970 Machines Assembled/Sealed?

[JJTiger1]

Originally posted by Balooba
ÜberMac
MacAroni
MacBeth
Freedom Mac

... I hate to tell y'all this, but the new name for the computer will have the letter 'X" in it. Everything nowadays must have the letter "X" in it's model name because Madison Avenue demands it. That's the only way to "fit in" nowadays.
=-=
... the new case for the computer will have shiny chrome underneath lots of clear plastic, like a pimp car tail-light, because Madison Avenue demands it. That's the only way to "fit in" nowadays.
=-=
Think SAME. Wear the SAME "not-me" uniform. Sport the SAME "not-me" badges...because Madison Avenue demands it.
-
JJ

[boxcar]

Read this article: IBM (http://www-916.ibm.com/press/prnews.nsf/jan/8C48902AC02C0BE885256D34004970EB)

it seems to be of some interest.

New IBM eServer System Offers 110 Percent More Performance

Supports Both AIX and Linux -- IBM Completes Integration of POWER4+ Technology Across UNIX Server Line

ARMONK, N.Y. -- May 28, 2003 -- IBM today announced a new low-end IBM eServer(TM) system that offers 110 percent more performance at one-third lower cost than its predecessor,(1) making it an attractive option for small- and medium-sized businesses.

With this new system IBM now offers customers a complete range of servers from high-end to low-end with POWER4+(TM) technology, resulting in one of the fastest complete rollouts of 64-bit server chip technology in recent history.

"IBM is committed to delivering UNIX systems with no compromises on performance or price," said Karl Freund, vice president, IBM eServer pSeries. "Integrating POWER4+ technology into low-end eServer pSeries systems continues our trend of driving down price points while at the same time dramatically increasing performance."

IBM is committed to delivering the latest technology to customers. In only six months, IBM redefined the economics for UNIX® servers - offering maximum performance at an affordable cost - by integrating POWER4+ microprocessors at the high-end with the introduction of the IBM eServer pSeries(TM) 690 and p670, at the mid-range with the eServer p655 and p650, at the low-end with the p630 and now with the new IBM eServer p615. This new IBM eServer system delivers a high-performing, low-cost, one-or two-processor, entry-level system that does not sacrifice performance, value or features.

As with all the POWER4+ servers, IBM offers support for AIX 5L(TM), IBM's UNIX operating system, and Linux, bringing customers wide application support. According to HP, as of last month there are only about 300 applications available today running on Itanium. (2)

Available in rack-mounted or deskside versions, the eServer p615 is a powerful and affordable entry-level system ideal for running applications such as enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, customer relationship management and business intelligence at a wide range of organizations -- from small and medium size businesses to divisions of large enterprises. Customers can also cluster multiple systems together to perform dynamic and powerful applications for scientific research or data modeling.

Key features of the p615 include:
IBM's POWER4+ microprocessor. The POWER4+ microprocessor is a "server on a chip" that contains two one-gigahertz-plus processors, a high-bandwidth system switch, a large memory cache and I/O. IBM's POWER family of microprocessors is among the most widely used in the industry and can be found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple computers and some of the world's most powerful supercomputers and storage systems.

Expanded Internal Storage. Containing over one terabyte of internal disk storage, the p615 has eight times as much disk storage capacity as the Sun V240 (3) (1.17TB versus 144GB) 2.6 times as much disk storage as the HP rx2600 (4) (1.17TB versus 438GB). Ample storage capacity enables customers to run powerful applications without having to buy additional attached storage devices. Six PCI slots allow connectivity to a wide variety of other servers and devices.

Full Remote Operation. Information technology leaders and system administrators can manage the p615 remotely using a handheld wireless PDA or other wireless devices.
The new IBM eServer p615 is planned to be available on May 28, 2003 in a one-way option at a starting price of $5,745.(5)

# # #


IBM, the e-business logo, eServer, pSeries, AIX, POWER4+, are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Intel and Itanium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other company/product names and service marks may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries licensed exclusively through The Open Group.

