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2017 iMac refresh wish list [merged]
- Thread starter Sirmausalot
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I really hope they don't remove the hard drive as that internal space and SATA connector can be used for internal SSDs with up to 4TB more of flash storage (albeit not as fast). It's also important for capacity, something which I believe Apple is interested in addressing with the Mac Pro from their market research, so it could be likely to stay in the iMac. I really hope they keep hard drives in the 27" at least.
They seem pretty committed to the fusion drives as a lower-cost/max capacity option. However, with Thunderbolt, I don't think it makes sense to open up the computer to add another SSD and certainly that type of user is clearly one they are not catering to. If anything, user upgradable RAM might go. However, if we get an iMac Pro, a Xeon E3-1285 supports up to 64GB ECC RAM and that actually argues for user installation. But that also argues for 4 DIMM slots. Not sure how that would all work.... They generally avoid case redesigns and if they want to get an iMac Pro out quickly (Fall) then that means the same case as the one we have now. Speculation welcome
Nvidia has announced "Max-Q" which is their name for putting big GeForce cards into low power/heat configurations. They can cram a 1080 into a 18mm laptop with it.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/30/15711298/nvidia-max-q-thin-light-gaming-laptops
I don't think Apple having stuck to AMD has much to do with the design constraints of the iMac. Probably more about software and pricing. Probably the same situation as the games consoles. They all use AMD too.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/30/15711298/nvidia-max-q-thin-light-gaming-laptops
I don't think Apple having stuck to AMD has much to do with the design constraints of the iMac. Probably more about software and pricing. Probably the same situation as the games consoles. They all use AMD too.
Did you look how that notebook works and how it looks? When the lid is open the back is open,Apple will never do this just to make a gamer machiene
I don't understand your comment. Hasn't the iMac always had vents of one sort or another? I don't think Apple is opposed to those on the iMac.
Yeah I agree, I think we will see them stay. No they're not catering to that user and there's no way they would keep hard drives for the sake of user upgradeability, but it's something that's done, especially when the warranty expires and there's no real reason not to
The current iMac has 4 DIMM slots, allowing it to support 64GB RAM, so it wouldn't be much of a change.
I disagree with regards to case redesigns. The iMac is due for a redesign based on previous patterns and the fact that the whole Mac line is set to get the new aesthetic introduced with the MacBook and MacBook Pros. They've had plenty of time to work on a new case, it's not like they forgot about the iMac and only remembered near to that Mac discussion in April (and the same goes for the Mac Pro).
Apple is highly unlikely to use the X299 Intel chips. This would be equivalent to Apple using Xeon E5 chips. They are expensive and have a high TDP.
We will likely see Apple use the 7700K and simply replace the current 6700K.
That's my whole point about Max-Q. Regular GTX 1080 is 180W. Nvidia claims they can cut that by 50% for Max-Q implementations.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple wait until the fall to use 6 core coffee lake.
This would be an awesome card for the iMac. As much as I want to see AMD succeed, they are lacking something that is a good fit for the iMac. Polaris 10 (aka RX 480/580) is not as competitive efficiency wise and Vega will likely be too big and hot.
Yep, the full desktop card is 180 w. Faster cards like the 1080 ti or titan use the full 250 w.
It hasn't been since the Steve Job days where Apple has used brand new Intel tech.
Apple is just getting ready to support 7th gen processors in the MBP and 8th gen processors are going to be launched just a month or two after.
That seems to be the game Apple is playing anymore.
Kaby Lake is really nothing to get too excited about compared to Skylake. Its really a small bump in frequencies across the line.
These days Intel staggers its CPU launches quite a bit and things are only getting more confusing. For example, here is what is expected to be released this year and early next year.
Desktop 6 core coffee lake, 14 nm, ~Aug 2017
Notebook 4 core coffee lake, 14 nm, Late 2017
Notebook dual core cannon lake, 10 nm, Late 2017-Early 2018.
All of these could potentially be branded as 8th gen processors.
To play devils advocate, Intel is claiming the Coffee Lake isn't a small upgrade but up to 30% better. (We both know it won't be 30% but Intel is clearly scared of AMD.)
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/30/intel-coffee-lake-30-pct-performance-boost/
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Yes but in this case they are simply comparing a quad core chip vs a dual core. Though, it is impressive they can get a quad core part down to 15 W. As far as I know coffee lake's architectural enhancements are minimal and Intel is simply adding cores because they have nothing else to offer until the move to 10 nm.
Maybe I'm missing something... but why are we talking about 15W chips in this thread?
The iMac uses desktop CPUs in either 65W to 91W varieties.
The 15W chips mentioned in the earlier linked article would be for the MacBook Pro... not the iMac.
The iMac uses desktop CPUs in either 65W to 91W varieties.
The 15W chips mentioned in the earlier linked article would be for the MacBook Pro... not the iMac.
Yes, but the coffee lake architecture those 15 W chips are based on very well could be in a future iMac and its worthwhile to discuss what sort of performance benefit it may bring.
Ah... so if Coffee Lake 15W chips show decent improvement over Kaby Lake... the 65W or 91W chips should too.
I get it. Thanks.
Looks like new desktop Macs might be announced at WWDC - https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-in-eurasia-ahead-of-wwdc-on-june-5.2047869/
(While the MR post mentions laptops, the model numbers references in the filing are actually for the Mac Mini, cMP and nMP and the 4K and 5K iMac)
(While the MR post mentions laptops, the model numbers references in the filing are actually for the Mac Mini, cMP and nMP and the 4K and 5K iMac)
I'm not sure Mobile Vega will be ready by fall. Looks like the desktop class GPUs are just starting to trickle out.
What about these?
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/10series/laptops/max-q/
They did anounce os x drivers not that long ago.
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/10series/laptops/max-q/
They did anounce os x drivers not that long ago.