The Mac Pro were expected to be updated for several months now, and a few days ago Apple did so, updating the professional line of computers, with orders starting from August 9th on.

When asked about eventual availabilities, several Apple representatives have confirmed that the orders for the new models will be available soon, from August 9th at least in the USA. It’s not clear yet whether the date is also the same worldwide or if the Mac Pros will be available in that date, or just for pre-orders. We’ll have to stay tuned.

After a few hours of update, the Apple Store reopened yesterday with some new features: first, the updated iMac computers, integrating the most recent Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors, and also dedicated graphic processors, including the ATI Radeon HD 5750 for the most expensive models. The hard disks go from 500 MB to 2 TB.

Also included in the update are the new Magic Trackpad, with a glass and aluminium design, bringing the same multitouch capability from the MacBook Pros to the iMacs.

The 27″ LED Cinema Displays were also added to the list of new products to be launched in August. The 27″ dislpay features the IPS (In-Plane switching) technology and a Mini Display Port connection with audio support. The resolution is up to 2560 x 1440 with 16 million colors, and 16:9 format, which means 60% more pixels than the 24″ model. Also integrated are the iSight webcam, the microphone and speakers.

The last addition to the Apple Store was the Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is now enhanced to offer the option of one or two processors, up to a 12-core computer if needed. Two models are being offered: one with the price of €2399 with a 2.8 GHz quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics with 1GB of RAM. The second model is an 8-core that starts from €3399 and includes two quad-core processors with 2.4 GHz each, 6GB RAM and the same Radeon HD 5770 (with the option of changing into a HD 5870).

The Apple Store is temporarily offline while it’s being updated. That usually happens when Apple launches new products or models in the market.

Expected for today are the new 27″ LED Cinema Display, the new iMac and perhaps the new Mac Pro. If so, it’ll be a surprise-launch, as most part of those new products were scheduled to launch by the end of Summer or beginning of Autumn.

We’ll stay tuned.

There were rumors about a possible Mac Pro with six-core processors, thanks to the introduction of the i7 980X and Core i7 970 from Intel. The rumors now speak of a possible launch next Tuesday, in fact.

The first Mac Pro model to be launched next week according to rumors would be based on the six-core Core i7 980x, with this specifications:

• 3.33 Ghz (with TurboBoost up to 3.6 Ghz)
• 6 cores / 12 threads
• 32nm Architecture
• LGA 1366 socket
• 130W TDP

The usage of such powerful technologies could mean a real change for Apple’s professional computers. There’s no word about the graphics used for now, but previous rumors spoke about the Radeon HD 5870 as the most possible choice.

The reccurring overheating issues on the Mac Pro based on Nehalem architecture could be gone soon with the new update released by Apple, called Mac Pro Audio Update 1.0. We hope it will indeed solve the problems.

It was known that Apple was searching the root of the problem in order to create a solution, and that’s what seems to have happened. Here’s what it’s said on the support page:

The Mac Pro Audio Update 1.0 is for Mac Pro (Early 2009) computers running Mac OS X v10.6.2. This update reduces processor utilization during audio activities such as playing or recording music.

As usual, the update is available through Software Update or the dedicated download page on Apple’s website.

Intel is preparing to launch their new mobile platform processors. We’re talking about the lines that are currently called Arrandale and Calpella, and one of the features on these new processors is the integration of a graphic CPU. Apple has clearly manifested their disagreement on that choice and has already started to ask for processors that do not feature an integrated GPU.

The reason behind Apple’s decision is simple: they want to be free to install nVidia or ATI components, that currently present better performances thanks to the great compatibility obtained with OpenCL (one of the technologies that are currently featured on Snow Leopard). Currently, the problem is only seen on mobile processors, hence, all the Apple products that use it: the next Mac Mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro.

The guys from MacBidouille have released some interesting rumors about the new generation of Mac Pros that should be launched in the beginning of 2010. According to the French site, Apple would already be at the later development stages of its top-series computers. In particular, the testing of the Intel Xeon Gulftown processors would be underway. The Intel CPUs should be launched in the second quarter of 2010, but apparently the Mac Pro will have it before the launch.

It’s still not clear if all the Mac Pro line will have the powerful new processor or if it’ll be reserved for the top of the line. In any case, the rumor confirms a new motherboard that will support 10 Gbits/s Ethernet ports and compatible with 8 and 16GB RAMs.

A rumor that appeared on the SemiAccurate website says that in the next Mac computers to be produced in the next two years, no more nVIDIA chips will be found. The chips, according to the rumor reported on the website, wouldn’t guarantee the quality standard that Apple requires on their products.

In particular, there would be two reasons for this: first, the lawsuit from Intel against nVIDIA. According to Intel, nVIDIA was never authorized to design chipsets with an integrated memory controller, and that could prevent nVIDIA from manufacturing Nehalem -based chipsets, which are currently present on the Mac Pro line, and are expected to be launched on the portable lines as well. The second reason is the malfunctioning of a few graphic cards which hit a few number of MacBook Pro users, and that forced Apple to give a special extended warranty.

Of course, this isn’t good news for end-users, especially on the low-end range: the introduction of nVIDIA chipsets on the entry-level MacBooks and iMacs have brought these computers to rather decent video performances, especially when compared to the integrated Intel solution, which is still not compatible with some videogames. Also, nVIDIA was the first one to be prepared for the OpenCL, the technology integrated in Snow Leopard, that would divert part of the workload from the CPU to the GPU.

We think that if the rumors are true, it could be a big issue. We’re hoping they’re not.

The Mac Pro update was a heavy one in fact. The professional desktop line from Apple now features the Intel Xeon Nehalem series processors, taking advantage of all their power.

The new Mac Pro series are offered in two base versions, with a lot of optionals that can be added with the build-to-order feature:

- Xeon Quad-Core 2,66GHz, RAM 3Gb, HDD 640Gb, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 (512Mb), Superdrive: €2.299
- Xeon Quad-Core 2,26GHz (2), RAM 6Gb, HDD 640Gb, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 (512Mb), Superdrive: €2.999

An interesting sidenote: The maximum configuration that can be ordered from the build-to-order, featuring 2 Quad-Core 2,93GHz processors, 16 GB RAM, 4TB Hard Disk, 4 GeForce GT 120 cards, 2 Superdrives and 2 Cinema Display HD 30″ can be bought for “only” €16.826.

After a few hours offline, the Apple Stores went back online with new desktop product offers. The iMac now have processors ranging from 2.66Ghz to 3.06Ghz, nVIDIA graphics and hard disks up to 1TB. The prices start at €1099.

The new Mac Pro have the Nehalem technology, Nvidia GeForce GT 120 and lower prices. As for the Mac Mini, it features a Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz processor, 5 USB ports, a FireWire 800 and Superdrive, with prices starting from €599.

We’ll stay tuned for more detailed information of each one of the products.