'Brilliant Savings' Promo

[AidenShaw]

that's why there's Pentium M (Centrino)

As a laptop chip it is piss poor due to extremly high power consumption and heat dissapation. Please explain!

That's why the P4 core was redesigned into the Pentium M - a high performance chip with very good power characteristics.

The Pentium M (Centrino) is a P4 variant, not a different architecture.

 

[Wash!!]

All you people whining about the G5

I have a 1.8Ghz with a gig ram I bought a week after it came out to replace my aging g4 400 yes you read it 400!!! I could not be happier with it is fast, and I do havy dutty graphics I desing Computer generated holograms I talking gig size files, my G5 flies through then, even my IT manager with his server drools for my G5..

So be happy you have a mac I'll even take a mac LC over any winblows box not matter how fast it they claim to be.

Rant over

 

[vpalvarez]

I just read that the memory promo has been extended until June 26th. I thnk it might mean that the PMs will hit then almost certainly. I think that I posted that the promo extension could be a goodthing becasue many companies do have really good specials to ensure that the new product sales good. But with the memiry extension it's pretty safe to say it might not be good

 

[fpnc]

Apple's Cinema Displays

IMO, Apple's Cinema displays are not overpriced. They are priced very competitively and offer a level of performance that is as good as or better than most of the competition. Apple's Cinema displays offer native resolutions higher than many of the "cheap" displays you see advertised for under $1000 (U.S.). It's not uncommon for competitive 20" LCD displays to run at only 1280x1024 resolution, while the Apple 20" Cinema display runs at 1680x1050. I just did a quick survey of LCD prices on the web and at one discount site Apple's 20" Cinema display was CHEAPER than similar resolution LCDs from manufactures such as IBM, Sony, and NEC. Viewsonic and Apple were about the same price, while Philips and LG Electronics were between $100 and $200 cheaper. Also, at this same site Apple's 23" display was between $500 and $1000 LESS than any other display of similar resolution.

I'm not saying that you can't find cheaper LCD displays than Apple's, but Apple's prices are actually pretty good.

 

[SpamJunkie]

That's why the P4 core was redesigned into the Pentium M - a high performance chip with very good power characteristics.

The Pentium M (Centrino) is a P4 variant, not a different architecture.

Actually the Pentium M is a P3 variant. It's a P3 with SSE2 tacked on. Shows that the P4 has really poor power management. I've heard speculation that there will soon be Centrino desktops because they're so much better than the original P4.

 

[h'biki]

I'm sorely in need of a new audio workhorse (especially if it can handle the latest games, heh heh), and the current crop of G5s at their current price point just isn't cutting it for me

[snip]

Ultimately, what matters to me (I can imagine I'm not alone) is getting the work done and delivering a product to a client on time and getting paid, and making the most cost-effective investment I can in the tools to get the work done..

If what you say is what "ultimately" matters to you, then I don't understand your beef with the current G5s? You can't do the job with your current machine, but you can if you buy a new G5. Therefore the only cost-effective investment you can make is to buy a new G5. They're perfectly fine machines that kick swift ass. You might have to pay more for it than you want, but it sure beats not having work and losing income.

I realise its a rant and we'd all like to pay less for the current crop of G5s, but all of us want to pay less for everything.

 

[roy_dan]

Why do so many gay people use Apple computers? I have noticed that many of my gay and lesbian friends here in CA seem to overwhelmingly use Apple computers. Is Apple a gay friendly company or what? Just a weird question....

If every gay person owned a Mac Apple's market share would be healthier. But I know a few Mac users and none are gay that I know of. To throw off other stereotypes I would be classified moderate to conservative. One reason I use Mac is for the same reason I serve the country; it represents freedom of choice.

 

[garybooberry]

I personally didn't switch to Mac for rapid-fire speed bumps in their processors. I wanted a better OS and a better company. Apple gives me that. I can't even work on a PC without getting ill - Windows simply sucks a**.

If I wanted that I would still have my VAIO desktops and laptops that were outdated two weeks after I bought them.

