May 18th? G5 Updates?

[Gyroscope]

I dont care if G5's don't hit 3 ghz any time soon. They probably won't given recent yield problems at IBM's FK plant. Also can't really understand why people are so obsessed with it. Apple needs an update now. Otherwise it' is almost looking like whole initial G4 fiasco (one whole year without single update) 2.4 ghz G5 would be teriffic update and you have to remember that in dual configuration you'd get 800 mhz increase in speed. Thats no slouch by any means. Latest AMD cpu's just recently reached 2.4 ghz and they are wiping floor with almost anything Intel has to offer. Steve should have kept his mouth shut.

 

[afields]

With all these hardware updates, whats going to happen at WWDC? I'd think they'd save a 3ghz g5 for wwdc.

 

[Skiniftz]

One unsubstantiated rumor submission claims that PowerMac G5 updates will be seen on May 18th.

Few other hints at PowerMac updates have been reported.

I seem to have heard this one before. Lets see - how does it go - May 18th approaches... arrives... and... passes... with no updates, however on May 19th someone has a "definite feeling" that they will be updated next week.

Face it people there is absolutely no way the RevB G5 is going to be even announced until WWDC, let alone ship. If in the unlikely event it does, I will buy one.

 

[freddiecable]

I agree! I don't really understand the complaining about CPU...we got the 2 ghz G5 and I guess Apple will release a quicker CPU as soon as they can...even though it has been quite a while now...since the last update. and I agree with you folks arguing that apple could at least lower the price until the new cpu's "surface"

I dont care if G5's don't hit 3 ghz any time soon. They probably won't given recent yield problems at IBM's FK plant. Also can't really understand why people are so obsessed with it. Apple needs an update now. Otherwise it' is almost looking like whole initial G4 fiasco (one whole year without single update) 2.4 ghz G5 would be teriffic update and you have to remember that in dual configuration you'd get 800 mhz increase in speed. Thats no slouch by any means. Latest AMD cpu's just recently reached 2.4 ghz and they are wiping floor with almost anything Intel has to offer. Steve should have kept his mouth shut.

 

[bertagert]

May 18th is my birthday so I can positively say it won't be on that day. I'm with most on the WWDC release. However, I don't think Apple will be able to give a 3ghz as Steve said. Not his fault. Sometimes things just happen that are out of human control. Shoot an update as early as possible. Even if it only gets to 2.6ghz. At least it would be better than 2ghz.

Second: People that say 3ghz is way too much. Well, I was told that with a 233mhz machine. I still have and use it till this day. However, not much software will run on it at any type of decent speed. So, yes, 3ghz might seem light a lot right now. Give it three or four years and you'll be singing a different tune.

 

[thatwendigo]

get real. if you can make a single processor run at 12 watts, putting 2 in will take at least 24 if not more from random overhead. that's a lot of heat for a laptop proc. plus, think about size. powerbooks are small laptops. fitting two CPUs on a single logic board takes loads of space. it's not going to happen. There will be single G5s in the powerbooks, just face it.

What's wrong with a processor running at 24 watts? The Pentium-M "Centrino" at 1.7ghz is running a robust 26-30w when solidly active, then scaling down to 10w when at an idle of 600mhz. This is on a 400mhz FSB (like the 750vx), and typically using PC2700 RAM (which Apple already does).

So, let's extrapolate a moment. A single G5 970fx at 1.8ghz is roughly 22-30w. Instead of having a lower-clock single chip, you could be pumping two higher clocked chips that are (clock-for-clock) competitively specced with the G5 in a lower heat and power profile. A single 750vx runs at 10-15w when going full bore, has power management that scales it down, possesses over twice the RAM bus of the G4, outperforms its predecessor at roughly 35-40% per clock, and is also a full 25% faster than the current G4s to being with.

In short, you get SMP benefits, a high-clock, low-power chip at 2.0ghz and possibly higher (the 750vx is reported to scale at lower power than the G5), and a far better FSB and memory bus than the existing laptops. On top of that, you neither kill the heat nor the battery profile, though you do increase both somewhat, perhaps equal to putting a single G5 under the hood.

I know what I would rather have, and it doesn't end in the number five.

Ask the people who bought a Mac IIvx. :

Yep.

Unless Apple wants a repeat of the people whining then the 1.8 was made a dual, only an order of magnitude worse, they're going to roll out all at once with a new line. Bumping, then bumping again in two or three months is just asking for it.

I seem to have heard this one before. Lets see - how does it go - May 18th approaches... arrives... and... passes... with no updates, however on May 19th someone has a "definite feeling" that they will be updated next week.

Actually, this is different. The tone of the rumor is that the update is unlikely, though it's being reported because it would be major if it happened. However, Arn pointed out that there was no reason to believe the source in question. Hence "unconfirmed" in the original notice.

