful, analytical reporting, especially on the issue of the veracity of the source.

Thank you.

[quinney]

Originally Posted by daratbastid

apple needs a low end mac "workstation"... Strictly a tower no screen for 999-1499..something you can expand that uses desktop class parts...they will not penetrate business with an imac and mac pro is overkill..this is an open gap imo

They can call it simply.... The Mac i guess

Are you any relation to my friend sandbagginratbastid??

[gugy]

MacPro and new displays in November PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by pixelcruncher

It would be just ducky if Apple made a very public effort to impress pro users. If OS, software, and hardware were firing on all cylinders, I'd be pleased as punch. I've been holding off purchasing a long time now.

Sorry, to me Apple seems too focused on just upgrading the CPU and the motherboard while continuously overlooking the other important pieces like the graphics and sound cards.

But a consumer-level Mac with actual desktop components would be nice (less than $1500). I also think Hell will freeze over before that happens though.

As for a name, I think Apple should play off their name...maybe call it the Braeburn, or Golden Delicious.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by mrtotes

Macosrumours .. an even more unreliable source is reporting that the Mac Mini is to be replaced by the Mac Nano in the coming weeks. That would surely leave room in the desktop line up for an xMac.

</pure speculation>

*slap*

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by daratbastid

apple needs a low end mac "workstation"... Strictly a tower no screen for 999-1499..something you can expand that uses desktop class parts...they will not penetrate business with an imac and mac pro is overkill..this is an open gap imo

They can call it simply.... The Mac i guess

*slap*

[Bageljoey]

Finally, a powerful CPU in the AppleTV.
When should we expect to see these in the iPhone? I guess I am going to wait to purchase...

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by caliminius

As for a name, I think Apple should play off their name...maybe call it the Braeburn, or Golden Delicious.

Granny Smith of course.

/Adrian

[donebylee]

Originally Posted by Zandros

Granny Smith of course.

/Adrian

Or paint it pink and call it the "Pink Lady" and donate the proceeds to the Breast Cancer association.

A pink Mac would satisfy all those "gaymers" out there...surely.

[MsNly]

The oMac...

or

The aMac (Apple-Mac)



the had eMacs, they have iMacs, time for another vowel

[onlooker]

Originally Posted by daratbastid

apple needs a low end mac "workstation"... Strictly a tower no screen for 999-1499..something you can expand that uses desktop class parts...they will not penetrate business with an imac and mac pro is overkill..this is an open gap imo

They can call it simply.... The Mac i guess

There is really no such thing as a low end workstation. It's just a desktop computer.

[ouragan]

Apple is also craving tons of Intel's upcoming Yorkfield Extreme chips for its "mainstream boxes." Unfortunately, Apple's mainstream boxes are its iMacs, which are based on mobile chips, and Yorkfield is the successor to the Core 2 Quad (Kentsfield), which is based on a chip family Apple has never used.

Let's hope it all becomes true. If so, I'll take a brand new Quad-core Penryn iMac with a Blue-ray drive.

That would definitely bring back the WOW! factor in the iMac brand. Impress me, Apple!

Go Intel, go!

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by MsNly

The oMac...

or

The aMac (Apple-Mac)



the had eMacs, they have iMacs, time for another vowel

how about uMac urMac?

hail hail xMac!

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by ouragan

Let's hope it becomes true. If so, I'll take a brand new Quad-core Penryn iMac with a Blue-ray drive.

That would definitely bring back the WOW! factor in the iMac brand. Impress me, Apple!

Go Intel, go!

that will be one HOT Machine, desktop CPU parts still rated 65W and more, unless some cooling innovation, it is impossible to put Desktop CPU in iMac, it more looks like xMac!

[onlooker]

Originally Posted by ouragan

Let's hope it all becomes true. If so, I'll take a brand new Quad-core Penryn iMac with a Blue-ray drive.

That would definitely bring back the WOW! factor in the iMac brand. Impress me, Apple!

Go Intel, go!

Obviously you didn't read that correctly. The iMac uses laptop processors. This is not a laptop processor.

