A closer look at Apple's new iMac Core Duo
In addition to being the first of Apple Computer's personal computer offerings to make the transition to Intel microprocessors, the new iMac Core Duo also sports a plethora of architectural and technological changes, which sources have began detailing to AppleInsider.
For starters, the iMac Core Duo uses a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) interface -- a low noise, low power, low amplitude method for high-speed data transfer -- for transmitting data to the computer's 17- or 20- inch LCD display.
Though the new iMac looks remarkably similar to the iMac G5 with iSight announced late last year, one way to differentiate the two models is to look for the presence of a mini-DVI output port featured only on the iMac Core Duo. This new DVI out port will allow users to choose between video mirroring or extended desktop (with an added Apple DVI Display Adapter).
The iMac Core Duo is reportedly the first iMac to support Apple's extended desktop feature, which lets users extend their viewing capabilities by using two or more displays at the same time. With this functionality, users can choose to view a single document or application across multiple displays, or use each display to view a different document or application.
Like the previous iMac, the iMac Core Duo sports a built in iSight, which sources say uses a CMOS sensor with a fixed-focus plastic lens rather than a CCD sensor with automatic focus like the one used in Apple's stand-alone iSight product.
Sources also report that support for AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth in the new iMacs is achieved through separate cards instead of a single a combo card used by Apple in the past. Antennas for the wireless technologies are mounted at the top of the iMac enclosure -- the Bluetooth one on the left side and AirPort Extreme on the right.
True to reports making the rounds on the Web, the first Intel Macs use EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) -- essentially an updated BIOS specification that allows vendors to create operating-system-independent device drivers that are stored within the hardware itself. The EFI BIOS is also used to select and load the operating system when the computers first starts up.
The iMac Core Duo's Boot Manager -- accessible by holding the option key at startup -- also features some slight interface improvements, sources say, but for the most part remains visually unpleasant. The systems also include a NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) as opposed to a PRAM (Parameter RAM) and a SMC (System Management Control) as opposed to a PMU (Power Management Unit). The NVRAM is still resettable by using the Command-Option-P-R key combo.
Each new iMac Core Duo appears to be shipping with Mac OS X 10.4.4 for Intel build 8G1165, which does not include support for the Mac OS 9 Classic environment.
For starters, the iMac Core Duo uses a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) interface -- a low noise, low power, low amplitude method for high-speed data transfer -- for transmitting data to the computer's 17- or 20- inch LCD display.
Though the new iMac looks remarkably similar to the iMac G5 with iSight announced late last year, one way to differentiate the two models is to look for the presence of a mini-DVI output port featured only on the iMac Core Duo. This new DVI out port will allow users to choose between video mirroring or extended desktop (with an added Apple DVI Display Adapter).
The iMac Core Duo is reportedly the first iMac to support Apple's extended desktop feature, which lets users extend their viewing capabilities by using two or more displays at the same time. With this functionality, users can choose to view a single document or application across multiple displays, or use each display to view a different document or application.
Like the previous iMac, the iMac Core Duo sports a built in iSight, which sources say uses a CMOS sensor with a fixed-focus plastic lens rather than a CCD sensor with automatic focus like the one used in Apple's stand-alone iSight product.
Sources also report that support for AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth in the new iMacs is achieved through separate cards instead of a single a combo card used by Apple in the past. Antennas for the wireless technologies are mounted at the top of the iMac enclosure -- the Bluetooth one on the left side and AirPort Extreme on the right.
True to reports making the rounds on the Web, the first Intel Macs use EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) -- essentially an updated BIOS specification that allows vendors to create operating-system-independent device drivers that are stored within the hardware itself. The EFI BIOS is also used to select and load the operating system when the computers first starts up.
The iMac Core Duo's Boot Manager -- accessible by holding the option key at startup -- also features some slight interface improvements, sources say, but for the most part remains visually unpleasant. The systems also include a NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) as opposed to a PRAM (Parameter RAM) and a SMC (System Management Control) as opposed to a PMU (Power Management Unit). The NVRAM is still resettable by using the Command-Option-P-R key combo.
Each new iMac Core Duo appears to be shipping with Mac OS X 10.4.4 for Intel build 8G1165, which does not include support for the Mac OS 9 Classic environment.
Comments
PRAM stands for Parameter RAM if you ask other Mac publications, and NVRAM Non-Volatile RAM.
Great!! Up to 23" Cinema Display!
And to avoid panic... I think it's safe to say that 10.4.4 doesn't REMOVE Classic support from PowerPC Macs. It just doesn't have it for Intel Macs. (Although some kind of hack or virtual environment for Classic on Intel Macs from a third party wouldn't surprise me.)
