'Intel Based Mac' Rumor Roundup...

[jwhitnah]

But...

I don't think TS would have a problem talking about Apple+Intel if they knew anything about it.

The point is that TS rarely gets it wrong and they (he, some Harvard kid)rarely miss/misses something significant.

 

[sandau]

Steve's so going to get booed at WWDC if this is true -- angry programmers with pitchforks, faced with a major productivity setback in the form of having to port everything, come to mind.

naw, i think we'll see a transitive technologies example before the intel news. Steve will have the Reality Distortion Field(tm) on full force and drop the house on its knees. All will bow their heads in thanks and the drool for the new hardware will puddle the floor like the great flood. The developers will leave the floor with impressive bulges in the front of their khakis, eager to buy the new tech.

alternatively, we might just see a minor speedbump on the iBooks/Minis to 1.33/1.5ghz and the day will SUCK. I think a bump from 1.25 to 1.33/1.5 is stupid.

 

[animefan_1]

And cripple their own JS20 blades in the process? Blades are a rapidly growing market where IBM are leading, why would they intentionally put that in jeopardy?

The JS20 blades run on the PowerPC 970. Why wouldn't IBM want to advance their own products? Faster for Apple would also be faster for IBM.

 

[dodonutter]

Hehe, I know how you feel...I'm supposed to be revising and all I can think of is looking at this site! Maybe my uni will accept mitigating cultural circumstances for reconsideration of what will probably be a horrible exam grade??

Anyways, I hope Intel plans on making PPC. I can't stand the idea of emulation and recompiling...eeeeh...especially when I associate Intel w/instability...lol.

Exam is in electrical systems but i still don't think ill get any marks for talking about processors

Back to the topic in hand...one thing i did find interesting was that Thinksecret states:

"As previously reported, internal IBM documents revealed the processor will arrive at speeds of 3GHz and that Apple has already received prototypes of the processor."

Now why would IBM give them copys of the 3GHz 970MP if they weren't going to use it in there computers?

 

[bokdol]

something is very wrong here... apple using intel chips microsoft using powerpc ibm chips... what is happening??

 

[SPUY767]

Seems to me that Apple has had it up to its ass with the consoles getting more attention.

 

[animefan_1]

The point is that TS rarely gets it wrong and they (he, some Harvard kid)rarely miss/misses something significant.

That's my point. If Think Secret knew about it, they would say so. The fact that they haven't heard anything between the time of the original WSJ report and the 'new' CNET report speaks volumes (to me at least).

 

[jwhitnah]

Maybe

Im thinking that points very strongly to a deal (well one-sided demand) from apple saying 'don't say anything about Intel and you get to stay alive'

Or this is one insanely crazy mole hunt and thinksecret are staying schtum to protect him/her (if there still in place)

Theres something very very odd about this whole intel thing, nothing seems to make complete sense, its pretty disturbing

TS has continued to fight Apple. I doubt they would lay down over something this big if they new about it. I don't think Apple makes deals with rumor sites; they either let them be or they try to sue them.

 

[ogminlo]

i've since got swept along with intel x86 conjecture (why would intel license PPC, that does not make any sense)...

Why wouldn't it make sense???

Licensing PPC makes a ton of sense when you realize Microsoft needs the chips for its new Xbox even more than Apple needs them for Macs. Apple would be the perfect broker to get Intel into the PPC game since they are an original AIM member and they stand the most to gain from the deal.

The only conjecture on these threads that makes zero sense is Apple moving to x86.

[napoleon dynamite voice] That's flippin' stupid, gosh! [/napoleon dynamite voice]

Think about it:

Mac on x86 (all bad):

- Developer and user fallout from another platform shift so soon after OS X.
- Poor hardware sales as the transition takes place.
- Software ports always suck, the early adopters would get burned and everyone else would abandon Apple.
- This idea is complicated and does nothing good for Apple. Nothing!

Intel starts making PPC chips (all good):

- Apple gets a better equipped supplier (fewer CPU/logic board shortages).
- IBM gets off the hook for their poor yields.
- Everyone makes more money (Apple, IBM, Intel).
- Prices fall for consumers.

 

[SPUY767]

something is very wrong here... apple using intel chips microsoft using powerpc ibm chips... what is happening??

I'm checking for mention of this in either Nostradamus' writings or Revelations as we speak. This is surely a sign of the end of days.