[camimac]

Originally Posted by mrtotes

Macosrumours .. an even more unreliable source is reporting that the Mac Mini is to be replaced by the Mac Nano in the coming weeks. That would surely leave room in the desktop line up for an xMac.

</pure speculation>

Oh yes, please please please... now THAT would be a geek mental orgasm.

[gugy]

Originally Posted by mrtotes

Macosrumours .. an even more unreliable source

Man, every time somebody mention MacOSRumors as a source I want to vomit.

They are good for entertainment if you are bored.

[ouragan]

While Intel will launch Quad-core Extreme edition Penryn desktop processors on November 11, 2007, it will wait until January 2008 to launch mainstream Penryn Quad-core desktop processors destined for iMacs (with better pricing, lower GHz, and less heat). See Digitimes reproduced below:



==========

Intel 45nm desktop processors coming in November

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20070928PD207.html


Monica Chen, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES
Friday 28 September 2007


Intel plans to release the first 45nm desktop CPU, the Core 2 Extreme QX9650, on November 11, according to sources at motherboard makers.

The quad-core CPU will offer a frequency of 3.0GHz with 1333MHz FSB and 12MB L2 cache. As is typical for products in the Extreme series, pricing for the CPU will be set at US$999 in 1000-unit tray quantities.

In an update to previous reports, three 45nm quad-core CPUs (Yorkfield) and another three 45nm dual-core CPUs (Wolfdale) for desktops will be launched in January next year, noted the sources.

The three quad-core CPUs will include the Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz, 12MB L2 cache), Q9450 (2.66GHz, 12MB) and Q9300 (2.5GHz, 6MB), with pricing expected at US$530, US$316 and US$266 in 1000-unit tray quantities, respectively.

The three dual-core CPUs will include the Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz, 6MB L2 cache), E8400 (3.0GHz) and E8200 (2.66GHz) priced at US$266, US$183 and US$163 in 1000-unit tray quantities, respectively. Plans also include a fourth dual-core CPU, the E8300 (2.83Ghz, 6MB), but pricing and availability have not yet been set.

All the 45nm desktop CPUs will support Intel Virtualization technology, Intel Trusted Execution technology, Intel Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Intel 64 technology and Execute Disable Bit.

Intel declined the opportunity to respond to this report saying it cannot comment on unannounced products.

[suhail]

Originally Posted by MsNly

The oMac...

or

The aMac (Apple-Mac)



the had eMacs, they have iMacs, time for another vowel

Apple sMac, smacintosh!

[camimac]

Originally Posted by ouragan

While Intel will launch Quad-core Extreme edition Penryn desktop processors on November 11, 2007, it will wait until January 2008 to launch mainstream Penryn Quad-core desktop processors destined for iMacs (with better pricing, lower GHz, and less heat). See Digitimes reproduced below:

Who cares about quad-core processors, they are far too expensive anyway. Give me dual-core processors at close to 3 GHz for an xMac...

[melgross]

Originally Posted by daratbastid

apple needs a low end mac "workstation"... Strictly a tower no screen for 999-1499..something you can expand that uses desktop class parts...they will not penetrate business with an imac and mac pro is overkill..this is an open gap imo

They can call it simply.... The Mac i guess

Gee, you really ARE new here.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Ireland

*slap*

Be careful, you're becoming slap happy.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

Finally, a powerful CPU in the AppleTV.
When should we expect to see these in the iPhone? I guess I am going to wait to purchase...

Double Slap!

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by melgross

Be careful, you're becoming slap happy.

Quiet, you. *Slaps Melgross*


Heh.
BTW in between all the slapping and S&M did anybody notice

SPELLING:
"custom-configuded 8-Core Mac Pro"
should be
"custom-configured".

Though I would love to play with a custom-configurdedebooitylicchious 16-CoreMacPro BABY!

Just In: It will *still* ship with a 7300GT standard.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by melgross

Gee, you really ARE new here.

At least he hasn't started any "Apple fanboy-this... etc."