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News about sandybridge platform
http://www.electronista.com/article...za&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_source=SNSanalytics


Early details have emerged today for the first processors to use Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform. The 32 nanometer desktop processors known so far will all start at 3.1GHz or higher and scale up depending on the model. Intel reportedly plans to keep the Core i3, i5 and i7 naming schemes and to use both the number of actual cores and the presence of Hyperthreading to dictate performance and price.
The starting models so far would be the 3.1GHz Core i3 2100 and 3.3GHz Core i3 2120. Either would have two cores with Hyperthreading and 3MB of Level 3 cache. The Core i5 2400 and 2500 would run at the same respective speeds but replace Hyperthreading with four actual cores; they would also climb to 6MB of cache. Just one Core i7 model, the 2600, would be available but at 3.2GHz would have both four real cores and Hyperthreading, along with 8MB of cache.

Other details, such as power draw, aren't known. However, the power consumption may be lower than today for some processors -- as low as 35W, based on some claims -- and should have on-die integrated graphics significantly faster than on the current models that have the feature.

Intel has already said that it plans to deliver Sandy Bridge for the desktop in the fall. Its notebook counterpart, which will run on the Huron River platform, isn't due until early 2011.
 
News about sandybridge platform
http://www.electronista.com/article...za&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_source=SNSanalytics


Early details have emerged today for the first processors to use Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform. The 32 nanometer desktop processors known so far will all start at 3.1GHz or higher and scale up depending on the model. Intel reportedly plans to keep the Core i3, i5 and i7 naming schemes and to use both the number of actual cores and the presence of Hyperthreading to dictate performance and price.
The starting models so far would be the 3.1GHz Core i3 2100 and 3.3GHz Core i3 2120. Either would have two cores with Hyperthreading and 3MB of Level 3 cache. The Core i5 2400 and 2500 would run at the same respective speeds but replace Hyperthreading with four actual cores; they would also climb to 6MB of cache. Just one Core i7 model, the 2600, would be available but at 3.2GHz would have both four real cores and Hyperthreading, along with 8MB of cache.

Other details, such as power draw, aren't known. However, the power consumption may be lower than today for some processors -- as low as 35W, based on some claims -- and should have on-die integrated graphics significantly faster than on the current models that have the feature.

Intel has already said that it plans to deliver Sandy Bridge for the desktop in the fall. Its notebook counterpart, which will run on the Huron River platform, isn't due until early 2011.

I'm sure there will be lower clocked versions too, 3.1GHz as starting clock sounds a bit high. The naming system and models are also unconfirmed so don't take those as facts
 
Reading that then I think a dual-core i5 will likely be the low end in this iMac revision with quad-cores remaining in the 27". Any i5 is still a significant speed upgrade thanks to the removal of the FSB bottleneck, but the big leap will come in January.

Now I'm wondering whether my iMac can hold out a few months more. It's only really the launching of Steam that shows up its inadequacies as the graphics card is only a 2400, which is far too weak for most of the decent titles. Well, that and it's very choppy with HD video, but can I put up with that a bit longer?
 
Reading that then I think a dual-core i5 will likely be the low end in this iMac revision with quad-cores remaining in the 27". Any i5 is still a significant speed upgrade thanks to the removal of the FSB bottleneck, but the big leap will come in January.

I doubt we'll see i5 in the low-end as it's 176$ per chip while C2D is 113$. i3 starts from 113$. Apple wants the maximum profit anyway. The i5 used in high-end iMac costs 196$ so low-end and high-end with nearly same priced CPUs would be ridiculous. i3 for low-end and i5 as option IMO
 
You're probably right, but after the i3 failed to appear in any of the MacBook line I was thinking Apple might be giving that chip a miss. Hopefully we'll find out soon enough.
 
I could see the iMac line going to Core i3, i5 and i7 - with the elimination of the nVidia 9400 GPU (or is it 9400M?) and replacing it with a GT series model. As for higher-end GPUs, that's less certain... remember, the reason Apple stated for not putting an i3 into the MacBook line is due to lack of room for discrete graphics, and the integrated graphics that come with the i3 would have been a downgrade.
 
I could see the iMac line going to Core i3, i5 and i7 - with the elimination of the nVidia 9400 GPU (or is it 9400M?) and replacing it with a GT series model. As for higher-end GPUs, that's less certain... remember, the reason Apple stated for not putting an i3 into the MacBook line is due to lack of room for discrete graphics, and the integrated graphics that come with the i3 would have been a downgrade.

Exactly. i3 isn't even an upgrade from C2D as it tops out at 2.26GHz if IIRC and has no turbo. For iMac it is as it starts from 2.93GHz. The issue with iX is that integrated GPU i.e. 320M cannot be used so Apple has to come up with new GPU unless they use 330M or 4670 for example (doubt it as they are too powerful for low-end).
 
