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Quad Core iMac?

spencecb

spencecb

Suspended
Original poster
Nov 20, 2003
1,187
215
What do you think the likelyhood of Apple releasing a Quad Core iMac is?

If they did, do you think it would be during the next update? I know the iMac is overdue for an update...

I just think Apple is missing a segment in the consumer business right now. My boyfriend just bought a quadcore desktop that would be comparable to an iMac's price range. The processor used is the AMD Phennon, which, from what we researched, can be better/more efficient than Intel's Quad.

What do you all think? I'm approaching the time in which I would like to buy a new iMac, but will not until it has a quad core in it. Mine is aging fast (iMac G5 @ 2.1 GHZ).
 
The iMac uses notebook chips, so its unlikely to happen this year...

The iMac is not overdue, with an average of 185 days between updates, this iMac is 181 days in.
 
psychofreak said:
The iMac uses notebook chips, so its unlikely to happen this year...

The iMac is not overdue, with an average of 185 days between updates, this iMac is 181 days in.
Click to expand...

Ok, so it is incredibly close to being due for an update....
 
As the previous poster said, the iMac uses the same basic architecture as the MacBook Pro - i.e. mobile CPUs, so quad core isn't an option at present. Secondly, the current range of quad core CPUs use a lot of power and run pretty darned hot - difficult to accommodate in the iMac's form factor.
The other issue is, of course, that Apple would wind up competing with themselves - the iMac would start eating into MacPro sales...
 
tersono said:
The other issue is, of course, that Apple would wind up competing with themselves - the iMac would start eating into MacPro sales...
Click to expand...

I know Apple offers the MacPro with a quad core, but they aren't too serious about promoting it, because it is only apparent once you go to the online store and see it as the first option. It is clear that the product line focuses on the 8-core versions.

Why can't Apple use the quad core in the MacPro for the iMac? They got Intel to reduce the size of the Core2 Duo to fit in the MacBook Air...
 
It would be sweet to see a Mac Mini get a quad-core CPU in there. But, as tersono mentioned, then it would be fighting a small (and losing) battle against the Mac Pro. The thing is, the Mac Pro is designed to be just more than a machine that has an uber-powerful processor so including a quad-core in the Mac Mini or iMac wouldn't really be setting up a battle between the three form factors.
 
I'd also like to see the option of being able to put two HDD drives in the iMac instead of just one.
 
spencecb said:
Why can't Apple use the quad core in the MacPro for the iMac?
Click to expand...
Because it is a laptop architecture + a desktop hard drive. When the laptops go to quads then Apple will add them in - so to look at it from a standpoint of marketing - Apple probably sees Quads for the laptops by end of year so by offering the Mac Pro as a standard 8 core then they are safe from updating it - even though they won't be able to. Don't believe that a quad iMac = the quad Mac Pro either.
 
spencecb said:
I'd also like to see the option of being able to put two HDD drives in the iMac instead of just one.
Click to expand...

You want a quad processor and multiple harddrive bay's

Apple already have that product it is called a Mac Pro, you can find them on the apple web site.

Next you will want an upgradable graphic's card for the future and wait......... more ram.

goodluck with all that.
 
sas76 said:
You want a quad processor and multiple harddrive bay's

Apple already have that product it is called a Mac Pro, you can find them on the apple web site.

Next you will want an upgradable graphic's card for the future and wait......... more ram.

goodluck with all that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the attitude. People that post responses like yours are always very helpful.

Even though I don't think it needs to be said, I will: The MacPro is overkill for most consumers, and out of an affordable price range.

Now, this will not turn into a debate on if Apple is more expensive than the likes of HP, Dell, etc. For comparably spec'd computers, the pricing comes out fairly equal.

But there are gaps in the product line. One of those gaps is a AFFORDABLE quad core desktop. Most other PC makers have them, so Apple can, too.
 
Everyone but Apple offers an affordable desktop quad core right now. Ranging from the lackluster AMD Phenom to the current favorite son Intel and their Q6600. I've seen Fry's and Best Buy run quad core towers for $799.

Quad iMacs with 8+ GB RAM
 
When apple doesn't offer desktop chipset, affordable isn't in the picture.

Choose the more expensive notebook/workstation chipsets instead ... the consumer will love you for it. :p
 
spencecb said:
Even though I don't think it needs to be said, I will: The MacPro is overkill for most consumers, and out of an affordable price range.

Now, this will not turn into a debate on if Apple is more expensive than the likes of HP, Dell, etc. For comparably spec'd computers, the pricing comes out fairly equal.

But there are gaps in the product line. One of those gaps is a AFFORDABLE quad core desktop. Most other PC makers have them, so Apple can, too.
Click to expand...

Never mind the quad core, is the 2.8GHz iMac too slow for you? Do you actually need a computer that's slower than a MacPro but faster than the high end iMac, or you just want a quad core for the heck of it?
 
spencecb said:
Thanks for the attitude. People that post responses like yours are always very helpful.

Even though I don't think it needs to be said, I will: The MacPro is overkill for most consumers, and out of an affordable price range.

Now, this will not turn into a debate on if Apple is more expensive than the likes of HP, Dell, etc. For comparably spec'd computers, the pricing comes out fairly equal.

But there are gaps in the product line. One of those gaps is a AFFORDABLE quad core desktop. Most other PC makers have them, so Apple can, too.
Click to expand...

Hey great, it took less than 20 posts for this to devolve into another 'why isn't there a headless iMac' thread. We haven't had one of those for a good day or two, so why not?

