We now have the actual product features page from the Broadcom 5764 Ethernet Controller that’s now in the i7 and i5 iMacs. It’s been said a photo tells a 1,000 words. I think this pretty much tells the story of the “i” line of iMacs.
Jumbo Frame Support - NO.
Without Jumbo Frame support, there’s no way to connect to our Final Share SAN which is all ethernet based. No Jumbo Frame support, no professional video editing in our facility.
I’ve had all sorts of people write to me with various theories and ideas as to why Apple would take a part as simple as this and cut corners to make these the only products in their lineup that cannot support Jumbo Frames. It’s pretty obvious to me that Apple either does not know about ethernet SAN or does not understand how it works. Integrating and promoting ethernet SAN based solutions would only make the iMac an even more attractive solution in the professional editing environment and promote sales. Connectivity to a large media array is the weak link in the iMac design. Ethernet SAN is the answer, but unfortunately, not in their latest and greatest machines.
So once again, if you’re considering the 27″ iMac know that you will be limited to just local FW800 storage with the i5 and i7 iMacs. Once again a real shame and we’ll be avoiding those machines unless Apple changes out the controller to make it Jumbo Frame enabled.