Ino said:
Should it? After all, Apple is leaving the PPC and it is "old" technology. Intel is "the way of the future", so why should Apple put the spotlight on new IBM systems? I think Jobs would prefer to focus on all things Intel instead.
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Should it? After all, Apple is leaving the PPC and it is "old" technology. Intel is "the way of the future", so why should Apple put the spotlight on new IBM systems? I think Jobs would prefer to focus on all things Intel instead.
~Shard~ said:Should it? After all, Apple is leaving the PPC and it is "old" technology. Intel is "the way of the future", so why should Apple put the spotlight on new IBM systems? I think Jobs would prefer to focus on all things Intel instead.
You have a point...although the next PMs aren't supposed to switch to Intel until 2007 and lots of us are wanting PPC to go out with a bang...so maybe not center stage, but I guess I was just hoping that it was black-cloth worthy at least...
~Shard~ said:Should it? After all, Apple is leaving the PPC and it is "old" technology. Intel is "the way of the future", so why should Apple put the spotlight on new IBM systems? I think Jobs would prefer to focus on all things Intel instead.
Not Trying to start an argument, but is it that old? Or is the name old. For instance, I've read in a couple of spots that the dual systems that Intel makes have the processor share the FSB. While the systems of IBM and AMD, of course have separate buses. I know of the problems with IBM, but it seems that most people are making the argument Black and White, when I don't think it is.
Ok. I have been reading this thread since it was posted. I just recently made the switch fromm PC to MAC about 2 weeks ago. I did it then because my PC was a piece of #$%@ and I finally got fed up with the PC world. I took advantagee of the timing to get a free ipod and printer since I am a teacher. So far I have been very happy with my 15" Powerbook purchase.
However, I have been reading this post and more about Powerbook upgrades and I have a couple of questions.
1. When Apple upgrades to Intel what is the big deal about that? More speed?
2. A lot of people here are talking about upgrading to the new Powerbook when it comes out. Do they trade in their old Powerbook or Ibook? Does Apple have a trade in/up policy? OR is it that everyone just has an extra $2000+ laying around to spend?
If so I must be doing something wrong!
Please excuse my ignorance but I am trying to educate myself in the MAC life. I really love the site by the way!
However, I have been reading this post and more about Powerbook upgrades and I have a couple of questions.
1. When Apple upgrades to Intel what is the big deal about that? More speed?
2. A lot of people here are talking about upgrading to the new Powerbook when it comes out. Do they trade in their old Powerbook or Ibook? Does Apple have a trade in/up policy? OR is it that everyone just has an extra $2000+ laying around to spend?
If so I must be doing something wrong!
Please excuse my ignorance but I am trying to educate myself in the MAC life. I really love the site by the way!
achie25 said:
Eh...
Pretty cool actually that people indeed consider this transition no big deal. I seriously hope that in the future everyone will think about it that way.
But, to inform you:
The Intel switch is such a big deal to us Mac-followers that this action has absolutely littered all Mac -rumors, -news, -info sites (and forums) for the past 3 months (about that long ago Steve confirmed it).
In short, Apple has always used CPUs which "speak a different language" than Intel's: the current Mac-CPUs are called PPC (PowerPC). So for software to be able to use that CPU they also have to speak "Mac (PPC) language".
Now that Apple has gone over to Intel for their future CPUs, all software must be altered (or completely re-written) to be able to use the Intel CPU, or will run in "emulation mode", which is slower.
This Intel CPU is also used in Windows compatible computers, so in future Macs the CPU will be the same as in the dreaded WinTel boxes.... That is a bitter pill to take.
Why did Apple do it?
Yep: primarily SPEED.
The current "high-end" Mac CPU is a G5. This processor is too large, i.e. too hot to get into a nice PowerBook. The PowerBook is therefore "still" on the older G4. Not bad for Mac minis and iBooks, but a bit too slow for Pro Macs, like the PowerBook.
The future of PPC looks bad according to Steve, and Intel's future with the x86 CPU seems to be great. So in order to get speed, stock and reduced size Apple went to "the other side".
One word - eBay !achie25 said:
Many people sell the old one on eBay, and use that money to subsidize the new Mac.
You might have noticed posts from people who are worried that the Intel switch might jeopardize the resale value of Macs:
- the PowerPC Macs will drop in value because they're the old style architecture (which will increase the net cost when someone sells a PPC to buy an MacIntel)
- the new MacIntels might not hold their resale value, since they'll be similar to used PCs at the hardware level
Ino said:
Fair enough. And yes, I, too, believe the PMs will be the last Macs to receive Intel chips, and it wil l not happen until 2007, when the Conroe/Woodcrest chips are ready. So in the meantime, a dual core 970 PPC system (i.e. a substantial upgrade to the PMs) is definitely in order.
woolfgang said:
No, actually it isn't old - that's why I had "old" in quotes - because relatively, and in Apple's eyes, Intel is the way of the future, and PPC will eventualy be phased out, so, by default it is the "older" technology. That's all.
zooland said:
Cheers
I hope archie25 was looking for that type of explanation...
It's always nice to meet a fellow countryman
Question.
I need some professional advice.
I want a powerbook badly, I have been waiting all month hopeing the powerbooks would update at the expo but they didn't. Should I buy one TODAY since the Student Union offer ends today, or do you think these pb's will have updates worth waiting for before christmas?
I need some professional advice.
I want a powerbook badly, I have been waiting all month hopeing the powerbooks would update at the expo but they didn't. Should I buy one TODAY since the Student Union offer ends today, or do you think these pb's will have updates worth waiting for before christmas?
ininjacorndog said:
I'm in the exact same boat as you are. I need the computer for school, but could get by for a little bit if I could have the latest and greatest powerbook soon. I was hoping to get the newest PB this week with a free mini IPod. Do you guys think it'll be worth the wait? How long are people prediciting the wait will be now?
bigrustyjc said:
I think that most times it's best to purchase a new Mac when you have the need. So far no rumors about when an update to the PowerBook is due.
The MacRumors Mac Buyers Guide is recommending to not purchase now. An update is imminent. It just depends on how much you want the free iPod. This offer may very well be the reason why no update yet.
Well you better decide now. I am sure that we will see one last PPC Powerbook before Intel. It is almost 2 months over average on the buyers guide. The iBook had to wait almost 4 months above average for the last update. I am betting starting with next Tuesday, new Powerbook. If they released update PBs this week, there might have been confusion with the current iPod and printer promos. Just like when they released the Nano a few weeks ago, some people wondered if they would be able to take advantage of the iPod promo and they found out they can't. It would just be easier for Apple to release it next week instead of this week if they are planning on releasing new Powerbooks soon.
wdlove said:
In the UK we have the following offer
Buy a Mac and an iPod and get £100 back on top of your everyday student discount. But act now. This offer is good only through October 8th, 2005.
I am not sure if this date makes an overall difference.
I personally would rather have an updated laptop rather than an older w/ ipod. Spending a couple hundred bucks on an ipod later down the line will be easy enough, but once stuck with an older PB, you're stuck with it (or I am anyway, since I can't afford to trade them in and keep getting the newest one every time).
That said, I do believe there is a point when enough is enough...but everyone's got his/her own "point" and mine will probably hit mid-October if not sooner!
That said, I do believe there is a point when enough is enough...but everyone's got his/her own "point" and mine will probably hit mid-October if not sooner!