Apple rumor Monday, late edition: leaked specs, model numbers, announcement tomorrow?
By Nilay Patel 
posted Mar 2nd 2009 6:52PM
posted Mar 2nd 2009 6:52PM
- The iMac will apparently come in an entry level MB147 20-inch model, as well as three 24-inch SKUs: MB148 "mass-market," MB149 "high-end," and MB420 "ultimate." All models will go to mini DisplayPort and feature Core 2 Duos up to 3.06GHz.
- The Mac mini will indeed feature five USB ports and that funky dual mini-DVI / mini DisplayPort configuration, but it's also apparently going to an NVIDIA chipset like the MacBooks and iMac. The base MB463 model will start with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, and there's also a "high-end" MB464 configuration.
- The Mac Pro will come in eight-core configurations from 3.0GHz to 3.6GHz and 16-core configurations in 3.6GHz and 4.0GHz flavors, and it sounds like it's going to be even funkier on the video tip -- our tipster says it has two regular DVI ports and a mini DisplayPort. Sure, okay. It's also apparently a bit lighter than the current model, at 35 pounds instead of 42.
- Tipster Tom noted that the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule FCC filings contain direct references to simultaneous 5GHz and 2.4GHz operation, so that's looking even more probable.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
That is a pretty convincing box for the max mini.
Mac mini, not max mini but that would be a cool name
You had me at 16 cores...
Yeah, just think how amazing Crysis would run on 16 core 4GHz, ESPECIALLY with a sweet 8800gt!!
/s
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/29/intel-said-to-be-prepping-eight-core-xeon-for-launch-next-month/
Nehalem Mac Pros will rule the desktop roost. Be the first on the block to own one and you can spit on your Windows using neighbors. Maybe not. That would be a waste of good spit.
yea.. not on a mac ;)
Yes, Windows runs on Macs. It has officially been supported since April 5, 2006. So... yes, Crysis can be run on a Mac.
aYe aye: you could have made a slightly faster graphics card choice. I've got nothing against the 8800gt - but isnt it like over 2 years old? Ans seriously - I dont think gaming performance changes much once you pass 4 decent cores. Past that - Its mostly the Graphics card that matters
hmm, is there a Home Premium version?
I hope you will offer one of these as a your recession antidote for the day.
what, something good?? Are you mad!
You mean to tell me that we have to go through another round of hot looking yet extremely overpriced products compared to what is on market?....KILL ME!
Why are people so ignorant? Macs aren't THAT overpriced. Sure they are a bit more expensive than other PCs, but the design isn't for free, you know.
I won't kill you, but I will downrank you in to oblivion.
Because to people like you, that's torture. And I want you to have to live through it mwahaha.
You say that like PCs are beige boxes, Patriks7.
"You say that like PCs are beige boxes, Patriks7."
Most PCs that come anywhere close to the design and form factor of a Mac tend to be within 200$ of the Mac price for the same specs.
The Mac Mini in this latest box leak has only 9 air vents, all the other leaked pics and videos have had 10 air vents. so which ones are real??
Whoa, you're right! Weird. Maybe it's a newer prototype or higher end model though?
And it's not like it's harder to photoshop a box than a mac mini without a box.
And WHY ON EARTH does the box show the back of the machine? That's not like Apple.
I think box is a fake.
Mac Pro spec's sound ridiculously fake. 16 core Nehalem system? Sorry Intel said that won't be out untill the end of the year/next year. Maybe 16 thread (2 threads * 2 sockets * 4 cores) . Not to mention the clock speeds, I think the 3.6 GHz is a stretch (especially with 8 or 16 cores).
According to Electronista (http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/02/02/nehalem.xeon.late.march/) the quad core Nehalem based Xeons will be out by the end of March so it is entirely feasible that the Mac Pro could have a quad socket layout with quad core chips in each, thus yielding 16 cores total.
@Fiver
No, WRONG. There is not even a platform that could accept four "Gainestown" (e.g. quad-core dual-socket) Xeons, not to mention they have only two quickpath links so it is not even possible. The Mac Pro will be a dual-socket platform as always..
The 8-core 4-socket "beckton" Xeons will be out at the end of the year and will only see use in expensive high-end servers..
