Dual-Core PowerMacs, New G4 PowerBook, and G5 Mini?

[1984]

I'm sorry, THz?

Yeah, Yeah. I fixed it. It's late.

 

[1984]

Exactly. Has anyone else picked up on the fact that this is another 'analyst' posing as a rumour-monger / insider? Analysts have been spruiking the proximity of the iPod Video update for ages - in short, they know little to nothing, and speculate about any and everything to keep themselves in a job.

True but who came up with this first? The analyst or MOSR? I'd still take the worst analyst over MOSR any day.

"Also moving to IBM G5 technology (the low-power 970FXa), according to the grapevine: the Mac Mini. Big Blue's new low-power G5 processor meets the thermal demands of the Mini enclosure and makes a very solid transitional move between current G4 models and next year's Intel-based (Pentium M) model. A better graphics accelerator is also expected. Some analysts seem to think this move could come as soon as September 20th's Apple Expo in Paris, but we think that's far too optimistic given the recent Mini feature-bump. In time for the holidays, perhaps....by Macworld SF in January, almost certainly."


This makes it sound like MOSR got it from the analyst, not the other way around. One can only hope.

 

[Squire]

Yeah, Yeah. I fixed it. It's late.

It must be.
I was saying that 1 THz is equal to 1,000 GHz not that the new processor would have 1,000 GHz of power. I think it would be 10 GHz, as I stated in my post just above yours. Either way, we get the picture. If they introduce dual-duals, it would be powerful. (2.5 GHz x 4 = 10 GHz)

Question, though: What's better? Dual-processors or one dual-core processor? Would it be the latter because of less power spent on cooling and stuff? Anyone know?

This makes it sound like MOSR got it from the analyst, not the other way around. One can only hope.

Yeah, that's what it looks like, doesn't it? Where did MOSR come in, though? I thought it originated from The Mac Observer? Or did they get it from MOSR?

Squire

 

[djeddiebear]

Well i can wait i suppose. I have 2000 sitting in the bank just waiting to come out and play. The day after the Paris expo, im making a purchase, updates or not.

Exactly what i want to do.

 

[Squire]

Exactly what i want to do.

I envy you guys. My plan, too, but unfortunately my wife will probably veto.

Squire

 

[Platform]

I agree 100%. If Apple can make a G5 mini, they could make a G5 powerbook.

The PB is 1" thin and the mini is more than twice that........also PB power comes from a battery and the sam goes for when people were wondering about iMac G5 = possible does not = PB G5

 

[Adurbe]

G5 cube?

Maybe instead of a G5 mini it'll be the rebirth of the cube

 

[Platform]

Well if the mini were to get a G5 that would be great...as well as DC G5 PM's and DC G4 PB's.........But what "more" could you do with a 1.4 or 1.6Ghz G5 mini..........HD content such as H.264 still = no

 

[michael666]

New Mac minis - haha NO. We just had an update, and when a Mac mini is more powerful than a Powerbook, something is wrong.

Why does every second post in this thread claim that it is ridiculous to have a G5 mini while the PBs are still G4

If Apple can build a G5 mini, they will. Do you really think people will say sth like "I'd rather have a Dell laptop than a G4 PB, because the mini has a G5!"

Silly.

 

[Evangelion]

Low power G5s ... probably between 1.4 and 1.6 GHz. Too little power for the PowerBooks, but would be perfect for the Mac mini.

1.4 - 1.6GHz G5's would propably be slower than the G4's in the current Mini are. Clock for clock, G4 is faster than the G5 is.

 

[rashdown_online]

Somethings Going To Happen...

This may have been posted (but I don't have time to go through ALL of the posts - too busy tring to do as little as possible @ work ), but I got an e-mail last from Apple about how good the PMac is. What was interesting was that they are giving an eCoupon money off voucher for £499 ex VAT valid until 15/09/2005 (09/15/05 for our North American friends )

 

[oskar]

Well, if you're smart, then you are going to wait until at least the Rev. B, if not Rev. C, Mactels.

Huh? What are you talking about? Around 2007 or 2008? Steve Jobs said the transition to Intel would be mostly complete by WWDC 2007. Do you really think there would be a revision C x86 Mac by then? Revision A computers aren't always bad. There could always be unexpected battery or fan problems, which usually come up after actually using a computer for some time, but Apple has always supported its customers and made it easy to fix any such problems or replace neccesary parts. I just think waiting for a Revision B or C Intel Mac, which we have no clue as to when any model will be released, is a little ridiculous.

 

[oskar]

What is the point of a Dual-Core PowerMac G5 when they could be putting more resources into Intel? Even the current Pentium 4 has way more Mhz then anything IBM could make. I don't see Apple wasting anymore resources on the PPC and especially the G5 which is a dead, outdated processor. I hate to say it, but even the current old tech P4 is WAY ahead.

I can't believe you can say the G5 processor is dead. If Apple hadn't announced the switch to Intel everybody would be saying the G5 is the fastest processor in the world, not to mention everybody still wishing to get a G5 PowerBook.
As far as I know a G5 still smokes a Pentium 4-based computer any day.

 

[oskar]

What is the point of a better PowerPC Powerbook or even a dual core PowerMac? They won't sell because people are waiting for Intel. They want computers that will be a lot faster and have a future of support.

You're stating that based on your personal experience. I would get a Dual Core Dual G5 PowerMac if it were actually announced.

Future support? Does Classic in Tiger (OS X's 5th release) mean anything to you about support?

 

[Graeme A]

I'm EXCITED!

