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PowerBook To Get Dual-Core G4?

I think that this is good news, but well have to wait to see the specs, benchmarks, and how it compairs to a 1.6 and 1.8 single processor G5.

Here come the "I want a PB G5, or I'm leaving Apple!" 🙄
 
must resist... the urge...must....

Whaaaaaa!! 🙁 where is my Powerbook G5!!!! (stumps feet, and roll on the floor)....

Sorry guys I had to do it... 😀
 
Wow, this is going to push the PB G5 even further back, for at least two more releases. But, this sounds like a pretty good chip if used and executed correctly by Freescale and Apple.
–Chase
 
stoid said:
How does dual-core compare to dual processors?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, it can be FASTER than dual processor. You get the same power as two chips--even dual Velocity Engines--but faster communication between the cores.

As for which is faster, a dual-G4 or a single G5, obviously more details and tests would have to be known. So I'll happily settle for whichever is most power-efficient and runs coolest!

My single-1.25 G4 seems pretty fast to me still.
 
stoid said:
How does dual-core compare to dual processors?
Click to expand...
Very interesting question. I hope someone else can shed more light on this, but I will give my thoughts.

Dual-core advantages:
* Much faster look-up on the other core's cache, or the two cores could possibly even share cache. This will give a similar dual-core setup twice as much available high-speed cache as a dual processor setup.
* Dual-core chips share some circuitry between the cores and take up less space on a silicon wafer in general than two separate cores. This makes a dual-core chip cheaper than two single-cores.
* Dual-core requires less components on the motherboard which also makes dual-core cheaper than dual processors.

Dual-core disadvantages:
* Must share the system bus between the two cores. This could lead to slower memory access. However, the way I understand this, the current dual G5 setup with dual channel memory controllers is only able to put through 2xDDR400 which would only fill a single 800MHz bus anyway. So in reality the bus will be wide enough for two cores.


Conclusion:
Dual-core gives more cache to each core and is cheaper.
 
If IBM has a G5 class chip that will be dual core I don't see any reason why this G4 class dual core would last long in the Apple product cycle (unless the G5 and powerbook case can't coincide due to heat and power consumption). Once those things are sorted out I see no reason why anything would be G4 class which would lead to an all 64 bit OS and applications (eventually).
 
stoid said:
Here's the only Powerbook G5 you are going to find for awhile. 😉
image.php
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I'd rather buy a G3 iBook off of eBay. 😛
 
i have no prbm w/ apple taking their sweet time releasing a G5PB- knowing that the first Rev will have prbms...so long as the physical design goes along well w/ that new display i've got...

a dual G4 would be cool- it'd be something unique-
u know- they could be developing this tech for the ibook- and gonna pop a G5 in the PB anyhow round the same time? just a thought.

either way- they aren't gonna release anything along these lines in the next week so let's get over it-
 
I think this is good news. If Apple has two processors to choose from, that means they have options....and they like options!

If the G4 didn't have a pathetically slow bus, it's quite comparible to the G5 performance.

I personally have more confidence in IBM, and I am glad to see Apple using them.
 
This dual G4 has an onboard memory controller, so the FSB issue goes away. Super low-latency full speed memory access. The processor to processor bus would be 1:1 full speed, leaving the FSB for the other busses in the system, like PCI-E, USB2 etc. I understand that even the Ethernet controller is in the die. So Apple would not only be able to have very fast dual core Powerbooks, but also reduce power consumption and make them even thinner and lighter.
 
IF, and yes I know this is a big if, Freescale can ship these things on schedule, then this may be a perfect near-term solution (maybe a year) before the G5 debuts. If this thing is being unveiled in early October, what's the lag time to full-scale production???

With dual cores, on board memory controller, DDR 2, faster FSB, AND scaling up to 2.0 ghz, this G4 'Extreme' could beat a similarly-clocked G5.

The other issue is heat. With dual cores, can this thing fit into a Powerbook?

A brand PowerBook is right around the corner, in the September-October timeframe. It seems too soon for a dual-core PB to make its debut then, but perhaps a single-core version of the same chip (essentially a higher-clocked G4 with possibly improved bus and memory) could debut.
 
gekko513 said:
However, the way I understand this, the current dual G5 setup with dual channel memory controllers is only able to put through 2xDDR400 which would only fill a single 800MHz bus anyway. So in reality the bus will be wide enough for two cores.

