iMac Processor updates?

[mbart11]

Anyone have any idea if Apple will put a faster processor in the Imac?

It's been about 5 months with the i7 2.8GHz and I'm debating whether to buy now or if a new processor is around the corner like the new i7-980x?

 

[spinnerlys]

The funny part: no one knows, except Apple and its affiliates maybe.
Something to look at:
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iMac

 

[TMRaven]

I doubt they'll update the top-of-the line models.

If anything they'll put in arrandales in the 21.5 inch models.

 

[Badger^2]

I doubt they'll update the top-of-the line models.

If anything they'll put in arrandales in the 21.5 inch models.

If they update one, they will update them all.

 

[WilliamG]

I don't think we'll see iMac updates for a while yet. The i7 is outrageously fast as it is.

 

[pilot1226]

Trickle effect, I think. If they were to add it as an option, they would simply just take the place of the "high-end" and the old high-end would become the middle-of-the-road one and the prices would change appropriately.

I'm hoping that they make the i5/i7 standard for the 27" iMac rather than having to upgrade for it, and I'm also hoping that they make the GPU a little stronger.

As said above, keep an eye on the Buyer's Guide on the website, it's a lifeline since Apple is so secretive.

Per the guide:

Product iMac
Recommendation: Neutral - Mid product cycle
Last Release October 20, 2009
Days Since Update 157 (Avg = 221)

Worst case scenario in the history of the iMac was 11 months between updates, best was like 4 months. So we're in the middle now. Keep your fingers crossed and your wallet in your pocket, you'll be glad you did! (I had a buddy in college that bought an iBook right before they came out with Tiger and he was really steamed for a good couple of months.

 

[Hellhammer]

Apple is already using the fastest chip suitable for iMac (there Core i7 870 which is 130MHz faster but cost twice as much). Sure there are some Xeons which would suit for iMac but no way we'll see a Xeon in AIO.

My guess is that high-end will stay the same but low and mid-level will get Clarkdales.

 

[m0nkeyb0y]

This old rumor suggests that around MArch/April, the 21 would get bumped to i3's, and the 27 would see a bump too. No one else has heard anything like that since then, but it would be nice.

http://macosrumors.com/2009/11/28/whats-next-for-imac-mac-pro/

here are a few tidbits on a modest Early 2010 iMac speed bump mentioned in the new roadmap documents Cupertino has put together in the past few weeks:

*Most likely shipping in March or April, though some sources suggest uncertainty over wholesale component cost curves could push this into May depending on market conditions.

*Core 2 models updated to “Clarkdale” Core i3 32-nanometer desktop CPUs at 2.93 and 3.06GHz with on-chip integrated graphics (replacing nVIDIA 9400). Clarkdale Core i3 adds HyperThreading (two cores, four threads) for a considerable performance bump of 30%+ but does not support Turbo.

*Lynnfield (quad core) models updated with a new 2.93GHz Core i7 model and optional SSD solid-state drives. Slight price cut to existing 2.66GHz Core i5 model.

*27-inch models available with optional Radeon 4870 graphics processor over existing 4850 for a significant (but not dramatic) performance bump. Rumors of a dual-GPU 4870X2 model are thus far unsubstantiated, and questionable due to heat problems.

*Addition of an eSATA external storage port on all models, which will dramatically improve bandwidth for external drives over Firewire 800. This will be part of eSATA adoption across the entire Mac line over the course of 2010.

 

[skadd]

It's not the processor that needs to be updated.