 

[ssamani]

This makes no sense at all for a number of reasons.
...
4) Apple quietly released the new PB and iBook lines. It is not Apple's style to quietly update major product lines twice in a row, especially when one of them has the widest profit margin of anything on offer. That's what the other guys do.
...

I think you're forgetting last Jan / Feb when Apple released updates to various products every Tuesday for several weeks. I think that's what we're seeing here. eMac, then laptops, then pro software, then iTunes. Next will come the iMac and the PowerMacs and an outside possibility of the iPod getting updated, though I think that will coincide with the global iPod mini release.

For one reason alone iMac and PM updates have to be soon - the eMac SuperDrive is faster than the one on both those models. WWDC is too far off from the eMac release.

Sanj

 

[Andy B]

Hi,

I'm about to buy a Dual 2gHz G5 for music production. Tripod spoke about Audio Problems with the Dual 1.8, was he talking about external fan noise and is there anything I should be aware of with the Dual 2 gig?

Thanks,

Andy B.
p.s. I've got a Dual 1.25 gHz G4 at the moment at the noise of the fan is INCREDIBLE - someone please tell me that the Dual 2Ghz G5 is nothing like that!

 

[CmdrLaForge]

The problem is is that the "old" g5's are having lots of problems. I'm waiting for rev. B- I don't care what speed they are- I just want one that's more reliable. For a pro audio guy who needs silence-

Question: do you expect you can do recordings on with a PowerMac G5 in the same room ? I am talking about microphone recorddings (obvious)

Cheers

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I seem to have heard this one before. Lets see - how does it go - May 18th approaches... arrives... and... passes... with no updates, however on May 19th someone has a "definite feeling" that they will be updated next week.

Face it people there is absolutely no way the RevB G5 is going to be even announced until WWDC, let alone ship. If in the unlikely event it does, I will buy one.

Second that. Its just a new round of "updates next tuesday!" rumors. Forget it. In the recent past rumors sites had simply no idea whats going on.

 

[thatwendigo]

eMac, then laptops, then pro software, then iTunes. Next will come the iMac and the PowerMacs and an outside possibility of the iPod getting updated, though I think that will coincide with the global iPod mini release.

You probably ought to move those last two off into the "outside possibility" field, too, unless Apple is planning another round of G4 iMacs. They're not going to blow the marketing opportunity for revealing a product at WWDC, and that's what their two main desktop lines are going to be reserved for. We're already seeing a whole host of new, unexpected things from Apple (xSan? Motion?), so I don't doubt that there will be some major softare announcements. It's just that it would be pretty stupid in a logisitics and pricing sense to roll out PowerMacs now, and then against in August, if they keep the promise about chips.

For one reason alone iMac and PM updates have to be soon - the eMac SuperDrive is faster than the one on both those models. WWDC is too far off from the eMac release.

So? All that says is that Apple has 8x Superdrives in enough quantity that they're moving them across the desktop line. It means nothing in terms of imminent release, because having optical drives doesn't mean that they have the chip supplies to move G5s yet.

 

[grouse]

I agree with Beragert

May 18th is my birthday so I can positively say it won't be on that day. I'm with most on the WWDC release. However, I don't think Apple will be able to give a 3ghz as Steve said. Not his fault. Sometimes things just happen that are out of human control. Shoot an update as early as possible. Even if it only gets to 2.6ghz. At least it would be better than 2ghz.

Second: People that say 3ghz is way too much. Well, I was told that with a 233mhz machine. I still have and use it till this day. However, not much software will run on it at any type of decent speed. So, yes, 3ghz might seem light a lot right now. Give it three or four years and you'll be singing a different tune.

Except of course that it's my birthday as well on May 18th as well as the pope's if he lives till then

x

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I seem to have heard this one before. Lets see - how does it go - May 18th approaches... arrives... and... passes... with no updates, however on May 19th someone has a "definite feeling" that they will be updated next week.

Face it people there is absolutely no way the RevB G5 is going to be even announced until WWDC, let alone ship. If in the unlikely event it does, I will buy one.

I couldn't agree more. This seems like just a random G5 update rumor started purely due to lack of rumors on G5 updates recently, with no basis in fact. Therefore, I am NOT expecting G5 updates on May 18.

 

[denm316]

I will still place my bets on WWDC for new Power Mac Rev's

 

[dieselg4]

I will still place my bets on WWDC for new Power Mac Rev's

THis just makes sense to me. Apple and Steve get a lot more free press at an event like WWDC than some phooey date like May 18th (no offense to the birthday people, mine ine May 12th!)

 

[numediaman]

Hi,

I'm about to buy a Dual 2gHz G5 for music production. Tripod spoke about Audio Problems with the Dual 1.8, was he talking about external fan noise and is there anything I should be aware of with the Dual 2 gig?

