Apple planning dual-core and quad-core iMacs?
Apple may be using both quad-core and dual-core chips in a new iMac expected soon.
(Credit: CNET)Rather than choosing between dual-core or quad-core processors for an expected revision to the iMac, Apple may have decided to use both.
Shaw Wu of Kaufman Brothers, who just last week opined that an iMac refresh was around the corner, thinks Apple has resolved its dilemma over using quad-core or dual-core processors for the new systems by creating two tiers in the iMac line: a high-end version with a quad-core chip, and a low-end version with a dual-core chip. Apple currently offers two different screen sizes (20-inch and 24-inch) for the all-in-one iMac, and offers two different configurations for each size.
If Wu's sources are correct, Apple could further differentiate the 24-inch line with quad-core chips, or offer a choice of dual-core or quad-core processors for each screen size. The new systems are expected relatively soon, coming off news that Apple has informed resellers that shipments of the existing 24-inch iMacs will grow scarce in coming weeks.
Other news that Intel plans to have new quad-core server processors ready by the end of March could mean a refresh for the Mac Pro around that time. Apple needs to hit on some kind of catalyst for its desktop category, which suffered a 25 percent decline in shipments and a 31 percent decline in revenue during its first fiscal quarter.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
Dual Core:
iMac 20inch, iMac 20inch, iMac 24inch
Quad Core:
iMac 20inch, iMac 20inch, iMac 24inch
Sounds like Steve or Apple is following the same old past.
Why not make it like the Mac Pro, built to order with users desired processor speed.
Maybe he's right, maybe not. But there needs to be some accountability and people need to stop referencing sources that are mostly wrong.
I think he means the Nehalem Xeons
I'd expect Apple to go with the Yorkfield based Q8200S (2.33ghz), Q9400S (2.66ghz) and the Q9550S (2.83ghz) as they're all 65w TDP, compared to 95w for the standard Core 2 Quads.
Dell's business-class machines come with little or no trial software. And as for their home machines, it's nothing that CCleaner or PC Decrapifier can't handle.
Apple's switchup to 64bit is going to be messy, but not that much (software). As for hardware updates, no argument. I don't give a rats-ass about the imac line; but those MacPro's should have had i7 chips available yesterday.
Apple's switch to 64-bit has already been messy, there are glaciers melting faster. Conversion of 3rd party drivers to 64-bit will be just as chaotic as with Windows, so I expect it to be very drawn out.
i7's without ECC are unusable.
Macbooks have been 64bit for a couple revisions and snow leopard will be entirely 64 bit.
Once again, Apple will "innovate" by sticking last years hardware in a fancy case and overcharging for it.
doesn't really mean n e thing for the average user
they want a system that works well without problems
and gets things done with minimum effort
both of which Macs excel at !
So Apple innovate by making computers user friendly
Having a Fancy design doesn't hurt either !
remember if it wasn't for Apple's forward thinking
Graphical UI wouldn't be the way it is now !
Apple don't necessarily make new products from ground up
but make products that r easier to use than the competition
Can you make an tangible argument without using abstract terms such as "easy to use", "minimum effort", and "Forward thinking"? Can you even define those statements?
Someone knowledgable can easily apply all those terms to a Windows PC and I'm sure a Linux user can do the same. Can you, without a hint of doubt, prove that these abstract terms are only possible on a Mac? Are you that arrogant?
@77dust
what do you define average
*web surfer
*worker
*casual gamer
web surfing doesn't benefit from any hardware upgrade unless the machine truly sucks
a faster processor can make calculations quicker for the worker and faster load times for the casual gamer
I built my system for just over $700. Everything bought from newegg. The OS sees all 4 cores with no issues. Its been up and running for the past 3 weeks with reboots other than software update related reboots.
PC vs MAC? The hardware is pretty much the same. Its the OS that matters :)
so read fully before whining and calling others arrogant
ease of use {average user} - open the Imac out of the box
connect the power cord {only 1 cable required}
switch it on, and power the wireless keyboard/mouse
Do the intro registration via the easy wizard
which BTW also connects to Home network automatically
Launch Safari and browse the internet
no need to remove n e crapware whatsoever
no need for anti spyware/adware to be installed
also
Immediately Share files over the network ,zero config required
{networking in XP = pain ,especially file sharing}
on the Multi-media front
use Iphoto & Itunes to manage music,photos & vids
use IMovie to edit/produce videos
BTW all this out of the box
IWork 90 days trial is also pre-insatlled
so Even word processing/spreadsheets etc.
can be done out of the box {enter the key to register full version}
Even basics
like installing apps/file management etc r much easier
For the average user
there's mostly no need for installing 3rd party software
everything is built right in{Even spell checking is built into the OS}
DVD burning built right,Dictionary built right in
IChat + video conferencing out of the box
obviously all those things can be done on Xp and Linux
but is it as easy as this ? I think not !
A technically inclined user can use windows easily
But for the average user it's easier to use a Mac
which is why they r so many switchers !
