+1. At last. Someone with sense. Apple would be stupid to go ahead with yet another chipset change. It would only drive away developers and customers.
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Apple Testing an ARM (A5) Powered MacBook Air?
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+1. At last. Someone with sense. Apple would be stupid to go ahead with yet another chipset change. It would only drive away developers and customers.
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Exactly!!! The phrase "better than expected" in this context means nothing. Though I take it as implying that the engineers had very low expectations.
However this might be a suitable platform for those that find ATOM based notebooks usable. I'm not in that category so I will say this machine likely would not replace my iPad nor my Mac Book.
blow45 said:
Exactly!!! The phrase "better than expected" in this context means nothing. Though I take it as implying that the engineers had very low expectations.
However this might be a suitable platform for those that find ATOM based notebooks usable. I'm not in that category so I will say this machine likely would not replace my iPad nor my Mac Book.
[In the following take A5 to mean A5 or other Arm processor.]
Switching to a new processor (like the PowerPC to Intel change) now and in the near future would hurt Apple more than it could help. Although I'm sure if it's done, it will be done with APple's usual polish.
On the other hand, what I can see an A5 powered Air being used for is as a machine for those who need a keyboard most of the time, but just need the type of apps found on iOS devices.
If Apple did introduce an A5 Air, they would need to still keep selling an Intel Air as well.
Now I can see the same types of applications being available for an A5 running Mac SO X that an A5 running Windows 8 would have. However, for Apple to totally switch to an A5, gaming companies would have to be on board with the switch or Apple could very well lose a number of customers.
Basically I see Arm based systems for low power portables whereas currently I see Intel based systems (including portables) for the users that need them. As ARM technology advances, this could and probably will change.
Switching to a new processor (like the PowerPC to Intel change) now and in the near future would hurt Apple more than it could help. Although I'm sure if it's done, it will be done with APple's usual polish.
On the other hand, what I can see an A5 powered Air being used for is as a machine for those who need a keyboard most of the time, but just need the type of apps found on iOS devices.
If Apple did introduce an A5 Air, they would need to still keep selling an Intel Air as well.
Now I can see the same types of applications being available for an A5 running Mac SO X that an A5 running Windows 8 would have. However, for Apple to totally switch to an A5, gaming companies would have to be on board with the switch or Apple could very well lose a number of customers.
Basically I see Arm based systems for low power portables whereas currently I see Intel based systems (including portables) for the users that need them. As ARM technology advances, this could and probably will change.
Completely useless. The iPad can already work with an external keyboard. All that is needed is to give it the ability to work with a mouse or external trackpad (which already exists in the iOS SDK) and an app that mimics the OS/X Finder, which should be a pretty simple port. It shouldn't take more than a point update to iOS.
For anything that such an iPad configuration can't handle, an A5 based MacBook Air would do no better. For anything that it can handle, the iPad would still have a huge portability advantage and better integrated multi-touch interface for operating without a keyboard and trackpad when maximum portability is needed.
For anything that such an iPad configuration can't handle, an A5 based MacBook Air would do no better. For anything that it can handle, the iPad would still have a huge portability advantage and better integrated multi-touch interface for operating without a keyboard and trackpad when maximum portability is needed.
The only way I see this happening is if an A5 and x86 CPU are included.
The A5 uses low power and runs the core OS. Apple compiles apps that require low power but are often on -- browser, finder, email, etc for A5 and encourages others to do the same.
The x86 kicks in to execute x86 processes. It is good for apps that need the extra power.
Hm.... actually, this still doesn't make any sense.
The A5 uses low power and runs the core OS. Apple compiles apps that require low power but are often on -- browser, finder, email, etc for A5 and encourages others to do the same.
The x86 kicks in to execute x86 processes. It is good for apps that need the extra power.
Hm.... actually, this still doesn't make any sense.
Most of what you said was spot on. This part I have to disagree on. If Intel wants Thunderbolt to be an industry standard, then they need to license it to whomever wants to use it. No matter what processor will be in the system.
What about the rumor that Intel would be pleased to integrate other IPs to their CPU design as long as a Intel CPU is in it.
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/05/2...making-foundry-deals-to-produce-custom-chips/
Was just a few days ago!
The ARM CPU could also gain a big improvement considering Intel's manufacturing process…
And by the way Apple don't have to enforce a Platform transition. They could give the developer/user the decision which CPU to use. And begin by delivering OSX parts running on ARM.
This dual CPU is essentially the same situation we have with GPUs in high end systems.
I remember and I also remember the boost in market share because folks were buying Macs and loading windows on it. While we're only talking about one model. Its clear that moving towards a slower platform that's less compatible is a mistake.
So, this is Mac OS X third Secret Life?
So, this is Mac OS X's Third Secret Life?
If this is real, then OSx86 will be gone.
So, this is Mac OS X's Third Secret Life?
If this is real, then OSx86 will be gone.
