This totally surprised me. I never would have expected the iMac to be one of the first to go Intel, and so soon after the minor iMac G5 revision (which I'm using now).
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Apple Releases Intel iMac
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Abercrombieboy said:
Yeah, that's exactly what Apple/Intel want you to think. Your computer is instantly worthless. Time to buy a new one. The first Macintels are just now going to customers, you know how many years it's going to take to overtake the PPC side? You know how often major prepress shops upgrade their hardware? Well, it aint every time Steve Jobs jumps up on stage. There's going to be PPC Macs and developers releasing PPC apps for a LONG time, especially given that it's so easy to make a program compatable with both platforms. Why would a company shut it's doors on at least 50% of their customers for years to come by dropping PPC support now.
You know there are still developers releasing OS9-compatable programs?
Logic error: Most companies that make software don't make computers.
Apple does both. But most developers have nothing to gain by making their apps Intel only when almost none of their customers have Intel machines, as stated above.
I think buying a PPC machine is perfectly acceptable right now if you can't afford a Macintel. And by the time you're looking for another machine (3 years or so) you'll be able to get something new that isn't Rev. A hardware or go Intel even if you're buying used.
Once the iMac Intel and MacBook are really shipping and the iBook and Mini have been updated, you find it's a real buyers market for used PowerPC-based Macs becuase of all the suckers (like you) who think a PPC Mac is worthless.
So what's the deal w/ putting windows on this thing. Could we dual boot into windows for gaming? And with this graphics card will those games run well if at all? Don't get me wrong, I love OSX and would use it for everything except for pc games if possible.
mobile processors in a desktop
Can anyone explain the processor choice for this computer? I figured the Yonah (Core Duo) would go into the first Intel based macs, but I thought that the Yonah was supposed to be developed for mobile processing (low power, etc.). Why not go with another pentium product, or is this the route intel is going to be going with all their processors for desktops and mobile computers (more cores, lower proc speeds, lower power consumpt.).
Can anyone explain the processor choice for this computer? I figured the Yonah (Core Duo) would go into the first Intel based macs, but I thought that the Yonah was supposed to be developed for mobile processing (low power, etc.). Why not go with another pentium product, or is this the route intel is going to be going with all their processors for desktops and mobile computers (more cores, lower proc speeds, lower power consumpt.).
macjonny1 said:
Pentium 4's are a dead end product and intel knows this ( and apple too ) the technology that started as the pentium-m ( actually based on pentium pro ) beats the pants off the traditional pentium 4 or xeon technology. The yonah core is a beast in term of performace that doesn't act like a personal space heater most of the time.
Was wondering the same thing.
Indeed, what about running Windows on the new iMac and MacBook Pro?
And what about a BIOS of some sort?
What about the rumoured new startup sound?
Why has FireWire 800 been abandoned so soon?
Will Classic still run in Rosetta, for all those oldschool games?
Will Leopard even be released for PPC Macs?
How will recent games run and will there be 'Universal' patches?
Why is iWork still not what everybody was once expecting from it?
Is the graphics card user upgradeable yet?
Is the startup sequence fully graphical or (yuck) Windows/Linux style?
All these questions... guess I'll have to wait for people to get their hands on the new machines. Can't wait for the answers. Good that the form factors remained the same. Both the iMac and PowerBook were really, really sleek machines.
So, this just leaves the iBook and Mac mini as G4 machines (yes, and the still available PowerBook G4, but that one doesn't really count, now does it). Am really curious about when they'll be replaced. WWDC is out of the question, since they're both very much consumer oriented machines. (On a side note, will the Mac mini still be called Mac mini after the transition? iBook will without a doubt become MacBook, but what about the Mac mini?) Will they be brought over to the Intel camp at Mac Expo Paris? When is that? July? August? When were those Core Solos expected? Or will all G4 machines (and the iMac) go Core Duo? That would totally rock.
Will the Power Macs and Xserves go with the Conroe or with the Merom? The former is a true desktop powerhouse, while the latter is the successor (already) to the Yonah. Any thoughts? By the way, the Intel site says the following on it's front page: "New Generation of Intel-based Macs". Cool, we-Mac-lots made the Intel front page!
