MNW: How long did it take to develop the G5 chip? To what degree did it follow naturally from the G3 and G4, and to what degree is it a totally new configuration?
Stein: The PowerPC 970 design took several years to develop and has its basis IBM's 64-Bit POWER4 Server architecture. I think it can best be described as a "totally new configuration," because it is based on POWER4, has a 64-bit architecture and includes much faster processor buses. It does include a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) engine -- which Apple calls Velocity Engine, and Motorola calls AltiVec. This technology was co-invented by IBM, Motorola and Apple, and it made its first appearance on the G4.
MNW: What influence has Apple have on the G5's development?
Stein: During the PowerPC 970's development Apple was identified as one of the primary customers. Their product and intellectual property requirements have had significant influence on the 970's development and have helped shape the final product.
The good news is that we will know the answer 30 days from now.