(1) - Performance based on rPerf results of 2.50 for a 1-way pSeries 615 using 1.2 GHz POWER4+ processors and 16GB of memory vs. 1.19 for a 1-way pSeries 610 using 450 MHz POWER3- II processors and 8GB of memory. rPerf (Relative Performance) is an IBM estimate of commercial processing performance. Pricing based on pSeries 615 Express Configuration with 1-way 1.2 GHz POWER4+ processor, 1GB memory and one 36.4GB disk drive at $5,745 vs. pSeries 610 Express Configuration with 1-way 450 MHz POWER3-II processor, 1GB memory, CD-ROM and one 36.4GB disk drive at IBM U.S. list price of $8,895. Both Express Configurations include AIX license and one year of Software Maintenance for AIX Operating Systems (SWMA). Prices are current as of May 27, 2003 and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary.

(2) - HP executive commenting on Itanium application support. Story by Stephen Shankland, CNET, April 16, 2003. http://news.com.com/2100-1006-997127.html

(3) - Details on Sun configuration can be found at www.sun.com. Information current as of May 27, 2003.

(4) - Details on HP configuration can be found at www.hp.com. Information current as of May 27, 2003.

(5) - All prices as of May 27, 2003. Prices are subject to change without notice. Reseller Prices may vary. General availability for a 2 processor configuration is expected on June 20, 2003.

[patmcfar8]

"IBM's POWER family of microprocessors is among the most widely used in the industry and can be found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple computers and some of the world's most powerful supercomputers and storage systems."

Well I don't need anymore proof than an IBM press release, does anybody else?
:)

So now the question really just is... when?

If it is in June then I think this will be an amazing summer for Apple.

[Rincewind42]

Originally posted by Cubeboy
An application that has outgrown a 32-bit computing environment or require larger amounts of memory than 32 bit computing can offer or high precision arithmatics will run faster in 64 bit. These include large databases (larger memory allocations/user, large file implementation, reduced swapping), decision support (direct addressing ,large file implementation, reduced swapping), and technical applications (high precision arithmatic, reduced swapping).

You don't get higher precision with 64-bit integers, you get larger range. And you can do this in a 32-bit application now, albeit at a slight penalty in speed. And you won't reduce the amount of swapping unless you also have more than 4GB of memory installed in the machine (which may or may not be a moot point - it will depend on how many memory slots the machines come with). So the only guarunteed advantages of those listed above are larger memory allocations and direct addressing (of >4GB of RAM). Everything else is either done today or requires hardware support outside of a 64-bit processor.

32 bit applications will perform better staying as a 32 bit binary (unless it can take advantage of a specific 64 bit feature) since more of the application fits into the system's cache. When a 32-bit application is recompiled to 64 bits, the 64-bit binary will be significantly larger. Performance will therefore decrease due to the greater number of cache misses when running the 64-bit binary.

The cache usage issue is moot unless you are considering pointers, otherwise a 32-bit processor can deal with 64-bit integers (and in fact this already happens fairly often in MacOS software - from the MacOS 8.5 days!). And a 64-bit binary is not significantly larger than the same source compiled into 32-bits - in fact it may be slightly smaller (since 64-bit integer ops will be one instruction instead of at least 5 iirc) (this is on PowerPC and is probably different for other processors). As such, the number of cache misses will also be minimally different.

[DrGruv1]

Hope it comes soon... tired of waiting for 970 or G5 or other (for 2 years)

[NuVector]

Originally posted by patmcfar8
Well I don't need anymore proof than an IBM press release, does anybody else?
:)

So now the question really just is... when?

If it is in June then I think this will be an amazing summer for Apple.
You do know that IBM's chips (in the form of G3's) are already in iBooks and other Apple products, right?

[NuVector]

Originally posted by whooley
Apple's inventory times are a bit 'strange'. For instance, in the Cork plant, some of the suppliers occupy part of the plant, they push a pallette of components through a gate and it becomes Apple inventory, it goes through the production line and out another gate and it's no longer Apple inventory. All in the same building.