So I bought a single 1.25 G4 last year right after the G5 came out - and it does everything I need it to.

Unless you are a hard-core video, graphics or sound professional, I doubt you need the GHz's you are crying for. The 2.0 is still a wicked fast machine capable of pro-end work on an industry-wide basis.

The only reason I hear these cries (for the most part) is to keep up with AMD and Intel - and I never heard these cries until Apple pronounced the "World' Fastest" claim.

Seems like some bruised egos..

*sigh*

 

[garybooberry]

"Why do so many gay people use Apple computers? I have noticed that many of my gay and lesbian friends here in CA seem to overwhelmingly use Apple computers. Is Apple a gay friendly company or what? Just a weird question.."

Same reason so many people buy Dolce and Gabbana. We're label queens.

<----Gay.

 

[MadMan]

Lest we forget the IBM "Event" on the 31st?

Don't forget that IBM has a March 31st event scheduled, giving insight into their new CPU's. While they will probably focus on the upcoming POWER5, they may also provide some details on the 9xx series chip, which they also use in their own blade servers.

Either way, the picture MAY be a bit clearer on the CPU front after the event.



MM

(see this thread https://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/03/20040318102708.shtml )

 

[fpnc]

PCI Express -- eventually, but IMO not soon.

No, I can't see Apple going to PCI Express any time soon. I think Power Macs will be using PCI-X and AGP for a few more years (certainly for at least another 12 to 18 months). They had to go this route because when they designed and shipped the G5 Power Macs PCI-X, Hypertransport, and AGP were the best available technologies. They aren't going to completely redesign the G5 motherboard and chip set after only one year. While it is true that PCs will begin to ship with PCI Express within the next several months, I suspect that most PCs will remain equipped with standard PCI (slower than PCI-X) and AGP for the remainder of the year. Also, as far as I've heard all of the next generation, high-end video cards are going to be released in both 8X AGP and PCI Express versions.

Eventually, Apple will have to transition to PCI Express. But, I think they will be late to this party. In any case, the Mac is not really a gaming platform. If your main focus is playing games, get a PC (in fact, that's about the only reason I can think of for owning a PC). It seems a little ironic that the PCs are becoming the "toy" computers -- well, not really, but we Mac users have to put some kind of "spin" on this story.

It's going to be interesting to see how this develops. I can hear the anti-Mac crowd already. By the end of the year they'll probably be ready to admit that the G5 is a decent processor, but they'll be complaining loudly that the Power Macs only have AGP when top-end PCs are using PCI Express for graphics. Serious gamers will probably take note, but for most users it should be a non-issue -- at least, IMO, for the next 12 to 18 months.

I also think the main reason they are not getting done now is that PCI-Express video cards are just barely not ready for prime time now. I dont think Steve wants to intro new systems with AGP and then have to live with that until September/November. PCI-Express is going to be a huge selling point 2 months from now and every gamer in the world is gonna go to it ASAP to get that edge. That would give Apple about 4 months with "old" AGP style systems if they released em now. I dont see any other real constraints except for this. I think IBM is making the G5's and Everything else is in place, except for PCI Express.

 

[Bendit]

I think Apple is going to go for the whole shebang - G5 iMac, G5 Powerbook, and update G5 towers with displays at one time.

I also think the main reason they are not getting done now is that PCI-Express video cards are just barely not ready for prime time now. I dont think Steve wants to intro new systems with AGP and then have to live with that until September/November. PCI-Express is going to be a huge selling point 2 months from now and every gamer in the world is gonna go to it ASAP to get that edge. That would give Apple about 4 months with "old" AGP style systems if they released em now. I dont see any other real constraints except for this. I think IBM is making the G5's and Everything else is in place, except for PCI Express.

I really do think Steve is going to go for "The Big Bang" and intro everything at once. Only maybe not the PB's, but surely the Displays/G5's/G5 iMacs.