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

No, it's the platform. Mac OS X is nothing without a secure hardware platform, which Intel time and again has proven unable to provide...

And I don't much appreciate being called a dummy.

I couldn't agree more. Macs are much more than just OSX. It is the entire concept of having hardware and OS custom made for each other. That has given us a stable and virus free platform.
God forbid any more experiments with Mac clones...

 

[jwhitnah]

That's my point. If Think Secret knew about it, they would say so. The fact that they haven't heard anything between the time of the original WSJ report and the 'new' CNET report speaks volumes (to me at least).

But if there were no Apple/Intel deal, TS would still be hearing nothing. How can you distinguish between those 2 possibilities?

 

[fitinferno]

Exam is in electrical systems but i still don't think ill get any marks for talking about processors

Back to the topic in hand...one thing i did find interesting was that Thinksecret states:

"As previously reported, internal IBM documents revealed the processor will arrive at speeds of 3GHz and that Apple has already received prototypes of the processor."

Now why would IBM give them copys of the 3GHz 970MP if they weren't going to use it in there computers?

Heh, mine is in psychology...if I could talk about this news...I'd have a fieldday in the subject of "mac psychology!"

Anyways, yeah, that wouldn't make sense for them to not use those 970MPs...so maybe it's like a few other people think and there will be a split product line.

Because I can definitely see the logic behind dumping IBM based on the laptop line. I've been dreaming of something more than just a Powerbook G4 since I got my first PB G4 2 years ago...and what did I wind up with when I upgraded my computer...oh...a PB G4!

But it would ruin the dreams of actually getting that G5 baby into a PB...it could've happened someday.................

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

I completely disagree with your assessment. First, you are assuming that the coffin has been almost completely shut but THERE is NO coffin.

Apple is and has been doing better then ever. They are selling more of everything they make. I think that this would be a great move for Apple because it would open the door to customers who would have never considered Apple before. So what if it upset a few mac loyalists and developers. The truth is a transition to Intel chips can only be good for Apple.

By coffin, I meant that Apple has really put a lot of anxiety and frustration in Mac users in the past few years with the switch to Mac OS X, the Motorola disaster and now the supposed IBM disaster as far as not providing as promised.

They have been doing well but to throw something else into this ride for us long term Mac users would really hurt them. This Intel thing would also give a huge reaction to users like me. How many are there, I have no clue but I'm sure I'm not the absolute only one.

While PCIe, DDR2, dual-core, 3GHz+, Blu-Ray, ... would be nice, I'm not going to start a world-war against Apple for it. While the dual 2.7GHz Power Mac G5 may not be the quickest in the personal computer world, it certainly isn't slow. For many of the users complaining, they wouldn't be happy [for long] if Apple released quad-core 4GHz tomorrow and as long as they don't take some sappy (IMHO) road to something like Intel, which goes against many things Apple and its customers stand for, than I'll almost always be happy.

Mac OS [X] is huge but there is a lot to be said about the hardware experience as well, you mess with that too much...BOOM!..You lose it.

One of the reasons Windows is a very difficult OS is drivers. So many hardware choices, especially primary items like motherboards, microprocessors, graphics accelerators, ... , make it an extra [and sometimes huge] pain to deal with finding. Another thing is legacy. WTF are PCs still using PS/2 and Parallel ports for?!? They strive way too much for backwards compatibility and it hurts their innovation extremely.

Anywho...

That's my take / rant.

 

[isaacc7]

Who cares?

I really really really don't understand all the angst. The important things are OS X, great hardware, and staying competitive. Who cares what engine they are using? The 4 big "problems" so far have been:

1) "Intel sucks! I'll never use a computer with Intel, it'll be the last Apple product I ever buy!" This is the most ridiculous, and easiest "problem" to deal with. How exactly would an Intel chip limit you if OS X was seemlessly ported?

2) PPC is what sets Apple apart. Maybe, but then so would the endless complaining about processor speeds and the inability to keep up with Intel and AMD, especially in regards to laptops. Think about it, Apple having demonstatively better processors has been the exception rather than the rule. From time to time, Apple will come out with a processor that is a big step ahead, but then the advancements always slow down to the point where the other companies offer better chips. If Apple can keep the usability the way it is but use a "better" chip, why wouldn't you want that?

3) If Apple goes to x86, all the current software will not work properly, I don't want to have to buy everything all over again! First, there is nothing firm about them going to x86, and if they did, why would it be any different from when they switched architectures back in the day? Apple took care of us back then, and they'll do it now.

