Gentlemen, the revolution is not over by a long shot. The next generation of Intel chips is right around the corner, signified by the "Core 2 Duo", as compared to the Core Duo chip that has just shipped with the consumer iMac and Portables. Where will this next generation chip fit into the scheme? Additionally, will Apple make use of the so called "Core 2 Duo Extreme", which will appeal to the hard core gamers? These are exciting times!
11 comments:
When are these due out? These may be going into the tower machines since they have not yet been upgraded yet to Intel chips.
I am also surprised at how quickly you have taken Intel under your wing as an ally of the Mac universe. Since these chips will also be going into PC computers, the chips do not really enchance the Mac revolution. The true revolution will be how well these chips will be utilized by upcoming OS revisions. Of course Windows will always need to follow in this regard because they have to wait and see what Apple puts into OSX so they can copy it.
Indeed. Le leveled some pointed criticism in my direction earlier, and let me clarify my position:
I support whatever allows Apple to make the best computers on the planet. I would NOT support this move if the IBM G5 chip was beating the pants off the Intel counterparts now and into the future. But note that the buzz lately is not the IBM chip or the AMD chips; it is Intel because the new designs are not only blazingly faster than before, but also more energy efficient, which is a must for the consumer computer market to advance.
When one takes into account the snails pace of chip advancement from Freescale and the inability of IBM to provide a roadmap leading to better and better energy efficiency (and the multiple issues of chip yield leading to several delays), it is clear to me that the Intel chip was the right move for the future Apple computers.
Note that even for the first generation Intel macintosh computers, there was no problem whatsover with chip supply. This is because Intel has an astounding manufacturing infrasctructure to pump the chips out. Awesome! I speak from personal experience about the Core Duo chip in my new iMac, and it kicks butt!!
Take nothing away from CURRENT IBM dual core chip - numerous reviewers have stated that the Quad G5 Powermac is the fastest powermac ever made at the most reasonable price. But there is one problem - you won't get the dual core G5 chip in the new Macbook, let alone the Macbook pros where it belongs. What chip is currently powering the Macbook Pros? The Intel Core Duo!! While a fairly warm laptop when grinding away, the laptop can still dissipate the heat because of the Intel energy efficient design.
And as we have frequently said : The OS makes the Macintosh a Macintosh! I rest my case!
Lo,
I am afraid that your loyalties are a little bit too much up for grabs these days. I clearly remember your disdain for the Intel product line, when the PowerPC chips were the rage. So, using your current rationale, if Apple were to partner with Microsoft to create a blazing, efficient, powerful, Unix-based operating system, you would be one of the biggest cheerleaders, yes?
-Le
Think back 2 to 3 years ago when Apple's work with IBM paid off in the new G5 chip - power on par with the best of the Intel world. At that time the Pentium was nearing what would be the end of the Gigahertz wars, which had gone on for a few years with AMD. The Pentium chips were getting unwieldy and huge for the PC's. They were criticized from the Mac world, and rightfully so, as the push for faster and faster clock speeds at the expense of heat dissipation went out of control.
Your criticism is unfortunate as you don't take into account the changes that went on in Intel. They completely changed their design philosophy from one of clockspeed to one of heat efficiency and multiple cores. You would certainly agree that if a company completely changes theiry design philosophy, one needs to evaluate the new products the company releases based on their new roadmap. Apple was privy to the new design map before the rest of us. None of us knew what was up Intel's sleeve until they released the plans for the Core Duo and the later chip line. They are no longer increasing clock speed at the expense of excessive heat generation. Now not only do the Intel chips increase in speed at regular intervals, they are SIMULTANEOUSLY moderating heat comsumption. Nobody anticipated this radical a shift other than those inside Intel. You say I have shifting loyalties - loyalty is earned with great products and design philosophy, and Intel's philosophy has obviously received an about face.
Apple ALREADY collaborates with Microsoft on several levels. The Office Suite is as good on the Mac side as on the PC side, and I use Word and Excel on a regular basis. So I already am a part of Microsoft collaboration, despite your pointed barbs and vile tongue! Indeed, the Office Suite got MORE stable and better to use with time. Do I like Microsoft's software design philosophy? NO! I use the Office Suite because I have to, not because I think they make the best software. When Microsoft makes the best operating system, they would get my business, but that hasn't happened in my opinion, and it does not appear that will happen in the near future. I am already using any of the cool features that Microsoft will put in Vista right now in OSX.
Your nasty disposition and attitude are regrettable!
I see, so you would gladly jump on the Apple train if it were to pick up some Microsoft operating system cargo...assuming it met your 'widget' wielding criteria. And so how do we define the best operating system? Is it derived thru objective testing and a series of controlled laboratory experiements? Or, is it simply by virtue of the company who sells it? Where can I see your definition of the scenario where you purchased the software because it was determined to be the best? Did you go thru that exercise when you bought OSX, OR were you simply forced into it, as you continued down the "Apple consumer products brick road?"
You claim to be "a part of" the Microsoft/Apple "collaberation," while at the same time lamenting your participation as "being forced to use it." I certainly hope your criteria for collaboration in other areas is not so weak!
The truth is, Lo, that you had no idea whether OSX was 'the best' operating system when you acquired it! It was purely a devotion to branding, which, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as you have the objectivity to recognize it as such.
So, I submit to you that your fickle allegiances are no more than brand loyalty. And, I do not hold you in contempt for that, but rather, I find your self-righteousness that blinds you to the basic truth of your motivations...to use your phrase..."regrettable!"
-Le
PS Now we're cookin' on this blog!
You must know me better than I know myself, Le! I defer to your judgement on the basic truth behind my motivations of blind brand loyalty rather than observations, experience, and user preference accumulated through a few years of using various pc's, workstations, macs and software. "Best operating system" is user specific, and I did not mean to suggest otherwise! Perhaps I should have said the "best operating system for me", which I thought was implied, but should have been stated.
Well, now, Lo, don't go and get all reasonable and agreeable on me! This was fun, and then you had the nerve to become cool and humble about it! You found the perfect way to deflate my own self-righteous tirade! :-)
WOW. What just happened here?
Anyway, about brand loyalty. There is a reason for brand loyalty for the Mac. From my experience, Apple has since the beginning paid close attention to even the littlest details. This is what has created such a following. It is the same with Honda cars. You just feel like you are not going to be taken for a ride by the marketing but there is real substance in the product.
As for the chip speed issue. I believe now that Apple has switched to Intel chips the war is over. Sure AMD is still going strong and that is healthy. But they are basically the same type of chip. Not like the large differences between the G5 and Pentium chips. But this chip is not the only thing that makes a machine go fast. This is where Apple shines. They know how to do systems engineering and do it well. This is how Apple will shine in the future. Anyway guys, lets chill and be civilized. I believe we should start addressing each other like Congressmen do, "The Honorable Macmatition from Mesa" would be good.
Stitch,
One of the joys of this blog for me is the chance to 'argue' over absurd issues that have no bearing whatsoever on life. I was merely trying to dis' on Lo just for the pleasure of doing so, just as he takes great pleasure in doing so to me. But, he went and screwed it up by taking the high road - which was a cheap shot! :-)
-Le
Post a Comment