I need help

I need help, I've been waiting ages now for the new imac to come out, but it's looking like its gonna be mid august at the earliest. I've also been waiting absolutely ages for the Starcraft 2 game to come out which is now confirmed as end of July. The mac mini I have at the moment has been great but it's too old to play sc2 on I think.

I don't know whether to just buy the existing imac or wait, I would buy the one where I could play 4v4 on high spec anyway, the standard 27 inch one would do that I think. But I will feel a bit gutted though if they bring a new imac out a month later. So I can't decide!
 
You're probably right, but after the i3 failed to appear in any of the MacBook line I was thinking Apple might be giving that chip a miss. Hopefully we'll find out soon enough.
Didn't this have something to do with that Intel and nVidia didn't come to any kind of agreement so Apple could use integrated graphics on the i3, i5, or i7? Just becuase the Intel HD was there?
 
Didn't this have something to do with that Intel and nVidia didn't come to any kind of agreement so Apple could use integrated graphics on the i3, i5, or i7? Just becuase the Intel HD was there?

It was because of licensing issues. Intel didn't let NVidia to design their own chipsets as they wanted to dominate the market, so there is noway an integrated NVidia GPU could be used as it would have to come from NVidia and Apple is too lazy to redesign the 13" MBP so that it could fit a discrete GPU.
 
I need help, I've been waiting ages now for the new imac to come out, but it's looking like its gonna be mid august at the earliest. I've also been waiting absolutely ages for the Starcraft 2 game to come out which is now confirmed as end of July. The mac mini I have at the moment has been great but it's too old to play sc2 on I think.

I don't know whether to just buy the existing imac or wait, I would buy the one where I could play 4v4 on high spec anyway, the standard 27 inch one would do that I think. But I will feel a bit gutted though if they bring a new imac out a month later. So I can't decide!

Just wait.... or else you will have regrets...... And really, why can't you wait 4 to 7 weeks. What will happen?
 
Thanks bas-macfan, I know you're right. My patience is wearing a bit thin after waiting this long, but I'll hang in there. :cool:
 
It was because of licensing issues. Intel didn't let NVidia to design their own chipsets as they wanted to dominate the market, so there is noway an integrated NVidia GPU could be used as it would have to come from NVidia and Apple is too lazy to redesign the 13" MBP so that it could fit a discrete GPU.

Why is there no investigation into this? Intel's GPUs are S**T. I don't know how Intel was able to get away with it.
 
Why is there no investigation into this? Intel's GPUs are S**T. I don't know how Intel was able to get away with it.
I believe an investigation was launched but it never got very far, or is ongoing but stalled in the legal process somewhere. I'd provide a link, but... both companies are so secretive about this matter that I can't find one.
 
Why is there no investigation into this? Intel's GPUs are S**T. I don't know how Intel was able to get away with it.

What investigation? Intel does what they want for their products. If NVidia offered enough money, Intel would accept the deal but looks like NVidia doesn't want to do that as MBP is pretty much the only computer using them. Sandy Bridge will deliver a lot better IGP.

Also, there has been no confirmation is there a hardware limitation for that because Nehalem introduced Northbridge which was integrated to the CPU. Before it was a separate chip but in NVidia chipsets, for example the 9400M had both bridges integrated in it, allowing NVidia to modify the memory controller as much as they liked
 
Great idea for a thread.

This is my first post so I'd like to say Hi to the Mac community. I'm a PC user, been a sys admin for the past 10 years but due to various personal changes in my home life I'm ditching the family PC computer in favor of a new iMac. Really don't want to bring my work home with me and when I do sit infront of a computer at home I just want to be able to do what I want to do on it.

I've been looking at the 21.5" and 27" iMacs and think I'll be waiting for the refresh. I'd really like to see the following:-

Reintroduction of the 24" model. Personally I find the 21.5" too small, but the 27" too big.

Intel Clarkdale i3 and i5 processors. I'm really not sure who these iMacs are supposed to be aimed at but I originally thought the i stood for Internet. The original iMac was aimed at those consumers wanting fast and easy access onto the Internet. That said, do we really need i7 processors and high end graphics cards? Which leads me onto my next point

ATi Radeon 5000 series GPUs. I'm not sure if apple should be including mid to high end GPUs as gaming (IMHO) is moving away from the PC and going more and more towards consoles. If you want to play games, buy a console! Apple should use GPUs to compliment their software for OS/APP hardware acceleration in video encoding, desktop and browser acceleration etc etc..That's my opinion anyway, I'm sure there's many iMac users who enjoy gaming.

eSata and USB3.0 connectivity. USB2 backups HDDs are too slow.