This is how Apple are able to keep inventory times so low.
This also how Dell keeps component inventory so low. You have your suppliers stock your warehouse but charge you spot prices for the part as you use them, not when they are shipped.

[nagromme]

You do know that IBM's chips (in the form of G3's) are already in iBooks and other Apple products, right?

Actually, the press release isn't about IBM chips in general, but specifically about the POWER series, which the G3 is not--so unless today's press release is simply a thoughtless error, it is saying something new. (The PPC970 is a POWER 4 derivative.)

[patmcfar8]

Yes, but is the G3 part of the IBM POWER family of microprocessor?

If so then, damn... :(

If not then, sweet! :)

EDIT: Thanks for answering my question before I asked it nagromme. ;)

If this is an admission on IBM's part that they are developing the 970 for Apple, then wouldn't Apple legal be all over this press release?

[Abstract]

Power refers to Power4, which definitely isn't a G3. ;) This verifies the 970 being used in Apple computers. :D

DID THE PEOPLE WHO STILL BELIEVE ITS STILL JUST A RUMOUR HEAR THAT!!!

[rog]

Originally posted by JJTiger1
... I hate to tell y'all this, but the new name for the computer will have the letter 'X" in it. Everything nowadays must have the letter "X" in it's model name because Madison Avenue demands it. That's the only way to "fit in" nowadays.
-
JJ

From what I understand the latest trend is for things to be vanilla flavored or have a lemon "twist", so the new powermacs will come with scent emitters that put out vanilla or lemon smells. Personally, I'm looking forward to the HempMac, which emits, well, you can see where this is going...

[szark]

Originally posted by Abstract
Power refers to Power4, which definitely isn't a G3. ;) This verifies the 970 being used in Apple computers. :D

DID THE PEOPLE WHO STILL BELIEVE ITS STILL JUST A RUMOUR HEAR THAT!!!

But the Nintendo game consoles don't use a POWER4 derivative, and they're mentioned also.

I think they consider all of the PowerPC processors to be in the POWER "family," and this does not confirm anything (unfortunately).

[rog]

Originally posted by patmcfar8
"IBM's POWER family of microprocessors is among the most widely used in the industry and can be found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple computers and some of the world's most powerful supercomputers and storage systems."

Well I don't need anymore proof than an IBM press release, does anybody else?
:)



I do. POWER family here refers to PowerPC in general in regards to Apple. Are you saying this is also proof that Nintendo comes with a PPC 970? This sounds like the same old POWER 4 which has two processors on one chip, unlike the 970 which has one and would require 2 separate processor cards.

[JJTiger1]

Originally posted by rog
From what I understand the latest trend is for things to be vanilla flavored or have a lemon "twist",...

Hello, it's 2003. Turn on your tv for an hour or so. Madison Avenue tells you that you must have multi-flavored smells/tastes in-one-package: candles, candy, Kool-Aid ...

Computers that can boot into more than one OS is just so pass'e, so the OS has the old flavor wrapped by the new flavor...

Vanilla and lemon twist is just so last-year.:p
-
JJ

[Abstract]

I think they should just call it the Granny Smith and get it over with. Such a great name.........Granny Smith.

*bites into a Red Delicious*

[silvergunuk]

i thought the gamecube came with some chip called the gekko..a cut down g4

[job]

Originally posted by NuVector
You do know that IBM's chips (in the form of G3's) are already in iBooks and other Apple products, right?

Note the press release specifically mentions the Power line of chips.

Unless the G3 is a varient of their Power line, the press release does not concern the G3.

[edit: oops. redundant post. this point has already been made.]

[nagromme]

But the Nintendo game consoles don't use a POWER4 derivative, and they're mentioned also.

Good point. Is there some POWER-derived chip in the works for a future Nintendo, though? Maybe that is the reference. Seems like I heard something about that--but it could just have been something about the current PowerPC being used. (Which, I think you're right, is not a POWER 4.)

[visor]

Originally posted by Lazy
Unfortunately the 970 systems are going to be named "Power Mac Extreme".