Thanks,

Andy B.

I strongly recommend spending time on the Apple discussion boards -- the G5 area. There are several issues with the G5s, but the Power Supply is the biggest issue -- though freezes, fan noise and sound output issues are common, as well.

Once you are thoroughly familiar with whatever can arise you should be ready to jump in.

I do a lot of page layot and photo work -- and the G5 is ready now. But I also do some audio and video work -- so at this point I'd rather wait for a rev. b than spend 3 grand on a machine I might end up kicking across the room.

 

[iReilly]

I predict that new Powermacs will appear sooner than that. Probably this coming Tuesday. Maybe even tomorrow. My reason? Just bought a dual 1.8 (was holding out for SOOO long but need it now for a project :-/) So thank me when new ones come out!

Got a decent deal, though -- $1999 (it's new, not refurb) -- only regret is not buying it earlier... hope I don't have fan noises, I'll report back with any problems, but so far the thing is awesome -- just ordered 2 gigs of ram so once that goes in it'll be even better (but even with only 512 mb it's still quite the speedy machine)...

James... How did you get the base price tag of $1999? That is a very reasonable price and I may want to purchase today if I can get that deal too!

thanks,

iReilly

=================================
Dell 3.2 but waiting with cash for my G5...

 

[otter-boy]

It amazes me how spoiled everyone is acting. Honestly, who really needs a 3.0 GHz dual processor machine?

In my opinion a 2.4 GHz model at the top end would be more than acceptable...

A 2.4 GHz would be more than acceptable (as in more than is available now), but it would not be near matching the 3 GHz that Jobs promised by the end of the summer. Since he promised 3 GHz, people will expect it and not be content with a machine operating at 80 percent of that speed.

 

[aggemam]

Plus, I called them and they said the monitors aren't recommended for video or color-critical work. What the hell are they for, email and word processing? And we though apple was overpriced.

Eyegonomic monitors are essentially Samsung LCDs with a nicer design. Isn't that the same Apple does?

 

[Borg3of5]

Eyegonomic monitors are essentially Samsung LCDs with a nicer design. Isn't that the same Apple does?

I was under the same impression. Although Leo Laporte from TechTV's "The Screensavers" said, that he knew for a fact that Apple subcontracts from LG for their LCD's. Apple just slaps on the clear plastic.

As soon as I heard that, I scoured the Internet for LG's website, and found out that their 23"+ display is $3,000. That is why I think that by buying a G5 now, and a 23" HD CD, one is getting a great deal, especially in light of the Brilliant Savings promotion.

 

[shadowfax]

What's wrong with a processor running at 24 watts? The Pentium-M "Centrino" at 1.7ghz is running a robust 26-30w when solidly active, then scaling down to 10w when at an idle of 600mhz. This is on a 400mhz FSB (like the 750vx), and typically using PC2700 RAM (which Apple already does).

So, let's extrapolate a moment. A single G5 970fx at 1.8ghz is roughly 22-30w. Instead of having a lower-clock single chip, you could be pumping two higher clocked chips that are (clock-for-clock) competitively specced with the G5 in a lower heat and power profile. A single 750vx runs at 10-15w when going full bore, has power management that scales it down, possesses over twice the RAM bus of the G4, outperforms its predecessor at roughly 35-40% per clock, and is also a full 25% faster than the current G4s to being with.

In short, you get SMP benefits, a high-clock, low-power chip at 2.0ghz and possibly higher (the 750vx is reported to scale at lower power than the G5), and a far better FSB and memory bus than the existing laptops. On top of that, you neither kill the heat nor the battery profile, though you do increase both somewhat, perhaps equal to putting a single G5 under the hood.

I know what I would rather have, and it doesn't end in the number five.

I never said there wouldn't be advantages to it, but you're still dead wrong if you think it will ever happen. there's still the physical space issue--apple will not put 2 CPUs on a logic board that small--there just isn't room, even with a small chip like that. another issue is that going back to a G3, even if you got better performance, is a marketing disaster.

IBM is working on making the 970s run cooler and faster. they're making headway, although they really screwed up on the latest batch. before long they will have a feasible chip for a laptop, and that is what apple will use.

you should know that people have always been clamoring for DP powerbooks. i have heard it over and over. there's a reason they're always page 2 type rumors.

 

[iriejedi]

4X DVD's on way out?

I've been watching the referb list daily and the G5s come and go quickly (but to date ALL are still 10.2.7 OS machines (with free update 10.3 CD)... BUT what I have noticed is that the 4X DVD media has been in the close out section for a long, long time.... this to me states that when they DO update the G5 it will use 8X DVD drives.

