Appleworks 7? quad-powermacs??

[cesar]

are appleworks 7 and the quad powermacs coming at the MWSF 03???

[edesignuk]

Originally posted by cesar
quad powermacs coming at the MWSF 03???
...in a word...no...

[superkatalog]

they would have to deliver ear-protection for the fans in a quad powermac...
ergo: the answer is no!

[FattyMembrane]

appleworks7 = maybe
quad processor powermacs = no

apple has a tough enough time persuading people to buy dual processor machines, advertizing a computer with the "combined power of a 5ghz processor" will not fool anyone. maybe dual 970s in a few months and perhaps quad 970s in a few years... :rolleyes:

[Beej]

Originally posted by superkatalog
they would have to deliver ear-protection for the fans in a quad powermac...
Ha... they would also have to give ear protection to everyone in SF due to the roar of the MW crowd when Steve announced them :)

[HasanDaddy]

Personally, I'd be more excited for an AppleWorks 7 that could put Office away for good!

[Chaszmyr]

No... Powermacs aren't gonna be due for an update at MWSF. Obviously that means they are releasing a new quad-1.4ghz iMac at MWSF with a 19'' screen that only costs $1999

[Jaykay]

Hey, why stop there, maybe an imac with a 23' HD monitor and Quad G5 processors.... (i pray to the one who is called steve)

But on a more serious note, appleworks 7 would be sweet (with a load of iApp integration) eat that Office2027..

[alex_ant]

Quad Power Macs - the G4 is physically incapable of 4-way SMP.

Appleworks 7 - Keep it light and easy to use. Don't try to turn it into an Office killer because you won't succeed, and even if you do, the marketplace won't care. Just do a better job of Aquafying it and fix some little things and then leave it alone, because it's great as it is.

[funkywhat2]

Apple needs AppleWorks to compete with MS Works (silly name!). Then again, they need an Office killer to become viable for business use. AppleOffice, anyone?

[BenderBot1138]

AppleWorks 7... yeahhhhhhh... Maybe Apple should hire away the Microsoft Apple Office Team to make an Apple offering. I'm sure that MS Office team have room in their pockets for twice the salary they're getting today (a rather small investment on Apple's part if you think about it).

:cool:

[Megaquad]

Originally posted by alex_ant
Quad Power Macs - the G4 is physically incapable of 4-way SMP.

:eek: :eek: :eek:
there are many industrial computers, or whatever they are and they have 4-16 G4 processors in it (only seen 500 MHz ones but there are probably faster ones too)
they are also in many military airplanes!

check this out: http://www.skycomputers.com/hardware/merlin.html


Merlin 500 capitalizes on the new AltiVec technology-based 500 MHz MPC7410 PowerPC by supporting high-speed processing with both high-speed memory and high-speed communication. SKY has implemented the 250 MHz level 2 cache in the MPC7410 to provide developers with both high performance compute and the I/O power to maximize total computational throughput.

http://www.skycomputers.com/SKYjpg/merlin500.jpg

[dstorey]

Originally posted by crazy_will
they need an Office killer to become viable for business use. AppleOffice, anyone?

I'd like to see a upgraded AppleWorks, maybe even as a re branded OpenOffice.org with a good database such as MySQL, but with a goof Aqua interface built by Apple. Can you imagine a powerful db like MySQL but made to be as easy for the novice as things such as Access. Ok Access is anoying as hell but it'#s simple when the bugs arn't showing up.

[rainman::|:|]

i'd like to see AppleWorks become something like iWorks, a true iapp, and have two modes: normal and professional. Normal for school and personal use, professional to compete more with the MS Office suite. I don't think you can deliver everyday ease-of-use in a professional suite, or professional power in a consumer app-- so two versions are a must...

:)
pnw

[Wes]

Originally posted by paulwhannel
i'd like to see AppleWorks become something like iWorks, a true iapp, and have two modes: normal and professional. Normal for school and personal use, professional to compete more with the MS Office suite. I don't think you can deliver everyday ease-of-use in a professional suite, or professional power in a consumer app-- so two versions are a must...

:)
pnw

I was thinking about iWorks as I was reading down the thread, but then I thought of the subject-verb agreement problem. It would just sound bad.:(

[solvs]

I would love to see an updated AppleWorks. But it would be nice to include it on all machines (take that M$). Not everyone who buys a Tower or PowerBook needs Office, $199 deal or not. I always wondered why they included it for free on the cheaper Macs, but make you pay $80 after paying over $3,000. They must have some reasoning, I guess. Maybe they figure those who spend that much would be willing to spend more.

Remember when iMovie was only on iMacs?

