New iMac: What Specs?

[Erasmus]

So. I'd written out a long and witty post, and then my computer panicked. So, not in the mood to rewrite.
Basically, The title says it all. What do you see as coming in the new C2D iMac, coming with a bit of luck at WWDC2006?

Being a uni student, I was thinking that an iMac plus a Macbook would be more practical than a high end MBP, and for almost the same price. Lighter notebook, with less worry about it being nicked, and at home, a computer even faster than an MBP. Any opinions? The only downsides I can see is not having the power on the go (although the Macbook is certainly not weak), AU$250, and the slight annoyance of managing to keep the files on two computers managed, and up to date with each other. None of which are that bad. There are many positives that I can see.

So... What will it be? Will we be stuck with x1600s still, or we see the introduction of the x1800, or x1900? Perhaps a larger screen (23"?) with the extra space used to cool a conroe processor? (btw, does anyone know the TDP of the G5 chip? Merom is 35, Conroe was 60 or something?)
Will we see the fastest chips, or will the MBP remain one step ahead in straight CPU clock speed?

A pre-emptive toast to all who post here. Cheers!

 

[mad jew]

No idea what's a-comin', but I have an iMac + iBook combo and can safely say it's almost perfect for me as a student. I keep them synchronised with .Mac though, so maybe look into getting that too. There are cheaper alternatives but I find .Mac to be the simplest and easiest, despite its problems.

 

[Erasmus]

Geez, that was quick!
Thanks for your input Mr. Jew.
I'm glad to see my theory works for at least someone in practice.
For synchronisation, that piece of software for keeping iPods and phones in synch, um iSync maybe? Yes. Does that work between two computers? I've never used it.

 

[mad jew]

Nah, iSync only works between the Mac and a device or .Mac account unfortunately. However, RsyncX may be what you're looking for if .Mac doesn't appease.

 

[Erasmus]

Meh. Don't think I like the $100 per year (US?) it costs. I would probably be using the router we have at home. It has wireless capability as well as Ethernet (I don't now if it does gigabit or not, I hope it does).

Another question, the answer is almost certainly no, but is it possible to use more than one networking method to stream data at even higher speeds? Say if the macbook and iMac were connected to a router via Ethernet (or even just via Crossover Cable) could one use both this and the 50Mb/s or so Airport provides to get even faster data transfer? I suppose it's a bit theoretical, because if you can get 1000Mb/s, an extra 50 isn't really going to effect the transfer time that much.

Thanks.

 

[mad jew]

Meh. Don't think I like the $100 per year (US?) it costs. I would probably be using the router we have at home. It has wireless capability as well as Ethernet (I don't now if it does gigabit or not, I hope it does).

Fair enough.

Another question, the answer is almost certainly no, but is it possible to use more than one networking method to stream data at even higher speeds? Say if the macbook and iMac were connected to a router via Ethernet (or even just via Crossover Cable) could one use both this and the 50Mb/s or so Airport provides to get even faster data transfer? I suppose it's a bit theoretical, because if you can get 1000Mb/s, an extra 50 isn't really going to effect the transfer time that much.

I guess it's possible but I don't know of a way. Even if there's a way of hacking the system, it's probably not worth it.

 

[dmw007]

Not sure what the exact specs for the next iMac will be, but a Merom or Conroe processor is likely, and hopefully a faster GPU with 256MB of VRAM standard. A 23" iMac would be pretty cool, but I don't see it happening at the moment.


I agree with mad jew, an iMac & a MacBook would be a great combination of power and portability.

 

[michaeldmartin]

Not sure what the exact specs for the next iMac will be, but a Merom or Conroe processor is likely, and hopefully a faster GPU with 256MB of VRAM standard. A 23" iMac would be pretty cool, but I don't see it happening at the moment.


I agree with mad jew, an iMac & a MacBook would be a great combination of power and portability.

I doubt they will have conroe because they want there to be a more noticable difference between their imac and their pro line. not only that, the core duo is already powerful enough. (Beat superpi world record @3ghz)

 

[topgunn]

If history is any indication, I think the iMacs will keep the X1600 for at least one more and possibly two more generations. Apple is definetly not on the cutting edge when it comes to graphics cards.

Conroe has a TDP of 65w. I have seen reports on the G5 ranging from 80-100w. If Apple does decide to put Conroe in the new iMacs, it doesn't need 23" worth of space to do it. If the iMacs are upgraded in August or September, they will likely be bumped to a low to mid range Core 2, maybe a silent upgrade to X1600XT and possibly an updated iSight. I don't think anything else would change.

 

[topgunn]

(Beat superpi world record @3ghz)

You have seen the superpi results of Conroe at nearly 5GHz, right?

 

[michaeldmartin]

Since it's not technically out, it doesn't count!