Originally posted by nagromme
[i]And to avoid panic... I think it's safe to say that 10.4.4 doesn't REMOVE Classic support from PowerPC Macs. It just doesn't have it for Intel Macs. (Although some kind of hack or virtual environment for Classic on Intel Macs from a third party wouldn't surprise me.)
Bye bye, HyperCard.
But what you say about an emulator is true: there is a 680x0 emulator Mac emulator called Basilisk, which has been ported almost everywhere.
(Using Basilisk, I actually booted into System 7.5.5 on my Sony PSP! It was surprisingly responsive too.)
There is a PowerPC emulator called PearPC, which is unfortunately extremely slow relative to Rosetta, but would allow a native Mac OS 9 to be run.
Originally posted by michaelb
Bye bye, HyperCard.
But what you say about an emulator is true: there is a 680x0 emulator Mac emulator called Basilisk, which has been ported almost everywhere.
(Using Basilisk, I actually booted into System 7.5.5 on my Sony PSP! It was surprisingly responsive too.)
There is a PowerPC emulator called PearPC, which is unfortunately extremely slow relative to Rosetta, but would allow a native Mac OS 9 to be run.
Yeah there's vMac and BasiliskII for Mac...they'll probably run just fine using Rosetta, but it would be nice if the authors UB'ed them.
Originally posted by nagromme
The iMac Core Duo is reportedly the first iMac to support Apple's extended desktop feature, which lets users extend their viewing capabilities by using two or more displays at the same time.?
Great!! Up to 23" Cinema Display!
And to avoid panic... I think it's safe to say that 10.4.4 doesn't REMOVE Classic support from PowerPC Macs. It just doesn't have it for Intel Macs. (Although some kind of hack or virtual environment for Classic on Intel Macs from a third party wouldn't surprise me.)
Do you think the iMac is limited to a 23" Cinema Display because the x1600 cannot handle more than it's built-in 17"/20" AND a 23"? (As the MacBook Pro can handle it's 15" and up to a 30" CD.)
Originally posted by Unfiltered
Do you think the iMac is limited to a 23" Cinema Display because the x1600 cannot handle more than it's built-in 17"/20" AND a 23"? (As the MacBook Pro can handle it's 15" and up to a 30" CD.)
No, it's probably due to the miniDVI port not being dual-link, which is required for the number of pixels the 30" has.
Originally posted by Brenborn
Any word on the startup chime? This hasn't changed...has it?
I hope not
What I'd love to see is a video of a new Intel-based iMac booting from scratch, taken with a stand-alone camera pointed at the machine. With audio, of course!
Purely for geekiness' sake, you understand!
However, I'd put money on it being identical to the traditional Mac startup. Albeit with a possibly slightly different chime.
Originally posted by displaced
I hope not
What I'd love to see is a video of a new Intel-based iMac booting from scratch, taken with a stand-alone camera pointed at the machine. With audio, of course!
Purely for geekiness' sake, you understand!
However, I'd put money on it being identical to the traditional Mac startup. Albeit with a possibly slightly different chime.
I've heard from people on the floor that it's the exact same chime (contrary to certain rumors that were floating around before the keynote.)
Originally posted by Brenborn
Any word on the startup chime? This hasn't changed...has it?
Yes
Originally posted by a_greer
Yes
Good one
Just a question... Are these Core Duo chips the Yonah processors everyone is all hyped up about?
Please excuse the ignorance...
Originally posted by OllieWallieWhiskers
Are these Core Duo chips the Yonah processors everyone is all hyped up about?
Yup
Originally posted by OllieWallieWhiskers
Just a question... Are these Core Duo chips the Yonah processors everyone is all hyped up about?
Yes.
Originally posted by a_greer
These intel macs are so fast and os9.2 is so old, why not run it in Rosetta?
It isn't simple. It's an entire OS itself, remember. The support for it in OS X had a fair amount of work to do absrtacting it from the hardware (remember that low level software such as disk utilities didn't work).
How much work would it require to adapt it to an x86 with different support chips?
A second reason is that Apple can finally rid itself of it.
Originally posted by a_greer
Yes
Sheesh! I had my headphones on!
Originally posted by webmail
I think I might run out and buy one, just to try my Windows Vista Betas.. lol
You know, I'm surprised that we haven't already heard about that. After these went on sale this week, there are already stats up about how it did in Xbench 1.2 (Intel version).
Originally posted by kim kap sol
Yeah there's vMac and BasiliskII for Mac...they'll probably run just fine using Rosetta, but it would be nice if the authors UB'ed them.
That'll happen. Both of those run on Windows and Linux already so I imagine it's just a recompile away.