Apple's updated Mac Pro, iMac rumored to have USB 3.0, faster FireWire

Apple will update its Mac Pro desktop at the end of this summer, and its all-in-one iMac a few weeks later, adding both USB 3.0 and faster FireWire connectivity to the machines, a new rumor states.

French Mac website Hardmac reported Friday that Apple aims to update the desktops in time for its back to school sales period. The report cited one of the site's "better sources" in relaying the information.

"On this occasion, Apple should inaugurate two great innovations, the arrival of USB 3.0 and a faster FireWire interface, 1600 or 3200," they wrote. "Thus, FireWire will not be forgotten. Note that Apple is also interested in LightPeak technology, but they do not expect to use it or set it up before one year."

Finally, the report also said that the new hardware will not support Blu-ray discs. That news should come as no surprise to those who have heard Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs' assessment of the format. Jobs was recently alleged to have said that the physical medium's days are dying, and will give way to digital download services like iTunes.

The USB 3.0 specification was in Apple's hands over a year ago. The new standard will be ten times faster than the current Hi-Speed USB standard (USB 2.0), and also more power-efficient, leading to lower active and idle power requirements. Like its predecessor, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices.

Rumors of a new Mac Pro have persisted for all of 2009, with Apple expected to adopt Intel's Gulftown processor, the 32nm Core i7-980X with six cores. The chips have 12MB of L3 cache. Apple usually doubles the processors in its high-end professional workstations, so it's possible the new Mac Pro system could have a total of 12 cores and 24 threads.

The last major refresh to the Mac Pro equipped it with its Nehalem Xeon processors, with a high-end eight-core Mac Pro offering two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 chips. Last year, Apple quietly upgraded that to a potential maximum 2.93GHz eight-core system.

Last October, Apple updated its iMac desktop line, redesigning the hardware with a new edge-to-edge glass design and seamless all-aluminum enclosure. The LED-backlit iMacs come in screen sizes of 21.5 inches and 27 inches.

108 Comments

bettieblue 294 comments · 15 Years

About 14 years ago

A friend of mine, has been waiting for this update all year. He needed a new Mac Pro to run SL server on for his office. I told him "just wait the new 6 core version is coming out soon" but months later its still vapor. He got tired of waiting and his new Mac Pro arrived yesterday.

I am sure it will eventually come out, and saying end of summer is kind of funny after reading many times here that is would be sooner.

Apple used to be first to market with new CPU's and such and the Mac Pro was the one that usually did it. I guess its just another sign that iOS is Apple and the Mac is being slowly left out of the loop.

ruel24 432 comments · 17 Years

About 14 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettieblue

Apple used to be first to market with new CPU's and such and the Mac Pro was the one that usually did it. I guess its just another sign that iOS is Apple and the Mac is being slowly left out of the loop.

Sadly...this is so true. I always thought the iPods and iPhones were supposed to be a gateway drug to bring users into the Mac fold. Now, I think they're slowly becoming a gadget company instead of a computer company.

macinscott 48 comments · 14 Years

About 14 years ago

Hopefully the new iMac will give me enough justification to upgrade my C2D. But, it's going to take more than USB 3.0 to get me excited. What about eSATA that I have on several of my external HDs?

Personally, I would love to see the following:

1. Blu-ray (as a storage option, not for watching movies)

2. Two internal HDs optionally configured as a Raid 1 in the 27" model. There has to be enough space in the case and an internal Raid would be a great. The iMac would automatically boot from the mirrored HD in the event of the primary drive failing and alert the user to take their Mac into the Apple Store to replace the failed HD.

3. Ambient backlit keyboard like those on the MacBook Pro.

4. Perhaps lose the white on the mouse and keyboard, which feels a bit out of place on an aluminum and black machine.

5. Optional multi-touch input device to be used in conjunction or as a replacement for the Magic Mouse.

6. Not really iMac specific, but could Apple PLEASE begin updating software between versions of OS X? With the time between OSes increasing, I don't see how Apple can hold off on upgrades to key software such as Mail. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE USING WIDEMAIL OR LETTERBOX FOR WIDESCREEN MAIL PREVIEWS WHEN MOBILEME AND THE IPAD ALREADY HAVE THAT FEATURE!