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

[~Shard~]

I dunno about PowerMacs. I would think they would be the first Intel Macs, and there won't be anymore PPC updates for them, but that's just me.

I disagree. I think we will see another PPC in the PowerMacs (the new 970s perhaps?) and will not see an Intel-based PowerMac until 2007. Based on Intel's roadmap, the chips which Apple will ultimately want to put in the PowerMacs will not be available until later in 2006, so I think we'll see Intel chips hit the other lines first (i.e. PowerBook) and the PowerMac will be the last Mac to receive an Intel chip. The only way we'd see an Intel-based PowerMac sooner would be if they decided to stick an existing Xeon in one, but I find that very unlikely.

 

[pubwvj]

If they made the Mac Mini a G5, they would have to make the eMac a G5, because the eMac would be the only G4 left and it would sell like crap.

That is an interesting analogy. Are you aware that crap sell very well? Better than hot-cakes in fact. It is hard to find good quality crap and the farmers who have it often don't want to sell it as they need to spread it on their fields.

Back to G5's, I think a more important reason they won't put a G5 in the Mac Mini is heat. It would make a lovely toaster oven though!

 

[aswitcher]

What I think is that Steve surprises us with a Intel Mini in Jan on MWSF06! Remember this post!

I was actually thinking the powerbooks need the update the most and would be the first - big surprise a good 18 months after we expected a G5 in a PB.

Mini though should be a breeze to do...unless they also go hunting multimedia market, and a form factor change takes place for s-video etc

 

[Caitlyn]

Haha, yeah it would be pretty hot. They can't put one in the PowerBook, so why could they put one in the Mac Mini? Unless of course, they update both at the September Expo..?

 

[MacSA]

I'd love to see a G5 eMac.. doubtful though.

 

[wdlove]

Really looking forward to an updated Power Mac at Expo Paris. The new PPC dual core would certainly be nice.

 

[~Shard~]

Really looking forward to an updated Power Mac at Expo Paris. The new PPC dual core would certainly be nice.

That's what my money is on as well for the next PowerMac - some nice dual-core PPC action!

 

[jimN]

I have this bad feeling that all we are going to see are more iPods. Still maybe that's better than the bitter disappointment of more lacklustre updates. Personally i have no problem with them dropping a G5 into a mini, if they can do it they should - the more converts to the cause the better because as our numbers swell so the pressure on software companies increases.

How long do we have to wait? Are we there yet?

 

[pubwvj]

It would make more sense to compare it this way:

iMac 20": $1,800
Mini ($600) +20" display ($800): $1,400.

Essentially you are saving $400 for the same exact computer. I don't get it.

GPU & VRAM.
Get it?

 

[steebu]

G5's across the desktop line

 

[~Shard~]

G5's across the line

Yes, G5s across the line would be excellent indeed. Not going to happen with the portables though....

 

[hyperpasta]

GPU & VRAM.
Get it?

And Hard Drive. And processor being faster. And microphone. And a lot of other stuff I can't think of.

 

[Xephian]

Maybe if Apple releases a Mac Mini G5 they will just get rid of the eMac. The eMac is the only CRT Mac right now and I don't think it sells pretty good.

 

[JFreak]

Maybe if Apple releases a Mac Mini G5 they will just get rid of the eMac. The eMac is the only CRT Mac right now and I don't think it sells pretty good.

it's an edu version and sells well there. maybe they stop selling it for general public? it's a viable option for apple now that they have the mini mac as the low-cost alternative. nobody will miss emac, except the institutions which it might be offered even if they drop it otherwise.

 

[jimN]

They must be gutted that the eMac is bottom of the range. Of all the machines that they could drop a G5 into without a second thought it would be that one. Instead the followers want them to overcome the mother of all thermal challenges - maybe they should stop trying and invest the money in an errol morris campaign to make people believe that an eMac is actually quite portable. Perhaps they could ship it with a small pack animal to help with carrying -

the eMac, now on horseback (iPod adaptor for Horse included).