@Fiver: Wrong
The 2 Socket Nehalem is called Nehalem EP
The 4 Socket Nehalem is called Nehalem EX
The Nehalem EP stuff all launches March. (I'm going to an HP Launch event on March 11)
The Nehalem EX stuff, as Brandon correctly points out, does not come out until late summer at the earliest. Some Roadmaps say 2010.
According to above, the new Mac Pro is 7 pounds lighter.
Just the sheer amout of Copper and Mainboard real estate negates this possibly being a Quad Socket machine.
Lastly, the Mac Pro has never (historically) been a Quad Socket system.
The Mac Pro stuff is just ridiculous, 10 minutes of research would show that. The processor speeds for dual socket boards top out at 3.2GHz, there isn't even going to be 3GHz processors, the 2.93GHz ones are $ each. The 2.66GHz Xeons are much more likely.
As for 16 cores, you'd be looking at $10,000-$15,000 for four quad core CPUs and a board, let alone anything else. Oh and they aren't going to be over 3GHz either.
I'm glad some other posters are commenting on how ridiculously BS these specs are. Those processors- 3.6 and 4GHz -simply won't exist for a year or longer. Engadget got played like a 6th grader's recorder by posting this fantasy.
The iMac specs are silly, too. Those are the same processors it has now.
Who gives a SHITE!
We all want iPhonz news!
What's with all these options? If the Vista and 7 situation taught us anything it's that we just want one version. I can't be bothered to look at a million different iMacs. It's just too hard. Obviously Apple is just trying to make more money by taking stuff out of the Ultimate version and selling it at different price points. We just want a shiny pretty box that does everything without having to choose from anything...price doesn't matter. Where's the outrage?
Your comparison of Apple HARDWARE to Microsoft SOFTWARE fails.
yes because arbitrarily limiting software is the same thing as offering different hardware levels at different prices for different needs
I know, choosing between Home Premium and Professional is much harder than choosing between Mass-Market, High-End, and Ultimate for just their 24" version. It's all just a non-issue.
Then how do you choose between the 2323297852385768747420122731297823345978235 different machines you want to use Home Premium and Professional on?
@uncontrol
like charging to unlock wifi capabilties on the iMac?
You guys fail to see what I'm getting at. Of course it's not hard to choose different versions of the iMac. Just as it's not hard to choose two different versions of Windows 7. Different options for different needs. If I don't want the Ultimate iMac I'll gladly pay for the Mass Market version. If I don't want Professional I'll gladly pay for Home Premium. It's just people are freaking out unjustifably on one more than the other.
@insky
I'll repeat what Uncontrol said because you obviously didn't read his statement:
"yes because arbitrarily limiting software is the same thing as offering different hardware levels at different prices for different needs"
Offering different hardware versions isn't even remotely similar to offering watered-down Operating systems. Not even comparable.
Apple had an event one week ago from tomorrow, last year. I remember, tomorrow's my birthday and I bought my newly refreshed MacBook Pro, which was released the week before my birthday. The update included LED Backlit display, multitouch trackpad, and a speed boost.
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/02/26/new-macbook-and-macbook-pros-now-available/
Happy Birthday for tomorrow!
5Ghz WiFi is the shit. You can actually use it at a distance. Shame the 802.11a routers are so expensive. This actually might make the time capsule a good buy.
Mac mini = Hot stuff.
iMac = Dual core in new 2009 desktop? No thanks.
No doubt, especially since Intel just released the Q9400S which is a Low Voltage Quad Core
I'm not an Apple hater usually, but that is really just ridiculous to do that
yah i dont get it. they are saying the iMacs are going to be at the same speed thay have been for the past year after the refresh? that doesn't sound right to me.
Completely ridiculous! If the iMac doesn't go quad core with the new Q9xxxs chips at 65 watts, what's the point? Changing up the chipset to 9400M only makes sense if they can get hybrid SLI on the system with the 9600GT which I'm sure they'll use.
The Mac Mini sounds about right, hoping the price will tip down.
Mac Pro is impossible. Intel doesn't sell Octo-core Nehalem yet, unless Apple struck a deal, but 16 cores will generate SO MUCH heat, they'll need liquid cooling and a huge PSU. And Intel only tops out with 3.4Ghz, I'm thinking they'll use the 2.8 through 3.2Ghz guys again. I'm hoping they meant 16 threads, which OSX may see as 16 logical cores.
