[The Final Dakar]

I'd like to know what happened to the people with the 9th shipping date.

[osiris]

They were eliminated.

[The Final Dakar]

This is all your fault, isn't it?

Quick thought of the day: Possible NAND shortage – Can it affect the iPad's price?

[osiris]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

This is all your fault, isn't it?

I don't know nothing. I have an alibi.

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Quick thought of the day: Possible NAND shortage – Can it affect the iPad's price?

Knowing Apple, they probably bought the factory that makes the chips. If anything, they'll be able to sell off the 'extras' at a huge markup.
I dunno, sounds good.

[lpkmckenna]

I can't remember a time with fewer Apple rumors. (There are always Apple rumors.)

My guesses:

The AppleTV, iMac, and Mac mini will get minor improvements. If they can shave off some of the iMac's chin and decrease the bezel width, that would be nice. Otherwise, I don't expect a move away from the "aluminum and black" design.

I don't expect FrontRow to be updated to match the new AppleTV software. FrontRow is now abandonware. I don't know if AppleTV will be a hardware update or only software. Maybe the new AppleTV will be capable of 1080p, requiring new hardware?

The plastic MacBook will be re-introduced: thinner and cheaper, still plastic, but a better trackpad. Expect a smaller footprint, and maybe a smaller than 13.3" screen. It might be white, but more likely will be faux-aluminum or black (or both). It will make netbook nerds drool.

The Mighty Mouse will be replaced by a multi-touch mouse. ("Introducing the Apple Multi-Touch Mouse.") It will be black with some faux-aluminum, matching Apple's current designs. Like every other Apple mouse in recent history, it will be clever but have a nagging design flaw or two. Probably, it will work like their trackpads, with two-finger scrolling and various gestures. (If they keep the squeeze buttons, I'll sacrifice my cat.)

The Apple keyboard will still be aluminum, but with a black keyboard and laptop-style backlighting. The backlighting alone will make it a hit seller. (My outside guess.)

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Eug 

The EugQuadiMacRumour has not yet been busted. I've got up to 19 more days left.

P.S. As ridiculous as it sounds, I think there might be something to that Quad Xeon iMac rumeur.

As pointed out in the iMac forum, the Xeon L3426 1.86 GHz has a TDP of only 45 Watts, yet can jump up to 3.2 GHz for single-threaded applications. And it only costs $284. Basically, it's a Core i7 Mobile Extreme, without the Extreme's 55 Watt TDP.

I'm almost tempted to put my iMac up for sale now, but who knows how long it will take before that top-end model is shipping (if at all). And there is no way in Hades that I will purchase an iMac if it's dual-core this time around.

[The Final Dakar]

Edit: nvm

[The Final Dakar]

Alright, here's a theory: Apple is waiting to release their new hardware until a later date when it will steal some the spotlight from Windows 7.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Alright, here's a theory: Apple is waiting to release their new hardware until a later date when it will steal some the spotlight from Windows 7.

I hope you're right, since Windows 7 is next week, and there was no iMac announcement this week. Apple could release the new Macs (iMacs, Mac minis, although maybe not Mac Pros) on the 20th or 21st, stealing away just a little bit of that October 22 Windows 7 thunder.

However, truth be told I'm not convinced delaying the release of a few consumer Mac models by say a week (from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20) would necessarily make a huge impact on Windows 7 sales, but who knows.

[The Final Dakar]

I'm with you, but I suspect it falls under the "it couldn't hurt to try" category.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by me

For the low end Mac Pro next year, actually I'm predicting a 6-core.

With regards to those Mac Pros and Mac minis:

Future Mac Pro: Apple to Enjoy Short-Term Exclusive Use of Future Xeon CPU?

According to one of our sources, Apple is finalizing the future Mac Pro models. They are currently testing the last evolution of Xeon CPU, known as Gulftown, that Intel only demoed a couple of times so far.
This Xeon is an evolution of those already powering Mac Pro 2009 with some new features:

* 6 cores and 12 threads for each CPU.
* 12 MB of shared cache instead of 8 MB today.
* 32-nm engraving vs. 45 nm today.
* Power consumption of future hexacore Xeon 32 nm will be slightly lower than the one of current quad core Xeon engraved at 45 nm.


