Apple recently updated Mac mini and the rumors are that the other two systems in desktop lineup will also get updates soon. Not only has Apple informed its retail partners of near term shortage of iMac and Mac Pro, the Apple Store’s Reserve and Pickup service also shows many of the desktop configurations are unavailable. Many Apple stores show no availability of either Quad-Core, Eight-Core or both Mac Pro models. And when it comes to iMac, the higher end 21.5-inch and quad-core 27-inch models are unavailable at many stores.

This indicates that an update for both desktop systems is coming soon. Rumors are Apple will start using the six-core Xeon processors that Intel recently announced and will ship the first dodeca-core Mac Pro. Apple will also use ATI 5000 series and NVIDIA GeForce 400 series graphics card in the new Mac Pro along with faster I/O ports including USB 3.0 and FireWire 1600 or 3200.

On the iMac side, Apple will start using Core i5 and Core i7 processors in all the models. The lower end models will get dual core Core i5 processor, while the higher end iMacs will get quad-core Core i5 and i7 processors. All the systems should also get graphics update with latest graphics card from NVIDIA 300 and 400 series, and ATI 5000 series. iMac might also get USB 3.0 and faster FireWire support.

Along with the desktops, it is rumored that iLife will also get an updated. The new version will be called iLife ’11 and will offer improved iPhoto faces & places, better social network integration, redesigned iWeb, MobileMe gallery with faces & places and a new application. All iLife applications will now be 64-bit and iLife ’11 will be priced $79. Mac4ever claims that Apple will release iLife ’11 on August 7th, but its very unlikely as 7th is a Saturday. However, it is very much possible that we might see the desktops and iLife update on the same day very soon (mostly in August).