Jep, thats my best vote ,too.
comes in handy with airport extreme, and the future iPodExtreme ;)

[visor]

Originally posted by FijiBoy
How can anyone take this claim seriously? Apple runs a "just-in-time" manufacturing process with one of the industry's shortest inventory storage times (I believe only Dell is any better). They try not to build computers more than seven days out from sale.


What you say is true: Basically it results in short supplies and very long delivery times whenever a new Product is announced.
All my orders at the applestore took at least 3 weeks to be delivered.
Turns out that i don't order at the applestore anymore, since deliverytimes are just unacceptable.
Apple would be well advised to have a good supply they can deliver when they are announced.

As for Panther - AFAIK the wwdc will see a preview version for all atendees - What does it mean? is Panther ready, or will it be delivered to betatest developers until it is finally released in september?
Can you sell xmacs with Jaguar, using the well known technique of a free upgrade option one Panther is ready?

Imho, Apple needs to sell some new powerfull Computers soon, latest 24.6.

[shycoy]

i want one !!!!!!!!!
NOWWWWWW....
well hopefully we will these machines very soon !!!

[whooleytoo]

Originally posted by NuVector
This also how Dell keeps component inventory so low. You have your suppliers stock your warehouse but charge you spot prices for the part as you use them, not when they are shipped.

Ah, I wasn't aware it was common practice. Very convenient for OEMs, but must be a pain for component manufacterers!!

Mike.

[WasteGate]

Anyone remember Steve saying "Its the Year of the Laptop!", not year of the PowerMac. I don't think we will see any 970's till the end of the year. Just my 2c (oh thats right we got rid of 2c in Australia so its my 5c)
Go ahead Apple prove me wrong.... :rolleyes:

[bertagert]

Originally posted by WasteGate
Anyone remember Steve saying "Its the Year of the Laptop!", not year of the PowerMac. I don't think we will see any 970's till the end of the year. Just my 2c (oh thats right we got rid of 2c in Australia so its my 5c)
Go ahead Apple prove me wrong.... :rolleyes:

Apple has to put a faster chip in the powermac now! It doesn't matter where it comes from, as long as its a fast chip. If they don't, sales will slide even closer to 0% (powermac sales not market share). Apple has no choice but to bring something out to compete against intels speed. Currently, the powermac doesn't compete! There's no time left. They've limped along for threee years now. People are getting tired of it (hence - super low powermac sales).

[3.1416]

Originally posted by WasteGate
Anyone remember Steve saying "Its the Year of the Laptop!"

Argh. One more time: the "year of the laptop" is marketing-speak for "our desktops suck". Steve made that statement in January. According to the rumors, it was a few months later that IBM found themselves well ahead of schedule on PPC 970 production. If that's true, there is no way in hell Apple will hold off releasing new towers because they've decided they only want to sell laptops this year.

[ffakr]

Originally posted by Dave K
Not exactly. A judge ruled that competitors (Like AMD and CYRIX), could use the x86 designation because numbers on their own weren't TM'able IIRC. This is why AMD could sell chips branded* as 386's and 486's.

Thus, Intel needed a new name they could trademark and use as a brand identifier to differentiate their product from everyone elses.

*note the word branded. Why AMD could make x86 compatable chips was an entirely different series of lawsuits...
Not only this, but penta has bad enough connotations (seen the pentagram 'satan inside' t-shirts?).
If they would have really kept up with the *ium naming... they would have moved to the Sexium and eventually the Hexium. Lovely marketing options.

THIS is why they are now forever stuck with Pentium#

[ffakr]

Originally posted by barkmonster


FSB of PPC970 : (((32 x 2 x 400) / 8 ) / 1000) x 2 = 6.4Gb/s

Actually, your math is wrong..
IBM discussed a 900MHz bus. that puts bandwidth at around 7.2 GB if I recall (too lazy for the math)
Hypertransport packetizes the data though, like a tcp/ip network. There is an overhead associated with routing and such. Effective bandwitch on this 7.2 GB/sec bus is estimated at around 6.4 GB/sec.

just picking nits...

[MacWhispers]

Originally posted by bertagert
I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just still have problems with your alabama bob thing.

