Chicago (IL) - Steve Jobs may not be around the office each day, but it's still business as usual at Apple. The newest rumor has Apple hosting a special media event on March 24 to bring Mac desktops into full view. And, if we may add, it's about the time! Both iMac and Mac Pro are 14 months old now, while Mac mini hasn't seen any hardware update in nearly 20 months. If you believe the rumor-mill, minor but long overdue updates to the Mac mini and iMac are just three weeks away, along with a major Mac Pro refresh that brings Intel's Nehalem CPU and ATI Radeon GPUs to the table. There's also a "pleasant surprise" that we think may mean a new version of Apple TV -- though some are keeping their fingers crossed for a Mac netbook.

According to the World of Apple and My Apple Guide, both citing unnamed industry source, Apple is about to unveil new Mac desktops at a special media event scheduled for March 24. If you believe these Mac-enthusiast websites, Apple will update the entire Mac desktop line with cool new goodies, affecting the miniature Mac mini, the all-in-one iMac and of course the meaty Mac Pro. Japanese site Kodawarisan claims (via Google Translate) that new Macs are coming as early as tomorrow. Whatever the case, don't expect anything truly Earth-shattering.

If recent unibody MacBooks and the 24-inch LED-backlit Cinema Display are any indication, Apple will slightly tweak and modernize Mac desktops design and include expected under-the-hood improvements like the latest CPUs and Nvidia'sGPUs, along with the DisplayPort interconnect with HDCP copy-protection technology. This doesn't mean Apple doesn't have a wildcard up its sleeve. On the contrary, sources mention a "pleasant surprise" and our gut feeling tells us it could be a major Apple TV update (see our previous "wish list" for Apple TV).

Mac mini: Greater expandability

Some recent spyshots (and a video) of the next-gen Mac mini suggest a faster front-side bus and DDR3 memory support, enabling faster raw performance. Nvidia graphics is also said to replace the built-in Intel GMA 950 that is no longer produced, bring GPU horsepower to the mini line as well. The system may also pimp expansion ports, including up to five USB ports, a FireWire 800 interface and both the Mini DisplayPort and Mini DVI monitor ports for forward and backward compatibility. Whispered price drop might bring the new Mac mini in the sub-$500 category, bucking Apple's historic trend. And, if you ask us, Apple's repeated claims that it isn't interested in entering the netbook market are probably true. We wouldn't be surprised at all if Apple pitched the new Mac mini as a netbook replacement for people on a budget. [Though one of the greatest benefits of a netbook are extreme lightweight and solid portability in a conventional operating system like Windows XP or Vista. -Editor]

 
NEXT-GEN MAC MINI: DISPLAYPORT + MINI DVI
The Mac mini may see a minor hardware update that will bring a faster FSB and Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU and DDR3 memory. It should also offer five USB ports, up from four currently, a FireWire 800 interface and both Mini DisplayPort and Mini DVI interfaces along with Nvidia graphics.

iMac: A tweaked design and new top-of-line 28-inch model

The iMac, which is based on Apple's mobile architecture, is expected to adopt the same CPUs that power unibody MacBooks -- think another special-run of the latest Intel Core 2 Duo that consumes less power and comes in a smaller packaging, along with discreet or integrated Nvidia GPUs found in MacBooks today. Since Apple launched its 24-inch LED-backlit Cinema Display, and recently killed the 20-inch Cinema Display, some believe the company will put forth a new 28-inch dispay that will kill the 30-inch model making room for even larger model.

Apple might also entirely abandon the 20-inch Cinema Display in favor of the new 24-inch LED-backlit Cinema Display as the entry-level model. Some think the addition of a new 28-inch Cinema Display calls for a 28-inch top-of-the-line iMac model that will cater to creative professionals who deem Mac Pros too pricey, but at the same time need more screen real estate than current 24-inch top-of-the-line iMac allows.

Mac Pro: A major architectural change

While the Mac mini and iMac updates file as minor bumps, Mac Pro is due for major engineering changes as Apple moves its meaty desktop to Intel's Nehalem (Core i7) CPUs. Not surprisingly, Intel is about to launch Nehalem versions suitable for use in the Mac Pro by the end of this month. Apple Insider reported the latest developer seeds of the upcoming Mac OS X 10.5.7 software update already feature support for Nehalem, suggesting the hardware refresh will come in concert with the 10.5.7 update. The software also includes deep ATI Radeon HD 4000 support, lending its GPU power to the Core Image and Quartz Extreme acceleration technologies of OS X.

MAC PRO TO ADOPT INTEL'S NEHALEM CPU
Apple's meaty Mac Pro desktop will allegedly be powered by Intel's Nehalem (Core i7) CPU and the new ATI Radeon GPU, in addition to the DisplayPort interconnect. The rumor-mill also expects a slightly revised design of its aluminum casing and more slots added for greater expandability, as shown in this concept rendering courtesy of the MacBlogz.

A "pleasant surprise":  A Mac netbook or a networked Apple TV

Sources also mention a "pleasant surprise", but what could it be? With non-Mac desktop product lines like MacBooks, iPods and iPhones having all been recently updated, the only thing that comes to mind is another iPhone update, possibly with new 32GB iPhone and 64GB iPod touch models. We wouldn't bet on iPhone nano because a high-profile WWDC introduction would make more sense -- if such product exists. Some analysts think the "pleasant surprise" means a Mac netbook, but such a product would require high-profile venue like WWDC and Steve Jobs to announce it.

Instead, we're putting our money on an Apple TV update. As we recently reported, Apple's "hobby business" could get a digital TV tuner and receive free TV programming when analog TV signals switch off this June. The set-top box might also get into the networked TV area with premium TV channels available for streaming from iTunes, along with full HD support, DVR capabilities and other cool features.

UP NEXT FOR APPLE TV: NETWORKED TELEVISION
The quoted "pleasant surprise" may be a major revision to Apple's set-top box, one that will bring more television into the "TV" part of it. Expect premium TV programming from iTunes, full HD support, DVR capabilities and possibly a new digital TV tuner allowing free over-the-air content when analog signals shut off in June, 2009.

Read on the next page:  Possible WWDC hardware updates, Overdue iMac and Mac Pro updates, Apple's new annual product cycles, Conclusion