2 x 3.5" HDD bays. It would be great to have the option of a second internal HDD for storage. Keep HDD1 for the OS/Apps and store your media on HDD2. I'd prefer this option over an external. That's if the iMac has room for an additional disk in its casing. If they can, perhaps a Raid0/Raid1 option although maybe Apple feel that's only for the PowerMac range.

My next two I'm really on the wall with....SSD and Blu-Ray. I've owned an SSD drive and IMHO it's not worth the price to storage/performance ratio. Maybe they can at least offer it as an option though? Blu-Ray is fantastic for optical storage. I'm not keen on watching Blu-Ray movies on a computer. That's what I have a 42" Plasma for in the living room for. However, for storage it would be great. I have 23gb of photos I'd like to backup and not keen on just keeping them on a backup HDD incase that fails!! DVD-9 is not enough anymore. again...maybe include it as an option?

The current thinking that guides the quad-core i7 iMac is just about perfect.

Refine that (i.e. newer and higher-end GPUs - one built-in and one BTO - Blu-ray BTO, faster i7 quad-core procs, and USB 3.0)

Now that Steam is on the Mac natively, and the future for gaming on the Mac is brighter, some sort of "buy me get x free steam downloads free" promotion would kick some ass.
 
Important reasons against an Imac release in 2010!!!

I am going to buy an imac and waiting for an upgrade.

I hope there will be a soon release but there are several indications against it (regrettably):

- the release of new intel processors mean that this has to be integrated into a potential new production process of an imac. But first there have to be hardware tests and perhaps a kind of reconfiguration
- the sales of the current imac generation is still astonishing high. Because of the cost reduction of the current technology apple is very likely to wait a bit and skim money (higher net margin)
- current tests conclude that the actual imac defeats comparable all-in-one PCs; so there is not really a competitive pressure
- in Germany the imac print flyers which are given out by mac store were updated last week and just have marginal text and picture changes (apple would not have done this if they are planning a new product next week)
- my last point; although I think this is an important one; is the very critical issues concerning the iphone 4. Steve Jobs is a master in tactical marketing. During the next weeks it would be a cardinal error to jump on the stage and make a "Jobs" presentation. Hey, apple has a real image problem if the iphone will have to be called back. Steve doesn't want to comment this on the stage. He would not be in his typical enthusiasm which is needed for his perfectness.

Really, I am very sad about using windows 7 the next weeks, but because of these reasons I am afraid to do this at least until the early 2011!:mad:
 
- the release of new intel processors mean that this has to be integrated into a potential new production process of an imac. But first there have to be hardware tests and perhaps a kind of reconfiguration

Do you mean they have to find a new way to fit it into the iMac case? That won't be a problem and won't be cause for a delay. They're more than likely testing that now as we speak; Intel gives its partner's pre-release configurations and specifications, BioStar and MSI have already flaunted their Sandy Bridge motherboards a month or so ago.
 
Do you mean they have to find a new way to fit it into the iMac case? That won't be a problem and won't be cause for a delay. They're more than likely testing that now as we speak; Intel gives its partner's pre-release configurations and specifications, BioStar and MSI have already flaunted their Sandy Bridge motherboards a month or so ago.

And we will likely see 2010 iMac with Clarkdale which has been out since January 2010. Apple is big enough to get engineering samples for test purposes plus the TDPs are known (Apple knows, we don't) so they know what CPUs to pick and do the possible design changes if needed. TDPs usually fall within couple categories anyway, mobile chips being around 35W and mainstream desktop chips being around 70W. Xeons and high-end desktop chips are another story but there is usually sub 100W version (currently Lynnfield).
 
Should I Hold Out For First Mac?

I have been following this thread for a little over a month now trying to get a feel on how major the new iMac refresh is going to be. I have been waiting to buy my first iMac based on some of the threads and articles I have been reading and could use some opinions from some experienced Mac users who have followed Apple's refresh trends.

I am a teacher so I am going to get a good discount as well as the iPod touch until Sept 7th. I am guessing that the refresh is going to come out after the discount expires as a way for them to clean out some inventory.

I have been considering passing on this deal for the new refresh if it were going to be substantial. The last thing I want to do is spend $1,500 and a month later Apple does a total refresh. But the more I read the more I feel that the refresh will be an upgrade in the processor and video card which I think I am not even going to notice being that I am going to use my Mac for what I will consider basic use. (Internet/Photos etc). Also if I wait or get the current iMac it is going to be a huge improvement because I have a 2004 Dell laptop that basically has the same size hard drive as my iPod classic!

