The "I'm waiting for an iMac refresh" thread

[TMRaven]

Because mobility 4850 is based on desktop 4850, while mobility 5850 is based on desktop 5700series.

The major thing is: mobility 4850 has a 256bit bus width while 5850 only has a 128bit buss width. The saving grace with 5850 is that it uses GDDR5, which is roughly twice as fast as GDDR3 that's in 4850-- so the two perform around the same.

 

[e5volcano]

so who is thinking tomorrow is the day we get a refresh?

 

[rajbonham]

so who is thinking tomorrow is the day we get a refresh?

Someone who is prepared to be VERY disappointed.

Ill spell it out for you; the Mac Pro will be updated before the iMac, and that's most likely happening in September. Expect your iMac update sometime in October.

 

[kfscoll]

Someone who is prepared to be VERY disappointed.

Ill spell it out for you; the Mac Pro will be updated before the iMac, and that's most likely happening in September. Expect your iMac update sometime in October.

Not only that, but you'll almost always see the current iMac supply start drying up just before thie new models are released. If I were a betting man, I'd also bet on October.

 

[deconstruct60]

is it only me but how can the difference betwen mobile 4850 and mobile 5850 be so small?

Because in many aspects it is just a shrink of a very similar engine. If clocked at same rate and attached to GDDR3 memory, you will likely get approximately the same results. The 5850 will consume less power though. (around 5W or so depending upon the set up. Makes it easier to perhaps slide in GDDR5 memory on the 27" models. ) Not sure if that is enough to push it into the 21.5 body though. The 5830 has better headroom for that, but locks you into the GDDR3 memory.

Another difference those is the 5850 shoud have OpenCL support. If Apple is going to help push OpenCL it would be better if they put OpenCL on as many models as they can sooner rather than later.

 

[meb91]

Hello, I've been reading this thread for quite some time and like many others here, I'm waiting for the update to get a 27" quad core.

As for when, I doubt it will be later than September. They've never let the iMac go more than 11 months without an update, and who knows, with the low stock I'm continuing to see on Amazon, there's no reason it couldn't be sooner.

 

[deconstruct60]

As for when, I doubt it will be later than September. They've never let the iMac go more than 11 months without an update, and who knows, with the low stock

If then want to skip Sandy Bridge offerings for a year then sure can stick to the classic schedule. However, it is a bonehead move to not wait a month to pick up new tech if can move to it in a cost effective fashion. It is murky whether the initial bundle of Sandy Bridge offerings are going to hit Apple's target price points, but they may. When Lynnfield launched last year, there was a match in the initial set.

It is cheaper for Apple to mostly recycle the Lynnfield board currently have on the upper end to a Lynnfield/Clarkdale board. It is the same thing minus any minor rejigger to get it into the 21.5" model. If recycling there is no reason to wait till September.

 

[twoism]

As of right now their current line of iMacs is still showing a shipping estimate of 24 hours, so I wouldn't bank on a refresh today. If they were to update though, at what time does the store normally go down?

 

[rojom]

Some advice pls

Hi all, I have been reading this and various threads and would appreciate some help. I am about to switch to an imac after years of pc use. Recently very frustrated by hard drive failure on laptop which I had been using for main pc and fed up with slowness and virus etc. been to apple store and really like the imac and found it easy to use so no issues with converting - was surprised as always had perception that mac was for creatives such as photographers/video/sound involved people.

Anyway - having decided to go for imac I came across the discussions about upgrades - I am not a techie person but always believed that you should buy the best you could afford and fastest cpu to allow for what future software may bring.

I like the 21.5 inch - think the 27 in is just too large to look right at home and keep thinking it is a beast - been back a couple of times to look but just think it is big!

Q - if I go for 21.5 then can someone explain to me what advantage I may get from different cpu speed and larger hard-drive and ram.
I use my computer for word documents, excel spreadsheets (small business use) but only view graphics/video on things such as you tube or occasionally bbc iplayer to catch up on tv shows I have missed (I live in uk). Occasionally upload photos from my camera

Current models seem fast enough for me but as I say my worry is that new software will require more than they offer?
Would I be worried about buying now and then an upgrade? hell yes I would be pissed if it was next week but two months away? to be honest probably will stop paying attention when I buy.

