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PowerMac Technical Update?

Re: Re: Re: Planned obsolescence?

Originally posted by AidenShaw
So you don't think that it makes sense either?

I just find it very strange that it would be necessary to modify the hardware to support an O/S update.

Unless, perhaps, the whole story is overblown and the new systems merely have a firmware update that will be needed eventually for any PM to run 10.3.
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Gotta keep up, Aiden. Machines were revised (e.g., changing graphics card) leading up to Jaguar's release to improve compatibility, as well. While Jaguar probably runs best on these machines, it works very well with older machines as well. It seems a good bet that these revisions are comparable or more minor than those leading up to Jag.

Assumptions are dangerous--especially when they're negative.

Chris
 
Morley, this here site is all about guesses and assumptions. Total freedom of expression is a necessity. This is the USA.

I have often wondered about why my dual-500 doesn't take to Jaguar as seamlessly as it does on newer computers. Guess it was that bit of tweaking for compatibility that the later models got, and it IS lame. I suppose that's the nature of the development of the Apple computer, so understandable to have to live with, but a bit depressing, considering how expensive these computers are!
 
Originally posted by Fredo Viola
Morley, this here site is all about guesses and assumptions. Total freedom of expression is a necessity. This is the USA.

I have often wondered about why my dual-500 doesn't take to Jaguar as seamlessly as it does on newer computers. Guess it was that bit of tweaking for compatibility that the later models got, and it IS lame. I suppose that's the nature of the development of the Apple computer, so understandable to have to live with, but a bit depressing, considering how expensive these computers are!
Click to expand...

That happens with ALL computers. 5 year old machines will not run Windows XP as well as machines fresh off the assembly line. It is a fact you have to live with the day you purchase your computer.
 
Originally posted by Fredo Viola
Morley, this here site is all about guesses and assumptions. Total freedom of expression is a necessity. This is the USA.

I have often wondered about why my dual-500 doesn't take to Jaguar as seamlessly as it does on newer computers. Guess it was that bit of tweaking for compatibility that the later models got, and it IS lame. I suppose that's the nature of the development of the Apple computer, so understandable to have to live with, but a bit depressing, considering how expensive these computers are!
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting me know the rules, Freda--although I'm not sure what makes you think I was trying to inhibit freedom of expression. I just find negative assumptions to be silly and counterproductive. People make themselves nuts for no reason.

I don't tell anyone not to do it, and I will tell them it is dangerous or silly. Just me expressing myself--which I am sure you would support--living in this here USA. ;)

While you believe it is lame that Jag runs better on a new machine than your older machine, I believe that's normal. I find the same issue with trying to run XP on a machine that's 3 years old.

Chris
 
Morley,

Yep. You're right. Sorry. I dun axprassed the wrong kinda thought and I be sorry ferit. Please axept my humblist apollageez.
 
Re: Re: Planned obsolescence?

Originally posted by rjwill246
Your statement was designed, I know, to instill a little fear into these beloved readers but any rational person would know that Apple is not going to force anyone to buy a new computer in order to upgrade to their revised OS... that really is way over the top, even for a perpetually dyed in the wool Mac basher!
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No, Apple would never do that...:rolleyes:
 
The interesting thing is, why would Apple put out units with this update, unless the upgrade to the 970 were delayed (i.e., the 970-based PMs are coming later than we thought...)?
 
Originally posted by fred_lj
The interesting thing is, why would Apple put out units with this update, unless the upgrade to the 970 were delayed (i.e., the 970-based PMs are coming later than we thought...)?
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Nah, I don't think it necessarily means that. I, rather, look on this as a sign that Panther may be closer than we thought. Perhaps Panther will be ready sooner than September.
 
Originally posted by fred_lj
The interesting thing is, why would Apple put out units with this update, unless the upgrade to the 970 were delayed (i.e., the 970-based PMs are coming later than we thought...)?
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because apple is still selling these machines, and if panther is due to make it's debut before july, machines shipped in may just might be using panther one day...

i'm with the other person who said that this really has Nothing to do with the 970...

and i think we get in this mindset of two things: what we think as a rumor community is gold, and that apple has a really vested interest in what we think.

just because people say that the current g4 is dead doesn't mean apple doesn't sell them, and it certainly doesn't mean they have no power. i've heard so many people trash talking the dual 1.42's, and that has some serious power. and the other thing i see all the time is this idea that apple is trying to mess with our (the rumor community's) heads. umm, reality check?

matt

sorry if i'm a little down right now, just got back from a memorial service :(
 
Panther soon? July-august maybe. 970? MWSF 04.
IMHO,. Remember, year of the lap top?

Goe
 
"Minor" updates by the hundreds...

Over ths life of a shipping product, one with unchanging major specifications, there are literally hundreds of these "quiet, minor updates." A discreet component such as a cap or resistor is reselected, the power supply connector is tweaked to fit a little better, a screw that shows a tendency to loosen gets a squirt of goo to hold it down. A wire here's lengthend a tad, one there's shortened... and so it goes. You never see an Apple announcment about these enhancements, as they're just part of the normal way Apple does things to incrementally improve their products.