Indeed, what about running Windows on the new iMac and MacBook Pro?
And what about a BIOS of some sort?
What about the rumoured new startup sound?
Why has FireWire 800 been abandoned so soon?
Will Classic still run in Rosetta, for all those oldschool games?
Will Leopard even be released for PPC Macs?
How will recent games run and will there be 'Universal' patches?
Why is iWork still not what everybody was once expecting from it?
Is the graphics card user upgradeable yet?
Is the startup sequence fully graphical or (yuck) Windows/Linux style?
All these questions... guess I'll have to wait for people to get their hands on the new machines. Can't wait for the answers. Good that the form factors remained the same. Both the iMac and PowerBook were really, really sleek machines.
So, this just leaves the iBook and Mac mini as G4 machines (yes, and the still available PowerBook G4, but that one doesn't really count, now does it). Am really curious about when they'll be replaced. WWDC is out of the question, since they're both very much consumer oriented machines. (On a side note, will the Mac mini still be called Mac mini after the transition? iBook will without a doubt become MacBook, but what about the Mac mini?) Will they be brought over to the Intel camp at Mac Expo Paris? When is that? July? August? When were those Core Solos expected? Or will all G4 machines (and the iMac) go Core Duo? That would totally rock.
Will the Power Macs and Xserves go with the Conroe or with the Merom? The former is a true desktop powerhouse, while the latter is the successor (already) to the Yonah. Any thoughts? By the way, the Intel site says the following on it's front page: "New Generation of Intel-based Macs". Cool, we-Mac-lots made the Intel front page!
I made a mistake.. I thought these were shipping February, but they are shipping 7-10 days (5-7 edu). I would order one, but we are taking a holiday to New Zealand soon and I don't want to have it come when I'm away. If it came before I'd find myself wishing the holiday away to come home to my new mac.. Looks like I might order it the day we leave then.
Leopard will definitely be released for PPC. There may be two separate versions or a dual binary version. I think it will be OS XI or OS 11 before the OS is Intel only.. About 5 years away?
Leopard will definitely be released for PPC. There may be two separate versions or a dual binary version. I think it will be OS XI or OS 11 before the OS is Intel only.. About 5 years away?
snowmoon said:
Yup, in other words, Intel is designing its processors to be closer to what AMD's already are right now (low clock, low heat, low wattage, high performance).
I don't believe it has the memory controller onboard the processor like the Athlons do however.
Wow, I did not see this one coming especially so soon after the latest PowerPC iMac update, and since it was such a major one! I am really impressed by the benchmarks Apple is quoting on their website, especially since this new machine appears to be 2x as fast as the PowerPC iMac! And since both are still at the same price points, respectively, that begs the question, why would you buy a PowerPC iMac anymore? Or is that exactly what Apple wants you to think, in order to get more people to transition to Intel? Regardless, I am suitably impressed with this new machine I havent been this tempted to buy a new Mac in a long time!
Regardless, I am suitably impressed with this new machine I havent been this tempted to buy a new Mac in a long time! 
It is just me, or is the main graphic on the new iMac page not loading off Apples site? Not a big deal, but just found that odd... maybe it's cuz I'm at work using IE...
Burned By Apple?
I've been a Mac user for twenty years. I purchased a G5 iMac 10 days ago, thinking that the iMac wouldn't be updated until June of 2006, as most sources had predicted. Now, today, I go to the Apple website and I'm told that the new Intel iMac is "twice as fast and twice as amazing" and yet priced exactly the same as the PPC-based machine I purchased 10 days ago. Usually, there's a price reduction in such cases, but so far, my calls to Apple and to my Apple reseller (MacConnection) seeking a rebate have been rebuffed. I'm feeling burned, but should I? Some posts have questioned whether Apple's speed claims for the new Intel machines really matter that much. If the higher speed does make a signifcant difference, does anyone know if I have any recourse for seeking a rebate/discount on a brand new machine that the manufacturer now claims is obsolete. Am I just an idiot? Am I the only person feeling this way?