As for updates people talk of usb3 (what use will this be to average person?) and the various i3, i5 etc of which I understand there are different types - but from some of my reading I believe that not all of these will be suitable for the 21.5 inch without changes due to power/heat issues?
Not concerned with graphics as current seems fine for my use?

So if they upgrade the cpu what is likely - from my reading of thread it may be i3 as base but this wont make much difference to me (is this correct? -) and improved graphics (not much difference to me) possibly usb3 (dont know what this will do?)
Have I missed anything? Cos on this basis I will buy now...prob a refurb to get 4 ram and 1T hard drive?

Also can anyone tell me if there is any advantage to buying in apple store? they told me that I could (for extra payment) get free workshops?

Is that it?

Dont like not to have the latest but at the moment due to my hard drive crash I have to reinstall all my software and beginning to think that I may as well do this on the "new" machine.

thanks in advance for help - please try not to blind me with science! and tech speak!

 

[b0redom]

Hi,
From what you've described the current entry level iMac will be just fine for you. More RAM, faster CPU etc will only make a difference if you're doing intensive stuff like video encoding / 3d gaming etc. That being said I'd still hold out for the refresh.

I have a feeling that the refresh will occur on 2nd August. I just found an online UK retailer who has sold out of i7 macs and is quoting that date as the next stock due.

Also it's a Tuesday.

 

[Hellhammer]

*snip*

The update won't really affect you because your usage seem very light.

i3, i5 and i7 are "new" processors from Intel but because they are still dual core like Core 2 Duos are, there is no huge bump in performance. You likely won't even notice any difference. You won't benefit from more speed if you don't use it. Software is still mainly single-threaded meaning that it cannot utilize more than one core so Core 2 Duo will be more than fine for you and will last years.

Your usage doesn't require much from the GPU so 9400M is fine. RAM you can always add but 4GB should be plenty.

USB 3.0 is simply faster than USB 2.0 is so file transfers will take less time. However, USB 2.0 is still fine for most people because they don't do big file transfers.

 

[rojom]

Thanks Hellhammer

Had become confused because of people talking about the i3, 5 etc with quad four and hyperthreading but I believe this really applies either to games or doing lots of things at once?

also there appears to be 3.06GHz and 3.33GHz - i presume the latter is best?

If they bring in new models do the older models instantly disappear or do they drop in price? is this a good time to get a bargain?

and finally - someone mentioned that if they refresh within a month of you buying you can upgrade without hassle is this true and does it apply to the uk?

many thanks

 

[Hellhammer]

Thanks Hellhammer

Had become confused because of people talking about the i3, 5 etc with quad four and hyperthreading but I believe this really applies either to games or doing lots of things at once?

also there appears to be 3.06GHz and 3.33GHz - i presume the latter is best?

If they bring in new models do the older models instantly disappear or do they drop in price? is this a good time to get a bargain?

and finally - someone mentioned that if they refresh within a month of you buying you can upgrade without hassle is this true and does it apply to the uk?

many thanks

You won't notice difference between 3.06GHz and 3.33GHz. The older models will be available in refurb store and will likely get a small price cut. You have 14 days to return it and get full refund so if the new ones are released within 14 days, you can get a new one for free

However, I would just get one now if you need it now.

 

[b0redom]

and finally - someone mentioned that if they refresh within a month of you buying you can upgrade without hassle is this true and does it apply to the uk?

Not sure about a month, but I popped into the Kingston-upon-Thames Apple store, and asked about returning it. If you buy stuff over the Internet, you have 7 working days under the DSR to return it.

The guy in store told me that they would match that.

 

[JoelMarcey]

Store goes down when?

Not that I am expecting anything today, but if by some miracle the July 20th rumor is correct, what time does the online Apple store usually go down when an update happens? Is it 9 AM Pacific Time usually?

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Not that I am expecting anything today, but if by some miracle the July 20th rumor is correct, what time does the online Apple store usually go down when an update happens? Is it 9 AM Pacific Time usually?

Depends, it has gown down as early as 6AM Pacific Time, and as late as 1PM Pacific Time for updates. The usual time is around 10AM Pacific though.