Graphics on the Pros: 9600GTs base, maybe offer an HD 4850/70 as the mid range and then that new Quadro 5800 on the mega high end.
They're going Nvidia/AMD Three have been 16 core Opteron boards out for years. I have a rack full of IBM LS42s at work... very cool.
call me when it comes with windows
Yes, because I REALLY want a less-stable operating system I have to scrub and reinstall every so often to just keep working at a decent speed.
Yeah, that makes sense.
If you're worried about games, Visio office programs or other such things, may I direct you to such programs as Boot Camp (free), Parallels or Fusion ($80 - $30 rebate) or even CrossOver which is $30 and doesn't require you to install Windows AT ALL.
even i thought i was an obvious troll
have you ever used parralells for games? Hell, have you ever used parallels for any task that needs some power? It's terrible!
Can it wait till next week im eBaying my iMac and don't want anything to knock the value xD
NEW MACS TOMMAROW ITS LIKE THE BEST DAY. cept its already ruined :( worst day evar
I want it to come with Snow Leopard.
Apple introduced new computers just before Leopard came out. A pretty smart marketing ploy if you ask me...
Why they hell does it need two regular DVI ports and a mini DisplayPort? Who the hell needs to run a Mac-Mini with that many physical monitors attached? A: nobody. Don't most people buy these things to run them headless? Does not compute.
Because the 24" Apple Cinema Display is only available with a mini DisplayPort connector. And for what it's worth, yes the 24" Cinema Display is a better monitor than the Dell 2408WFP, for example. The Cinema Display has an S-IPS panel, the Dell has an MVA panel, which is not as good.
You know it isn't often that people complain about additional ports available. Imagine a scenario where I have two monitors that connect via DVI. Or imagine another scenario where I have apple's cinema display connected via mini DisplayPort, as well as another monitor via DVI.
See? More ports = more options for consumers.
You know, I constantly hear people talk about how expensive Macs are compared to their PC counterparts. Yeah, they may be slightly more expensive; but,I think a lot of people don't factor in the great resale value that a Mac has compared to a PC. I purchased a Macbook for $800 18 months ago with an educational discount, sold it for $750 2 weeks ago. Find a PC that would have that kind of resale value...
The only reason your macs have good resale value is because the hardware stays outdated, unlike PCs which are constantly getting newer and better hardware
The average person searching for a used computer is not looking for the latest and greatest hardware - they are looking for something stable and reliable. The reason why Macs have a high resale value, I would argue, is that they simply have a better image in the public eye.
Plus, the buyer thinks they look cooler on an Apple, which in my opinion... isn't...true...
You're saying the hardware stays outdated in a thread about Macs getting new hardware?
You don't see the huge hole in your logic there?
But I would like you to show me how a PC would constantly get newer and better hardware if it's sitting under your desk. Do gnomes come in the middle of the night and upgrade it while you're sleeping? Does it involve unicorns and pixies?
@Cesium
Seriously, how does your comment make any sense? They retain value *because* they stay outdated? This is a little like saying a BMW retains it's value because it is underpowered and handles poorly.
Feel free to keep upgrading your Kia every year. I'll stick with my Beemer.
@cesium thats such a non-point. the fact stands.
and anyway, i'd rather use my iMac from 2001 than a new dell.
furthermore, show me anyone as happy as i am with my iMac G4 as they are with their dell from 2001.
@Zak
If you had left your comment to your first sentence, I would have upranked you.
If you're going to try to be clever, learn how. Ditch the gnomes and pixies.
@imaginaryfriend: They need be looking for something that's top of the line because when a company, say nVidia for example, release a new line of cards, there tends to be a noticeable decrease in value of the previous generation of cards. I also agree with what you have to say though
@Zak: Mac updates are net NEARLY as frequent in PC updates in hardware. The sheer amount of revisions in graphics cards is pretty staggering when you think about it, and Macs certainly don't receive all of that. It is alos obvious that he is not implying your gnome and pixie theory
Josh, if you're going to talk down to me you should probably try to be at least as clever as I was. The fact remains that what Cesium said was laughably ridiculous. My response was in response to that.
