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970 Ready for Production?

We need the extra power

Guys,

This is some good news and I am all excited about it... I have a ACD 22" + 2x 1Ghz PMac + 1.5 G RAM + 2 x 80 Go + FCP 3 + DVD SP 1.5 + PShop... All the bells and whistles... This works just fine and I am very happy... But gee, just to get the extra power, i would buy the dual Pmac + PPC 970!!!

This is getting outrageous: the more we have, the more we need... :D

Now, the wait is going to be a nightmare... This explains why Apple has delayed their WWDC...

Time to save some money (I will cut on the Sapphire and drink Gilbey's, I will cut on the caviar and have some salmon eggs, I will cut on my mistresses, nor more jewels, diamonds...)... Here I come Apple!!!

:D

Take care guys!!!

Michel
 
Intel 4-5 ghz chips

Didn't IBM say the Blade servers would ship Q3 this year? If the chips are going into production that would seem to be right.

Does anyone remember the bitching that Intel would be at 4.5-5 ghz by the time the 970 was released? Last time i checked the P4 was still at 3.06 with hyperthreading. Also their are rumors that they are stuck at that clockspeed or very close to it until they shrink their Fab to .09 um. Which isn't happening this year. So i guess all that bitching was for nothing.
 
Originally posted by tgrundke
Now, let's assume a best-case scenario and Apple *does* in fact release a 970 based PowerMacintosh. Hell, let's assume that Apple at this time revamps the entire product line so that the iBook is bumped to a G4 and the iMac gets a massive boost up to a 1.25 and 1.4ghz setup.


***


The 970 has the potential to make Apple competitive in the price/performance ratio once more. The question is: will Apple use this as an opportunity to grab market share, or to boost profit margins?
Click to expand...

1. Market share. If Apple sells these at a higher premium price, there will be much gnashing of teeth ...
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
 
Originally posted by QuiteSure
1. Market share. If Apple sells these at a higher premium price, there will be much gnashing of teeth ...
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
Click to expand...

Holy crap, 2mhz! That's twice my IIe man! Sweet!
 
Originally posted by QuiteSure
1. Market share. If Apple sells these at a higher premium price, there will be much gnashing of teeth ...
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
Click to expand...

I could not agree more.
 
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
Click to expand...

if this is true -- plus the common belief that sahara G3's are faster than the G4 at non-altivec tasks -- what's to stop IBM from slapping an altivec compatible vector unit on it, like they're doing with the 970, and calling it a G3+?

would motorola have issues with that? IBM obviously has the go ahead to use altivec on the 970's, and moto obviously isnt getting it done anymore. they've been scaling back their microprocessor developement and focusing on the embedded market... so whats to stop apple from dropping them completely?

has this already been asked?
 
Originally posted by springscansing
Holy crap, 2mhz! That's twice my IIe man! Sweet!
Click to expand...

LOL!

That's really fast!

Maybe even up to 2 GHZ

Continuing to LOL
 
Originally posted by roy_g_biv
if this is true -- plus the common belief that sahara G3's are faster than the G4 at non-altivec tasks -- what's to stop IBM from slapping an altivec compatible vector unit on it, like they're doing with the 970, and calling it a G3+?

would motorola have issues with that? IBM obviously has the go ahead to use altivec on the 970's, and moto obviously isnt getting it done anymore. they've been scaling back their microprocessor developement and focusing on the embedded market... so whats to stop apple from dropping them completely?

has this already been asked?
Click to expand...

Good question. Does anyone know?
 
Originally posted by tgrundke
The 970 has the potential to make Apple competitive in the price/performance ratio once more. The question is: will Apple use this as an opportunity to grab market share, or to boost profit margins?
Click to expand...

Didn't one of Apple's execs says that Apple wants to increase it's market share to 5%?
 
June with WWDC??!

Why is everyone saying september? Doesn't this all make sense that it will be one big June release with 10.3? That would be awesome, to release it all ready to rock and roll in one big swoosh. Sounds like steve's style to me!
 
Altivec or not, I'm one of those people who thinks that Apple should drop Motorola regardless.

I don't know if they can add Altivec to a G3, but I don't really care either. If you stick a 1.5GHz G3 into an iBook, I'd buy one. Its only meant as Apple's cheap, lightweight machine anyway, so if I can't take advantage of Altivec, then no biggie. Plus, 1.5-1.8GHz would be blazing fast.
 
I would hope for a new name and...

a new enclosure!! Aluminum would look sweet even if it were the same basic shape...

If there's going to be a 970 in the next PM, (all rumors seem to indicate it, so let's hop on the bandwagon)... I would think Apple could come up with a new marketing ploy....G5 doesn't really fit in terms of a new processor and new chip Manufacturer... If Apple is going to really put distance between themselves and Motorola I think a new name is in order. When I think of the powermac line "G" series, i think Motorola processor. I think many other people probably think this way as well, though i don't want to put words in anyone's mouth.

How about helping Apple out with some market research?

Arn: Could you do a poll to see how many people would like to see a new naming distinction for the 970?
 
Originally posted by Kamu-San
Didn't one of Apple's execs says that Apple wants to increase it's market share to 5%?
Click to expand...

Yea, I think so.

It seems like we pay a premium right now in price / performance and don't see it getting any worse than it has been the last few years (I am not an expert). Actualy in our present economy the price / performance will probably only get better.
 