This makes no sense. The PowerMacs already have PCI Express. The inclusion of AGP doesn't make the PCI Express poor. If anything it's better because you can chose which you want.

 

[Nebrie]

Actually the Pentium M is a P3 variant. It's a P3 with SSE2 tacked on. Shows that the P4 has really poor power management. I've heard speculation that there will soon be Centrino desktops because they're so much better than the original P4.

Centrino is not a processor but rather than an Intel bundling gimmick. It's the Pentium M, Intel Chipset, and Intel Wifi. If a vendor has all 3 of these, they can slap on a Centrino sticker.

 

[windowsblowsass]

This makes no sense. The PowerMacs already have PCI Express. The inclusion of AGP doesn't make the PCI Express poor. If anything it's better because you can chose which you want.

pci x and pci express arent the same thing pci express is serial unlike traditional pci and pci x

 

[MadMan]

This makes no sense. The PowerMacs already have PCI Express. The inclusion of AGP doesn't make the PCI Express poor. If anything it's better because you can chose which you want.

Actually, the PMG5's have PCI-X, not PCI Express. Big difference. PCI Express is an upcoming tech.



MM

 

[Bendit]

Actually, the PMG5's have PCI-X, not PCI Express. Big difference. PCI Express is an upcoming tech.



MM

oops. my bad. I always thought PCI-X was Apple's abreviation of PCI Express.

 

[noverflow]

You don't appear to know the way apple works. Apple along with Dell are one of thew few manufacturing companies who DO NOT HOLD STOCK. Everything is built to order at the request of either consumers via the online store or at the request of resellers who order larger quanitites. The only exception is apple's own retail stores who obviously hold stock to take away in the same way a normal reseller would. Therefore rebates are not a way of getting rid of excess stock but rather a way of continuing demand for an older product that is close to being updated. Remember the price cut on the powerbooks that occured in mid 2003. This was done in order to maintain demand on titanium powerbooks which were over 6 months old and which Apple knew wouldn't be updated for a further 3-4 months. But to make it clear Apple do not hold stock.

This is not true what so ever.
I work for Simutek in Tucson Arizona
We get our computers from both ingram-micro and apple.
Both places, we can see what their apple stock is at that moment.
At this time, apple has MANY g5s in stock.
The reason for this is that apple does not manufacture their products anymore. They tell a manufacturing place how many of a certain product they want. If they don't sell that many, that many are still made.

Rebates and such ARE for clearing excess stock.
Apple even states that their goal is to have 3 days worth of stock on computers.
If each one was BTO, then why would custom ones take so much longer to ship?

My favorite part about this, is that you yelled at someone because you thought you knew what was going on.

 

[soosy]

This doesn't necessarily bar PM updates in the near future

If you look at the Terms and Conditions on the PDF, it mentions the model number of the 23" Cinema but simply states All Power Mac G5s. Count me in with those that think PowerMac updates could still arrive soon. I think this is just to move the Cinemas and perhaps as a side benefit focus some attention on the PowerMac G5 line which I don't think have been selling up to Apple's expectations. New Displays could even arrive soon, with new model numbers, and the old model would still have the rebate to clear it out of the channel.

A full year without Power Mac updates would be quite strange. Who knows though?

 

[iAtom]

If you look at the Terms and Conditions on the PDF, it mentions the model number of the 23" Cinema but simply states All Power Mac G5s. Count me in with those that think PowerMac updates could still arrive soon. I think this is just to move the Cinemas and perhaps as a side benefit focus some attention on the PowerMac G5 line which I don't think have been selling up to Apple's expectations. New Displays could even arrive soon, with new model numbers, and the old model would still have the rebate to clear it out of the channel.

A full year without Power Mac updates would be quite strange. Who knows though?

I really hope your right. If I had known it would take this long for updates I would have bought a new PowerMac back in January when I started waiting. But I can't stop waiting now.

 

[AidenShaw]

Earth to SpamJunkie - Come in, Spam Junkie

Actually the Pentium M is a P3 variant. It's a P3 with SSE2 tacked on.