Plus: the core duo is a laptop processor. It just shows how far AMD is behind (it beats overclocked FX-62) Not only that, the imac already has bad cooling, imagine the temps if it had conroe with that cooling..... They ran conroe at 5GHZ w/ liquid nitrogen...

 

[topgunn]

I agree, AMD has a lot of catching up to do. In fact, they have conceded that they won't catch the high-end Core 2's anytime soon so they are lowering the price of their entire lineup to retain the $/performace crown.

Cooling Conroe is a much easier task that cooling the G5. For one, Conroe has much better stepping techology that the G5 did. If they do decide to put it in the iMac, it likely won't be whisper quiet like the Core Duos are now. That would turn me off from a Conroe iMac just a bit.

 

[Sun Baked]

Look up the Intel 965 Express chipset, besides the graphics card and the possible switch to faster AirPort Extreme (802.11n) -- you should get an idea of what is likely to be happening with the next actual motherboard upgrade.

aka, 8GB memory, faster bus/memory, etc. -- don't expect some of the Apple I/O chips to change much, so that stuff isn't likely to change much.

However Apple still can speedbump the machine and swap the CPU for something different next round if chips aren't at production levels yet.

 

[dextertangocci]

I would get a MBP, as I would go crazy syncing my data on 2 computers.

 

[Caitlyn]

I currently own an iBook, and plan to buy the Rev. B Intel iMac. I too think it will be a great combo of power a portability...even though my iBook is a bit outdated compared to the current MacBook, you get the picture.

 

[dmw007]

If history is any indication, I think the iMacs will keep the X1600 for at least one more and possibly two more generations. Apple is definetly not on the cutting edge when it comes to graphics cards.

I am not so sure this will be the case, every revision of the iMac G5 had a different video card in it-

Rev A- 64MB GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
Rev B- 128MB ATI Radeon 9600
Rev C- 128MB ATI Radeon X600 Pro or X600XT

 

[SteveRichardson]

Isn't there a way to sync two macs using Bonjour? what's the real point of bonjour anyway?

 

[Erasmus]

I saw the Page 1 rumor, and thought "Oh Damn. Now my thread's redundant!" But after reaing it, it seems that it most certainly isn't. Hooray!

Well here's to hoping for a conroe processor. Don't think I care about how loud it is (within reason of course). My computer at the moment is cooled by convection, with the only audiable noise being the HDD (which sounds remeniscent of a turbojet, albeit a very quiet one). Stick in some CD's (not all do this), maybe they aren't perfectly balanced, and it starts to sound like a 4 cylinder racecar with only half its pistons running and no mufflers. It is rather annoying, heading towards insanity inducing. Does this happen to any of you guys (term used loosely to include anyone)?

Here also is to hoping Apple breaks tradition and sticks in an awesome GPU. Perhaps Apple should consider the wishes of potential Mac Gamers (like me) and introduce the iMac Ultra? Here's to hoping...

I've sorta set a goal that I would like something capable of running Quake 4 on Ultra setting, with FSAA, and all that on highest (and being playable of course). If it could do that (either the MBP or iMac) then it should be able to run SolidWorks, a program I will be using for Uni, very well. My last SW project brought the Uni P4's (3Ghz) to their knees, and so it would be nice to have something that could far surpass that.

Usually prices of Apple hardware is consistent through revolutions, so could the Macbook see a speedbump, or an increased HDD, with the Core Duo pricedrops? I am assuming the Macbook will stay Core (1).

I would assume synching a MB with an iMac would be ok, because the Macbook shouldn't need to have much stuff on it. It would only have what I need for Uni. With a 500Gb HD on the iMac, plus an extra hundred or so on my Cube, I doubt whether I'd ever run out of HD space...

Thanks for all your inputs. Keep them coming!

 

[xfiftyfour]

Nah, iSync only works between the Mac and a device or .Mac account unfortunately. However, RsyncX may be what you're looking for if .Mac doesn't appease.

for syncing between two computers, i've heard good things about Chronosync as well.

 

[mad jew]

Isn't there a way to sync two macs using Bonjour? what's the real point of bonjour anyway?

Not that I know of. Think of Bonjour as a networking language that allows Macs, PCs and certain other devices to connect/transfer/exchange data relatively seamlessly.

 

[Erasmus]

If the iMacs are to get Conroe processors, what is the upgrading prospect like? Is it possible to stick in the next generation (Clovertown or Kentsfield, or something) into the socket?

Thanks.

 

[Erasmus]

BTW, if anyone visits this rather dead thread, the answer seems to be yes. It seems that Conroe uses the same chipset as Kentsfield, as does Clovertown to Woodcrest.

Assuming the power requirements are kept similar and Apple doesn't make changing CPU's impossible.