[lizardgator]

I was just about to order a MacPro but I'm moving in a month and don't want to get a new MacPro until I'm settled in my new home. Are there any processor upgrades expected around November? If there is something new being released around the time I'm ready to order I'd wait. Just wondering..

[mkerr64]

i heard a rumor that this spring there are sepose to be new intel chips with quad processors coming out.

[newtech]

I would sincerely doubt a MP speed bump or new rev prior to Mac world 2007 in january.

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by lizardgator

I was just about to order a MacPro but I'm moving in a month and don't want to get a new MacPro until I'm settled in my new home. Are there any processor upgrades expected around November? If there is something new being released around the time I'm ready to order I'd wait. Just wondering..

Mac Pros with quad core Intel processors are likely at approx. MacExpo SF in January.

From MacRumors.com today:
"TG Daily news reports that Tom's Hardware will be posting preliminary benchmarks for Intel's upcoming Kenstfield processor on Monday.

Kentsfield is Intel's next version of their "Core" processors which was originally scheduled to be released in the 1st Quarter of 2007. According to the article, it is now planned for late 2006 availability.

Kentsfield is a Quad-core chip and essentially combines two Core 2 Duo Desktop (Conroe) chips into a single processor. It is expected to be a Conroe "drop-in" and should work with the same motherboards as Conroe. More details about the chip are expected at the fall Intel Developer Forum which takes place between September 26-28 in San Francisco.

Apple originally used the Core Duo (Yonah) processor in first Intel Macs released in January of 2006. In the past month, Intel introduced the Core 2 Duo Mobile (Merom) and Desktop (Conroe) processors as a successor to the Core Duo (Yonah). Last week, Apple incorporated the Core 2 Duo Mobile (Merom) into the new iMacs. Apple has not yet utilized the Core 2 Duo Desktop (Conroe) processors for any Macs. Meanwhile, the Mac Pro, introduced in August, uses the higher-end Xeon (Woodcrest) processor.

Apple's current line up is as follows:

Mac mini - Core Duo (Yonah)
iMac - Core 2 Duo (Merom)
MacBook - Core Duo (Yonah)*
MacBook Pro - Core Duo (Yonah)*
Mac Pro - Xeon (Woodcrest)
Xserve - Xeon (Woodcrest)

* Unlike the other models, the MacBook and MacBook Pro have not seen updates for 4-5 months. As a result, many are speculating that they will see updates soon.

Update: Meanwhile, Clovertown, Intel's Quad-core Woodcrest is expected in the same timeframe (late 2006)." (emphasis mine)

-Allen Wicks

[newtech]

Speculatively.....Mac world 2007(ish)

Mac Mini ->Merom

MB/MBP ->Merom

MP/XS ( new high end ) ->Clovertown

MP ( new low end ) ->Conroe


Model lines are now pretty well defined dont expect MAJOR revamps for 12-24 months, speed bumps if anything in the interim

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by newtech

Speculatively.....Mac world 2007(ish)

MP/XS ( new high end ) ->Clovertown

MP ( new low end ) ->Conroe

You're not going to see a Conroe in a Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is always going to be a dual processor machine. If you want a cheap Mac Pro, buy the old generation when the new generation come out in January.

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by Leonard

You're not going to see a Conroe in a Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is always going to be a dual processor machine. If you want a cheap Mac Pro, buy the old generation when the new generation come out in January.

The low price of the Conroe may make it attractive for a dual processor entry level desktop box that Apple may choose to create once initial higher end Mac Pro demand is reasonably satisfied. It probably gets to CPU prices versus the complexity/cost of having another CPU type in the lineup.

-Allen Wicks

[Leonard]

You're not listening. It's not about price. It's technologically not possible to have two Conroes in a computer! They don't support SMP! To have two processors, you HAVE to use Xeons. Period. End of story. If you use Conroe, you can only have 1 Conroe in the computer.

[Simon]

If anything, Conroe's low price will make it attractive for Apple to use it for an entry/mid-level desktop system. The mini and iMac both don't allow Conroe due to its 65 W TDP. Unless Apple releases a new desktop Mac (something like a HEM), there won't be a Conroe Mac anytime soon. Which is in itself kinda interesting since Conroe is really a bargain compared to Merom.