Pro Applications Update 2009-01 (243.23MB)
Pro Applications Update 2009-01 is a revision to Final Cut Studio (2009).
This update includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1, Color 1.5.1, and Compressor 3.5.1.

The software addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.
System requirements: OS X 10.5.8 or later, QT 7.6.2 or later"

Here's links to apple docs with specifics on the app updates:

• Final Cut Pro 7.0.1: Release notes
• Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1: Release notes
• Motion 4.0.1: Release notes
• Color 1.5.1: Release notes
• Qmaster 3.5.1: Release notes
• Compressor 3.5.1: Release notes

Apple Server Diagnostics 3X106 (20.20MB)
Apple Server Diagnostics tests your server for hardware issues. Apple Server Diagnostics version 3X106 is compatible with Snow Leopard server on the Xserve (Early 2009), Xserve (Early 2008), and Mac mini (Early 2009).
Apple Server Diagnostics (AXD) runs a customizable set of tests to help you diagnose issues with server components including:

• Boot ROM
• Ethernet controller
• Fan
• Hard drive
• Memory
• Power supply
• Processor
• Sensor
• USB ports
• Video controller

You can run AXD in Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI), which is referred to as AXD EFI tools, or in Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server."

About Boot Camp and Windows 7
Apple will support Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate) with Boot Camp in Mac OS X Snow Leopard before the end of the year. This support will require a software update to Boot Camp.

Requirements:
In addition to the Boot Camp update, you will need the following:

• Your own authentic copy of Microsoft Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade
• An Intel-based Mac computer

Note: The following models will not be supported for use with Windows 7 using Boot Camp. (emphasis mine.-Mike)

• iMac (17-inch, Early 2006)
• iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
• iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)
• iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2006)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2006, Intel Xeon Dual-core 2.66GHz or 3GHz)

I suspect the notes on the BootCamp update are related to the lack of (current) Bootcamp/Windows support for some features with new Macs. (Such as no current support for Bluetooth and the Magic Mouse with the new iMacs, etc. - Those docs were linked in Tuesday's news. There were also some related docs/tips in Wednesday's listing.)

" They are almost certainly using the p55 chipset/1156 pin socket, which is dual channel not triple channel like the x58 chipset/1366 pin socket. The core i7 860 chip they are most likely using, really shouldn't be called a Core i7. Intel is needlessly confusing people using the same lineage name for chips that go in different sockets.
-John D."

An another reply w/similar comments a few minutes later:

" The Core i5/i7 iMacs are very unlikely to support triple channel RAM configurations as they appear to use the LGA1156 socket design and hence the P55 chipset (which only support dual channel RAM configurations).
The triple channel Core i7 processors use LGA1366 connectors with the X58 chipset (as found with the quad core Xeon 3500 Mac Pro) and aren't available at 2.8GHz speeds.
The only 2.8 GHz Core i7 part listed on intels website is the i7-860.
HTH, Neil"

Logically this makes sense for the iMac, all things considered (lower cost/lower heat/less potential fan noise, etc.).
BTW - While on the subject, Nathan sent a link to a PC site article Core i7 Head-to-Head: 1156 vs. 1366 from Oct. 8th subtitled "With the release of P55 and Lynnfield, it begged the question of how they stack up to X58 and Bloomfield. Are socket 1156 Core i7s worthy of being called Core i7?" that noted in their tests the performance was similar and the Lynnfield of course uses less power. (Again a consideration for a slim AIO like the iMac that users expect to be quiet.)

I have Vista 64 Ultimate on a separate HD in the 09 Mac Pro (dual CPU) and not sure I'll upgrade yet at least. Considering it's primarily only used for Gaming, at this point I don't think it's worth upgrading yet. And evidently the only upgrade from (over) Vista Ultimate is to Win 7 Ultimate. (Anyone upgrade over Vista Ultimate with Win 7 Professional?) Maybe I'll shop around for an OEM (lower priced w/no MS support) Win 7 Pro or Ultimate when I do decide to upgrade.
BTW - I assumed as before dual (2 physical) CPU support required the higher end (Pro or Ultimate) version (it does) but per a reader reply to this post (and a chart I saw today in a windows forum post from a few months ago said Win 7 Home Premium supports 2 CPUs (although limited to 16GB ram). After installing Windows 7 Home Premium on the dual 2.66GHz 2009 Mac Pro, it's not using both CPUs. (Device mgr shows '16' cores but system info report shows 4 core/single CPU and Cinebench R10 64bit reports 8 ('virtual') cores, not 16 - the same as it did with Vista Home Premium on this mac pro before the Vista Ultimate upgrade). So it looks like I'll (again) be looking for another upgrade later (Pro upgrade from Home Prem is $90 retail).
The Win 7 versions/features chart I saw posted earlier in a Windows forum was wrong, here's a Wiki Windows 7 Edition(s) comparison chart that confirms (as before) that Profession or Ultimate is required for dual CPU support.)

• A Game in the Life of Windows 7 (Win 7 Home Premium installed on mid-2009 MacBook Pro w/Snow Leopard)
• Nokia sues Apple for (10) patent infringements (reuters)
• The 27in iMac is The New Apple TV (wired)
  
  Misc. Software Updates: (later added first)
• SmartSleep 2.6 build 929506 (free prefpane to set hibernate mode, etc.)
• Championship Manager 2010 coming to Mac November 13th
• Parallels Desktop 4.0.3848
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta
• NetNewsWire 3.2.2
  
  Other/Misc: (later added first)
• The Sorry State of Windows 7 Gaming
• Windows 7 Freebies: Where to Get Giveaways (some are free -after- mail-in rebates or software I'd never install anyway)
• OWC First Technology Manufacturer/Distributor In U.S. To Become 100% On-Site Wind Powered
• Need for Speed: SHIFT (PC DVD) review
• 18 awesome games that died at retail
• Disney Touts a Way to Ditch the DVD ("Purchase of a 'Keychest' Movie")
• Technology Fails: 8 Extreme Electronic Disasters
• 8 things you need to know about Windows 8
• Windows 7 Review (PCworld)
• Windows 7 might do a number on fast-growing Apple (seattlePi.com)
• Windows 7 is darn good; Apple OSX Snow Leopard is a upgrade dog (SFgate)
• Ballmer Talks Natal, Says Blu-ray Add-On for Xbox Coming (gizmodo) But also see Blu-ray add-on not coming to the Xbox 360
• Microsoft starts selling PCs online (cnet)