Maybe I should just let it go?

Actually, you should go somewhere and get a sense of humor, as, obviously, my Alabama Bob spoof was all in good, clean fun. A lot of folks on Spymac thought it was hilarious... including me. :-)

What does my having once been capable of making a terrific joke have to do with my professional business or publishing activities?... other than to demonstrate that I do happen to have a lighthearted sense of humor? :)

And, for the record, I don't disdain MacBidioulle's lighthearted stoking of the PPC 970 rumor fires, either. I think it's hilarious the way they have managed to take advantage of a lucky gust of wind, and convert it into some huge, sustained exposure for their site.

All rumor sites have an agenda, and it's not necessarily the one that readers would want to see implemented. At MacWhispers, my agenda is pretty simple: I wanted a simple little site to which I could blog what info I came across in discussion with my OEM channel friends, so long as I consider the report to have some likelihood of accuracy, and so long as it comes to me through a channel that doesn't violate any confidential relationship I might have in place. It's a hobby site, pure and simple.

I'm still trying to figure out the editorial objective at MacBidioulle.

[ffakr]

Originally posted by noverflow
Time to inject some logic into this thread!

Opteron SUCKS
Yes, that is right. it is not faster than even the xeons right now... how do i know? look at www.tomshardware.com for quite some time now that have had info on real running ones.

SO WHY WOULD YOU EVER WANT TO PUT ONE IN A MAC??????


MacBidouille is WRONG.
possibly not about this, but about how powerfull they are.

how do i know?
look at IBM's specs for the chip.
do the math, and see that the 970 is not faster then the g4 for altivec things

for non altivec it is 2.5x faster, but still slower than altivec enhanced code...
knowing this, it is not possible that a single 1.4 970 would be faster at altivec enhanced code than a dual 1.4 g4. IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE given the known info from IBM.

What we are doing with the wide spread over kill will kill apple WHEN it is not as fast as we say.

We are loving apple to the point that we are the ones who will cause its death.

Thanks for the laugh.. that was rich.

Geez Noverflow, you usually make people work harder to prove that you don't know what you're talking about.

I was just going to leave this dangling, but I've got time for a little info...
try this:
Aces Hardware (http://www.aceshardware.com/read.jsp?id=55000251)
The only thing the Opteron didn't perform well (or outright own) the P4 in looks to be SSE2 code. I love the bit about 64bit integer code where the Opteron was 352% faster. ;-)

No, the Opteron will never ship in a Mac, but it a fantastic chip. This is especially true considering it's the first in a new architecture.
It hangs in with Xeons and P4s that are clock almost 50% faster for most tests, and it beats, and yes, crushes the P4/Xeon in other tests... real world tests.

Unfortunately, Tom's Hardware, an otherwise great site, has gotten some criticism for thier tests... seems they only employed one bank of memory on the Opteron, halfing the bandwidth. First reports claimed this was because the on-die memory control only supported single channel memory, but I've been told this isn't true... that Tom's just screwed up.

There are any number of other benchmarks on the web that show the prowess of the Opteron (currently clocked between 1.4GHz and 1.8 GHz AFAIK.

[WasteGate]

Originally posted by 3.1416
Argh. One more time: the "year of the laptop" is marketing-speak for "our desktops suck". Steve made that statement in January. According to the rumors, it was a few months later that IBM found themselves well ahead of schedule on PPC 970 production. If that's true, there is no way in hell Apple will hold off releasing new towers because they've decided they only want to sell laptops this year.
Absolutley true 3.1416, i'm just bitter and twisted that they havn't released a newer 15" PowerBook which I'm hoping they do at WWDC. I'm looking forward to the new 970's as well and will upgrade my old Quadra with one. But I'm not holding my breath.

[bertagert]

Originally posted by MacWhispers
Actually, you should go somewhere and get a sense of humor, as, obviously, my Alabama Bob spoof was all in good, clean fun. A lot of folks on Spymac thought it was hilarious... including me. :-)

See, you forgot the domain name thing too. I can't recall the actual name but, you set it up to point to Apple's main site and also put them as the owners of the name to make it look even more legit.

