The Apple Store might not be back online for all countries, but Apple has already updated the dedicated webpages specific to all released models:
- Mac Pro:
- Available with 4, 6, 8 or 12 physical Xeon cores (high-end model cost around 5000$)
- If the design is not modified externally, inside things have been changed, and it now supports up to 4 SSD of 412 GB each.
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 and 5870 are available as BTO
- Unfortunately, Apple did not adopt USB3.0 (even via an external card) nor the faster FireWire 1600 or 3200.
- iMac
- All 21.5" models are now powered by a Core i3 clocked at 3.06, 3.2 or 3.6 GHz
- For 27" models, the CPU can be either a Core i3 at 3.2 GHz, a Core i5 at 3.6 GHz with two cores, or a 2.8 GHz Quad Core, or a Core i7 clocked a 2.93 GHz.
- All 21.5" models have a Radeon HD 4670 or 5670 as GPU while 27" models have ATI Radeon HD 5670 or 5750.
- Magic Trackpad.
It costs 69$, and we will come back specifically on this product later.
This news could confirm our previous report about the potential release of new Macs today: the Apple Store is closed!
Yesterday, when one of our best sources told us to expect new iMac today, we were very skeptical. Indeed, launching new series of hardware models in July might not be the best timing, especially when most north hemisphere inhabitants are having some vacations or holidays, usually not known as a heavy purchasing period for computers. But, another reliable source, John Gruber, announced that he is also expecting new models to be unveiled today. In addition to the iMac, it could also include the new Mac Pro, as well as a new Apple Display 27”, and the long rumored external trackpad for desktop computers.
So, it would not be a small refresh of a class of computers, but rather a massive update of the hardware models available on the Apple Store. Apple might have decided to speed up release of new models to take control of its communication and try to make the antenna gate history as quickly as possible.
If we have already being talking about Open GL ES2.0, it is because it is supported by the iPhones, iPods and other iPads, and allows 3D acceleration on such devices. ATI just announced the availability (for Windows for the moment) of beta drivers allowing support of this format on all Radeon HD. So, it comes right on time before the near release of plug-ins dedicated to browsers and will allow to speed up 3D effects on web sites. Of course, for our Mac OS X, Apple will have to updates its graphical card drivers to allow such feature on our Macs.
As other rumors are confirming our previous reports, we can now summarize the expected hardware specifications that the future Mac Pro should offer (some of them have been validated by our sources):
- Hexacore Xeon-based models, with the high-end unit offering 12 physical cores and 24 logical cores.
- SATA III,
- USB 3.0,
- Faster Firewire,
- Depending on BTO, Radeon HD or NVIDIA Fermi-based graphic cards,
- The enclosure and inside organization have been changed in depth.
Last but not least, those new models of Mac Pro will become massively more expensive outside USA, and we can expect 10 to 12% price increase.
