New iMacs and Mac minis confirmed to use NVIDIA chipsets
Apple's next-generation iMacs and Mac minis will adopt the same NVIDIA chipset platform found at the heart of the company's most recent notebook overhaul, new findings confirm once over.
A member of the InsanelyMac forums was recently rifling through the extension files that ship with the latest MacBooks and MacBooks Pros and discovered references to a "Macmini3,1" and "iMac9,1."
Running System Profiler on Apple's most current iMacs and Mac minis reveal the model number of those systems to be "Macmini2,1" and "iMac8,1," meaning the configuration files included with the company's latest notebooks are for still unannounced models.
Specifically, the extension file of interest pertains to a Mac's System Management Controller and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext). It includes a variety of information, including strings that identify the supporting chipset of each Mac.
The entries for the unannounced iMac and Mac minis list their chipset as the "CFG_MCP79," which is the same exact NVIDIA MCP79 platform employed by unibody MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs, which are similarly identified in the same file as the MacBook5,1, MacBookPro5,1, and MacBookAir2,1.
Also of interest is that the entries for the new iMac and Mac mini are dated 2008, which may provide evidence to support claims that these systems were originally targeted for a release in the November time frame but were pushed into the first quarter of the year due to unexpected delays.
While announcing its new notebook offerings in October, Apple had indicated that it would be using more of NVIDIA's technology in its Mac computer line going forward.
A member of the InsanelyMac forums was recently rifling through the extension files that ship with the latest MacBooks and MacBooks Pros and discovered references to a "Macmini3,1" and "iMac9,1."
Running System Profiler on Apple's most current iMacs and Mac minis reveal the model number of those systems to be "Macmini2,1" and "iMac8,1," meaning the configuration files included with the company's latest notebooks are for still unannounced models.
Specifically, the extension file of interest pertains to a Mac's System Management Controller and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext). It includes a variety of information, including strings that identify the supporting chipset of each Mac.
The entries for the unannounced iMac and Mac minis list their chipset as the "CFG_MCP79," which is the same exact NVIDIA MCP79 platform employed by unibody MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs, which are similarly identified in the same file as the MacBook5,1, MacBookPro5,1, and MacBookAir2,1.
Also of interest is that the entries for the new iMac and Mac mini are dated 2008, which may provide evidence to support claims that these systems were originally targeted for a release in the November time frame but were pushed into the first quarter of the year due to unexpected delays.
While announcing its new notebook offerings in October, Apple had indicated that it would be using more of NVIDIA's technology in its Mac computer line going forward.
Comments
OK, great- now just add a new casing on the iMac , please.
I think the current iMac is a superbly designed from an aesthetic point of view.
It's only major fault is that it is not user serviceable unlike previous iMacs.
If the hard drive dies, don't try to repair it yourself.
You will screw up the machine.
The only thing you can upgrade/replace is the RAM.
OK, great- now just add a new casing on the Mac mini, please.
fix'd
The new mini should show some significant performance increase. That will be great.
For iMac design, I mostly just want to see the power cord changed to black. It sure looks funny having that white power cord coming out of the black backside of the iMac.
The new mini should show some significant performance increase. That will be great.
It will be interesting what they offer. I've been looking at my VERY old desktop system and I am tired of waiting for Apple to offer a computer for under $2700 where I can add a 2nd (or 3rd) internal hard drive.
Again: iMac, minus display with space for two hard drives = golden.
I would have hoped the iMac would have better graphics than the MB Pro. Maybe there will be options.
The MBP has two graphics chips but based on this report, the "CFG_MCP79" designation does not distinguish it from the MB or MBA. So even though the iMac gets the same designation (per this report), it doesn't mean that the iMac will not have a second chip equal to or better than what is in the MBP.
I recently placed my mac mini in my son's room for gaming, but the graphics were not fast enough. I am thinking that this will be a good option for them to play crossover games.
By crossover, do you mean the games EA has wrapped up in Mac sauce? You'd be a lot better off either just getting games actually ported to Mac by Aspyr, or just installing XP and playing windows games. Cider creates such a performance problem that it's not even funny.
I think the current iMac is a superbly designed from an aesthetic point of view.
I beg to differ. The white one - yes. Gorgeous.
This one is simply a revamped environmentally repackaged version- from it's glossy screen to its cheapo enviro black back plastic. The shiny white mouse doesn't even match nor the white keyed keyboard. And don't even mention the racoon eyeliner around the screen. Hopefully the new one omits the Jay Leno chin.
But whatever - let's move to a new design or get the color scheme/ texture at least right.
For iMac design, I mostly just want to see the power cord changed to black. It sure looks funny having that white power cord coming out of the black backside of the iMac.
Wow, that is a silly oversight.
I beg to differ. The white one - yes. Gorgeous.
This one is simply a revamped environmentally repackaged version- from it's glossy screen to its cheapo enviro black back plastic. The shiny white mouse doesn't even match nor the white keyed keyboard. And don't even mention the racoon eyeliner around the screen. Hopefully the new one omits the Jay Leno chin.
But whatever - let's move to a new design or get the color scheme/ texture at least right.
It's probably going to be a while, Apple doesn't change their computer aesthetic designs very often.
fix'd
Given the length of time that aesthetic design has been on the market, a face lift is overdue, but I don't have a problem with the aesthetics of the mini. In fact, the rest of the Mac line has been brought towards the mini's look, not away from it.
Also, when you think about it, it makes no sense to upgrade the entire line to this faster graphics system yet leave out the one device that deals exclusively with graphics and multimedia, so we can also hope for an Apple TV redesign as well even though nothing has really been mentioned on that front.
When you add those product intros to the financials segment, and possibly a segment about Snow Leopard, there isn't much time left in the keynote for anything else. Unless it's unusually long, I would speculate that the tablet won't be revealed at this one.
Possibly this will be shown at the new "Steve Jobs LIVE!" TV show later in the year?
Wow, that is a silly oversight.
Well it does match the mouse.
Maybe the Mac mini will get a redesign to make it easily user-serviceable and to adopt the black-on-aluminum look of the rest of Apple's computers. Could totally see them switch out the white plastic for black and perhaps offer a 128GB SSD build-to-order option.
Obviously the lingering question is, what about the Mac Pro?
Well it does match the mouse.
I'd love a new mouse. The white Apple mouse does not match the current design and besides, it has the lowest life expectancy of any mouse ever. All mine have bitten the dust. Maybe my fingertips are just filthy greasy, but that tiny ball should be removable and cleanable. I know it is cleanable but not PROPERLY.
Unless it's unusually long, I would speculate that the tablet won't be revealed at this one.
Definitely not happening. A Mac tablet would be a major announcement, which would be handled by Jobs, not Phil.
I'd love a new mouse. The white Apple mouse does not match the current design and besides, it has the lowest life expectancy of any mouse ever. All mine have bitten the dust. Maybe my fingertips are just filthy greasy, but that tiny ball should be removable and cleanable. I know it is cleanable but not PROPERLY.
Same thoughts here... Mighty Mouse would be an easy product to improve upon, and they should think about offering two quality levels of mice. Mighty Mouse and MousePro.