New Mac G5s Announced

[eric_darling]

For the quiet Mac faithful, here's a little newsflash: Macs are faster again!

http://www.apple.com/powermac/video/introvideo480.html

It took awhile, but it looks like Apple may have done it this time. Switching to an IBM microprocessor was a major accomplishment - this will be interesting.

My only question: How many people think certain software manufacturers should continue to ignore superior technology? [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Mark]

Hey Eric,

I've been doing some reading on the new G5 and stumbled across the following link: http://www.haxial.com/spls-soapbox/apple-powermac-G5/

Some interesting stuff in the article. Who's right? Who's wrong? Who knows? Either way Apple's got a great sense of style.

[eric_darling]

What? Steve Jobs "massage" the numbers? How dare you suggest that! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Yes, they win points for style. You've got to admit it beats "beige," or any of those candy-colored plastic AT cases out there. Also, the internal parts are laid out so much more thoughtfully than a typical PC.

Yeah, I discredit Mac faithful who quote Steve Jobs keynote trancripts as if they were passages taken directly from the Good Book itself. The blind faith element in the Mac community can be infuriatingly absurd.

At the same time, it sure is good to see Apple on the move again (finally), and with IBM as a partner, no less. That can only mean good things for all of us. Motorloa really began to suck eggs on processor development of late. I'm glad Apple's dumping them. This will help force Intel's and AMD's hands a bit faster than otherwise, I think.

[Lorne]

Um, Eric. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] The PowerPC line of processors is a joint venture between Motorola, IBM and Apple. IIRC, it's primarily a Motorola design. Lately some of Motorola's PowerPC production fabs have been rumored to be up for sale, for various reasons, and although most of the previous PowerPC chips were bought from Motorola, Apple has bought some G4s from IBM before, too.

In the end, though, whether Apple buys the chips from IBM or Motorola, you can't really say they're switchin to IBM processors in lieu of Motorola ones...the PowerPC is a Motorola/IBM design.

[Corey]

I'd be hard put to name someone I trust less than Steve Jobs. Perhaps Don King or Buddy Cianci... Hard call, they're all giants in the field.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[Lorne]

Note: although Motorola and IBM both contribute to the design, they're free to develop their own versions of the chip...different "flavors" if you will. For instance, at one point IBM used copper in their chips, and Motorola used aluminium. They each license technology from the other to use in chip production...it's a weird symbiotic relationship.

Some reports seem to be treating this as though it was an Apple/Motorola split of sorts, so I don't know, maybe things have changed in the past couple months...either that, or it's another case of reporters being fooled by corporate spin doctoring.

[Corey]

Mmmmmm... Flavored chips, great concept. [drool]

<Monty Python Quote>But sir, it is just a tiny little wafer...<//Monty Python Quote>

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[AGRO]

Yesterday I went to the Apple website and watched the long video about the G5. I tell you, they talk a good talk. Yeah it looks sharp, that is a given. I would like to do some 3D rendering and see how it reacts. I have no doubt that is is a upgrade to the G4, but is it worth the upgrade? I must say that I do like the 8gb of possible RAM!! That is nice. I like the 64bit and 32bit cross platform. I think I will stick with my 17" powerbook and wait to see how the G5 does.

All and all, it is one **** nice looking machine!!

[Corey]

Something just occurred to me. If this computer is so fast you can bet your rent money that there's a generation of PCs coming very soon to rival it. Probably for half the price or so, and I doubt it's too far down the pipe given the size of IBM's thumb in this pie. Seems like a reasonable conjecture...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software