Walrus - read what he said again. Macs hold their value because the hardware never changes? Guh what now? And this is in a thread about how the Mac hardware is changing. LAWL. Also, does PC hardware get upgraded on its own, for free? Or does it cost money? Because Cesium makes it sound like PCs just magically get better the longer you own them, where Macs don't.
Because god knows you can't upgrade Macs with new video cards, or ram, or hard drives, or PCI cards, etc, right?
@Zak: I admitted that this is an update, but you have to admit that Mac hardware updates are not near as frequent as PC hardware updates. There is absolutely no arguing that. If there are fewer updates in a given time frame, the high end, mid range, and low end Macs tend to stay in the respective performance bands. This means they will hold there value longer. It's common sense. This is not to say that it is the only thing that keeps a Macs resale value high though. Cesium is implying the exact opposite actually. He is speaking of PCs in general and not any one specific PC
No love for a 30" iMac...could have so rocked...
...gut tells me that the Mac Pros are going to be more than a little bit more expensive.
Um... have you ever seen a 30-inch display? An all-in-one based on a 30-inch screen would weigh like 50 pounds.
When what we really need is a cheaper Mac Pro.
Come on, entry level tower = $2800
It reminds me of this awesome company called SGI.
@AlekZander
Agreed..it'd be a beast.
But thinking about the extra real estate on the rear and the potential for it to be all screen on the front...not external CPU. I'd buy it in a second...
@ mitchell_pgh
I guess there is a possibility that they'll diversify the line-up a bit. Maybe the present processors at a lower price(?)...and hopefully better GPU options. If this were combined with a smaller enclosure, kind of a full-size/mid-size tower hybrid...with some potential additional speed increases with Snow Leopard...I might bite.
BK:
Get a mini and a 30" display. Done.
aha 30 pounds... lets hope your desk doesn't break? Like who gives a shit how much it weighs
I don't know what to think...
Can't wait for the mac mini. It will finally have the necessary graphics power to drive everything to 1080i. Good-bye to the pc box... wife will be happy with that.
1080p....
http://i.gizmodo.com/5162911/what-is-inside-this-huge-mystery-box#viewcomments
Gizmodo have received a big package to a Californian company not to be opened until tomorrow. Look at the picture and notice the apple remote on top of the picture. Seems to me that means its apple and I Wouldn't be surprised if engadget got one.
From a Californian company.
zomg the remote gave it away.
O.o
so if I put a zune on top, what exactly would be in the box?
Well, as convincing as the box looks, I don't think apple would make that the new mac mini, based on other approaches with recent product styles. I think it isn't necessary to have a the new mini apple mini display port along with another display port, and 5 USB ports! Only time will reveal apple's new products...
Those can't be really 8 and 16 core Macs I don't think. Probably 4 cores + 4 hyperthreads on the low-end model and 8 cores + 8 hyperthreads on the high-end.
Where are you?
Mr "that's so fake"s !!!
I don't see any of your names in this post.
42" iMac, please.
On the real, though. People WOULD buy something like this. Might be a couple more years before we see it, though.
With all this talk about form factor, why doesn't anyone ever do it? I think Asus is launching a 42" Eee TV, and it's a brilliant idea.
If apple could properly execute it... it would definitely sell.
These days, more people would buy a $3K tv than a $3k desktop or laptop. Just sayin'
somethings messed up. this box has 9 vents-slots out, the earlier pic released had 10. go on. count em.
I'll put it out there... Why don't they have HDMI? like... any macs?
HDMI is reserved for the Pro line.
It might be nice to have HDMI on my MacBook, but that's what the mini displayport is for; Universal adapters for various inputs. You can always use the DVI adapter and then connect a DVI-to-HDMI cable.
I would never resell a computer. Do you know how easy it is for someone to track down personal information via free software?
If this mac mini rumors turns out true, I have to swallow my words. I said the "leaked" photo from last week was clearly a fake, but it might turn out to be real (how bout that?).
Do you think the current mac mini's will go down in price once the new one is released? I'd love to snag the current base model for cheap.
That's why you keep your hard drive and put a new one in the used computer. Duh.
Or, you could use the Disk Utility on a Mac to zero out the drive. It goes through every sector and writes zeros over and over, effectively removing any trace of old data.
Mac rumors :)
I am betting on mighty mouse replacements and possibly a keyboard update (backlit wireless with a dock charger?)