[MW Forums]

Intel’s new 45-nanometer chip for the desktop, part of the newly released Penryn family, should give gamers, researchers and serious multitaskers a significant performance boost, according to analysts. more

[Pennywigeon]

Rumors are abound that Apple will be first in line for the top end Mac Pro series to get the new 45nm chips.

[EXrider]

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Rumors are abound that Apple will be first in line for the top end Mac Pro series to get the new 45nm chips.

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Unfortunately not: New PCs available with Intel's new quad-core chips

[sndcj1]

Well, it would be odd if Apple got the first of those chips, as it doesn't have a computer currently that uses the desktop Core 2 Duo chip. I think what was being rumored was that they would be getting many of the Xeon processors to put in their Pro machines, which may or may not be true. I think it is certain that they will use the chips, but whether they have an inside track on getting supplies before anyone else... I guess we'll see.

[bdkennedy1]

Anyone know if we can drop the Core 2 version into a new iMac?

[estumpges]

iMac processors are not user replaceable and I doubt even a skilled computer tech could do it.
I don't even think you can replace the processors in PowerMac G5s or the existing Mac Pros.
Looks like you'll be out of luck unless you wait to buy a new computer.

[MondayNgt]

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iMac processors are not user replaceable and I doubt even a skilled computer tech could do it.

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Can't speak for the newer iMac but that's not true of the white Intels:
http://www.everymac....eo-upgrade.html

[da2357]

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Anyone know if we can drop the Core 2 version into a new iMac?

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No, there are far too many supporting changes in the rest of the logic board that support the new Penryn CPUs... so you can't simply plug a Penryn in. Frankly, trying would most likely void your warranty.

[Schneb]

Anyone able to look in the tea leaves and see whether or not these new chips are what Apple has been waiting for regarding an upgrade to the aging MacPro line?

[TheBoyKen]

Well, it would be odd if Apple got the first of those chips, as it doesn't have a computer currently that uses the desktop Core 2 Duo chip.
That's not quite correct - the custom high end iMac uses a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme processor (i.e. the desktop variant, not the laptop ones that the lesser iMacs use).
Ken

[sndcj1]

Well, I am using one of those 2.8GHz models right now, but I was still under the impression that it was the X7900, the extreme mobile processor, not the desktop chip. I thought the heat difference between the desktop and laptop versions was pretty substantial, which is why they are not in the small form factor computers.

[JScott]

I wonder how many chips they need to sell in order to recoup the $3 billion price of the facility.

[whitedog]

It seems like a fair bet that Apple has, indeed, been waiting for Penryn to upgrade the Mac Pro line. But if the Penryns follow the development path of the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo (and Extreme) Xeons, the first ones on line will be slower than those to come six and twelve months out. So the buying decisions won't get any easier. I wouldn't expect to see them in iMacs any time soon - no doubt they will be expensive. Some version of the Penryn - not in the Xeon line - would also seem to be a logical step for laptops, but there was no mention of this option either. Since laptops make up more than half of all computer sales, I anticipate a 45nm chipset for portables and smaller devices won't be long in coming.

[Jarmo]

Too bad Apple doesn't like desktop chips or desktops in general.
But there'll be more expensive and less powerful laptop and server parts coming up later.
Like a broken machine, I'd like to suggest the midi#@#...