Conclusion:
Dual-core gives more cache to each core and is cheaper.
Click to expand...

I do agree to your conclusion, though, a minor note, 2xDDR400 makes 800 MHz, and since it is double data rate, that makes 1600 MHz. Also I'm not so sure about the G5 having dual-channel memory even though you do have to install it in pairs. Does someone know is it actually dual-channel?

Eager to see what turns up. Dual-core G4 will still take more space than a single G5, IMHO. A probable solution to this is having a single-core one on 12" models but dual-cores on 15" and 17". Who knows...
 
Ah competition! Gotta love it! 😀

Also, this makes me glad I decided to settle for the refurb iBook I bought last week, instead of shelling out for a PowerBook. (I had a feeling something like this might happen) My plan is working too; as predicted, my wife is now addicted to the iBook- giving me the "need" to buy a PowerBook when the next gen ones finally come out so I don't have to take "hers"! 😎
 
If its being announced in October we could definetly be seeing this in early Q1 2005.

I don't think we'll be seeing it before the New Year though.

Remember Dual Cores are only good for single applications if they are written with multiple processors in mind (30% increase). They are also good for running two CPU intensive applications at the same time. However if they aren't clocked significantly higher (I'm presuming they are going to be released in 1.33Ghz to 1.8Ghz models) you won't see a massive speed up in individual applications.

That FSB hike will be great for media encoding applications though 🙂
 
the g4 is going buh-bye as far as apple is concerned (except for the emac for now). we will have a g5 pb soon enough, especially since the new imac will feature a g5. with the imac's new design and i'm assuming from the rumors, a much more compact form factor, they would have had to figure out the heat issues. this will mean liquid cooled g5 powerbooks, i'm guessing in spring/summer of next year.
 
mrsebastian said:
we will have a g5 pb soon enough, especially since the new imac will feature a g5. with the imac's new design and i'm assuming from the rumors, a much more compact form factor, they would have had to figure out the heat issues.
Click to expand...

iMac work is all good R&D and a step in the right direction, I agree.

But an iMac doesn't solve the PowerBook's heat issues. A PB is MUCH smaller and thinner than a 17"-20" iMac, has a battery and keyboard built in, has to use fewer/smaller fans for the sake of battery life (and size, and people's noise perception with a portable vs. desktop). And it's used in different orientations and less-controlled situations that affect cooling. It even has to run (ideally) with the lid closed.

Plus PowerBooks have strict power-consumption needs. iMacs don't.
 
G4 or G5?

All companies at one time or another suffer. Motorolla has had some bad times. Just as Apple did in 1997 under Amelio's (sp) rule. Currently we're facing the very real possibility of a shortage of G5s and further delays of both the new iMac and the PowerMacs. Having an update to the PowerBook with a dual core chip which keeps cost low and maintains performance would be grand. Like other's have posted, choice for Apple is a good thing. If IBM can't deliver the amount of G5s Apple needs, it is in their advantage to have a second chip manufacturer. It also creates innovation between companies as they try to outthink and outdo each-other. Good for future PowerBooks and Apple as a whole. Saying "Motorolla sucks" or "G4? I would rather use an abacus" are not wise in a G5 vacuums. That and the new G4 dual core could keep battery life up over a single G5. It's advantageous.

On a side note: Anyone think that M$ bought up all the G5s from IBM (for a few hundred million in untraceable notes) for their next generation X-Box? (Isn't it rumored to use 3 of them?) Forcing a G5 shortage for Apple to bring them down?
 
stoid said:
Apple works with Motorola, and IBM starts doing neat stuff whilst Motorola spins in the toilet. Apple jumps ship. IBM goes into a tailspin. Motorola starts doing neat stuff. 😱 Murphy's law. You switch lanes in traffic, the faster lane you switched to will grind to a halt and the lane you just got out of starts moving.
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except that the really interesting stuff is coming from ibm. too bad they don't use ibm's 750 chip anymore.
 
excellent

eric_n_dfw said:
Ah competition! Gotta love it! 😀

Also, this makes me glad I decided to settle for the refurb iBook I bought last week, instead of shelling out for a PowerBook. (I had a feeling something like this might happen) My plan is working too; as predicted, my wife is now addicted to the iBook- giving me the "need" to buy a PowerBook when the next gen ones finally come out so I don't have to take "hers"! 😎
Click to expand...

well played rogue...well played indeed 🙂
 
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