The config: Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

The price: $1.5 grand over the base ‘Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon’ config

Shipping now, but no other price drops.

I don’t think that Photoshop or Final Cut can even effectively utilize 8 cores at once so I can’t see how this will be worth it except for the most demanding users doing 3D rendering and using scientific apps (for extremely multithreaded number crunching). Even Apple’s tests only show the 8-core model as being “up to 1.4 times as fast” as a 4-core 3.0 GHz machine.

(Via Engadget.)

As I expected, there’s no word on the little non-pro bros, but those things are selling so well I don’t think Apple is in any kind of hurry.

I figured it must be a software issue because it disappeared when I booted the machine off of my new Mac Pro drive in target disk mode. However a clean install of OS X didn’t change anything even after all the updates were applied.

Somewhat stumped, I did some searching and found this account of the exact same problem (with more technical details). It turns out that because I had installed Boot Camp on my Mac Pro and then booted my Mac Book off of this drive, the iSight firmware had been updated. As such, the Mac Book was unable to communicate with it as it lacked corresponding updated drivers (but the Mac Pro could because it had those drivers). The solution is to extract the iSight drivers from the Boot Camp 1.1 installer and add them to the Mac Book (Boot Camp installation is not needed, but would work too). I imagine this will only be an issue until Apple releases 10.4.8 which bundles the updated drivers, but I thought it was an interesting problem worth discussing. However, this could remain an issue in the future for a computer that hasn’t been updated to 10.4.8 or had Boot Camp 1.1 installed.

The moral of the story is: be careful mixing machines with Boot Camp updates and those without.

I don’t know if the MacBook is really what I want since it doesn’t have a good graphics card to play games (with Boot Camp) but it’s such a tempting little machine (and one really needs a tower for games anyway). I’d rather have something smaller than a 13″ model, but there’s no indication that Apple is ever going to make a smaller laptop (if they do I might have to loose the MacBook).

Intel Dual Core. 13.3″ Widescreen. Black!

…’nuf said, sign me up!

More observations when the dust settles.

Update (4/24/06): Though I did note it this morning when I was checking out the 17-inch MacBook, I didn’t mention the third USB port on this new model. After thinking about it (and having a friend note it to me), I realized this is noteworthy. All previous models of PowerBook G4 & MacBook have only had two USB ports, so this is a very welcome addition which brings the 17-inch model in line with the Intel mini & iMac and is highly appropriate for its role as a desktop replacement machine. Really, this highlights one of the large inadequacies of the 15-inch model (which is severly lacking in ports). I mean, how can 2 USB ports be enough for anyone now days (especially since iPods now only work over USB)?

Also, I wonder if Apple will update Boot Camp with drivers for this machine when it starts shipping out next week. There’s no mention of anything that would suggest that they’ll need to and it uses nearly the same hardware to the 15-inch model so I’m guessing no, but it will be interesting to see.

Update 2 (still 4/24/06): ThinkSecret points out that if you custom order the 15-inch MacBook Pro 2.0 GHz model and then bump it up to a 2.16 GHz processor it costs the same ($2799) as the 17-inch model. This is a little disturbing considering how much more you get on the bigger model: larger, higher-resolution screen, 120 GB hard drive (versus 100 GB in the 15-inch), and all the extra ports mentioned above. On the other hand you also get all the extra size and weight so I’m sure it’s a worthwhile trade off for some. It just makes me wonder if Apple will be dropping the price/bumping the specs of the 15-inch model soon (especially in light of the rumored Core Duo price drops).

This was highly unexpected…

For more info see this FAQ on the Apple KnowledgeBase (Via DF).

My need for a new ICBM just jumped up hugely.

What I have ascertained is not that PCs as we know them lack good design, but that PCs as we know them have hardly any design to speak of. I’m not trying to be insulting. Use a Mac for a week, and we’ll talk again.

[...]

[The Mac] is extremely good at what it does, which is to say, exposing functionality.

Be sure to check out the rest of the post and the comic for some more intriguing (and humorous) insights.

I love to hear these kinds of things, especially from technologically savvy users, because it helps me keep that smug look on my face…

Update (3/6/05): New posts and comic with more on the Mac.

1. iPod Boombox: These little things are cash cows and Apple wants a piece of the pie, but I would expect some differences from the ones already on the market.
2. Intel Mac mini: Probably with a Core Single (perhaps a Duo on the high end) and including Front Row functionality. I’m hoping for even more multimedia options like DVR and iPod docking but I’m not holding my breath since these features would increase the cost beyond Apple’s low target price point. It’s possible we’ll see a Mac mini A/V or something as a higher end option at some point, but again I don’t expect this.
3. More iPod accessories like the FM Tuner Remote and Socks: again, this kind of stuff is a cash cow for Apple.

Apple has announced it will hold a special event Tuesday, February 28 to show off some ‘fun new products’. [...] Solid information on what Apple may unveil at the event has escaped sources, but reasonable speculation suggests the debut of further Intel-based Macs or a new video iPod.

“Goody Gumdrops.”

Anyway, ThinkSecret released a scoop on the next version of the Mac mini that Apple is supposedly set to release at the MacWorld Expo in January. It was ThinkSecret that nailed the introduction of the first mini a year ago, so, despite the fact that the specs they list are almost too drool-worthy, they come from a fairly reputable source.

• Front Row 2.0
• PVR Functionally
• iPod Dock
• 3.5″ Drive
• Intel Processor

Check out the report for mote details: Road to Expo: Reborn Mac mini set to take over the living room.

I gotta say, if Apple manages to drop one of these for lest than $700 or so I’ll be hard pressed to keep my credit card in my pants and it probably wouldn’t be the only thing struggling to get out.

This, more than any rumors I’ve read, has convinced me that the first ICBMs are due to launch sooner that the originally expected timeframe of Summer 2006. I’ve finally come to terms with the transition and I’m looking forward to both the chaos and wonder.