News Archive for: Tuesday July 27, 2010     Goto Current News Page

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Apple posts Magic Trackpad/Multi-Touch Trackpad Update 1.0
Drivers for Apple's new Magic Trackpad released today and also adds a couple new features to recent model mac notebooks w/multi-touch trackpads.

"This update adds support to Mac OS X for the Magic Trackpad and is required for its use.

It also enables inertial scrolling and the three-finger drag gesture in recent MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks.

Mac OS X 10.6.4 is required before installing this update..."

The "about" doc includes info on features/functions, install guide and a list of compatible mac models.

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OS X 10.6.4 update (client and server) for new (mid-2010) iMacs
Apple has posted an OS X v10.6.4 Update for iMac (Mid 2010):

"The Mac OS X 10.6.4 Update is recommended for all users of iMac (Mid 2010). This update contains all the applicable fixes from the Mac OS X 10.6.4 Update, plus the following specific fixes for iMac (Mid 2010):

  • Resolves compatibility and performance-related graphics issues.
  • Improves compatibility with large-format SDXC memory cards.
  • Adds support for Magic Trackpad."
  • There's also a Mac OS X Server v10.6.4 (for) iMac (Mid 2010).
    (Since the new iMac has Radeon 5xxx GPU options, the update sounds like it has updated drivers. Earlier this year some hackintosh owners were experimenting with PC Radeon 5870s, etc. in OS X.)
    FYI: See Wednesday's news for Info on Updated ATI drivers in new iMac 10.6.4 Update.

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    New Mac Pros announced (coming August), up to 12-cores, new Graphics Cards, Faster RAM
    After today's other new products, on a hunch I checked the Apple Mac Pro page and it has info on the long-awaited new models with optional 6-core ("Westmere") Xeon 56xx CPUs (up to 12-cores w/dual 56xx CPUs - see processor page). The page says "Coming August".
    The new Mac Pro Graphics page notes ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB of GDDR5 is standard and a Radeon HD 5870 w/1GB of GDDR5 memory will also be available. They note up to two 5770s can be installed.
    See performance page and tech specs page for more info including notes on memory specs for the various CPUs. (Models with "Westmere"/6-core CPUs have 1333MHz memory vs 1066Mhz.) The superdrive is listed as 18x. (No USB 3.0 ports for those that wondered.)
    Here's a chart of the CPU Options with associated L3 cache size, max turbo boost and memory speeds:
    cpu options

    I'm hoping the graphics cards (especially the 5870) will be available separately.
    (FYI - here's the Apple press release on the new Mac Pros.)

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    27in LED Cinema Display announced
    I didn't see it yet at the Apple Store this morning, but as rumored Apple has announced a 27in LED Cinema Display listed as "Coming soon" on the page, but the Apple press release on the new display says it will be available in September at $999 US.
    (Old subject but I didn't see any DVI port listed on the new display, only Mini DisplayPort. A DVI port was on the wish-list for some in the past for the 24in model and I wondered if any new model would include one.)
    BTW - The tech specs page requirements also lists OS X 10.6.4 or later. (I assume for full support of all features.)
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    New iMac models (faster CPUs, new GPU Options, HD + SSD option)
    The Apple store was offline earlier this morning for updates. There were Rumors that today would be the day for release of new iMacs and maybe a new Mac Pro and 27in LED Display. (See later posts above on those.)
    The store is back online with the new iMac (as well as new Magic Trackpad - see post below). Apple's iMac pages have been updated for the changes (including performance page and Tech Specs page). The new iMac base models range from $1199 (21.5in base) to $1999 (27in/2.8GHz core i5 base model - add $200 for 2.93GHz Core i7 option). BTW - all models now use 1333MHz memory vs 1066Mhz on previous series. Here's a summary of the new CPU and GPU options:

      CPU Options:
    • 21.5-inch models, one of the following:
      • 3.06GHz Intel Core i3 w/4MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading
      • 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 w/4MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost
      • 3.6GHz Intel Core i5 w/4MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost
    • 27-inch models, one of the following:
      • 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 w/4MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost
      • 3.6GHz Intel Core i5 w/4MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost
      • 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 w/8MB L3 cache; supports Turbo Boost
      • 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 w/8MB L3 cache; supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost


      GPU Options:
    • 21.5-inch models, one of the following:
      • ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory
      • ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory
    • 27-inch model with dual-core processor:
      • ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory
    • 27-inch model with quad-core processor:
      • ATI Radeon HD 5750 with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

    27in iMac HD + SSD Option: At first I didn't notice the 27in iMac has an option for both an internal HD + SSD. (Thanks Keith.) The 1TB HD + 256GB SSD option adds $750, $900 for 2TB HD + 256GB SSD option.

    Here's the apple note on the combo HD + SSD Option:

    "If you configure your iMac with both the solid-state drive and a Serial ATA hard drive, it will come preformatted with Mac OS X and all your applications on the solid-state drive. Then you can use the hard drive for videos, photos, and other files."

    BTW: Wednesday's news has a post with More info on new iMac's HD + SSD Option including w/service part info for the SSD bracket and cables.)

    I was curious if the new iMacs would have USB 3.0, but the page lists 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 FireWire 800 (7 watts), and an SDXC card slot. See the specs page for more details.
    (FYI - Apple later posted a press release on the new iMacs.Apple later posted a press release on the new iMacs.)

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    New Apple Magic Trackpad and Battery Charger
    Also new to the Apple store today is the Apple Magic Trackpad ($69) and Apple Battery Charger ($29).
    (FYI - see later post above regarding Magic Trackpad 1.0 update for OS X 10.6.4 and Windows.)
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    Recent Articles and Reviews
    Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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