When the Core 2 Duo iMacs came out in September, it was interesting to see that the iMac still uses the notebook-class processor, and thus is limited for the most part to notebook class components, that are more expensive and slower than desktop-class stuff. Granted, they run cooler too but it's kindof wierd that Apple would do this only to keep things cool as the iMac G5 has...well...a G5 processor in it and the G5 ran hot (you can't put that proc in a laptop, hence partially the shift to Intel).
To back up my argument a little bit, the cheapest Core 2 Duo proc right now runs at 1.66GHz, if you don't count the wierd ones like the Pentium Dual Core T2060 which is just plain low-end. Placing the 1.83GHz proc in the middle of the spectrum. WHereas the lowest-cost, lowest-performance Core 2 Duo for desktops is underclocked to 1.8GHz and is quite cheap on the scale of things. Go up to the normal range of processors and you have 1.86GHz, then 2.13GHz, then 2.4GHz, then 2.66GHz processors, not counting the insanely fast 2.93GHz Extreme model or the 2.66GHz quad-core model.
But what I'm saying is that Apple could have put a much faster, cheaper chip in the C2D iMacs if they wanted to. Granted, this would've broken compatibility with the Core Duo iMacs but hey, the Core 2 Duo desktops have a MUCH faster bus and such than the Core 2\Notebook parts have...
Dunno what's exactly inside the iMacs but you'd think also that the graphics cards they put in there would have to be the mobile versions also, which might get expensive. And memory could be a whole lot faster (800 MHz or 1066 MHz vs. 666 MHz.) with little price difference...
I can understand why Apple opted for a laptop-class optical drive (desktop drives are too big for a 1.5 inch thick including monitor enclosure) but don't get it as far as the proc goes this time around...
...or maybe they want the MacBook Pro to be just as fast as the iMac so there isn't a G4 vs. G5 controversy again...sorta like how you're on your own above 2 GHz on a Macbook or 1.83GHz on a Mac Mini...
Or maybe they want a compelling speedwise reason to upgrade to the Mac Pro, and if they put in the normal Intel socket people could upgrade an iMac to the processing power of the midrange Mac Pro (quad 2.66 GHz). Who knows? Just thought I'd throw this out there...
To back up my argument a little bit, the cheapest Core 2 Duo proc right now runs at 1.66GHz, if you don't count the wierd ones like the Pentium Dual Core T2060 which is just plain low-end. Placing the 1.83GHz proc in the middle of the spectrum. WHereas the lowest-cost, lowest-performance Core 2 Duo for desktops is underclocked to 1.8GHz and is quite cheap on the scale of things. Go up to the normal range of processors and you have 1.86GHz, then 2.13GHz, then 2.4GHz, then 2.66GHz processors, not counting the insanely fast 2.93GHz Extreme model or the 2.66GHz quad-core model.
But what I'm saying is that Apple could have put a much faster, cheaper chip in the C2D iMacs if they wanted to. Granted, this would've broken compatibility with the Core Duo iMacs but hey, the Core 2 Duo desktops have a MUCH faster bus and such than the Core 2\Notebook parts have...
Dunno what's exactly inside the iMacs but you'd think also that the graphics cards they put in there would have to be the mobile versions also, which might get expensive. And memory could be a whole lot faster (800 MHz or 1066 MHz vs. 666 MHz.) with little price difference...
I can understand why Apple opted for a laptop-class optical drive (desktop drives are too big for a 1.5 inch thick including monitor enclosure) but don't get it as far as the proc goes this time around...
...or maybe they want the MacBook Pro to be just as fast as the iMac so there isn't a G4 vs. G5 controversy again...sorta like how you're on your own above 2 GHz on a Macbook or 1.83GHz on a Mac Mini...
Or maybe they want a compelling speedwise reason to upgrade to the Mac Pro, and if they put in the normal Intel socket people could upgrade an iMac to the processing power of the midrange Mac Pro (quad 2.66 GHz). Who knows? Just thought I'd throw this out there...