Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Apple waiting on quad-core desktop chips from Intel

Apple is among a handful of PC manufacturers who're waiting on a new family of quad-core chips from Intel that are designed for small form-factor PCs like the Mac mini and all-in-one systems like the iMac.

Taiwanese rumors mill DigiTimes is citing sources who say the chip maker plans to launch the 65W low-power chips in the middle of January and that "Apple, Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Dell have already decided to launch products based on these CPUs."

There will be a total of three new chips, according to the report, including the Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33GHz/4MB L2), Core 2 Quad Q9400 (2.66GHz/6MB L2) and Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz/12MB L2), which will cost $245, $320 and $369, respectively, in lots of 1000.

The new chips reportedly share the same specifications and model number as Core 2 Quad processors that were launched in March and August of this year, but will see their TDP drop from 95W to 65W.



55 Comments

amac4me 20 Years · 282 comments

So Macworld ... we are likely to see new models announced with delivery dates in late Jan or early Feb.

solipsism 19 Years · 25701 comments

I wonder if Apple finally offer desktop-grade CPUs in their iMacs or will they do what Apple usually does and make their machines thinner.

PS: does anyone have the info on the iMac and Mac mini's current CPU TDPs and the cost per/1000 for the current iMac CPUs?

bageljoey 19 Years · 1997 comments

But nobody buys Macs anymore because of DRM...

wiggin 18 Years · 2265 comments

Good for an iMac and, perhaps, the fabled xMac. But I'd rather they use a cheaper Core2 Duo in the mini and use the savings to upgrade the graphics and wireless and to keep Firewire (FW800 would be nice) while keeping the price as low as possible.

zunx 21 Years · 619 comments

"TDP drop from 95W to 65W". This seems too much for me: about THREE TIMES MORE than current Mac mini, iMac and MacBooks. So, NO WAY!

What are the current TDP for the chips used on Mac mini and iMac?

What are the current TDP for the chips used on any past and present Mac?

Thanks.