Upcoming iMacs, Mac Pros to use USB 3.0, higher-speed FW?
updated 09:55 am EDT, Fri July 16, 2010
New iMacs not expected until fall
Modernizing peripheral connections should be a major emphasis in Apple's next desktop upgrades, a "well-informed" source tells MacBidouille. The iMac and Mac Pro are both expected to gain USB 3.0 ports, allowing substantially faster device connections, up to 5Gbps. Such speeds could prove especially useful in syncing iPhones, iPods and iPads, though the devices themselves would need new ports to see the benefit.
The Mac Pro, at least, should also get FireWire 1600 or 3200 connections, in the latter case permitting transfers up to 3.2Gbps. Apple is said to be interested in Light Peak as well, which permits speeds up to 10Gbps, but it may not be in a position to build computers with the technology for about a year. The source adds that new Mac Pros should be out by the end of the summer, while new iMacs may come out several weeks later. As usual, neither is anticipated to have a Blu-ray option.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Express 3?
I would like to see the new Express 3 bus inside the machine. This would be more important that either USB 3 or FW 3200, as either could be added with a board later.
The Express 3 final specs have been finished, and are expected to be in machines later this year. I hope Apple is one of the first.