They should include AW7 on all Macs, with full Office compatibility (but without as many unneeded "features").

[SilvorX]

apple works 7 wont be coming out any time soon, and probably wont be coming out for atleast a year since theres absolutely no production going on at apple for a newer version of AppleWorks

[ddtlm]

The reason why MS Office has no good compeditors is because MS Office is in fact very hard to equal. Regardless of your level of zealotry, in the real world Apple cannot just waltz out there and just kick MS's azz to the moon.

[funkywhat2]

Originally posted by ddtlm
The reason why MS Office has no good compeditors is because MS Office is in fact very hard to equal. Regardless of your level of zealotry, in the real world Apple cannot just waltz out there and just kick MS's azz to the moon.

Jeez, sorry for thinking. I'll never do it again :( .

[kylos]

Actually, it's pretty ignorant to say that Apple can't just waltz out there and create an Office competitive version of Appleworks. Oh I know Office X was completely reworked with 25 mil new lines of code (most of which is trying its best to screw my tabs and otherwise autoformat my docs). Apple has yet to put much effort into Appleworks (in X, it doesn't even use sheets). But if they've been working on a rebuild, there's no reason why it shouldn't be good. After all, they're professional programmers. If Apple decides to rework AppleWorks, it'll be good.

[ddtlm]

Kyle?:

Actually, it's pretty ignorant to say that Apple can't just waltz out there and create an Office competitive version of Appleworks.
An interesting claim, and so lets go look at your supporting arguments...

Apple has yet to put much effort into Appleworks (in X, it doesn't even use sheets).
Hmmm, well that doesn't demonstrate any ability on the part of Apple, so lets keep looking...

But if they've been working on a rebuild, there's no reason why it shouldn't be good.
You have provided no reason to believe that because it could be "good" that it will be. So lets keep looking...

After all, they're professional programmers.
And so is everyone else who has tried to design products to compete with MS Office. So, moving on...

If Apple decides to rework AppleWorks, it'll be good.
So in summary, you essentially made faith-based arguments about why Apple can be expected to kick azz to MS. Unfortunately your faith in Apple does nothing for the huge task that is making software that can defeat MS Office. My original point stands.

[daveg5]

Why Quads?, the OS is called 10 so it should have 10 processors!
In all seriousness though if the newer .13 fab 7457 chips are in the new g4 we could see dual 1.25, tri 1.25 and quad 1.25 at todays cost runinng cooler and quieter. then all Imacs could be 1-1.25 GHZ, emac 933-1 ghz, classic imac 700-800 sahara g3 is that too much to ask.

[ddtlm]

daveg5:

It would be silly for Apple to design a quad G4 system on what looks like the eve of the G5. All they need to do is to swap in some PPC7457's, while their engineering budget presumably goes to more important matters like the "G5".

[Megaquad]

There's not much use in quad processors..
95% of applications would act like there was only one processor in it. They are all unoptimized..

[backdraft]

Originally posted by Kyle?
Actually, it's pretty ignorant to say that Apple can't just waltz out there and create an Office competitive version of Appleworks. Oh I know Office X was completely reworked with 25 mil new lines of code (most of which is trying its best to screw my tabs and otherwise autoformat my docs). Apple has yet to put much effort into Appleworks (in X, it doesn't even use sheets). But if they've been working on a rebuild, there's no reason why it shouldn't be good. After all, they're professional programmers. If Apple decides to rework AppleWorks, it'll be good.

Out of those 25 million lines of code you would think that M$ would have added an "Open Recent" submenu under the file menu and just show the file name versus the path. geez...

Oh, as for apple works, well that needs to scrapped. Apple should start over fresh with new code, its extremely buggy. For example downloading clip art causes it to crash. As for its interface well... Thats not aqua, new icons are needed that are more descriptive and a formatting toolbar like in word is a must.

As for Database programs there is Filemaker. Though I would like to see Apple compete with the likes of M$ SQL Server and Oracle.

[daveg5]

Originally posted by Megaquad
There's not much use in quad processors..
95% of applications would act like there was only one processor in it. They are all unoptimized..
as long as my audio, mp3, and vieo apps can take advantage, i dont care about the other 95 not to mention no slowdown with mutiple apps

[JW Pepper]

Couldn't they just buy Open Office. all the hard work is done and it is Office compatible? I know they can only sell the distro, but then again how many copies of AppleWorks does Apple actually sell?

[syco]

What Apple must do to AppleWorks (and all of its iApps):

SPEED EM UP!!!

