News for Thursday, 9 August 2007

Apple has released updates for 6 of its iApps or Pro applications, available from the Software update panel, or from Apple Support Download webpage:

Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1
The SMC Firmware Update adjusts fan behavior in the Mac Pro
=> Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.1

iMac Software Update 1.0
This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for 20-inch and 24-inch iMac models with 2.0, 2.4, or 2.8GHz processors.
=>iMac Software Update 1.0

iPhoto 7.0.1
This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing photos from an upgraded library to .Mac Web Gallery.
iPhoto 7.0.1

Aperture 1.5.4 Update
Aperture 1.5.4 is required for compatibility with iLife '08. This update is recommended for all Aperture users.
=> Aperture 1.5.4 Update

Front Row 1.3.1
This Front Row update provides for improved iPhoto compatibility.
=> Front Row 1.3.1

Boot Camp 1.4 beta
Boot Camp 1.4 beta contains several updates and is intended for all new and previous Boot Camp beta users.
Boot Camp 1.4 beta includes:
• Support for keyboard backlighting (MacBook Pro only)
• Apple Remote pairing
• Updated graphics drivers
• Improved Boot Camp driver installer
• Improved international keyboard support
• Localization fixes
• Updated Windows Help for Boot Camp • le tableau de bord de Boot Camp ;
=> Boot Camp webpage

To better compete with future AMD Barcelona CPUs, Intel will release the entire Penryn type CPU models next quarter. This will include Dual and Quad Core desktop and server CPUs and Dual Core mobile CPUs based on 45-nm-engraving.
In addition, some IT-news websites could get their hands on roadmaps concerning Penryn-based server/workstation, desktop and mobile CPUs.

Penryn Xeon will feature Dual or Quad Core design with up to 3MB/core of L2 cache running on a bus which should top at 1600MHz. The highest TDP for the fastest Quad Core model should be 120W while the Dual Core should reach 80W. Concerning clock speed, Intel is simply indicating frequency higher than 3.0GHz which is already the frequency of the current high-end model.
Penryn Desktop CPU will replace the current Conroe, and will also feature up to 3MB/core L2 cache, clock frequency higher than 3GHz, while TDP for the fastest Core 2 Extreme model is announced at 130W, so marginally higher than the one from the fastest Xeon. For the bus frequency it remains unclear if it will initially be increased or will remain the same as today, to avoid Core 2 Extreme processor-based hardware to compete with Xeon-based workstations.
When looking at Penryn mobile CPU, one can immediately see that Intel is not planning to bring Quad Core mobile CPU yet. From previous reports, it is clear that Intel is massively investing R&D to provide the best performance/watt ratio for mobile computing and handhelds. Mobile Penryn CPU will feature larger cache memory (up to 3MB/core), smaller die, and improved power management technologies. The new deep power mode will allow to further lower CPU core voltage and to turn off L1 and L2 caches. This should significantly extend battery lifetime in idle modes. In the second half of 2008, Intel will offer Low Voltage (LV) and Ultra-Low Voltage (ULV) version of Penryn processors, to give integrators, processing solutions for smaller devices. In addition, LV and ULV Penryn CPUs will have their die shrink from the 35 squared mm for current Merom LV/ULV CPUs to 22 squared mm.
The possible drawback for Apple with the currently available roadmap of Penryn mobile CPUs is for the iMac. The recently released new iMac can be powered by the Core 2 Duo Extreme Merom clocked at 2.8GHz. We can expect the Penryn-based Core 2 Duo Extreme to top around 3.0GHz. In other word, if the Penryn mobile CPU is an improvement for powering notebooks and extending their battery lifetime, it might be the bottleneck for next iMac revisions, with PC competitor models powered with Dual and Quad Core Penryn desktop CPU which will be much faster. So, the current limiting factor for having Conroe or future Penryn desktop CPU in iMac could be "hot" GPUs, so Apple might end up with the following choice: mobile CPU with competitive GPU, or desktop CPU with mobile GPU.
The next capture illustrates the future evolution of Intel CPU

Next evolution of Intel mobile platform will come mid-2008, entitled Montevina, it will replace Santa Rosa for high-end notebooks. Montevina will bring a lot of new features as well as support for many technology enhancements. It will be based on 45nm Penryn CPUs featuring 1066MHz FSB. Montevina chipsets will support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory as well as DisplayPort and HDMI/HDCP. On the wireless side, a new module codenamed Shirley Peak should bring improvements of 802.11n capabilities (not used so far by Apple), while a module named Echo Peak will bring support WiFi/WiMAX. Last but not least, Montevina will sports the new Cantiga GM/PM northbridge chipsets, and the ICH9M southbridge, letting us expecting for a faster integrated shared memory graphic chipset too.