 

[ltgator333]

Why does it look like a 'death to PPC and anything related to it' rally around here?
I do not beleive for whatever shortcomings PPC has that it treated the Mac community so badly, and I wholly doubt that despite Intel's 'improvements' to they're current lineup of chips that Intel will treat the Mac community so well that we need be cheering the end of the PPC era. Sure, crying about it won't change Apple's mind, all in all they must've though Intel's integrated DRM technology looked really good.
I really do hope that Apple does do these last few PPC chip updates and that Apple continues to support PPC for at least 4 years after 2006, and I'll go even further and hope that Apple continues to keep a PPC build of OS X to maintain portability and possibly offer a PPC product.
So hey, go running to Intel but I'm afraid Intel will curb your enthusiasm with precision and speed.

 

[iDave]

I'm dreading the switch to Intel. Can't say much about it around here lest I get barked at. Hopefully Apple will release some fine PPC products before the switch, so those who feel like me can get 'em and hold on to them for several years. I'm hoping for a 7448 iBook and a G5 mini (or something similar).

 

[drewyboy]

Well since Paris Expo keynote is cancelled, i forsee the following at MWSF..
-Mactel Mini
-Mactel PB
-Dual Core, Dual Proc G5 PM
-News on Leopard

 

[VanMac]

That's what my money is on as well for the next PowerMac - some nice dual-core PPC action!

Yup, I'll be in the market for a new PM, and I'll buy a decent update once it's announced

 

[~Shard~]

Yup, I'll be in the market for a new PM, and I'll buy a decent update once it's announced

Like I said, based on the Intel roadmap, Conroe and Woodcrest aren't coming until late 2006, so I don't see an Intel-based PM until 2007. As a result, Apple will need to introduce a substantial update to the current PMs to tide people over until then. A move to the dual core 970s would be ideal, along with a couple speed boosts throughout 2006 until the Intel boxes hit.

Of course I could be wrong and Apple could slap a Xeon in the PM for MWSF, but I just don't see this as making a whole lot of sense. To me, chips like Merom, Conroe and Woodcrest are why Apple is switching to Intel, so seeing P4s and Xeons enter the Mac lineup kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion.

 

[iDave]

Well since Paris Expo keynote is cancelled, i forsee the following at MWSF..
-Mactel Mini
-Mactel PB

When was the last time you saw Apple bring new products to market earlier than expected? I'd expect an Intel Mac maybe next spring, at the earliest. And by late 2007, I hope there will have been a lot of new or upgraded PPC Macs.

 

[combatcolin]

Yup, I'll be in the market for a new PM, and I'll buy a decent update once it's announced

Your not the only one.

I can wait, but not forever.

 

[BenRoethig]

Like I said, based on the Intel roadmap, Conroe and Woodcrest aren't coming until late 2006, so I don't see an Intel-based PM until 2007. As a result, Apple will need to introduce a substantial update to the current PMs to tide people over until then. A move to the dual core 970s would be ideal, along with a couple speed boosts throughout 2006 until the Intel boxes hit.

Of course I could be wrong and Apple could slap a Xeon in the PM for MWSF, but I just don't see this as making a whole lot of sense. To me, chips like Merom, Conroe and Woodcrest are why Apple is switching to Intel, so seeing P4s and Xeons enter the Mac lineup kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion.

Personally, I see something similar to the development boxes being released to complement the PowerPC machines. There will be demonstration marches in front of Steve's office if there are no shipping towers with PCI-E by next june let along 2007.

 

[~Shard~]

Personally, I see something similar to the development boxes being released to complement the PowerPC machines. There will be demonstration marches in front of Steve's office if there are no shipping towers with PCI-E by next june let along 2007.

That could be the case as well - guess we'll see....

 

[wdlove]

Your not the only one.

I can wait, but not forever.

Still looking for Apple to have some updates ready to announce around the Paris Expo. Essentially we could see an announcement anytime now. They will want to have some new Mac's to show. As usual patience is very important.