You have not seen an Apple announcement about this one, either. You have seen Nick make a big deal out of nothing.

Lord, if I did this, I would have new content on MacWhispers every day of the week: "Apple Replaces #4-32 Screw On PCI Card Bracket With #4-40!!!"

Any change in a product that impacts OS compatibility, or changes a published specification, is ALWAYS announced by Apple. It must be announced to avoid liability issues under FTC and SEC advertising and disclosure guidlines. Thus... no Apple announcement about this, no impact on the present PowerMac's major specs or functionality.
 
A few people seem to not have "read" the article. The "minor update" a common practice in the computer industry for years, including with Apple, has probably been in the development channel for some time. We are just hearing about it as it gets implemented.

It is not required for Panther to run, but "improves" compatibility with Panther in some way. What it entails is not clear.

PowerMac sales are slow, but they have not stopped. The majority of the Mac Community does not follow the "rumor mill" the way we do, and will continue to buy what is available, when they need it.

Now if you had to buy a new or replacement box now, wouldn't you want Apple to make sure it is "up-to-date" and compatible with future products to the greatest reasonable extent possible? We don't yet know the status of possible updates for machines purchased prior.

All this really indicates is that the current PowerMac is probably still in production, if the articles time inference is correct. The 970 will come, the only thing we don't know is when.

Think Secret is cautious about what they post. As mentioned, they are attempting to confirm information they have re: the 970. Let's hope they do so soon. While not 100%, their sources do appear in general to be among the most accurate.

The good news here is that Apple's committment to their customer extends to keeping even a machine that is near end of life, as up to date as reasonable. (Speculation: The change may effect only the final assembly process, not actual parts production) As mentioned, perhaps a firmware update or a minor component change.

Making this change does not mean that something new is NOT coming soon. It merely means that PowerMacs are still being assembled, and are still selling to some degree. Minor revisions are not necessarily costly. They are just a "change" of some aspect of the computer.
 
thanks MacWhispers and Shaktai

... for the perspective.

let's all put the mouse down for a second and chill with the
minor-970-modification-freak-out-session.

you'd think it was the day before christmas, or something : )
 
Originally posted by Goekeli
Panther soon? July-august maybe. 970? MWSF 04.
IMHO,. Remember, year of the lap top?

Goe
Click to expand...

So Apple has these super-fast chips, but Stevie told us this was the year of the laptop so they can't release them? Come 12:01 AM, January 1, 2004, kiss your girl and head to your local Apple Store, cuz the year of the laptop is over. 16-chip 3Ghz Powermacs will be on the shelves! (Also, no Powerbook upgrades in 2004--2004 is the year of the desktop!)

I'm not saying your timeline is wrong, just the reasoning might be a little tainted. Don't get too caught up in some marketing slogan, you Ripper, Mixer, Burner, you!
 
Re: Re: Re: This could be...

{Re: "What would be the point?"}

Originally posted by wallinbl
To create the impression that the 970 was further in the future than WWDC. PowerMacs are probably not selling well right now considering the number of rumors that point to WWDC. The 15" PowerBook is probably also not doing well.
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This is along the lines of what I was thinking.

Logistically, Apple always has to have some sort of product ID# to identify the new models from the old.

Historically, it is public knowledge that these and the EOL's have been sniffed out by the Rumor sites and reported as pre-announced news/evidence.

So the question is if Apple wanted to better conceal a product roll-out, how could they easily go about doing so?

Well, one way is to hide it in plain sight, as a "routine" administrative announcement of a claimed "minor" change percolating through their supply system.

And because they've not specified what the claimed changes are, there is no fraud to get into trouble with the SEC with.

Given Steve's affinity for surprise announcements and his demands for secrecy, it would be logical for Apple to at least consider trying to better conceal supply system details that could be construed as industrial espionage.


-hh
 
Just a thought...

Why would TS post this if it is a minor revision. It seems, on the surface anyway, to be small news. :confused:

IMHO I think that it shows us that the 970 is coming, but not as immediate as some have made us believe. I think that we may see an update at the earliest July more likey in our hands August/September. ;)

Of course anything is possible :p
 
Originally posted by Remus
Just a thought...

Why would TS post this if it is a minor revision. It seems, on the surface anyway, to be small news. :confused:

Click to expand...

It's just news... maybe it's a slow week. I'm surprised so many people are trying to read into it.

Eveything doesn't have to be part of a hidden plan...

arn
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: This could be...

Originally posted by -hh
{Re: "What would be the point?"}



This is along the lines of what I was thinking.

Logistically, Apple always has to have some sort of product ID# to identify the new models from the old.

Historically, it is public knowledge that these and the EOL's have been sniffed out by the Rumor sites and reported as pre-announced news/evidence.

