New Macs feature dual or "quad-core" processors, says Apple

AppleInsider · March 30, 2007 9:54AM

Apple Inc. this week inadvertently tipped its hand by revealing plans to include quad-core processors from Intel Corp. in an upcoming generation of Mac computers.

"Every new Mac features powerful dual-core or quad-core Intel processors, the world's most advanced operating system, and more," the company wrote on a section of its online store promoting Adobe's new Creative Suite 3.0 software. "Build your Mac to your exact specifications, or start with our recommended configurations that are optimized for Creative Suite 3."

The Cupertino-based Mac maker has not yet introduced systems with quad-core processors, but as AppleInsider reported exclusively back in October, an 8-core Mac Pro -- by way of two quad-core Intel "Clovertown" Xeon chips -- remains ready and waiting.

For Apple, the slip-up marks the second time this month that one of its online stores has published hints at the next-generation Mac Pro. A couple of week's ago, its UK shop accidently posted then removed a similar blurb.

"Now quad-core or 8-core processing power," said a caption next to the company's existing Mac Pro offering. "Configure yours today."

Apple's US online hints at 8-Core Mac Pro

Update: Apple finally got around to correcting the blurb on its online store, which now reads: "Every new Mac features powerful dual-core or quad-core Intel processing, the world's most advanced operating system, and more."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

spindrift · March 30, 2007 10:02AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

"Build your Mac to your exact specifications, or start with our recommended configurations that are optimized for Creative Suite 3."

This makes me think that we could see new hardware at NAB.

guyinflorida · March 30, 2007 10:03AM

Quad-Core? Dual Processors with 2 cores each me thinks.

restalot · March 30, 2007 10:05AM

Nuff Said.

baranovich · March 30, 2007 10:07AM

Yes, we've all known this was coming, but when is Apple going to FINALLY introduce the new Macs????!!!!!????

I thought part of the reason for the Intel switch is that it would allow Apple to update their products more regularly. I realize that CS3 is going to be a major selling point for new Macs (the Mac Pro especially) but even so, its been months since Intel introduced these new chips.

Now that my little rant is over... who else is going to by an Octo Core Mac Pro whenever the do get released?

coolhandpete · March 30, 2007 10:14AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyInFlorida

Quad-Core? Dual Processors with 2 cores each me thinks.

Am I jumping the gun, or does it sound like this includes a 4-core option for the Macbooks and Macbook Pros?

leonard · March 30, 2007 10:25AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyInFlorida

Quad-Core? Dual Processors with 2 cores each me thinks.

Yeah, I think it's just the marketing area of Apple not being clear enough. When they say Quad-core they're probably talking about the existing Mac Pros which have 4 cores - 2 in each processor for a total of 4. Technical people, who are looking for any tiny sign of an update, are then reading more into it than it really is.

solipsism · March 30, 2007 10:36AM

I'm with GuyInFlorida and Leonard on this one. THough I think that actual Quad-core processor are around the corner it hink this is merely vague marketing.

macnut222 · March 30, 2007 10:40AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolHandPete

Am I jumping the gun, or does it sound like this includes a 4-core option for the Macbooks and Macbook Pros?

Sadly, there is no plan for quad-core processors made for notebooks right now. Only desktops.

emig647 · March 30, 2007 10:41AM

We all know Intel's road map. As far as I know quad core laptop chips are pretty far away (penryn?, correct me if I'm wrong). For now we have Kentsfield and Clovertown. By the time the machines actually get these processors, The new ones are going to be out. I wish Apple hadn't dragged it's feet so hard on this one. Now I feel like they are behind on the Intel cpu cycle and it may be hard to get back on track without skipping a gen completely.

jimdreamworx · March 30, 2007 10:41AM

Considering that Apple called previous computers G5 Quad that did not have a true quad-core, it probably is marketing.

brianus · March 30, 2007 10:42AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolHandPete

Am I jumping the gun, or does it sound like this includes a 4-core option for the Macbooks and Macbook Pros?

You are jumping the gun. Penryn's laptop chips will be dual-core only, so the earliest we can expect more than that in a notebook is mid-late 2008, with Nehalem (Core 3).

joe_the_dragon · March 30, 2007 10:50AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emig647

We all know Intel's road map. As far as I know quad core laptop chips are pretty far away (penryn?, correct me if I'm wrong). For now we have Kentsfield and Clovertown. By the time the machines actually get these processors, The new ones are going to be out. I wish Apple hadn't dragged it's feet so hard on this one. Now I feel like they are behind on the Intel cpu cycle and it may be hard to get back on track without skipping a gen completely.

Apple may be waiting for a newer chip set before they update the mac pro as they where a lot of people saying that it needed more pci-e lanes.

As for the laptops they may waiting for a new chip set as well.

But right they can come with a desktop mac with desktop parts and they can drop there prices / add bigger hd / add ram / better video cards and so on on there systems that they have out now.

bacillus · March 30, 2007 10:52AM

Let me get this right - Apple Inc is going to put the current Intel chip in their front line computer ?!!?! A shocker indeed.

jaddie · March 30, 2007 10:52AM

Dear baranovich & Friends

Quote:

Originally Posted by baranovich

Now that my little rant is over... who else is going to by an Octo Core Mac Pro whenever the do get released?

Aye, aye, mate!

So long as they're not the 2.66GHz variety. Those, according to the tests I've seen online, are actually slightly slower than the dual- dual-core 3GHz chips currently available.

Sincerely,

Jaddie

jeffdm · March 30, 2007 10:56AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimDreamworx

Considering that Apple called previous computers G5 Quad that did not have a true quad-core, it probably is marketing.

I thought for those, they said quad core system, not a quad core processor as the new page says. Also note that it refers to the existing mac Pro as having two dual cores, not as a quad.

jeffdm · March 30, 2007 10:57AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnut222

Sadly, there is no plan for quad-core processors made for notebooks right now. Only desktops.

The closest they are offering is a chip that takes about 50% more power than the current notebook chips.

messiah · March 30, 2007 10:58AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe_the_dragon

Apple may be waiting for a newer chip set before they update the mac pro as they where a lot of people saying that it needed more pci-e lanes.

Is the PCIe lane problem not an issue with the controller chip itself? If so, we'll need to wait on Intel releasing a new controller that supports more PCIe lanes.

messiah · March 30, 2007 11:00AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messiah

Is the PCIe lane problem not an issue with the controller chip itself? If so, we'll need to wait on Intel releasing a new controller that supports more PCIe lanes.

Sorry, just read your post again and I see where you're coming from now...

ascii · March 30, 2007 11:00AM

Everyone knows the quad core are coming, the question is: will they still have gutless video cards and slow overpriced RAM like the last model?

hobeaux · March 30, 2007 11:06AM

c'mon people.

Dual-Core is the iMac and the MacBook family

Quad-Core is the Mac Pro

There isn't a leak. It's not news. Move along.

New Macs feature dual or "quad-core" processors, says Apple

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