Mac mini Shipping Date Increases: New Models Around the Corner?

All Mac mini models have seen their shipping date postpone from 24 hours to 5 days. So, one can suspect that all stocks are now composed of new models and we could expect new models to be unveiled next Tuesday. Such introduction, without any associated special event, indicates that the new iMac to come will most likely not have any hardware changes, and still be powered with Core 2 Duo, potential transition to Core ix would then be delayed to a later date.



---

That point about stock is notable. I see that the Mac mini is shipping in "3-5 business days" at Apple Canada and Apple USA as well now. OTOH, there is no delay for iMac shipments.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Eug 

With regards to those Mac Pros and Mac minis:

Future Mac Pro: Apple to Enjoy Short-Term Exclusive Use of Future Xeon CPU?

Apple got exclusive with the Nehalem Xeons for a few weeks when they first came out.

[lpkmckenna]

With the recent legal dispute between Nvidia and Intel, I expect the MacBooks, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini to stick with C2D with 9400M. The iMac will go Nehalem with a dedicated Nvidia processor, thus still supporting CUDA/CLANG/OpenCL/whatever.

[Eug]

AI: Apple plans Mac marketing blitz around Windows 7 launch

According to BusinessWeek, Apple will launch ads in response to the debut of Microsoft's latest operating system, due on Oct 22. The spots are expected to criticize Windows and portray the Mac as a superior platform. Apple views the launch as an opportunity to lure Windows users to the Mac.


AI: Rumors swirl over Apple's iMac Blu-ray, quad-core plans

people close to the Cupertino-based company have picked up on chatter suggesting that earlier plans to offer Blu-ray technology on the new all-in-one desktops may have been pulled back just before the systems went into production last month.

Around the same time, others with connections to the Mac maker have shared word that Intel's recently released Core i7 'Clarksfield' quad-core mobile processors may find their way into the new iMac line in some capacity, making the new models the first consumer-oriented Macs with four processing cores.

[slugslugslug]

Gruber says lots of new stuff tomorrow, as does Fake Steve.

[Brien]

So looks like last October was the overhaul for the portable line, where this time, we'll be seeing a overhaul for the desktops (and a new MacBook).

I wonder if this means a new case design for the first time in years for the Mac Pro/PowerMac G5?

[slugslugslug]

Boy, with all their obsession with making stuff thin, you'd think maybe they could trim a bit off that monster case. Or is every computer w/the horsepower of a Mac Pro that honkin' huge?

OTOH, that daringfireball post I lunk to doesn't say anything about the Mac Pro.

[slugslugslug]

I'm actually really wondering if that Mac mini price-drop speculation will be borne out. I might just buy one to use at work.

[Eug]

As I posted in the iMac thread:

[residentEvil]

come on kick ass mac mini upgrades!

[The Final Dakar]

The time of reckoning is upon us.

[osiris]

Let's go magic-god tablet!

[ajprice]

O.m.g.w.t.f.b.b.q.t.a.s.i.d.!!

[Eug]

^^ Tactical Advanced Situation Information Display?

[ajprice]

A) Tactical Advanced Situation Information Display
B) The Apple Store Is Down
C) The Activity Shop International Daycare

Get the right answer, win nothing.

[amazing]

Apple Roulette: Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! Rouge et Impair, non?

[Eug]

More rumeur:

MC207LL/A - K84 BEST BTR- USA
MC238LL/A - MAC MINI 2.26/2x1GB/160/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC239LL/A- MAC MINI 2.53/2x2GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC340LL/A - AIRPORT EXTREME (SIM DUALBAND) - USA
MC343LL/A - TIME CAPSULE 1TB (SIM DUALBAND) -USA
MC344LL/A - TIME CAPSULE 2TB (SIM DUALBAND) - USA
MC408LL/A - MAC MINI 2.53/2x2GB/1TB/NO ODD/AP-BT-USA
MC413LL/A - IMAC 21.5"/3.06/2x2GB/1TB/4670-256MB-USA
MC434LL/A - APPLE VESA MOUNT ADAPTER
MC461LL/A - MACBOOK 60W MAGSAFE POWER ADAPTER - USA

[The Final Dakar]

A power adapter?

