iMacs Coming?

Think Secret has confirmed that updated iMacs are coming. Although they are ready to go, TS says they might not be released until the Apple Expo in Paris in mid September. These are the reported specs:

1GHz PowerPC G4
15-inch LCD display
Combo drive
256K L2 Cache @ 1GHz
256MB DDR SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX
32MB DDR video memory
FireWire 400 and USB 2.0
VGA/S-video/composite outputs
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
Built-in 56K V.92 modem
AirPort Extreme Ready

1.25GHz PowerPC G4
17-inch LCD display
SuperDrive
256K L2 Cache @ 1.25GHz
256MB DDR SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA Drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
64MB DDR video memory
FireWire 400 and USB 2.0
VGA/S-video/composite outputs
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
Built-in 56K V.92 modem
AirPort Extreme Ready

If this is true, it really is disappointing not to see the 7457 in their lineup.

Apple has to have more planned then this. There are no changes to their systems other then the addition of the 1.25Ghz 7455 processor and the video. That is too small of a change to take this long. This is a processor swap and nothing more other then a video upgrade and USB 2.0, but rumors have stated that they have had the USB 2.0 chipset for sometime now. So really only two changes, simple ones at that.

Maybe the 1.25 is a 7457. I think it's odd that the two versions have different video chipsets. Maybe the 1G version is older parts stock.

Lanbrown is right, this is an odd update if it's true.

Now that the PowerMac is a G5, sales of iMacs will likely go into the toilet anyway.

These updates do sound pretty pathetic...but with the G5 and iMacs both with nVidia FX5x00 cards, it seems likely that the PowerBooks will at least have an FX chip as well, which is at least better news than if they came with the miserable 4x0 Go chips. Also, how do you know it's a not a 7457 in the iMacs? I guess it could be because of the amount of L2 cache, but still, I dunno, it seems odd it's taken this long for Apple to release any updates if it's still the same lame processor.

Originally posted by cubist
Maybe the 1.25 is a 7457. I think it's odd that the two versions have different video chipsets. Maybe the 1G version is older parts stock.

Lanbrown is right, this is an odd update if it's true.

Now that the PowerMac is a G5, sales of iMacs will likely go into the toilet anyway.

No, the 7457 has 512k of cache onboard while the 7455 has 256k. Unless Motorola would specifically design a 7457 with half the cache for Apple, I would highly doubt it. Why would Apple want a chip with less cache? The associated costs would also be higher. 1.25 was one of the speeds the 7455 comes in, look at the PM G4.

The 1Ghz is the current iMac but with the 15" screen instead of the 17". So the current top of the line becomes the base with a 15" screen and a new top model is introduced. One rumor said the iMac had a USB 2.0 chipset but was throttled back to 1.1 speeds. So their new bottom offering is the same as the current top with only a screen size change and graphic memory reduction. They really do need the 7457 and other tweaks. A faster 7455 and graphic chipset just won't cut it. The 7457 at 1.3GHz+ is what is required at a minimum.

Here is the current 1GHz iMac:

17-inch widescreen LCD
1GHz PowerPC G4
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX
64MB DDR video memory
256MB DDR266 SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA hard drive
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
56K V.92 internal modem
Apple Pro Speakers
AirPort Extreme Ready
Bluetooth Ready

Here is the proposed new 1GHz iMac:
1GHz PowerPC G4
15-inch LCD display
Combo drive
256K L2 Cache @ 1GHz
256MB DDR SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX
32MB DDR video memory
FireWire 400 and USB 2.0
VGA/S-video/composite outputs
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
Built-in 56K V.92 modem
AirPort Extreme Ready


The changes that are proposed would take no more then a month. It's the current G4 chip just faster, and a new GPU in the top of the line.

From the sounds of it, the PB and iBook lines will get the same treatment. All of the updates are taking too long for such trivial changes. Where is the FW800 support in the updates models? Another reason why I think there is much more then just these small changes.

Now that there are G5's, why doesn't Apple put L3 caches in all of their consumer machines. It would make the machines a bit "faster" and make iMacs/Emacs a better deal IMO.

My 2 cents.

Simple, cache is expensive.

i see the iMac as prosumer, and i think it should go G5. aren't there going to be 90mm chips at the fishkill plant? that should go in them ASAP. i don't want the iMac to be G4 anymore.

Originally posted by Lanbrown
Simple, cache is expensive.

I don't really know how much more expensive it would be ... but it would be cool if it was an option. It'll probably never happen ... but it would be cool for consumers and make the machines a little faster and a better deal IMO.

Originally posted by bennetsaysargh
i see the iMac as prosumer, and i think it should go G5. aren't there going to be 90mm chips at the fishkill plant? that should go in them ASAP. i don't want the iMac to be G4 anymore.

I completely agree with this. A G5 iMac/eMac would be sweet. But until that day (if it ever happens) they should make the iMac as fast as it can be... that's why I though L3 cache would be cool.