It is late September, with only eight weeks tops to go, before the Mac computers focused media event, Apple is still keeping the price tags at normal level. Don't worry; when you will see price drops, the refreshes are imminent. In the last article I presented the current MacBook line and how it might look like in less than two months. However, the high light of this autumn media event is not Mac laptop related, but more part of the desktop line. If you said iMac then you were correct. The iMac is going to be what iPod nano was for the "it's Only Rock and Roll" media event. Let's take a look to the current Mac desktop computers on sale, and analyze what we can receive from Apple in the following weeks.
The Mac mini is the only desktop Mac computer to not receive a consistent refresh. However, in its current configurations it's really attractive. For both configurations you get a height of 2 inches (5.09 cm), wide of 6.5 inches (1.51), deep of 6.5 inches (16.51 cm), Mac mini weights only 2.9 pounds (1.31 kg). The entry level Mac mini has an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz, with 1 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 120 GB hard drives, and 8 x double layer Super Drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset. However, this particularly configuration might offer (now or in spring of 2010) for the same asking price ($599) 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, and a 250 GB serial ATA drive. The next configuration offers for $799, the same processor, 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 1 GB), a 320 GB hard drive, the same Super Drive and graphic chipset. This model could get the 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and NDIVIA GeForce 9600M GT graphic chipset for the same price.
As you already know the Mac Pro is a true power house. Basically you can't ask for more. The entry level Mac Pro comes with one 2.66 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor, 3 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM (3 x 1 GB), 640 GB hard drive, 18 x double layer Super Drive and the excellent NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512 MB dedicated. If this model will be refreshed, it will probably change not the specs so much, but more the design, offering a more "unibody" experience. However we might see an improved RAM capacity from three to four GB, and maybe a shift in processor (but the equivalent in power). The price will probably stay the same, $2.499. The eight core model with two 2.26 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors also includes 6 GB RAM memory (6 x 1 GB), 640 hard drive, 18 x double layer Super Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512 MB. An improved processor is mandatory if Apple plans to keep the $3.299 price tag. The RAM memory will not be improved, but it will be changed from 6 x 1 GB, to 3 x 2 GB RAM.
The iMacs will receive a new design to align to the new unibody MacBook Pro aluminum looks. The iMac is currently offered in four standard configurations. These configurations will probably be kept with most of their specification list. The entry level iMac brings a 20 inches display with an Intel 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo. This unit also includes 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 1 GB), a 320 GB hard drive, 8 x double layer Super Drive (the same from the Mac mini), and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphic chipset. Apple will probably keep this configuration in place but will offer a new design with a lower price (the current asking price is $1.199, while it is expected to be diminished at $1.099). The next configuration brings the same processor, but a larger display (24 inches), 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB hard drive, the same Super Drive and the same graphic chipset.
It is likely that Apple will keep these specs and lower the price for the new designed model $1.399. The next current configuration brings beside the 24 inches display, a 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, with 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 2 GB), 640 hard drives, the same Super Drive, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 256 MB memory. The next model will probably bring the 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, and 18 x double layers Super Drive, all for $1.699. The last current configuration for the iMac (considered the high level), brings a 24 inches display, 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB memory, 1 Terabyte hard drive, 8 x double layer Super Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512 MB memory (all for $2.199). The improved model will keep the same price tag, but will offer a Quad Core processor, 6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, and 18 x double layer Super Drive, keeping the same graphic chipset.
In six to eight weeks we shall see, what products will be refreshed, upgraded or just skipped. For Apple to be successful next year in the computer market, a price cut to its models is mandatory.