In the longer run it's easier even for a knowledgeable user
here's why -:
no need to shutdown ever {I only use sleep/wake even for months}
no system slowdowns over time , no re-installs
memory managment is way better than windows
{Most programs launch quickly
and the system stays snappy over time}
no need for constant maintenance work
{virus/spyware scans & defrag take up time and resources}
Time machine automatically backs up data
The UI is just more productive {spaces,spotlight,widgets}
Far less problems overall and effortless computing
& OSX is definitely more secure than windows, so that helps too
also MAC only software is amazing {quicksilver etc.}
Windows/linux software can also be used in VMs simultaneously
plus iLife is in a different league than other similar PC software
you need to use a MAC to understand wat I'm talking about
which is why the famous MAC quote came about
"once you go Mac you never go back"
Forward thinking -
Apple introduced Graphical UI in the 80s
The Ipod/itunes revolutionized the music industry
The IPhone is revolutionizing the Smartphone industry
{again ease of use over specs/features}
I have had a MacBook for a year now (MacBook Pro before that). It's 2.4 ghz DualCore, 2 gb ram, 300ish gb SATA hard disk. It has slowed over time. It used to take 30 - 45 seconds to start up. Now, it takes nearly 2 minutes. I don't know, maybe I use it too much, or maybe I shut it down too much instead of just letting it sleep (see, that costs me more in my electricity bills over time). I agree the Mac is easier out of the box, but there are so many other issues you run into, sometimes I wish I used Windows again (as I do for my job, so I can keep it working). OS X is perfect for Grandma, but even high school students these days (for the most part) are more capable computer users than Apple lets you be. If it doesn't work right away, it's not going to unless you take a week off from work to work on it. OS X needs to be more expert friendly.
My friend had a similar problem. To fix it open up disk utility. Its located in /Applications/Utilities/ and repair your disk permissions. Also Verify your disk. If their is problems you will need to repair your drive with the install cd. If you boot the cd you will have to go to Utilities>Disk Utility and then click repair disk.
LOL. It won't even match the last generation of OEM PC hardware!
I've waiting for ever
to replace my outdated AMD crapbox
they need to get a new mini out ASAP
But it's strange that the Outdated Mac mini
with DVD combo drive and GMA graphics
has been the no. 1 desktop on Amazon for quite sometime
it's both strange and disturbing
I mean for god's sake a DVD combo drive ?
how does Apple even get companies
to manufacture that outdated piece of technology
Can I have your "outdated AMD crapbox" I am sure I could find some use for it.
Having said all this ... and having a iMac in the house ... we'd pick up another provided Apple could offer a CPU in the top 25% of the consumer market. I'm afraid it's going to have to be an i7 sooner or later. Used to be, in Apple world ... you'd want the bragging rights of a the fastest, newest CPU's. Then again, the PC/Intel model moves a lot more quickly than the old Motorola one. Maybe the corporate culture needs to pick up some speed when it comes to CPU's.
interesting...
why the sarcastic long face?
if you are right then prove it, its that simple.
your argument is at least 7 years old and thus obsolete, why? because back then, Macs were using a totally different architectures then PC's, so the hardware superiority argument was valid even if it was false.
today, and what you clearly failed to understand from my post is that Apple (the corp) have finally bowed down to the diversity and superiority of the PC parts and thats why they did the only right move they could do, which is start building MACS using PC parts.
so NOW, Macs are basically PC's with a Mac OS instead of Windows or Linux , the only difference besides the operating system is that a PC could be upgraded any time for any budget and upon request while a MAC can't because of the Software incompatibility set by the mother corporation.
as for who lasts more, this argument can only be made by someone who have (with all due respect) zero IT culture. i find it stupid to even say but im gonna say it anyways : 7 years old computers are USELESS by todays standards. and even more, i gotta be really messed up in the brain to believe that the same Intel or AMD processor and the same nVidia or ATI card will last longer because i bought them from apple and not from Dell !
o_O interesting reasoning.
how do i know that? not because im smarter, but only because its related to my job and i verify claims by reading.
how you don't know that? because you don't read about the subject and you blindly believe commercials and let feelings and nostalgia drive your judgment.
What Apple calls *configuration* is really your selections amongst the vast array of very expensive Apple software offers that are available. The only pair of hardware choices Apple gives you are your hard drive size and your amount of onboard RAM.
So far as the article headline, it should be changed to "Apple Planning Quad-Core iMacs?" - Dual core Intel CPU's for iMacs have been a standard hardware part on all iMac's for years.
Most consumers (like myself) will not upgrade for many years (because I am not made of endless money that I can just throw around).
Apple ALERT: There is a recession going on -- think about THAT when you over price your products.
Apple is behind the curve as usual.
Now the article at hand yes Apple "appears" to be overpriced and "appears" to be behind on hardware but it's absolutely incredible what they are capable of doing from a performance and efficiency standpoint with last year's hardware. This desire to have the latest and greatest is part of the economic issues. As far as which Mac should a person by, it doesn't matter if you by last year's this year's, or next year's it's going to SMOKE a PC running any OS. Especially Windows...Explain that if it's not the hardware and it's only the OS.
give any MACHINE (PC MAC or even Alien) with 2007 hardware that SMOKES ANY machine with 2008 hardware.
its very simple, just one example.
Apple is overpriced, and it is behind on hardware, isn't that the reason why we invented hackintoshes?
- by weeman17 February 3, 2009 7:04 AM PST
- I am thinking this is a prudent move. I read in another article that apple is worried about sales being pulled away from the mac pro. Personally, I would use it for a server because it is UNIX class OS, but i would use it for nothing else. I would agree" and i can't believe the words are coming out of my mouth" with AppleSuxLeo that apple needsa blu-ray player (note: I am still a mac user). Processor speed is a step in the right direction.
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