14 DAY TRIAL // A Digitimes report claims Apple is on track to receive the beefed-up CPUs for future product releases. Apple has already declared that no new Macs are in line for a pre-2009 release, leaving early next year the best time to introduce the new desktop solutions.
The respective report explains that Intel has plans to launch three 65W low-power desktop CPUs, targeting small form factor (SFF) PCs and all-in-one PCs. The release will occur in mid-January next year, says DigiTimes citing “sources at PC vendors.”
“Intel will launch the Core 2 Quad Q8200s (2.33GHz/4MB L2), Core 2 Quad Q9400s (2.66GHz/6MB L2) and Core 2 Quad Q9550s (2.83GHz/12MB L2) with prices at US$245, US$320 and US$369, respectively in thousand-unit tray quantities,” sources indicated to DigiTimes. “These CPUs will have the same specifications as standard CPUs with the same model number, but will see their TDP drop from 95W to 65W,” the report revealed.
The frosting on the cake is, of course, the mentioning of Apple as one of the “PC vendors” that “have already decided to launch products based on these CPUs.” Vendors including Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Dell are embarking on the same journey to beef up computer systems, while Asustek Computer is still considering its options, the report reveals.
According to an old Macworld report, Bill Evans stated that “[Apple's] holiday line-up is set,” despite Internet rumors of product releases happening before 2009. The statement didn't come as a surprise, but certainly shaved off some hard-earned points at rumor-focused sources, who had suggested earlier that Apple was refreshing its entire iMac line within a few weeks.
Following the release of Apple's "unibody" MacBooks, AppleInsider cited sources close to the Cupertino-based manufacturer as saying that some of the parts built inside Apple's latest notebooks would be used in revamped iMac models as well. The same people allegedly told the publication that changes to “the iMac family will largely consist of performance improvements and technology refreshes.” The source also drew attention to the architectural resemblance to the MacBook line.
Other changes were said to include the processor, the connectivity ports, and (maybe) the graphics solution, the source said, pointing out that, with Snow Leopard on the way (Grand Central), Apple's Macs would have to boast an increased number of processor cores.