Originally posted by Kamu-San
Didn't one of Apple's execs says that Apple wants to increase it's market share to 5%?
Click to expand...

Both I presume since the announcement would come in conjunction with the software announcements... If you rmember Apple is also having the new Products FCP, DVD, Shake coming around that time... In addition, and these are the rumors from this site, a new office suite would be on its way...

I would guess that Apple is enlarging their base of PRO consumers (Shake is no more on NT and Apple platform could do as well as IRIX platforms)

And increasing their profit (more customers --> more $$$)...

I guess the 970 is targeted first at PRO consumers for their most demanding apps...

MK
 
Motorola's Future?

It is impressive at how fast IBM has taken the Power 4 and made the PPC 970. With IBM's better production capability, I wonder what Motorola will have to compete with IBM. Their new low power G4 may hold a little ground but with the power consumption predictions on the 970, it may not last for long. Imagine what will happen if IBM can turn the Power 5 around as fast.
 
Now I wonder how long it'll take IBM to begin delivery of the thousands of processors that Apple will need to begin full production of their new machines. Since Apple isn't the only one fighting for these things anymore. But that's a good thing. ;)

Still would like to see Motorola get their 7457-RM out the door quick, that would still make for a very competitive chip to the 970 in portables. Especially since the G4 is limited by bus constipation more than anything else.


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Originally posted by QuiteSure
1. Market share. If Apple sells these at a higher premium price, there will be much gnashing of teeth ...
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you're sure. Me, I think - er - differently. I expect Apple to bring these machines out at a premium price, partly because they have huge R&D costs to cover. I don't think they'll price 'em at an eyeball-popping $5K, but $3K plus wouldn't surprise me. And I wouldn't hold my breath on delivery either.

The iBooks could go to the 7457 when it appears (if ever)... altho I'd prefer an all-970, all-the-same speed lineup with pro machines differentiated by dual CPUs.
 
Originally posted by QuiteSure
2. No G4 in iBooks ever, please. I heard that G3 Saharas can go to 2mhz. Far preferable to the power sucking heat generating G4s in the iBooks.
Click to expand...

If you're gonna make outrageous claims like that, please provide links. IBM has announced the 750fx at up to 1 ghz (with 200 mhz bus) but they haven't made public anything higher.

My guess is that Apple will keep the iBook on the G3 until they move the entire PowerBook line to the 970, which may not be until they move the 970 to a .09 process. The 970 dissipates 19 w at 1.2 ghz, which is great, but that number goes up to 43 w at 1.8 ghz, which is not great. I'm guessing that the 970 at its current design will be too hot for the PowerBooks beyond around 1.5 ghz. A possible time table: 1.2 ghz 970 PBs in late June; 1.5 ghz in Dec/Jan 2004; and 2.0 ghz 970 using a .09 process in summer 2004.

Even if this mythical 2 ghz G3 exists, don't get your hopes up about Apple maxing it out right away. The iBook's clockspeed will ALWAYS be lower than the PowerBooks, no matter what chip is in the PB. Simple marketing rule Apple has obeyed over the years
 
Even though I'm really excited about this, I'm going to wait and see what Apple delivers. I'm pretty much desperate for a new machine at home, but I don't want to settle for a new 970 and only get marginal improvement over the dual G4s. And if they don't offer dual 970s at first I'm definitely waiting.

D :D
 
Originally posted by dongmin
My guess is that Apple will keep the iBook on the G3 until they move the entire PowerBook line to the 970, which may not be until they move the 970 to a .09 process. The 970 dissipates 19 w at 1.2 ghz, which is great, but that number goes up to 43 w at 1.8 ghz, which is not great. I'm guessing that the 970 at its current design will be too hot for the PowerBooks beyond around 1.5 ghz. A possible time table: 1.2 ghz 970 PBs in late June; 1.5 ghz in Dec/Jan 2004; and 2.0 ghz 970 using a .09 process in summer 2004.
Click to expand...

There is a significant difference between the 1.2 Ghz part and the 1.8 Ghz part that many people have either glossed over, or don't know: Core Voltage. The 1.2 part runs at 1.1v, while the 1.8 runs at 1.3v. Why does this matter? First, higher core voltages allow for higher clockspeeds and core voltage is a squared term in the power equation. What this means is that if IBM could come up with a 1.1v version of the 1.8 Ghz part, it would run at a much cooler 30ish watts rather than 42. Unfortunately, this may require a process shrink (as I'm sure IBM would have already tried to see how high they can crank up the 1.1v product). But hey, a process shrink is in everyones best interest anyway, so we know that's gonna happen :).
 
Originally posted by dukestreet
Even though I'm really excited about this, I'm going to wait and see what Apple delivers. I'm pretty much desperate for a new machine at home, but I don't want to settle for a new 970 and only get marginal improvement over the dual G4s. And if they don't offer dual 970s at first I'm definitely waiting.

D :D
Click to expand...


I agree. And I am really excited too! Plus I got burned with rushing out to get the first g4s when they came out (I got the "350 Yikes") and then they discontinued that like 3 months later and started with the AGP motherboards. If these rumors are true I think I'll wait to buy a 970 mac until they have been well tested by the mac community. For now I'll settle for a dual 1.25 and I will like it.

On a side note: My "Yikes" has lasted 4 years and is still running like a top. My friend has gone through 3 peecees in that time frame.:D
 
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