Following OSX 10.4.2 update, there are many updates available for Apple applications.
All components of FinalCut Studio except DVD Studio Pro and Motion are also updated:
- Final Cut Pro 5.02
information: http://www.apple.com/support/lbn/?product=FinalCutPro&version=5.0&language=f
- CinemaTools 3.02
Cinema Tools Update 3.0.2 delivers improved reliability. This update is recommended for all Cinema Tools 3 customers.
For more detailed information, please visit : http://www.apple.com/support/lbn/?product=CinemaTools&version=3.0&language=z
- LiveType 2.02
LiveType 2.0.2 fixes a bug related to missing fonts
- Pro Application Update 2005-01
information: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n301888-fr.
- Compressor 2.01
- Qmaster 2.01
- Soundtrack Pro 1.0.1
To conclude, OSX server 10.4.2 update is available (Build 8C47) as well as comments:
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n301695
Direct link for download :
here
The 2 main Apple French large resellers, Ingram and TechData, are currently proposing special offer for the Mac mini. this confirms that Apple has always the same problem: either many customers wishing to buy a Mac, but no stock, or the opposite.
While waiting for further development around the Mac mini, if you wish to buy a Mac mini you can find nice offers, such as
CLG that is proposing a Mac mini 1.25 GHz with a LCD 17", and Apple keyboard and mouse for 746.30 Euros (all taxes included).
After the WWDC keynote, we were thinking that Apple will continue to communicate around the Intel transition announcement. But, almost nothing else came out since this date...
So 2 solutions:
- either Apple does not want to communicate on subjects that are still at the "project" level. Well Steve Jobs had been burned at least once with such claim (the famous 3GHz one)
- or Apple does not want to impact too strongly Mac sales (quite understandable)
However, the Mac community is expecting answer to many questions still left without answers. The recent announcement by IBM of both PPC970MP and 970FX "low voltage" did not really help Mac users to clarify their visions for the future.
That's the reason why we have decided to "think different" about it and expose our current thoughts. Let's start with future Apple notebooks because many of us are thinking that it will be the first models to be "switched to Intel" in less than a year from now on.
First, a quick look at the current Apple notebooks:
- processor: the G4. We will not compare it to Intel or AMD processors, because this is not the topic. The G4 processor is still an excellent processor but it will not evolve clock-wise in the future. Of course Freescale will propose a enhanced G4, aka 7448, pin-to-pin compatible with the current 7447, bringing larger L2 cache and better power consumption management. Its official production scale availability is announced for October 2005. In the future, Freescale will release the e600 PPC core-based processor MPC8641 available as single or dual-core. The expected availability is not really known beside sometime in 2006.
- RAM: DDR266 or DDR333 SODIMM. The RAM is not used at its optimal capacity in G4-based Apple notebooks due to the reduced memory bus (probably the main negative points of the G4)
- Airport and Bluetooth are delivered with cards plugged in the motherboard, and when it was a BTO, it was quite expensive for manufacturing costs. That's the reason why Apple has placed both wireless system on the same card in the last iMacG5; same thing for the FireWire 400 and FireWire 800.
- AGP-based graphic card.
So, what to expect for tomorrow?
- Intel processors. On this side, it is a rather good news, because Intel is leading the race to powerful and low power-consuming processors for notebooks. So one can expect good things from Pentium-m Dothan successors, Yonah or Merom, both available as single or dual-core. Yonah should be available by the end of this year.
- large bandwidth memory bus supporting DDRII.
- Intel Centrino technology and its evolution aiming to centralize the largest number of function on the same chipset : wifi a/b/g, PCI-express, audio output (7.1) and probably SATA and integrated graphic unit.
How those changes and technologies will change for Apple notebooks?
- iBook:
Apple needs to offer the cheapest notebook possible for education market, processor power is secondary.
For the entry-level model, Apple could use an Intel integrated GPU system which will also provide wifi and Firewire capabilities, in additions to other features described above.
Such a model can have a battery lifespan reaching 8 hours if as expected by Intel Yonah will cut by 30% the current power consumption of the pentium-m Dothan.
This notebook will have a ATA HD for cost reason and its price could be around 700$ or even less.
Other ibook models could be based on a Intel motherboard featuring a PCI-express port allowing a ATI or nVidia GPU to boost video/graphic performance; such graphic cards are already available or being developed.
- Powerbook:
As it is currently the case, Apple will equip PowerBook with more power and technologies than iBook. So one can expect faster processors, including dual-core version, faster memory, SATA HD, better GPU, more input/output connectors...
Another point to mention is that new technologies being developed by Intel or adopted by Intel will be probably quickly implemented in MacTel models; we will not have anymore to wait that Apple finally decide to adopt them. Apple will concentrate on its strength in software and design, and collaborate with others (Intel at first but maybe with others) to strengthen its hardware design and development capacities.
[update]
Intel roadmap for Yonah availability and price is now available:
http://www.x86-secret.com (article in french)
-- Dual Core --
* Yonah *
Pentium M x60 : 2.33 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q3'06
Pentium M x50 : 2.16 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($637)
Pentium M x40 : 2.00 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($423)
Pentium M x30 : 1.83 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($294)
Pentium M x20 : 1.66 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($241)
* Yonah LV *
Pentium M LV x58 : 1.83 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q3'06
Pentium M LV x48 : 1.66 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($316)
Pentium M LV x38 : 1.50 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q1'06 ($284)
-- Single Core --
* Yonah *
Pentium M 766 : 1.83 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q3'06
Pentium M 756 : 1.66 GHz / FSB667 / 2MB L2 / Q2'06 ($209)
* Yonah ULV *
Pentium M ULV xxx : 1.20 GHz / FSB533 / 2MB L2 / Q3'06
Pentium M ULV xxx : 1.06 GHz / FSB533 / 2MB L2 / Q2'06
* Celeron Yonah *
Celeron M 430 : x.xx GHz / FSB533 / 1MB L2 / Q3'06
Celeron M 420 : x.xx GHz / FSB533 / 1MB L2 / Q2'06
Celeron M 410 : x.xx GHz / FSB533 / 1MB L2 / Q3'06
* Celeron Yonah ULV *
Celeron M ULV 423 : x.xx GHz / FSB533 / 1MB L2 / Q2'06
The production will start in September, and the indicated date and price will be for the retail market. If Apple wish to get first production lots I guess it will be possible to have them earlier.
Available in Software Update (21.5 Mb) :
The 10.4.2 Update delivers overall improved reliability and compatibility for Mac OS X v10.4 and is recommended for all users. It includes fixes for:
file sharing using AFP and SMB/CIFS network file services
single sign-on authentication and reliable access to Active Directory servers
autologin for managed user accounts
AirPort and wireless access
Core Graphics, Core Audio, Core Image, including updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
Finder updates including finding on Kind and using Slideshow
synchronizing your iDisk with .Mac
installation reliability
managing Dashboard widgets
Address Book, Automator, iCal, iChat, Mail, Safari, and Stickies applications
compatibility with third party applications and devices
For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website:
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n301722
For detailed information on Security Updates, please visit this website:
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798.
This update requires to reboot the machine.