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Your understanding is wrong. GCD is widely used by the system and by developers. Sometimes it is leveraged through the NSOperation abstraction or other methods instead of calling low level GCD code directly.
This is almost as bad as the people that think OpenCL isn't being used in software development. Which is something I find to be funny because I'm seeing wide adoption. That is in areas where OpenCL makes sense. GCD on the otherhand can be used by most apps and is in one form or another.
blow45 said:
Your understanding is wrong. GCD is widely used by the system and by developers. Sometimes it is leveraged through the NSOperation abstraction or other methods instead of calling low level GCD code directly.
This is almost as bad as the people that think OpenCL isn't being used in software development. Which is something I find to be funny because I'm seeing wide adoption. That is in areas where OpenCL makes sense. GCD on the otherhand can be used by most apps and is in one form or another.
Ahh yes, the external keyboard for an iPad... How well will that work on somebodies lap on a train? Sitting on a bench in a park?
An author would be a good example of someone who would use an A5 Air yet find an iPad to be cumbersome. Especially if an A5 Air costs noticeably less than an Intel Air.
One size doesn't fit all.
OS X isn't the problem, it's software. And the current suite of software out there right now is all either Universal binaries (x86 and PPC) or Intel-only. Rosetta only worked because the performance from the first Core Duo was a LOT faster than whatever PPC machines came before it, and even then it wasn't the best.
Apple already has an ARM machine running a variant of OS X, and it's call the iPad!
Apple already has an ARM machine running a variant of OS X, and it's call the iPad!
I don't doubt that Apple's been testing ARM processors in Macs, they've probably been doing that for years. Along with AMD, probably even some PPC chips still, and anything else that might maybe be viable at some point. Doesn't mean they're actually going to use them.
jW
jW
This topic is about performance vs consumption. ARM is improving performance and Intel is improving consumption. Who will reach the best balance first?
Take a look at iPad. It has an ARM ("slow") chip. Apps open instantly and run smoothly. What if Apple is working on a much improved OS? You don't see Apple advertising Mhz in iOS hardware.
My doubt is:
Is it possible to improve performance decreasing consumption? Maybe improved multi-tasking is the answer?
Take a look at iPad. It has an ARM ("slow") chip. Apps open instantly and run smoothly. What if Apple is working on a much improved OS? You don't see Apple advertising Mhz in iOS hardware.
My doubt is:
Is it possible to improve performance decreasing consumption? Maybe improved multi-tasking is the answer?
I hope you are right because an A5 now would mean the end of Apple as a serious player in the notebook business. Steve Jobs said that Apple would never build a netbook, but that's just what they would be doing with the A5.
Nope, just pointing out that a SSD is only an advantage in a disk I/O heavy workflow.
Which was my initial and still is my point really. You went off on a tangeant about main computer components (again, network is as much a main component in today's boxes as HDDs) and assumptions about my own workflow.
Wrong! They call it iPod touch!
I hereby dub the new ARM laptop product line to LackBook
With Apple's innovation, I can imagine a dual processor Macbook, one A5, tremendous battery life running IOS apps and Intel for the hardcore apps.
This would be just like the dual graphic processor Macs.
Outstanding idea Apple if I am right!
I could have my Macbook Air and iPad all in one with a keyboard!
I would be so happy!
This would be just like the dual graphic processor Macs.
Outstanding idea Apple if I am right!
I could have my Macbook Air and iPad all in one with a keyboard!
I would be so happy!
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Arm can run many different OSes. As it is iOS has most of Mac OS low level features. The UNIX kernel and even some utilities are already there in iOS. In a nut shell iIS is Mac OS with a different face. The technical details go further but for now just consider iOS as a UNIX platform with a really restricted graphical system.
The other way to look at this is with respect to Mac OS/X running on older machines. Some of the older PPC machines where actually very slow Apple marketing not with standing. Once people got a taste of the Intel machines they didn't look back.
In any event I just don't see this making sense in an AIR, AIR needs to become more powerful not less powerful. Where it might make sense is in a Mac Book replacement that is targeted at the K thru 6 educational market. This would allow for a laptop that could run on a battery through out the school day. Even here though I'd worry about performance.
johneaston said:
Arm can run many different OSes. As it is iOS has most of Mac OS low level features. The UNIX kernel and even some utilities are already there in iOS. In a nut shell iIS is Mac OS with a different face. The technical details go further but for now just consider iOS as a UNIX platform with a really restricted graphical system.
The other way to look at this is with respect to Mac OS/X running on older machines. Some of the older PPC machines where actually very slow Apple marketing not with standing. Once people got a taste of the Intel machines they didn't look back.
In any event I just don't see this making sense in an AIR, AIR needs to become more powerful not less powerful. Where it might make sense is in a Mac Book replacement that is targeted at the K thru 6 educational market. This would allow for a laptop that could run on a battery through out the school day. Even here though I'd worry about performance.