So the question is if Apple wanted to better conceal a product roll-out, how could they easily go about doing so?

Well, one way is to hide it in plain sight, as a "routine" administrative announcement of a claimed "minor" change percolating through their supply system.

And because they've not specified what the claimed changes are, there is no fraud to get into trouble with the SEC with.

Given Steve's affinity for surprise announcements and his demands for secrecy, it would be logical for Apple to at least consider trying to better conceal supply system details that could be construed as industrial espionage.
-hh
Click to expand...


Wow... and I thought the UFOoligists had the circular logic conspiracy theory thing locked up. (not being mean, but, considering what others have said about "the majority" of the apple buying public do not follow rumor sites, then it stands to reason that we are a small bunch. would apple go through all that trouble just to throw us for a loop?)

_f
 
I believe that the only really important thing in this story for me is that ThinkSecret is finally saying that they think the PPC 970 will make it into the Power Mac line. I like this type of confirmation. :)

Beyond this, I doubt anything really matters.

JMHO
 
Not true (to a certain extent...)

Originally posted by dguisinger
That happens with ALL computers. 5 year old machines will not run Windows XP as well as machines fresh off the assembly line. It is a fact you have to live with the day you purchase your computer.
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I believe the opposite; my computer runs much better now, with 10.2, than it did with the original OS, 8.6 (G4/400 Gigabit). It feels faster (albeit not much), it runs even the latest and greatest (such as PS7, DreamWeaver MX, etc.) faster than the OS9 versions -- but this is partially due to OSX vs. OS9.

I use both this G4 and my mom's iMac 800 G4 on a daily basis, and can't feel much of a difference overall, except when rendering in Final Cut or doing heavy processing. I think that Apple does a great job keeping old computers in the loop! :)
 
In the past when Apple has released a new "paid" OS update they have always (at least to the best of my memory) offered free update for computers purchased after x-date, it seems to usually be about three months back. So, I'm wondering if this is a firmware update, and the date these machines ship would wind up being the cut off point for a free OS upgrade...
 
Re: Not true (to a certain extent...)

Originally posted by geerlingguy
I believe the opposite; my computer runs much better now, with 10.2, than it did with the original OS, 8.6 (G4/400 Gigabit). It feels faster (albeit not much), it runs even the latest and greatest (such as PS7, DreamWeaver MX, etc.) faster than the OS9 versions -- but this is partially due to OSX vs. OS9.

I use both this G4 and my mom's iMac 800 G4 on a daily basis, and can't feel much of a difference overall, except when rendering in Final Cut or doing heavy processing. I think that Apple does a great job keeping old computers in the loop! :)
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That is different, you finally got a modern OS that could use your CPU to its fullest.

What I am refering to is the ability for new features to come out that use new hardware better than old.

People who complain are very ignorant....do they assume that computers never change??
 
Hmm!

If this turns out to be true I think we won't see any PPC 970 based Macs anytime soon. If the release of new PM was imminent why would they bother to make these revisions now? Wouldn't they rather try to sell all inventory of existing G4 towers?

It could also be that 970's is so expensive and that they have to keep existing G4 line for mid range configurations. But again doesnt make sense. Existing G4 (choked with 133 mhz archaic bus)can't compete on desktop in any form or incranation.
It's just not CPU of this age and I think it should be burried.RIP!


It makes me angry/sad that Apple folks kept their heads firmly dug into sand for so long now. Its apsolutley pathetic to continue to sell and market existing PM G4 stuff when Intel offerings have 800 FSB with CPU clock speeds exceeding 3 GHZ. Maybe Apple will indeed turn into some sort of media company and abandon desktop altogether. Well in the end who's gonna really care? More and more pros are abandoning Mac platform just because they can get faster/cheaper machines elsewhere to do their work. Imagine if there was no OSX! Its great OS and I think it helped slow down Apple's market share decline somehow.
 
Originally posted by Gyroscope


Its apsolutley pathetic to continue to sell and market existing PM G4 stuff when Intel offerings have 800 FSB with CPU clock speeds exceeding 3 GHZ. Maybe Apple will indeed turn into some sort of media company and abandon desktop altogether.
Click to expand...

Apple is assuredly not going to evolve into a media company. The music store does absolutely nothing to further that cause and of course Apple never intended it to. The constant harping about Intel and AMD blowing Macs away is true only in that the highest and MOST expensive incarnations of these products put the top end Macs in the shadows but for cryin' out loud mate and the rest of you get a grip on reality and that is this: most people DO NOT USE multi Xeon processored computers and when real world Macs are compared to real world Intel stuff, Macs fare very very well. And, the OSX experience cannot be extricated from the comparisons. Look at the security problems that not only plague the Windows platform but the fact is, the security problem is built into Windows and cannot be fixed! So, you certainly can get to Hell faster on the overheated overbeaten P4s... go ahead... Personally I'd rather have efficiency with fun.
 
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