Tuesday, July 27th 2010
Apple Unveils Hardware Specs. Updates for iMacs, Mac Pro, and a New Cinema Display
Apple today announced a large-scale refresh of its Mac line of computers. The refresh includes new models, and hardware updates on existing ones. Highlights include: 1. a complete transition to Intel 2010 Core Series processors (i3/i5/i7, across the board), a speed step up on existing SKUs, and a brilliant new Cinema display. To begin with, the entire range of iMac desktops now feature Core i3/i5/i7 processors, moving forward from Core 2 Duo that featured on the lower models. The lineup starts with Core i3 processors with speeds of up to 3.06 GHz (at the 21.5" $1,199 point), Core i3 3.20 GHz (at 21.5" $1,499 and 27" $1,699 points), and 2.80 GHz Core i5 quad-core (at the 27" $1,999 point).
Earlier, the 27", $1,999 model featured a 2.66 GHz Core i5 processor. Each of these models optionally offer faster processors. While the 21.5" $1,199 model packs ATI Radeon HD 4670 512 MB graphics, the $1,499 and $1,699 models come with ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB graphics, and the 27" one packs ATI Radeon HD 5750 1 GB. All models pack 4 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1333 MHz memory.
Next up is a similar specifications update for the top of the line Mac Pro. This highly scalable and customizable workstation from Apple comes in two basic price-points from where customers can expand or buy the system with its default configuration. At $2,499, the Mac Pro is driven by a single Intel Xeon W3530 2.80 GHz quad-core processor with 8 MB of L3 cache, 3 GB of triple-channel ECC DDR3-1066 MHz memory, ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 GB graphics, 1 TB of HDD storage and room for expansion, while at $1,000 more, the $3,499 model is powered by two Xeon E5620 2.40 GHz quad-core processors (dual-socket), 6 GB of memory, and HD 5770 1 GB as well. These models have the option of single and dual socket six-core processors.
Apple topped it off with a new 27-inch Cinema display that makes use of the latest display technologies. The new display maintains an aspect ratio of 16:9, with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (same as 27" iMacs), with an IPS panel, ambient light sensor that adjusts the display to the lighting conditions, and makes use of LED-backlit that makes illumination more uniform when compared to CFL-based illumination. Other features include a built-in iSight camera, and 3-port USB 2.0 hub. The Cinema display now only uses mini-DisplayPort as its connection. Said to release in September, the new 27-inch Cinema display goes for $999.
Earlier, the 27", $1,999 model featured a 2.66 GHz Core i5 processor. Each of these models optionally offer faster processors. While the 21.5" $1,199 model packs ATI Radeon HD 4670 512 MB graphics, the $1,499 and $1,699 models come with ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB graphics, and the 27" one packs ATI Radeon HD 5750 1 GB. All models pack 4 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1333 MHz memory.
Apple topped it off with a new 27-inch Cinema display that makes use of the latest display technologies. The new display maintains an aspect ratio of 16:9, with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (same as 27" iMacs), with an IPS panel, ambient light sensor that adjusts the display to the lighting conditions, and makes use of LED-backlit that makes illumination more uniform when compared to CFL-based illumination. Other features include a built-in iSight camera, and 3-port USB 2.0 hub. The Cinema display now only uses mini-DisplayPort as its connection. Said to release in September, the new 27-inch Cinema display goes for $999.
89 Comments on Apple Unveils Hardware Specs. Updates for iMacs, Mac Pro, and a New Cinema Display
It does surprise me that they didn't use a 5770 in the high end i7 iMac, or a 5830. But then, the high end iMacs have been notorious for heat issues in previous gens. Specially when they added a high performance CPU with an upper midrange GPU. Just turned the things into mini ovens.
I still wouldn't buy. Not because I don't like the specs. I do better than past gens. But cost of upgrading my current PC build would be only $540 if I went with dual 460 SLIs and a new Phenom. When considering that vs $3,000+ cause I wouldn't want a stock Mac, no way. Theres no way I'd consider an AIO machine so iMac is out. Then the Mini is little more than a toy in my eyes.
In the end, theres no Mac for me and Apple refuses to just make a cheap upgradable tower again like they had in the RISC era. $1000-$2000 tower that is not Xeon based is not too much to ask. Personally I just don't think they want to design another tower case again. They've been stagnating on the brushed metal for over 5 years now. That and they don't like the idea of people keeping machine for years like in the past. My last Mac is from 04, and last tower is from 01, generally I tend to get a good 5 years at least out of Macs if not more. Upgrade them as far as they'd go before buying again. Apple is likely ok with some of that on the overpriced Pros, but if there was a cheaper tower I'm sure they'd hate that.
Its basically a console, mb a ps3 can do more than those macs for under 400...
Like in consoles your hardware lasts less and makes you buy a new machine more often wasting more money...
Everyone else will just buy something under 1k or for extreme users they will buy the best they can get...
As for me, i need to invest at least 600€ or close to 700-800$, but im waiting for news on intel and ati upcoming hardware...
Im purely saying what i think based on the little i know...
It's mostly a financial problem and a certain dislike toward the brand call me biased or whatever, but thats what we outside the mac world see things, or at least try...
Actually i would never buy any Apple product, like iphone 4, its seems every now and then apple screw's up, plus their apple players aint the best in the universe and there are always a better and cheaper option...
Hopefully this means either an LED version of the 30" is coming or will drive the price of the 30" down.
But then again, i dont have 2k to waste...
I think that's enough discussing, these fights never end and lead nowhere...
And i know my system is cooled better too. Apple do some really shady crap COUGH iphone was the last one i believe. I guess it's a peace of mind :).
You're paying extra for a decent monitor that has no video input of any form.
In 6 years, that monitor is still good as a viewing device, but by that time it'll be eternally stuck to the then-useless hardware.
Not to mention that HD4670.. a 2H 2010 "update" of a $1200 computer with a 2 year-old mid-range GPU (which probably sells like $25 for them).
Hooray for greediness.Those $2000 windows machines have 2-5x more performance than the $2000 Mac, exponencially higher compatibility with software and hardware and there's practically no objective advantage in getting the Mac.
Your criticism doesn't really make much sense.
Plus, "retarded" is an actual medical condition and shouldn't be used to mock people.Excellent, superb and fantastic?
I guess it must be really great, incredible and amazing!
of course you can build your own machine for less, but that is comparing apples and oranges. compare a mac to a dell or an hp as far hardware, support and software are concerned.