Does anybody feel that passing up on the teacher discount and the free iPod touch is worth the refresh? Thanks
 
I have been following this thread for a little over a month now trying to get a feel on how major the new iMac refresh is going to be. I have been waiting to buy my first iMac based on some of the threads and articles I have been reading and could use some opinions from some experienced Mac users who have followed Apple's refresh trends.

I am a teacher so I am going to get a good discount as well as the iPod touch until Sept 7th. I am guessing that the refresh is going to come out after the discount expires as a way for them to clean out some inventory.

I have been considering passing on this deal for the new refresh if it were going to be substantial. The last thing I want to do is spend $1,500 and a month later Apple does a total refresh. But the more I read the more I feel that the refresh will be an upgrade in the processor and video card which I think I am not even going to notice being that I am going to use my Mac for what I will consider basic use. (Internet/Photos etc). Also if I wait or get the current iMac it is going to be a huge improvement because I have a 2004 Dell laptop that basically has the same size hard drive as my iPod classic!

Does anybody feel that passing up on the teacher discount and the free iPod touch is worth the refresh? Thanks

I'm almost the exact same situation. I think you should wait until the weekend before September 7, and if the iMac has not been refreshed by then, pull the trigger and buy one. Getting the free iPod touch is a $200 value, so its a good deal.

From reading the threads here, the new iMac most likely will not see a design change(since it was just redesigned last year), and it will only see a processor or GPU upgrade. If you use the iMac for basic tasks, I see no reason the processor upgrade will really affect you. The current iMac should let you do almost all basic things for at least the next 5 years I'm guessing. So my advice is wait till the last minute and then buy if its not updated.
 
I have been following this thread for a little over a month now trying to get a feel on how major the new iMac refresh is going to be. I have been waiting to buy my first iMac based on some of the threads and articles I have been reading and could use some opinions from some experienced Mac users who have followed Apple's refresh trends.

I am a teacher so I am going to get a good discount as well as the iPod touch until Sept 7th. I am guessing that the refresh is going to come out after the discount expires as a way for them to clean out some inventory.

I have been considering passing on this deal for the new refresh if it were going to be substantial. The last thing I want to do is spend $1,500 and a month later Apple does a total refresh. But the more I read the more I feel that the refresh will be an upgrade in the processor and video card which I think I am not even going to notice being that I am going to use my Mac for what I will consider basic use. (Internet/Photos etc). Also if I wait or get the current iMac it is going to be a huge improvement because I have a 2004 Dell laptop that basically has the same size hard drive as my iPod classic!

Does anybody feel that passing up on the teacher discount and the free iPod touch is worth the refresh? Thanks

Hope this helps:

I doubt Apple will time the release of a major product based on some promotion, arguments for which I've given elsewhere in these forums.

No one knows what the new iMacs will be nor when they will come. The best speculation I've seen is mine here. (Some of the justification is in previous posts in the thread)

All this being the case, and with what you say are your needs and expectations, I'd say seriously consider buying now rather than waiting for a (probably minor) refresh that no one knows what it'll be or when it'll come. And don't regret it when it comes—you're getting a great computer, at a great price for what it is, plus the promotion. This obsession with what comes next is just silly and how much it takes from satisfaction is just insane.
 
Same boat...

I'm in the same position as the above posts. I have a Dell Vista (go ahead...laugh) that's a little over 3 years old and I'm eager to switch to a Mac. All I use my computer for are email, web, online bridge and occasional Photoshop to crop, brighten photos. No games, nothing fancy.

While the current 21.5 should be plenty adequate, I still think I should wait for an update. The reason being that in 3 or 4 years should I wish to upgrade once again, it will be easier to sell the newer one. Am I wrong?

Thank you.
 
I'm in the same position as the above posts. I have a Dell Vista (go ahead...laugh) that's a little over 3 years old and I'm eager to switch to a Mac. All I use my computer for are email, web, online bridge and occasional Photoshop to crop, brighten photos. No games, nothing fancy.

While the current 21.5 should be plenty adequate, I still think I should wait for an update. The reason being that in 3 or 4 years should I wish to upgrade once again, it will be easier to sell the newer one. Am I wrong?

Thank you.

The difference 3 or 4 years from now of a 21.5-inch iMac having one processor or a slightly faster one should be invisibly minor, especially considering it today, years in advance.

I think all this waiting gets quite insane… No one knows what is coming or when, it most likely won't really affect what most people will do with it (web, email, occasional photo stuff, even casual video editing). If I were suffering with a Dell and Vista, I'd switch yesterday, and the prospect of maybe having to wait months agonizing over when the refresh will come would be completely depressing.

And I wouldn't even pay attention to when they do get refreshed, which will always happen and is completely irrelevant to one's satisfaction with a product. It's just irrational regret that undermines enjoyment of an awesome product. It's nuts…
 
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