When will the MacMini and iBook migrate to x86? Together?
Apple has started its migration to Intel x86 processor with the "mass models" MacMini and iBook are both Apple's entry models, and have not been modified yet. One can speculate that they will migrate to x86 with a Yonah single core version.
If one look closer to the iMacIntel and Macbook Pro specs, on can notice many common feautres/points:
- both have the same input and output ports.
- both have a video output supporting dual display and an optical sound output.
- both are using DDR2 SO-DIMM.
- both are using the same GPU series Radeon X1600(different version mobility vs. standard)
so of course one can postulate that the motherboard of both models could be nearly identical. If true, this will allow apple to save on motherboard development cost; while giving the iMac some Pro-features such as : dual display and optical sound output. But also some disadvantages: DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM modules are substantially more expensive than DDR2 DIMM. The MacBook Pro has lost the FW800 port.
If Apple follows this strategy, the future x86-based Mac mini and iBook could migrate together and use a very similar motherboard design sharing many common features. For this, Apple and Intel only need to develop a small motherboard compatible with the EFI and that could receive the Yonah.
As soon as the both new MacIntels are available we will be able to check our hypothesis.
Nous pourrons vérifier ces hypothèses dès réception des nouveaux macs.