Yesterday, Apple created a surprise by announcing new iMac and Mac Pro models. But when looking at them in details, those models do not look so new:
1) Mac Pro have been updated with the minimal new features available: Hexa Core Xeon already available from Intel for months, and only HD tray have been refreshed for being able to hold a 2.5" DS (such as SSD. Of course, graphic cards have been updated, but the Radeon HD 5xxx are getting close to EOL. We were strongly expecting USB3.0 and faster FireWire from our sources, as well as a revision of the enclosure, but Apple decided to maintain production lines unchanged.
2) iMac 27" received exactly the same update program: a bit faster CPU, with the Quad Core Core i5 and new GPU. The only interesting feature is the BTO for adding a SSD in addition to the default HD WITHOUT removing the optical drive.
The real good surprise is for the iMac 21.5" that are now featuring a true GPU and a Core i3. As a reminder, the Core i3 is identical to the Core i5 or i7, but lacks the hyperthreading function. This lack could lead to 20 to 50% decrease in performance if you are using applications making massive call to hyperthreading. The upgrade from Core i3 to Core i5 would cost around 180 €.
We currently think that Apple has been refreshing those models to create buzz around new machines to counter the on-going campaigns about the antenna gate. This announcement come quickly and the new Mac Pro as well as the new Appel Cinema Display 27" are not immediately available for shipping.