THe G5 rumors have been so weak lately - but I wanted to but in my 2 cents!
just to pass the time



Irie

You probably ought to move those last two off into the "outside possibility" field, too, unless Apple is planning another round of G4 iMacs. They're not going to blow the marketing opportunity for revealing a product at WWDC, and that's what their two main desktop lines are going to be reserved for. We're already seeing a whole host of new, unexpected things from Apple (xSan? Motion?), so I don't doubt that there will be some major softare announcements. It's just that it would be pretty stupid in a logisitics and pricing sense to roll out PowerMacs now, and then against in August, if they keep the promise about chips.



So? All that says is that Apple has 8x Superdrives in enough quantity that they're moving them across the desktop line. It means nothing in terms of imminent release, because having optical drives doesn't mean that they have the chip supplies to move G5s yet.

 

[StudioGuy]

I strongly recommend spending time on the Apple discussion boards -- the G5 area. There are several issues with the G5s, but the Power Supply is the biggest issue -- though freezes, fan noise and sound output issues are common, as well.

Once you are thoroughly familiar with whatever can arise you should be ready to jump in.

I do a lot of page layot and photo work -- and the G5 is ready now. But I also do some audio and video work -- so at this point I'd rather wait for a rev. b than spend 3 grand on a machine I might end up kicking across the room.

Good advice for Andy B! I am also waiting to see what OTHER folks say about the next gen of G5s, since folks with Digi002 systems for example had major noise coming out their outputs, possibly caused by the firewire connection., etc. No need to reiterate here, but studio folks, research first! People have gotten around the issues with additional external hardware, however, and other processor settings. It's more than just the fan noise...

 

[thatwendigo]

I never said there wouldn't be advantages to it, but you're still dead wrong if you think it will ever happen. there's still the physical space issue--apple will not put 2 CPUs on a logic board that small--there just isn't room, even with a small chip like that. another issue is that going back to a G3, even if you got better performance, is a marketing disaster.

Once again, if anyone in the industry would do something this revolutionary, it's Apple. I have faith that they could do it, even if it's only in the larger designs like the 15 and 17-inch powerbooks. Oh, and you say that nobody would ever use an older processor that's been updated with new technology? Funny, but it looks like a very popular processor on the other side of the fence is a previous-generation that's been heavily redesigned to have certain features.

IBM is working on making the 970s run cooler and faster. they're making headway, although they really screwed up on the latest batch. before long they will have a feasible chip for a laptop, and that is what apple will use.

They already have one, and it's called the 750vx. Lower power per clock, lower FSB, higher performance than the G4... Sounds like a real knockout for a laptop chip.

you should know that people have always been clamoring for DP powerbooks. i have heard it over and over. there's a reason they're always page 2 type rumors.

Market forces weren't strong enough to make it a reality. They are now.

I've been watching the referb list daily and the G5s come and go quickly (but to date ALL are still 10.2.7 OS machines (with free update 10.3 CD)... BUT what I have noticed is that the 4X DVD media has been in the close out section for a long, long time.... this to me states that when they DO update the G5 it will use 8X DVD drives.

I tried that route, but it turned out to be about a month or two off on the powerbook refreshes. I fully believe we'll see 8x across the board in desktop machines at the next revision, and that's not what I was arguing against. I just don't think that we're going to see G5s before WWDC.

It doesn't make sense at this point.

 

[shadowfax]

Once again, if anyone in the industry would do something this revolutionary, it's Apple. I have faith that they could do it, even if it's only in the larger designs like the 15 and 17-inch powerbooks. Oh, and you say that nobody would ever use an older processor that's been updated with new technology? Funny, but it looks like a very popular processor on the other side of the fence is a previous-generation that's been heavily redesigned to have certain features.

What are you talking about? they just used the name Centrino there. It still uses the Pentium M processor, one of intel's most innovative NEW processors, ever. sure it's BASED on old stuff, just like the G5 is BASED on PPC architecture present in the G3 and G4... but no, you're mistaken if you think that's just a slightly revamped centrino processor in those notebooks. Furthermore, I'm not saying that no one would ever revert to an old processor, never said that. Just not apple.

They already have one, and it's called the 750vx. Lower power per clock, lower FSB, higher performance than the G4... Sounds like a real knockout for a laptop chip.

maybe so... but why would they waste ALL that work to make a whole new laptop architecture to house the new 750vx and it's snazzy system bus when they are ultimately and soon going to need to put better, cooler running 970 processors in when they arrive in around a year or 18 months? it's foolish, just foolish.

Market forces weren't strong enough to make it a reality. They are now.

There you go talking about market forces... there's more to technology than market forces for one thing, and for another thing, no, they aren't. There is not one single popular laptop anywhere that has 2 CPUs. we will not see dual processors in laptops till they put dual core single CPUs in them, which is probably 2-3 years around the corner. market forces can't make you fit a camel in a needle's eye... and there's really no need to.