I'm excited by the rumors of an update to the Mac Mini as I was eyeing up this as a possible (learning) server solution.

Instead of bitching, let's look on these update as something good that will keep Apple profitable! Then we can all look forward to our new PM's and such like in years to come.

If the minis dont get an upgrade to G5 then I am going to look at waiting until the next BIG PM update to turn my current dual 2ghz PM in to a server.

<rant> fix the 23" displays; get some ads on TV; Aussie iTMS now!</rant>

 

[MacSA]

I think there will be a lot of very unhappy and irrate new Mac mini owners if Apple updated the mini so soon.

 

[nomad01]

Originally Posted by tangerineyum
I have 2000 sitting in the bank just waiting to come out and play. The day after the Paris expo, im making a purchase, updates or not.
------

Same here. I'm all ready to make a purchase so it's frustrating to have to wait but as sceptical as I am, I'd be kicking myself if something hot came out of the Paris Expo.

I'm all set to buy a PM but a G5 mini may win out... at least until we know more about the Intels.

 

[Platform]

I think there will be a lot of very unhappy and irrate new Mac mini owners if Apple updated the mini so soon.

C'mon people the last so called update was not really an update theyjust made the mini more compatible with Tiger.....so if new minis in september no reason to complain.....

 

[StinktOldC]

This may have been posted (but I don't have time to go through ALL of the posts - too busy tring to do as little as possible @ work ), but I got an e-mail last from Apple about how good the PMac is. What was interesting was that they are giving an eCoupon money off voucher for £499 ex VAT valid until 15/09/2005 (09/15/05 for our North American friends )

If you read it properly you'll see what is actually offering is a £50 off coupon for any pro purchases over £499

 

[bigandy]

Shoddy upgrade? It was more of a price drop rather than an upgrade. I think September is probably too soon for a Mac Mini upgrade. Powerbook and PowerMac upgrades are more likely. Both are due something major but I don't think we should hold our breath.

whaaaaaaaaadya mean price drop? the price went UP here in the UK!

 

[Hattig]

I think a G5 Mac Mini is an interesting proposition. Of course, it would need an entire new motherboard layout, and the Mini's motherboard is what? 16cm by 16cm or so? The G5 is a small chip so that isn't an issue, and I'm assuming that the Mac Mini will be using a 970FX (up to 1.8GHz), not a 1.4GHz 970MP here. It would also need to integrate the northbridge and southbridge, and a graphics chip, and a DIMM slot (or two, please!), not to mention the Firewire, USB2 and Bluetooth chips (I expect the next Mac Mini to come with Bluetooth and/or Airport installed by default, hence on the motherboard).

This is my realistic, albeit idealised, Mac Mini update:

1.6 or 1.8GHz G5 (yes, they'll be able to cool this in a 2" high Mac Mini case)
512MB RAM
New (lower cost, cut down) system controller with PCIe
(instead of the current one with dual processor support and dual memory controllers, AGP and HyperTransport)
PCIe nVidia 6200TC with 32MB VRAM
nVidia HyperTransport southbridge or ATI/ULi PCIe southbridge
(USB2, Ethernet, SATA, IDE, etc)

I expect the Powermac system controller to be updated as well to support PCIe instead of AGP, and hopefully a better memory controller too.

 

[eSnow]

So you actually think Jobs would just release the first x86 systems, debatably the biggest transition in Apple's history, without an event like MW? Remind me how I'm being the fool again?

OK, then I'd like to remind you of the last bombshell product from Apple - it was announced at a special media event in October. It is called the iPod.

The intelliMacs will be announced either at a similar special event in May or at WWDC "shipping immediately".

 

[rashdown_online]

If you read it properly you'll see what is actually offering is a £50 off coupon for any pro purchases over £499

Oopss!

 

[OziMac]

True but who came up with this first? The analyst or MOSR? I'd still take the worst analyst over MOSR any day.

<snip>

This makes it sound like MOSR got it from the analyst, not the other way around. One can only hope.

Not disagreeing with you at all. But an analyst and MOSR together don't really bode too well for this rumour - speculation heaped on speculation.

But if Appleinsider or Think Secret were to enter the fray... well...

 

[Platform]

I think a G5 Mac Mini is an interesting proposition. Of course, it would need an entire new motherboard layout, and the Mini's motherboard is what? 16cm by 16cm or so? The G5 is a small chip so that isn't an issue, and I'm assuming that the Mac Mini will be using a 970FX (up to 1.8GHz), not a 1.4GHz 970MP here. It would also need to integrate the northbridge and southbridge, and a graphics chip, and a DIMM slot (or two, please!), not to mention the Firewire, USB2 and Bluetooth chips (I expect the next Mac Mini to come with Bluetooth and/or Airport installed by default, hence on the motherboard).

This is my realistic, albeit idealised, Mac Mini update:

1.6 or 1.8GHz G5 (yes, they'll be able to cool this in a 2" high Mac Mini case)
512MB RAM
New (lower cost, cut down) system controller with PCIe
(instead of the current one with dual processor support and dual memory controllers, AGP and HyperTransport)
PCIe nVidia 6200TC with 32MB VRAM
nVidia HyperTransport southbridge or ATI/ULi PCIe southbridge
(USB2, Ethernet, SATA, IDE, etc)

I expect the Powermac system controller to be updated as well to support PCIe instead of AGP, and hopefully a better memory controller too.

Now that would be a sweet machine and it is realistic as well........and TWO MEMORY DIMM's is a MUST.