New Hexacore Mac Pros Next Tuesday (Mar.16/2010)

ZDNet reports that it has received information from tipsters claiming that Apple will release new Mac Pro models next Tuesday, adding a hexacore Core i7-based model to its lineup.
I'm getting tips in from sources who claim that Apple is set to revamp its high-end Mac Pro line, adding a 'hexacore' Core i7-980x model to the line up.

All information points to this happening next Tuesday, March 16th.

Some confusion has arisen over what chips Apple will use in its next-generation Mac Pro. Hardmac has been keeping a close eye on Mac Pro developments, and has been talking up Intel's hexacore Core i7-980X as the next chip for the Mac Pro as cited in today's ZDNet report. That processor is reportedly scheduled to be launched next Tuesday, coinciding with rumors of Apple's Mac Pro refresh.

Apple, however, has typically used server-branded Xeon chips in its Mac Pro line, and Intel is also expected to debut a number of new Xeon 5600-series chips on that day. In particular, the Xeon X5680 rumored for release on Tuesday is very similar in many respects to the Core i7-980X and could also be a candidate for inclusion in the Mac Pro.

Source: http://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/10/new-hexacore-mac-pros-next-tuesday/

Can we also expect the new MBP refreshes too?!

 

hm.. sound interesting but still not a single news on macbook Pro. I dont know when I will run out of patient.

 

Are you a doctor?

 

this only makes me more frustrated about the lack of news on the MBP front.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought in order to use a dual socket motherboard the CPUs have to be server chips.

 

Historically not in all cases but normally that is how they are configured.

I have yet to see a high end board support multiple CPU sockets without server chips in years. ( P3 1Ghz era actually ) Some cheapo boards that are pretty useless yes.

now drop a pair of those new AMD 12 core bad boys on there and we could have fun.

 

Not only you, I'm included too. All the launching and all the upgrade but not a single new on macbook pro. There technology has been behind, core two duo and also the graphic card. Damm...

Anyone has steve job contact or e-mail. I need to talk to him personnally.

 

Yeah their MBP line is long overdue. If they don't adopt Arrandale, I'm not sure what they would be waiting for.

 

one thoery, they were all set to go with the Nvidia MCP99 chipset and then got stuck with no intel chipset design.
Nvidia apparently has no licencing to make a chipset with integrated memory controller hence the i series CPU's.


So can we please quit guessing ... could be tuesday could be the end of the year

 

Intel needs to stop to be a GPU wannabe industry.

 

agreed but they DO do control their CPU technology and how to interface those CPU's with a systemboard. I could care less about their GPU's

And looking at the papers Nvidia should just shut up and licence the technology if they want to stay in the chipset market in high or midrange machines. the 9400/Ion tech is really old now and has been relagated to netbooks and small gadgets

 

I thought the Hexacore Mac Pros are coming Friday from what I heard on 9 to 5 mac x.x..

 

There is no chipset market anymore. The northbridge is now part of the CPU. There is still a market for I/O controller hubs, but no one really cares much about those.

 

Theory Number 2:
They are switching to ATi HD and are having issues with Mobility Drivers on OS X.

 

You are right AMD Moved Northbridge to the CPU long ago, Intel followed suit with Core iX.

 

Perhaps they are waiting for more energy-efficient cpu's? Long battery life is one of apple's strongest points IMO.
Maybe there also some heat issues, such a thin laptop with a corei7 or core i5 is just asking for trouble.

 

So who want's to buy me one? I'll give you a E-Cookie

 

This is what I think too.

Apple's priorities have always been battery life and ergonomics versus cramming as much raw power as possible under the hood.

In addition, look at the slick, little Power adapter Apple uses.

The initial quad cores had no chance of making into the Macbooks. So hot and hungry.

Now you have Arrandale's and while they come out at 35w matching the last line of T9800/T9900's Macbook Pros, the power consumption/heat factor is of concern under load.

Apple also needs a GPU chipset that is around ~23w which was the 9600M GT. In a form factor as light and compact as the Macbooks, even going to a 250M @ 28W is a 20% jump in consumption and heat.

And then there is the issue of meaningful battery life.

Have you seen the size of the 120w adapters laptops use these days? You could fit 3-4 Apple adapters in that thing.

The Macbooks as they stand now are more than enough for most users. The little dinky netbook I have for guests is more than enough. Now, if you're doing computationally or rendering intensive tasks on a daily basis and time is money ok, I see your frustration.

 

I have it on good authority that the refresh is going to happen within the next 3 months. There, no more speculating!!

 

IIRC the mobile 5830 is 24w, so that would be a pretty seamless upgrade.

 

lol a 5830 in a mac. thats some wishful thinking. or is it? o.o

 

There's nothing in Intel's roadmap that Apple could use. Arrandale right now makes the most sense.

 

Tuesday passed

 

no, the date in the title is a type. that date should be absent altogether. it is always *next tuesday* (which never arrives)

 

^^ hes right, Tuesday isn't for another 6 days. I can't wait.

 

well, next tuesday isn't for 6 more days. right.

 

this wait is killing me. I've avoided opening the HP Envy 15 I purchased a few weeks ago in hopes that I would get an idea on how much the new i7 MBP would cost. any predictions?

 

The best answer to your question:

But it never, ever arrives.

 

would that be "Gulftown" family Proccessor from Xeon? 3.4ghz? .. i wonder what is the tdp of 980x for mobile chip (desktop is rated 130w)

 

You have an unopened HP Envy? The Envy is a nice machine, I'm not sure why you would buy it and not open it.

Anyway, it's not too hard to predict what the new MBPs prices are. Apple has always kept the prices the same or similar to their current pricing.