You say it was done for fun, which I understand. The problem is, how am I suppose to know if something on your site is clean fun or something I should think about?

Don't get me wrong. I don't have it out for you or carry any hard feelings. It's just when something comes up with your name or your site, I have a hard time believing it because of your past actions.

I have one more thing that I think you did but have no proof so I'm going to let it be.

How about this. If you can redeem yourself, I'll put you back in the "he's alright list". Sound fair?

[astray]

MacB has an update for us, essentially his source has a chart? of the new motherboard for the 970's and these are the connectors they were able to identify:

Here connectors present:
- 2 FW800
- 1 FW400
- 3 USB
- 3 Connectors sound
- There are also 5 additional connectors which it did not succeed in identifying. A group of 3 and another of 2.
- 4 of the 8 slots memory are not active on the chart (they were tested by withdrawing the famous label delicately that APPLE had stuck to it)

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.macbidouille.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmacbidouille%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3Dutf-8

Google translation:

- [ Rumour ] Of new connectors on the Mother chart of the PPC 970? - Lionel - 09:09:18
Our source which has (would have for more the skeptics) have in hand a mother chart of PPC 970 us contribution some details.

The epoxy one of the chart is red dark (normal for a proto APPLE).

Here connectors present:
- 2 FW800
- 1 FW400
- 3 USB
- 3 Connectors sound
- There are also 5 additional connectors which it did not succeed in identifying. A group of 3 and another of 2.
- 4 of the 8 slots memory are not active on the chart (they were tested by withdrawing the famous label delicately that APPLE had stuck to it)

It does not remain us any more that to know with what the 5 not identified connectors are reserved.

[ipiloot]

What, if the Prophecy is true?
What if tomorrow, the wait will be over

Isn't that we're waiting for?
Isn't that we're buying for...

[wilhelmd]

Originally posted by astray
Here connectors present:
- 2 FW800
- 1 FW400
- 3 USB
- 3 Connectors sound
- There are also 5 additional connectors which it did not succeed in identifying. A group of 3 and another of 2.
- 4 of the 8 slots memory are not active on the chart (they were tested by withdrawing the famous label delicately that APPLE had stuck to it).
I really hope that "3 connectors sound" refers to some kind of surround-sound thingy, although it's most likely Line-in, line-out and the Pro Speakers-thing.

These "unidentified" ports puzle me a bit. They are definetly not FW800, but maybe USB 2 - if Apple decides to go with that one, wich I see as inevitable. They mmay be optical/coaxial input/outputs, but most people can recocnize them...

What, if the Prophecy is true?
What if tomorrow, the wait will be over

Isn't that we're waiting for?
Isn't that we're buying for...
But then again, the prophecy wasn't true, now was it? Maybe Apple will implement AI in the new machines, thus causing them to take over the world! Although a wouldn't like to see a world ruled by Wintel-branded computers... evil.

[wilhelmd]

Just came over this article, an interesting read:

http://www.arstechnica.com/cpu/02q2/ppc970/ppc970-1.html
http://www.arstechnica.com/cpu/02q2/ppc970/ppc970-2.html

http://www.arstechnica.com/cpu/02q2/ppc970/screenshot-1.html

And this picture was a bit cute: http://www.ixbt.com/editorial/images/itogi/itogi2k2-oct/ppc970.jpg (from www.digit-life.com/articles2/ digests/0210.html)

[JJTiger1]

Originally posted by wilhelmd
And this picture was a bit cute: http://www.ixbt.com/editorial/images/itogi/itogi2k2-oct/ppc970.jpg (from www.digit-life.com/articles2/ digests/0210.html)

Couldn't get there from here ...

The other links links worked. Very informative.

[mathiasr]

Originally posted by silvergunuk
i thought the gamecube came with some chip called the gekko..a cut down g4
It's closer to an enhanced 750CXe with a mini SIMD unit (2 floating points values).