I've been a Mac user for twenty years. I purchased a G5 iMac 10 days ago, thinking that the iMac wouldn't be updated until June of 2006, as most sources had predicted. Now, today, I go to the Apple website and I'm told that the new Intel iMac is "twice as fast and twice as amazing" and yet priced exactly the same as the PPC-based machine I purchased 10 days ago. Usually, there's a price reduction in such cases, but so far, my calls to Apple and to my Apple reseller (MacConnection) seeking a rebate have been rebuffed. I'm feeling burned, but should I? Some posts have questioned whether Apple's speed claims for the new Intel machines really matter that much. If the higher speed does make a signifcant difference, does anyone know if I have any recourse for seeking a rebate/discount on a brand new machine that the manufacturer now claims is obsolete. Am I just an idiot? Am I the only person feeling this way?
~Shard~ said:Wow, I did not see this one coming especially so soon after the latest PowerPC iMac update, and since it was such a major one! I am really impressed by the benchmarks Apple is quoting on their website, especially since this new machine appears to be 2x as fast as the PowerPC iMac! And since both are still at the same price points, respectively, that begs the question, why would you buy a PowerPC iMac anymore? Or is that exactly what Apple wants you to think, in order to get more people to transition to Intel?
2.0Ghz Core Duo = 2x2.1Ghz G5.....=iMac faster than DC 2.0Ghz G5 PM
No, you aren't alone in feel that way. And it did really piss me off to see Steve all but diss the iMac G5 today, which I just bought a week or so ago. It is frustrating, because I really felt confident that the iMac was the least likely to be updated today next to the Powermac. It's ok to feel pissed, and it's ok to feel even angry. But this is the last PowerPC I'll ever own, and I'm happy with the performance. I'm very mad to have owned a new machine for about a whole 5 days. But it's still a fairly good machine. And hate to get all global, but most people in the world don't even have a computer. This is still a nice goodbye to PPC with this computer(the iMac G5).Robert Scheide said:
Whoa. Ok. Angry now again.Platform said:2.0Ghz Core Duo = 2x2.1Ghz G5.....=iMac faster than DC 2.0Ghz G5 PM
*breaks down into sobs* *tears run into my iMac G5's keyboard* But, but, but... I WANTA STILL BE COOL!!! 
Platform said:2.0Ghz Core Duo = 2x2.1Ghz G5.....=iMac faster than DC 2.0Ghz G5 PM
Yup...now they have a consumer model that will beat the pants off their pro model. I would assume new PowerMacs will be coming soon because it looks bad when you have an iMac that will probably outbench a PowerMac.
I notice that the RAM configuration has changed for this - back to what it was for the previous iMac, maximum of 2 GB with two accessible RAM slots - $300 more for 2GB from the Apple store - that's not bad considering the cost of the RAM for the last PPC revision, but I'll wait to see what Crucial have on offer. I guess no one was buying the 2GB RAM from Apple. (Edit: Crucial already have RAM for the iMac, $130 for 1GB. I think, when I put in my order, I'll make it up to a single 1GB stick of RAM for $100, then get another 1GB Crucial RAM)
I'm glad I waited. My wife gave me permission before Christmas to get myself a new Mac, but I decided to wait for MWSF, just in case, even though I was confident like most others that the iMac wouldn't be updated.
I'm almost tempted to buy one of these right now, but I think I'll wait for a couple of weeks for benchmarks and any problems to surface. But, if all goes well, I should have one soon.
I'm glad I waited. My wife gave me permission before Christmas to get myself a new Mac, but I decided to wait for MWSF, just in case, even though I was confident like most others that the iMac wouldn't be updated.
I'm almost tempted to buy one of these right now, but I think I'll wait for a couple of weeks for benchmarks and any problems to surface. But, if all goes well, I should have one soon.
Robert Scheide said:
Make sure you call Ford and ask them for a rebate on your 2006 when the 2007 cars come out too. Let us know how that turns out.
I felt like spewwing off a slew of expletives. I realized that would not be appropriate.Abercrombieboy said:
So now I'm going to go open a Word document and do the same thing. Get it all out.
Thanks. Feel a tad better.chibianh said:
Might not need to go throw up from upsettness (ok, not word) for a second time. Oh, jk about the vomiting part. Just felt like it.
Didn't actually do.