[ajprice]

Things that look now/odd...

New 84 key keyboard, why BEST BTR?

Airport and Time Capsules with 3G SIM cards?

Is the current Macbook power adapter 60W?

Mac Mini with no optical drive and 1GB of hard drive storage?

A 21.5" iMac?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by ajprice 

A 21.5" iMac?

21.5" is actually a common size for 1920x1080 screens.

Currently, no iMacs have a 1920x1080 resolution.

[Brien]

Originally Posted by Eug 

21.5" is actually a common size for 1920x1080 screens.

Currently, no iMacs have a 1920x1080 resolution.

16:9 iMac? I wonder if those rumors of Apple merging TV functionality into it may have been more than armchair predictions.

I find the size odd, as every other product they sell is 16:10, and I don't see Apple redoing the entire display/laptop line to go 16:9 so soon.

[ort888]

Anything really interesting would be getting a press conference? No?

A quiet Tuesday morning update has to be something boring like a Mac Mini bump or something.

[Brien]

The original MacBook launched without an event, and IIRC so did one of the iMacs.

[The Final Dakar]

It's been two hours, what the hell, man?

[MacinTommy]

new imacs and new magic mouse as predicted...

[64stang06]

Apple - Magic Mouse - The world’s first Multi-Touch mouse.

[MacinTommy]

Holy **** 27 inch screens...

[MacinTommy]

Updated Mac Minis and new plastic Macbooks...

[The Final Dakar]

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...announces.html

The 27-inch model is something else entirely. It’s aimed at the professional who might otherwise buy a Mac Pro, but who wants an iMac, because they look better.

I think its more because they're 1000 ****ing dollars cheaper.

[64stang06]

Very nice, a Mac mini with SL server!

[ort888]

I like that mouse. Or rather, it looks like I will like that mouse.

Why doesn't the page say what ind of batteries it takes? I'm going to guess it takes 2 AAAs, but it's lame that there doesn't seem to be a detailed tech page.

27" iMac? Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick.

[mattyb]

I bought my 20 inch iMac in Feb 2007 - one of the last plastic jobbies. Apple Care finishes in Feb 2010.

Its like Apple were reading my fookin mind. Hope that its (the 27 incher) not too expensive though.

Specs are nice :

27-inch models only, one of the following:

* 2.66GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.2GHz
* 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz; Hyper-Threading for up to eight virtual cores

[ort888]

Yeah, what's up with the store being down?I want to know how much those iMacs are.

[The Final Dakar]

The 21.5-inch model is a classic consumer design, sporting chips from Intel running at 3.06 GHz and 3.33 GHz. It will sport Intel Core 2 Duos at speeds of 3.06 GHZ and 3.33 GHz. Graphics options include the Nvidia GeForce 9400M or the ATI Radeon 4670. There’s support for up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 2 terabytes of hard drive capacity. The starting price ranges: $1,199 to $1,499.

The 27-inch model is something else entirely. It’s aimed at the professional who might otherwise buy a Mac Pro, but who wants an iMac, because they look better. I saw the screen on this monster last night and it’s really impressive in person. It starts at $1,699, but there’s another model that has a quad-core Intel Core i5 chip, that starts at $1,999, and which won’t ship until November.

...

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

I bought my 20 inch iMac in Feb 2007 - one of the last plastic jobbies. Apple Care finishes in Feb 2010.

Its like Apple were reading my fookin mind. Hope that its (the 27 incher) not too expensive though.

Specs are nice :

27-inch models only, one of the following:

* 2.66GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.2GHz
* 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz; Hyper-Threading for up to eight virtual cores

Turbo Boost? What is this, Knight Rider?

[sek929]

27" iMac, me wantee.

[mattyb]

Less than 2000€ for the 27" with the i7 - good price.

With SL and the i7 thats going to be some desktop.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Turbo Boost? What is this, Knight Rider?

More like welcome to the past of computing. Hopefully Eug will crack the egg of knowledge on us.

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Turbo Boost? What is this, Knight Rider?

Isn't there another thread for Mac Mini owners who never get to service their wives?

Joking apart, what a day for Apple.

[olePigeon]

Turbo Boost makes the internet go faster.