[mathiasr]

Originally posted by JJTiger1
The other links links worked. Very informative.
You may like this chart, the 970 is right over today not in the future:
http://apmalaga.free.fr/PowerPC-Spectrum.jpg

Taken from:
http://www.si2.org/oa_conf/presentations/OpenAccessAnIBMPerspective.pdf

[chetwilliams]

Originally posted by Foxer
Remember that "Pentium" simply resulted from the fact that after 286, 386, 486, etc. Intel wanted to make the 586 flashier, and "pent-" being the prefix for 5, one thing led to another. Now, however, even thought htey are on the contradictory Pentium IV (or whatever), they're locked into using the brand name Pentium becuase of their own success.


Intel actually went to the Pentium brand name because straight numeric representations such as 286 and 386 cannot be trademarked. Therefore their competitors (Cyrix, AMD) could release identically branded processors (and they were releasing them at a lower price) leveraging all of Intel's marketing dollars for free.

By creating the Pentium brand, Intel was able to use a trademarkable name that their competitors could not piggyback on.

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by astray
MacB has an update for us, essentially his source has a chart? of the new motherboard for the 970's
...
Google translation:

- [ Rumour ] Of new connectors on the Mother chart of the PPC 970
...

The word 'chart' is a mis-translation. What Google is trying to translate as 'Mother chart' should be translated as 'mother board'. So, they're saying that a source of theirs has an actual prototype 970 motherboard.

Of course, it seems curious to me that this contact has only now gotten access to a prototype board, while the actual machines have been in production long enough for Apple to start feeding them into the channel (trying to reconcile different rumors from MacB).

Who knows... I guess we'll find out in about three and a half weeks.

[jettredmont]

Originally posted by ffakr
Not only this, but penta has bad enough connotations (seen the pentagram 'satan inside' t-shirts?).
If they would have really kept up with the *ium naming... they would have moved to the Sexium and eventually the Hexium. Lovely marketing options.

THIS is why they are now forever stuck with Pentium#

"Sexium" and "Hexium", unless my latin/greek roots decieve me, would both be the "686" (heretofore known under the names Pentium Pro, Pentium 2, Pentium III, and also Celeron although not all Celerons) ... the "P4" and "P5" (786) should be the "Septium", which is fairly safe, and the next incarnation the "Octium", then "Novium" and "Decium" or something like that ... IMHO, all stupid names, though certainly no worse than the celery processor.

"Pentium" fulfills the "must have a word in there to trademark it" requirement, and that's all Intel was after. Eventually, perhaps, "Pentium" will dissapear and a new line will be introduced, but for now it's here to stay.

[3.1416]

Originally posted by WasteGate
i'm just bitter and twisted that they havn't released a newer 15" PowerBook which I'm hoping they do at WWDC.

If not at WWDC, it would have to be pretty soon; it's been close to 9 months without an update. And I think there's a decent chance it will have a 970. When those rumors first surfaced I thought they were ridiculous, but the long delay makes it more likely IMO. If they just wanted to update the 15" with aluminum and FW 800 and 802.11g they could have done that months ago. But at this point it's not going to look very impressive to replace a 1 GHz G4 with a 1 GHz G4. I still wouldn't make an even money bet on the 970, but the probability is rising...

[3.1416]

Originally posted by mathiasr
You may like this chart, the 970 is right over today not in the future

Very interesting. The Power4+ is at the same "time" as the 970, and it shipped this month. Perhaps a good sign (and highly circumstantial, but then everything is).

[ColoJohnBoy]

Originally posted by eric_n_dfw
How about Elton John, The Bitch is Back? That would be way too awesome. Apple would get points for a collective sense of humor. God bless you, sir :)


Visit Blue Pudding!
http://bluepudding.1hwy.com

[stompy]

Originally posted by 3.1416
If not at WWDC, it would have to be pretty soon; it's been close to 9 months without an update. And I think there's a decent chance it will have a 970. When those rumors first surfaced I thought they were ridiculous, but the long delay makes it more likely IMO. If they just wanted to update the 15" with aluminum and FW 800 and 802.11g they could have done that months ago. But at this point it's not going to look very impressive to replace a 1 GHz G4 with a 1 GHz G4. I still wouldn't make an even money bet on the 970, but the probability is rising...

