Apple's iMac Sandy Bridge over the River Core-i

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 02 May 2011 10:14

Your IT - Home IT

Although Apple's MacBook Pros have already bridged the gap to Intel's Core i line of 2011 processors, questions have been asked over when the same will happen for the Macbook Air, Mac Mini and the iMac line of all-in-one desktops.

Although most PC manufacturers have long ago transitioned to Intel's 2011 'Sandy Bridge' range of Core i processors, Apple is well known to take its time upgrading its entire line of notebook and desktop computers.

While there were cheers and great sales of Apple's MacBook Pro line when it received the Intel Core updates, everyone wanted to know when the iMacs, Mac Minis and MacBook Airs would get the same upgraded processor lovin'.

Well, the rumoursphere is going gaga over reports that May 3 will see the iMac range of desktop Macs finally get the latest Core i updates, and given that May 3 is but one day away, today's not the day to be buying a brand new iMac.

Indeed, tomorrow or the day after might not be either should the rumourmongers prove to be inaccurate, although AppleInsider says its sources were right on similar issues in the past, and they expect their sources are right again this time, too.

Naturally, the kinds of features seen in the Sandy Bridge upgrades for the MacBook Pro are expected to be seen in the new iMacs.

This means a Thunderbolt port instead of a Mini Displayport and Core i processors instead of the older Core 2 Duo models, although rumors of different screen sizes and an AMD video card upgrade are said to not be happening.

That said, no-one really knows what lurks beneath Apple's plans aside from Apple themselves, so if new iMacs really are coming tomorrow, or the day after, the wait to find out the truth isn't far away at all.

In addition, when Apple is rumoured to be launching new iMacs on May 3, that most likely means May 4 for Australians, with May 3 likely to be in US time, not Australian time.

AppleInsider suggests that Apple stores will see a very early morning refresh of stock and signage on the morning of May 3rd, so that customers coming in to the store later that day will see the new, faster iMacs in all their Core i glory.

Finally, there's still no definitive word on when the Mac Mini will likewise be upgraded, although the rumouring blogosphere says MacBook Airs should get a low-voltage Core i update in June.