The G4 iMac has only been out for a year. It's been personal calculation that consumers upgrade their computers every 3-4 years. I own a G3 iMac at 600 MHz (I believe there is a 700) with 512 MB of RAM, and OS X Jag on there is REALLY SLOW! Especially the iApps. Screw adding new features. Apple made the apps, the OS, and basically the entire chip architecture from inside and out. They should at least be able to make it run pretty quick. Where's my preemptive multitasking?

[funkywhat2]

Originally posted by JW Pepper
Couldn't they just buy Open Office. all the hard work is done and it is Office compatible? I know they can only sell the distro, but then again how many copies of AppleWorks does Apple actually sell?

Well, assuming that they pass the cost of each copy that comes with a mac when you buy it, then that one copy with every new mac. Then, add in the number of boxed copies sold. There's your number.

[Megaquad]

Originally posted by syco
What Apple must do to AppleWorks (and all of its iApps):

SPEED EM UP!!!

The G4 iMac has only been out for a year. It's been personal calculation that consumers upgrade their computers every 3-4 years. I own a G3 iMac at 600 MHz (I believe there is a 700) with 512 MB of RAM, and OS X Jag on there is REALLY SLOW! Especially the iApps. Screw adding new features. Apple made the apps, the OS, and basically the entire chip architecture from inside and out. They should at least be able to make it run pretty quick. Where's my preemptive multitasking?
preemptive multitasking has nothing to do with speed, p-e. m. is the ability to run many applications together with system giving asigning needed cpu resources to it, not the front application like in os9, so if it needed all cpu power u couldnt touch anything in background
it was much faster tho :rolleyes:
oh..how happy was i doing stuff in os 9..i do not feel that happyness any more..ahh those were the days, i was actualy doing some productive stuff on this mac, flash photoshop
but now its all slow and i cant stand it..
i gotta buy new mac:D

[Mr. Dibbs]

well, we all know that apple has been known to buy out companies to make their own iApps. such was the case with soundjam. I am still holding a grudge about that. but anyways, i don't know if anyone has had to do this, but try opening an office XP file on office V.x. you can't do that in many cases. if apple was able to make appleworks 7 work with office XP, and make it work well, then it would first of all, make MS get on the ball and update office, and second give a big appeal to students in schools, who like me have to deal with incompatabilities.

hmm... how does iSuite sound?

as far as quad processors, the reason the only ones you saw were 500MHz ones is because in order to get the most out of a quad machine, the processors have to be able to communicate with the system and eachother, as if they were part of the same chipset. having processors separated by the motherboard presents a bandwidth issue for the motherboard because it has to cater to four processsors simultaneosuly. -Dibbs

[benixau]

iSuite would be .... sweet (couldnt help my self)

why not just iOffice. Or more like aples current naming theme just Office.


or would that make it seem like they were competing with MS Office :D.

[alex_ant]

Originally posted by Megaquad

:eek: :eek: :eek:
there are many industrial computers, or whatever they are and they have 4-16 G4 processors in it (only seen 500 MHz ones but there are probably faster ones too)
they are also in many military airplanes!
That system uses MPC7410s, which as far as I know are stuck at 500MHz. Its specs are also quite scary in a bad way (667 MB/sec memory bandwidth per processor). The 7455 is outdated enough as it is, and it is not fully MERSI-compliant so any attempt to get it working in a 4x configuration would require a massive and expensive hack job that would be a waste of effort with only a <12 month ETA on the PPC970.

[smegdude]

i don't think either appleworks or quad processors will be out at mwsf. Right now i think apple is helping Sun Microsystems to bring StarOffice to Mac. This would be good because its free and is a better competetor to m$ office than appleworks.
If appleworks 7 comes out soon, it needs a better GUI and better features. Maybe some portablility of files between it and m$ office would be good for the switchers as well.
Does anyone here know the maximum weight that the arm on an imac can take? I would like to know what is the largest sceen you could put on it is. Maybe a 23"HD display would be good. With a built in Nvidia Geforce FX!!! That would be sweeeeeet!!!!

[usersince86]

AppleWorks 7 would be nice, but it will not and should not try to be an Office killer.

Keep crying about Microsoft if you want to, but we all know that having Office is almost essential.

There are 2 phases to the "switch" campaign as I see it:
1. Stuff Mac does better or is only available for Mac
2. Stuff Mac does that you're used to on your PC, and Office is the heart and soul of this for many would-be switchers

Until the 970, we have to deal with it. Maybe even after?

* Apple's only real problem right now is BEYOND THEIR CONTROL: processor speed. *

And has been said, quad processors is not the answer.

[kylos]

Maybe some portablility of files between it and m$ office would be good for the switchers as well.
Appleworks is already able save docs in Word format and can translate word documents.

[rugby]

They will come out with a Quad G4 PB and call it the iRon.