Yes, and ISA-wise, what is a P4 but a P III with SSE2?

Your attempt at a rebuttal proves my point!

 

[AidenShaw]

agree 100%

Centrino is not a processor but rather than an Intel bundling gimmick. It's the Pentium M, Intel Chipset, and Intel Wifi. If a vendor has all 3 of these, they can slap on a Centrino sticker.

I agree with you 100% - I put the "Centrino" in parentheses because many people don't understand that "Pentium M" is the CPU component of "Centrino".

 

[csubear]

Yes, and ISA-wise, what is a P4 but a P III with SSE2?

Your attempt at a rebuttal proves my point!

I'm joining the game late here, so if i repeating just yell at me. The best proof that the P-m is a P-3 varient is it much short pipeline. IIRC current P4s are at about 30 stage piplines, P-M and P-3 are at at about 15. So with everything else constant P-M 1.5 Ghz or even P-3 1.5 Ghz(dosn't exist, and has a much weaker FSB) is just as fast as the 3.0 Ghz P4 monster. If I were to ever buy a PC(which would be never) I would buy a Dual 1.4 GHZ P-3-t. Yes it has a weak FSB, but it is way better bang for your buck(at least as far as PCs are concerned, rather have a G5 any day)

 

[AidenShaw]

If I were to ever buy a PC(which would be never) I would buy a Dual 1.4 GHZ P-3-t. Yes it has a weak FSB, but it is way better bang for your buck(at least as far as PCs are concerned, rather have a G5 any day)

I have a bunch of dual 3.2 GHz dual Xeon servers, and a couple of dual Xeon 3.06 workstations.

No way would I pick a P III system today....

-------------

When the first P4 systems came out at 1.4 GHz - no argument but that the 1.266 PIII systems could best the P4 systems at some app benchmarks.

 

[bar italia]

Really? ;o) *sigh* Good sarcasm lost in the breeze... It was a pitiful attempt, I agree. And as for it being people's God given right to spell the way they want: I suppose, but it's hard to take you seriously if you are communicating in an illiterate manner and are butchering the English language. Sure, make an allowance for those who are ESL, but for those of you who should know better.. Shame, shame... So, go ahead and flame me. But at least spell your diatribe correctly.

You've corrected people's spelling twice on one thread.

What a tool.

 

[ethernet76]

OK. Here's for all the people who believe this is bad for Apple.

I'd honestly rather wait for the update then have some rushed, not tested betas get final product status. Apple did remarkably well with the switch to 64-bit computing. Period. Intel has switched to a different style of decscribing their processors instead of raw clock cycle. This was long predicted by analyst because it's hard to explain that 2.0 ghz is really faster than 3.0 ghz when they've been pushing it for so long.

Seeing that Intel's last batch of processors were a medicore motorola-style hackjob, I'm not concerned about a year update. Intel was stuck at 3.2 or whatever for what 9 months? A year? And they stopped shipping the 3.2 for a while because of problems.

People just need to accept that the processor field is stagnant right now. Coupled with the fact Microsoft is probably heavily demanding the 970FX right about now for the xBox2 processor supply might be running thin with IBM, Microsoft and Apple all demanding chips. Sadly, Apple is probably lowests in that pecking order. They may sell 1.3 million units or whatever, but Microsoft will be looking at an order somewhere around 5 million, and well IBM is always going to come first. Can't forget about the home team.

Everone keeps griping about hardware delays. What about the ****e software Mac has? Anyone can tell you that performance is no longer the problem with Mac like it was for the past G4 years. More and more people are no longer gaming on the PC. I prefer my xBox over my Powerbook or G5 anyday. I play Halo on the xBox, not the mac.

For the love of god, please, advertise something other than the iPod. The first batch of kids raised on family computers are making their way from college. Convince then now they need a Mac, you'll have a customer for lifetime. Apple is doing a piss-poor job of converting people. If Apple was running for office he'd be the guy at the bottom they you haven't heard of before and you have no idea what his party is.