Apple Inc (AAPL)

[Bootz]

Apple preps NVIDIA-iMacs, Mac Mini for Expo; Mac Pro?


Supporting previous rumors (also here), Apple will likely launch new line of iMacs with previously rumored NVIDIA-based graphics and may introduce a new 28-inch model based on Intel's i7 Core platform, according to a new report. The report says that Apple is prepping the launch of four new iMac computers, including two 20-inch iMacs that will be offered with an NVIDIA integrated-GPU chipset based on the MCP79 design, the same design chipset using using the new line of consumer MacBooks and professional-level MacBook Pros launched late last year. In addition, the report indicates that at least one of those will include the mobility GeForce 9600-series discrete GPU, which will allow the computer to use one or both GPU chips to accelerate graphics (and other system) performance.

Apple is also said to be readying a set of 24-inch iMacs with the same integrated chipset, but with new discrete graphics solutions that would provide the same performance boosts as the higher-end 20-inch model. According to the report, the lower-end 24-inch model will use the same mobility 9600 series used in the MacBook Pro, while the higher-end model will use a slightly faster GeForce 9800M GPU chip. These new desktops may also see new Intel mobile quad-core processors, according to earlier reports.

Echoing circulating rumors, Apple is also expected to introduce a new Mac mini based on the same integrated NVIDIA chipset. The report claims that the Mac Mini will include a slightly slower (and cooler) version of the MCP79 chipset--but not quite as low power as the similar chipset used in the MacBook Air.

These iMacs and Mac Mini updates are expected to ship soon after Expo, while a less certain 28-inch model would ship in February with a "much different" architecture.

The new flagship 28-inch model, the report claims, would be not be based on Intel's Core 2 line of processors with the NVIDIA MC79 chipset, but rather using new Intel's Core i7 processors (previously called Nehalem) along with the Intel's next-generation "Tylersburg" chipset and platform and would only feature a discrete GPU. The flagship 28-inch iMac desktop would bring much greater performance improvements over the other models, offering "support for up to eight threads (quad-core CPU with HyperThreading enabled) of computing power, triple-channel memory support with an integrated memory controller running at DDR3-1333 speeds and more." The report also notes that since X58 chipset does not support integrated graphics, a discrete GPU from NVIDIA is likely.

The report speculates that Apple will upgrade its line of Mac Pros to the same Core i7 architecture early this year, but would instead use the server versions of Intel's new Core i7-based Xeons due early this year.

http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/01/04/apple.preps.nvidia.imacs/