We want speed, I don't care if Joe Sixpack is content with his G3/600. I want speed, I get tired of watching crap render in my DP867. I want so much speed I can rip a cd in less than 15 seconds. I want to render/burn dvd's in less than an hour. I want a 23" HD monitor for $1500. I want an iPhone with quad band gsm/bluetooth/32-bit color screen/camera/java/QT.

I also want an iPod...oh wait I've got one already.

[cubist]

Originally posted by rugby
They will come out with a Quad G4 PB and call it the iRon.

We want speed, I don't care if Joe Sixpack is content with his G3/600. I want speed, I get tired of watching crap render in my DP867. I want so much speed I can rip a cd in less than 15 seconds. I want to render/burn dvd's in less than an hour. I want ...

What you want is... XGrid.

[rugby]

Originally posted by cubist


What you want is... XGrid.

Yeah, sounds great on paper, but with Apple's pricing it will only be available to universities and rich geeks. I want Rendezvous-enabled distributed computing that's CROSSPLATFORM. That would be nice, a G4 front-end and have some super cheap dual athlons running darwin (oh wait, it doesn't support any AMD chipset) for the grunt work.

[jholzner]

Originally posted by crazy_will
Apple needs AppleWorks to compete with MS Works (silly name!). Then again, they need an Office killer to become viable for business use. AppleOffice, anyone?

Apple doesn't need their own "Office killer" to become viable for business use. MS Office is the defacto office standard and it runs on the Mac! Isn't it a bit like saying they need a photo editing app. (Photoshop Killer) to be competitive in the desktop publishing market?

[yamadataro]

Originally posted by jholzner


Apple doesn't need their own "Office killer" to become viable for business use. MS Office is the defacto office standard and it runs on the Mac!

I think Apple needs an "Office compatible" though.
It makes sense if Apple were trying to part from the relationship with MS after all those TV ads. And the rumor about the Apple branded web browser is another plus for this theory.

[King Cobra]

>(Megaquad) There's not much use in quad processors..
95% of applications would act like there was only one processor in it. They are all unoptimized..

But OS X fixes this problem. If I am not mistaken, Os X can support up to 32 processors. Why don't we come with a 32 processor Mac?

Trial and error has shown that the performance with double processors does not double. And performance with Quads is only about double. If you really want Quad power, why not get a Mac with 8 processors?

We are lucky enough to have sub-$3000 dual processor Powermacs as it is! Remember when the G4 came out, 350MHz 1x G4 and all? $3500! Then we got dual PowerMacs for around that.

But we aren't adding just one more G4 to the chip. We're adding two more G4s. Imagine the cost.

As for an Appleworks 7, I agree. Let's not go overkill on it. iTunes was not overdone, and look how many people appreciate it. Mail was not overkilled, it's free, and you can block spam/crap email. Why give a software company a bad name? Overkill = MS. :rolleyes:

[dglow]

Originally posted by Megaquad
There's not much use in quad processors..
95% of applications would act like there was only one processor in it. They are all unoptimized..

If by 'unoptimized' you mean not (sufficiently) threaded, think again. Unlike muti-processor behavior in OS 9, OS X provides muti-processor performance benefits (system-wide) regardless of how application code is written.

In OS X, individual processes (applications) can be distributed amongst multiple processors. Consider a system running iTunes and IE. Even if neither application made use of threaded code, a dual-processor system would distribute each app to a separate processor for execution. A performance boost would follow.

Of course, threaded code is required if you want a single application to take advantage of multiple processors simultaneously. With the advent of simultaneous thread execution within a single processor ('Hyper-Threading' in Intel-speak), well-threaded code will pay even higher dividends. With luck, we Mac users will see such silicon gymnastics with the Power PC 980 sometime in 2004...

[gopher]

Originally posted by Jaykay
Hey, why stop there, maybe an imac with a 23' HD monitor and Quad G5 processors.... (i pray to the one who is called steve)

But on a more serious note, appleworks 7 would be sweet (with a load of iApp integration) eat that Office2027..

23 feet! woah...I can see the cinema display now. How much do you charge a seat? And are you going to serve popcorn with that?

[Akira]

Originally posted by gopher


23 feet! woah...I can see the cinema display now. How much do you charge a seat? And are you going to serve popcorn with that?
ghehehehe, that's going to be a tough one, to make sure the iMac arm can carry that weight :p

[Spievy]

My guess...

No quad G4, but maybe PPC970 or even dual PPC970 in January or early summer

Yes on Appleworks 7 in January that will blow away MS office. Maybe even a Windows version of Appleworks 7, in a word "speculation" on the latter.