Here's my answer: Apple is in the business of making profitable computers, which they have been doing exceptionally well of late. If there is an untapped, hugely profitable market out there for a consumer desktop, don't you think Apple would be making them?
 
spencecb said:
What do you all think? I'm approaching the time in which I would like to buy a new iMac, but will not until it has a quad core in it. Mine is aging fast (iMac G5 @ 2.1 GHZ).
Click to expand...

If you wait, you run the risk of getting a quad core iMac but with ancient spinning disk HD (the bottleneck), because the next update after quad core may have SSD as standard.
 
spencecb said:
I know the iMac is overdue for an update...
Click to expand...


Except that the iMac is actually not overdue for an update. The next revision to the iMac will most likely be Penryn dual-core 45nm in late-March, but more likely April or May at which point people will be clamoring more than ever that it is overdue. The following revision to the iMac could possibly be November but will most likely be next January at MWSF when Quad-core mobile chips on Montevina make it to the iMac. Right now the 2.4 and 2.8 iMacs are fantastic machines, run well, and sell great. So Apple will continue with their current timelines. Quad-core desktops run desktop chips, something not likely to show up in an iMac any time soon if ever. And Apple does offer a Quad Core Mac Pro as opposed to the 8-Core machines at the same $2,299 price point of the high end iMac. And yes that may be over kill for most people's needs and out of their budgets, if Apple were to try and offer a Quad iMac, that probably would cost too much to.
 
spencecb said:
Even though I don't think it needs to be said, I will: The MacPro is overkill for most consumers, and out of an affordable price range.
Click to expand...

The quad-core macpro is the EXACT same price as the high end imac ($2299 US).

Comparison at that price with no other configuration changes:
What you get in Mac Pro:
-Quad-Core @ same chip speed but different architecture (Penryn vs. Merom)
-Faster Chipset/Faster Memory
-Better Graphics Card (2600 XT vs. 2600 Pro)

What you get in iMac:
-24" Display (but you could use your old iMacs display I think I read somewhere)
-Wireless Card
-Bigger HDD (500 vs. 320)

It's your call but it is definitely in the "consumer" range at $2299
 
gauchogolfer said:
Hey great, it took less than 20 posts for this to devolve into another 'why isn't there a headless iMac' thread. We haven't had one of those for a good day or two, so why not?
Click to expand...

I really don't see anywhere in my post that I indicated I want a headless iMac, because I definitely don't.

I want a quad core iMac.
 
spencecb said:
I really don't see anywhere in my post that I indicated I want a headless iMac, because I definitely don't.

I want a quad core iMac.
Click to expand...

Don't you get that it is not currently possible.

1. iMac uses mobile processor.

2. Intel does not yet supply quad core mobile processors.

3. The iMac won't be redesigned as a thicker, hotter machine in order to fit a desktop CPU in it.

4. Until there are quad core mobile processors, the iMac won't have one.
 
jbg232 said:
The quad-core macpro is the EXACT same price as the high end imac ($2299 US)
Click to expand...

It might be the same price, but as you said, it doesn't include one key thing: a 24" display.

So its not the same, not the same at all. The iMac puts everything in an awesome all-in-one configuration, which is what I want.
 
jbg232 said:
The quad-core macpro is the EXACT same price as the high end imac ($2299 US).

Comparison at that price with no other configuration changes:
What you get in Mac Pro:
-Quad-Core @ same chip speed but different architecture (Penryn vs. Merom)
-Faster Chipset/Faster Memory
-Better Graphics Card (2600 XT vs. 2600 Pro)
Click to expand...

gah they both have the same GPU.... do your research please.
 
DoFoT9 said:
IMHO thers no chance of a quad-core imac, not at least for another year.
Click to expand...
I can imagine a Fall update to Montevina with a quad core option but if MWSF 2009 doesn't turn out to be another disappointment then I can see it there as well.

gauchogolfer said:
Hey great, it took less than 20 posts for this to devolve into another 'why isn't there a headless iMac' thread. We haven't had one of those for a good day or two, so why not?

Here's my answer: Apple is in the business of making profitable computers, which they have been doing exceptionally well of late. If there is an untapped, hugely profitable market out there for a consumer desktop, don't you think Apple would be making them?
Click to expand...
$799 quad core desktops from PC vendors and it's not that hard to find a decent display. Beating dead horse...again...

roland.g said:
Don't you get that it is not currently possible.

1. iMac uses mobile processor.

2. Intel does not yet supply quad core mobile processors.

3. The iMac won't be redesigned as a thicker, hotter machine in order to fit a desktop CPU in it.

4. Until there are quad core mobile processors, the iMac won't have one.
Click to expand...
You've summed it up quite nicely there. Right now it's either wait or get a Mac Pro.

jbg232 said:
The quad-core macpro is the EXACT same price as the high end imac ($2299 US).

Comparison at that price with no other configuration changes:
What you get in Mac Pro:
-Quad-Core @ same chip speed but different architecture (Penryn vs. Merom)
-Faster Chipset/Faster Memory
-Better Graphics Card (2600 XT vs. 2600 Pro)

What you get in iMac:
-24" Display (but you could use your old iMacs display I think I read somewhere)
-Wireless Card
-Bigger HDD (500 vs. 320)

It's your call but it is definitely in the "consumer" range at $2299
Click to expand...
I'd never spend more then US$1,500 for a quad core consumer desktop. The iMac and Mac Pro have the same video cards as well.
 
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