4) The value of my computer will drop like a stone. Umm, its a computer, not an investment, welcome to the world of technology. Keep in mind that one of the reasons that regular computers devalue so quickly is that the rate of advances is so fast. That's a good thing...

Seriously, people are acting as though Steve et al haven't thought of any of this. The most obvious ting is that there is a benefit (most likely a large one) for Apple to do this, otherwise they wouldn't do it. Do you really think that Steve sits around thinking" Hmm, I think we'll switch CPU manufacturers to piss off people, downgrade the performance and security of our machines, kill our business, and make all of our developers run away..." Get real, Seve sees big things ahead, and he's in a much better place to evaluate things than any poster on this board. Goodbye the the G4 and it's limited fronside bus! Goodbye to limited supply! Goodbye to the windows world's technology r&D budget advantages! This is great news for Apple!

Isaac

 

[animefan_1]

But if there were no Apple/Intel deal, TS would still be hearing nothing. How can you distinguish between those 2 possibilities?

There could be nothing to this supposed rumor and we could all be getting worked up for nothing.

24 1/2 hours to the Keynote (is someone going to do a countdown)?

 

[jwhitnah]

Tacky Badges

There could be nothing to this supposed rumor and we could all be getting worked up for nothing.

24 1/2 hours to the Keynote (is someone going to do a countdown)?

So if they did go with intel, would mac come with tacky badges?

 

[iMeowbot]

something is very wrong here... apple using intel chips microsoft using powerpc ibm chips... what is happening??

And Microsoft have big legal problems in Europe right now. OS X on Intel could be a way for them to preserve applications sales if the Commission slams them hard on the Windows front.

 

[calyxman]

I'm checking for mention of this in either Nostradamus' writings or Revelations as we speak. This is surely a sign of the end of days.

LOL. Oh so you're saying in short time Cupertino will look like this??

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

But if there were no Apple/Intel deal, TS would still be hearing nothing. How can you distinguish between those 2 possibilities?

This Think Secret "thing" is quite boggling and for once, helpless.

1) Think Secret isn't saying anything because they know it is bullplop
2) Think Secret isn't saying anything because they have a boat load of Apple hitman persuading them to be silent about this, and it is true

 

[fitinferno]

4) The value of my computer will drop like a stone. Umm, its a computer, not an investment, welcome to the world of technology. Keep in mind that one of the reasons that regular computers devalue so quickly is that the rate of advances is so fast. That's a good thing...
Isaac

Actually, I have traditionally seen my Mac as an investment. Not only does it help me to be more productive (especially in procrastination) but it holds its value which is something I love. It means that I can afford to get a new computer instead of have the same old computer for 7 years. If the value of the computer drops and I no longer have the money of my old computer to go towards my new computer...whew...I'm gonna have my old computer for such a long time....

 

[shawnce]

Why wouldn't it make sense???
Mac on x86 (all bad):

- Developer and user fallout from another platform shift so soon after OS X.
- Poor hardware sales as the transition takes place.
- Software ports always suck, the early adopters would get burned and everyone else would abandon Apple.
- This idea is complicated and does nothing good for Apple. Nothing!

Well it could do some good... if done right it could allow you to buy a Mac that is running Mac OS X that also has the ability to run Windows software at native speeds (no emulation of instructions just emulation of Windows APIs, aka WINE).

This could allow Apple to sell more easily into Wintel heavy markets since it avoids the extra expense of buying software to replace Windows software currently used and the associated retraining of personnel (often this is much more of an expense then buying hardware). It would allow companies to buy Apple hardware, start using Mac OS X (the more likely goal) and switch legacy software to Mac OS X native software at their leisure.

 

[Macmadant]

don't do it apple

if apple do switch my loyalty will be gone i'll stick with my g4 for the rest of my life

 

[DPazdanISU]

I'm checking for mention of this in either Nostradamus' writings or Revelations as we speak. This is surely a sign of the end of days.

K I'll look into the Bible Codes to see if there's anything about it. Maybe a 2005 WWDC APPLE INTEL HELL UNLEASHED...

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

IBM opened up PowerPC two years ago. Intel missed the boat on all three new game consoles. Wouldn't you want to enter the PPC market if you were Intel? Wouldn't you jump on the occasion of proving yourself with all the Mac lines so you can bid on future consoles production runs?

My thoughts exactly.... that is the only scenario making sense