 

[meb91]

If then want to skip Sandy Bridge offerings for a year then sure can stick to the classic schedule. However, it is a bonehead move to not wait a month to pick up new tech if can move to it in a cost effective fashion. It is murky whether the initial bundle of Sandy Bridge offerings are going to hit Apple's target price points, but they may. When Lynnfield launched last year, there was a match in the initial set.

It is cheaper for Apple to mostly recycle the Lynnfield board currently have on the upper end to a Lynnfield/Clarkdale board. It is the same thing minus any minor rejigger to get it into the 21.5" model. If recycling there is no reason to wait till September.

I don't know, I was more under the impression they would do a minor spec bump in late summer and then move to Sandy Bridge in the spring. They wouldn't have to wait another year because not every refresh is a year apart, that's just the maximum it has been. Like you said I'm not sure how likely it is Sandy Bridge would make it into the iMac so soon.

 

[rojom]

thanks for all the help earlier. Have now ordered a refurbished 21.5 3.06Ghz with 4gb ram and 1T hard-drive - i am at peace!! - now the only wait is for it to come - happy with choice given advice earlier - sick of doing without a pc

will post when it arrives!

 

[bas-macfan]

thanks for all the help earlier. Have now ordered a refurbished 21.5 3.06Ghz with 4gb ram and 1T hard-drive - i am at peace!! - now the only wait is for it to come - happy with choice given advice earlier - sick of doing without a pc

will post when it arrives!

More peace here..... ordered a iMac i5..... just let it come!

 

[iamthedudeman]

I own a 3.06 and a 3.33 and the difference in every day use is noticeable in some applications and in everyday use somewhat. Otherwise for your uses you probably will not notice a difference. I know as I own both machines. The 3.33 compares well with the latest from intel's new dual cores which are the i5's and the i3's in dual and single threaded tasks.

The 3.33 is about 20% faster overall than the E7600 3.06 and even beats the i5's and i3s on alot of single threaded tests, which most applications are today. Which is important right now.

You will be happy with your 3.06 for your uses. 3.06 is still plenty fast. Here is some benchmarks and a good article on the differences between the new processors and the C2D line.

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-ci5-660-p1.html
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-lga775-final-p1.html
http://www.geek.com/articles/news/g...mac-is-the-fastest-best-valued-imac-20091116/
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-ci7-theory-p1.html

 

[JoelMarcey]

Another good benchmark site

I own a 3.06 and a 3.33 and the difference in every day use is noticeable in some applications and in everyday use somewhat. Otherwise for your uses you probably will not notice a difference. I know as I own both machines. The 3.33 compares well with the latest from intel's new dual cores which are the i5's and the i3's in dual and single threaded tasks.

The 3.33 is about 20% faster overall than the E7600 3.06 and even beats the i5's and i3s on alot of single threaded tests, which most applications are today. Which is important right now.

You will be happy with your 3.06 for your uses. 3.06 is still plenty fast. Here is some benchmarks and a good article on the differences between the new processors and the C2D line.

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-ci5-660-p1.html
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-lga775-final-p1.html
http://www.geek.com/articles/news/g...mac-is-the-fastest-best-valued-imac-20091116/
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/intel-ci7-theory-p1.html

This site has nearly made the decision on which iMac I am going to buy. I have found it very useful. Now I just got to get the nerve to press the Buy button now.

http://www.marketingtactics.com/Speedmark/

 

[Commenter]

I

Hey, is iamthedudeman a reference to I Am the Walrus or to The Big Lebowski (or to something else)?

 

[Btom]

I am not sure if anybody mentioned this before, but I am actually hoping for a solid fix to the yellow tinge and noisy screen problems (which actually is not a given at all).

Tom B.

 

[JoelMarcey]

July 20th rumor bust.

Depends, it has gown down as early as 6AM Pacific Time, and as late as 1PM Pacific Time for updates. The usual time is around 10AM Pacific though.

So, I guess we can all assume that the July 20th refresh rumor was unsurprsingly wrong.

 

[SiMBa37]

So, I guess we can all assume that the July 20th refresh rumor was unsurprsingly wrong.

I think we all saw that coming. I wouldn't get any hopes up until end of august/september. Even that is being optimistic.