I believe the PB 15" was last updated Nov. 7, 2002, less than 7 months ago.

If they wanted to... and everything else is in place, ie. resources, no delays on ANY piece of the puzzle.

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by 3.1416
If not at WWDC, it would have to be pretty soon; it's been close to 9 months without an update. And I think there's a decent chance it will have a 970. When those rumors first surfaced I thought they were ridiculous, but the long delay makes it more likely IMO. If they just wanted to update the 15" with aluminum and FW 800 and 802.11g they could have done that months ago. But at this point it's not going to look very impressive to replace a 1 GHz G4 with a 1 GHz G4. I still wouldn't make an even money bet on the 970, but the probability is rising...

Uh... beginning of November was almost seven months ago, not nine. I'll take that as a typo on your part...

Oops. Stompy beat me to the punch. I suppose it might help if I read the rest of the thread...

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by mathiasr
You may like this chart, the 970 is right over today not in the future:
http://apmalaga.free.fr/PowerPC-Spectrum.jpg

Taken from:
http://www.si2.org/oa_conf/presentations/OpenAccessAnIBMPerspective.pdf

The most interesting part of this image chart is not that the PPC970 is over current, we all know it was due to be released durring the middle of this year. The most interesting part is that they show the PPC750 evolving into the PPC970. Where's the 750GX we know it's in the works. There seems to be a bit missing from that chart.

[Tim Flynn]

That's a cool chart !
I'm already using two processors on the chart. I have embedded Linux boxes running the 405GP. I have iBooks running the 750.
So what i'm missing is a desktop unit running a Power 5+ :D
I settle for a 970 perhaps :)

[3.1416]

Originally posted by Snowy_River
Uh... beginning of November was almost seven months ago, not nine.

Correct, I mistakenly thought the last update was in September. Still, it will be 7.5 months by WWDC, which is getting up there, especially when both the cheaper and more expensive models have features it doesn't.

[Rincewind42]

Originally posted by MacBandit
The most interesting part of this image chart is not that the PPC970 is over current, we all know it was due to be released durring the middle of this year. The most interesting part is that they show the PPC750 evolving into the PPC970. Where's the 750GX we know it's in the works. There seems to be a bit missing from that chart.

I don't think they mean for you to take it as an evolution of the processor, but rather that products will evolve from using the 750 to using the 970

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Rincewind42
I don't think they mean for you to take it as an evolution of the processor, but rather that products will evolve from using the 750 to using the 970

That would make since except every other processor in the diagram is an evolution of the one before it.

[adamfilip]

when apple releases the new 970's later this month

i bet the low end tower will be a single processor 1.4 G4
witha sing processor 970 at like 1.6 being mid range and a dual 970 setup being high end.

i hope the low end will be a 970
cause what ever comes out this june

im getting a new tower (the cheapest one). and id rather it was a 970

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by wilhelmd

But then again, the prophecy wasn't true, now was it? Maybe Apple will implement AI in the new machines, thus causing them to take over the world! Although a wouldn't like to see a world ruled by Wintel-branded computers... evil.

Hehehe...

I just thought, we could start a thread about what the Matrix would be like if it were based on Macs vs. being based on Windows. (Kind of like the old 'If computers were cars...' thing...)

[Snowy_River]

Originally posted by adamfilip
when apple releases the new 970's later this month

i bet the low end tower will be a single processor 1.4 G4
witha sing processor 970 at like 1.6 being mid range and a dual 970 setup being high end.

i hope the low end will be a 970
cause what ever comes out this june

im getting a new tower (the cheapest one). and id rather it was a 970

Given the fact that the 970 outperforms the G4 by such a wide margin (based on the projection that a single 1.4GHz 970 would outperform a dual 1.42GHz G4), this set up would produce a massive difference in performing power between the low-end and mid range. For this reason, even ignoring other rumors having to do with the price of the 970 chip being less than that of the G4, I highly, highly doubt that Apple would make a move such as this.