14 DAY TRIAL // In what is a much expected move on behalf of Apple, the Cupertino-based Mac maker has taken down its online store to update it with new stuff. The question on everyone's minds is: what is Apple preparing to launch / update?
The company behind the Mac operating system usually takes down its store at this particular time of the day, on Tuesday, whenever it has some new stuff to put on the virtual shelves of its online store. The latest rumors have it that Apple is prepping to roll out a Nehalem (Xeon)-based line of Xserves.
According to recent reports, new models would include a single processor model capable of accepting 2.66GHz, 2.93GHz, and 3.2GHz quad-core Bloomfield chips, as well as a dual-processor model that would take two 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz, 2.8GHz, or 2.93GHz quad-core Gainestown chips. This could be the case only if fresh Xserves follow the same configuration format, as an AppleInsider analysis indicates. Gainestown, available in 2.4GHz, 2.53GHz, and 3.2GHz variants, could also make its way into fresh Xserves, according to the same report, although Apple doesn't look too fond of the respective architecture.
Intel's Nehalem micro architecture could actually double server performance while consuming less power compared to its predecessors, Intel has revealed. As such, the chips' low energy consumption in relation to performance gives users enough reason to upgrade, according to Dean McCarron, principal analyst at Mercury Research.
Also recently revealed by two separate sites is that Final Cut Studio 3 was being released shortly. However, Apple was said to initially launch a 32-bit version of the suite testing updates to the video software. Soon after, a 64-bit Final Cut Studio 3 will allegedly be compatible only with Snow Leopard due to system requirements.
Apple is also known to have discontinued one of the iPhone's most important accessories, yet struck out twice erasing all tracks of its existence on its web site. The company may be discontinuing several other products (accessories), in light of “Made for iPod and Works with iPhone” licensing, and perhaps wishes to do a less sloppy job this time around.
Neither Apple's line of desktop computers, nor the unibody family of portable Macs is expected to receive any hardware refreshes. The company has recently taken its store down to introduce the new, third generation iPod shuffle and isn't expected to introduce any fresh iPods or iPhone models via simple store listings.
UPDATE #1: according to a 9to5mac report, an Engadget reader spotted a Clubmac advertisement showing a 2TB Time Capsule. Apple has recently updated the machine so that it can broadcast at two different speeds/frequencies at the same time. An upgrade in storage is not that far fetched either.
UPDATE #2: the Apple store is back online. Sadly, the only observable change is the new Xserve coming in two models - Quad-Core and 8-Core using Intel's latest Xeon "Nehalem" processors.