The apple processor is in trouble? This is not good news for a soon-to-be switcher. I've always been warned that Apple could collapse in the near future...oh man now i got doubts!
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This is why i have not switched.I have been interested in macs since the blue bondi.but never had the money.Now i want a pb and i keep hearing the g4 chip is crippled.Its alarming to a pc user wanting to switch with limited funding.
But honnestly, is it or is it not true about the uncertainty of apple's computing future?
Nyprospect are you running intel or AMD right now?
Nyprospect are you running intel or AMD right now?
leftbanke7
macrumors 6502a
crowdaddy said:
It is true, there is uncertainty in Apple's computing future, as there is uncertanity in Microsoft, Dell, AMD, Intel, HP, etc etc.
You really never know what's going to happen. It's technology and it changes quicker than JLo goes through men.
But, outside of Apple being bought out (which is a 10 billion to 1 longshot), Apple will be chugging right along with the rest of them for the forseeable future. So if you want to go buy a Mac, get out there and buy you a Mac.
~Shard~
macrumors P6
I have commented on all of these rumors in far too much detail in their respective rumor threads, so I won't get into repeat discusisons here. All I'll say is, all will be revealed in the next 3 weeks, and I can't wait! I'm taking a couple hours off from work just to watch the keynote from WWDC. 😎
And although a lot will be announced in this next month, G5 PowerBooks won't be, so for those of you delirious G5 PB fans, you'll have to sit tight until 2005! 😉
And although a lot will be announced in this next month, G5 PowerBooks won't be, so for those of you delirious G5 PB fans, you'll have to sit tight until 2005! 😉
adamjay
macrumors 6502a
as an audio professional, i really wish the G5 updates would hurry up.
Ableton has just released the 4th version of its stellar audio software, "Live", and it includes new sequencing tools, altivec optimization (finally), and compatibility with third party VST Instruments.
So, now more than ever do i *need a dual G5. a dual 2GHz G5 would offer a ton of headroom in the new Ableton Live 4 application running simultaneously with NI Reaktor, Reason, and Waves VST Mastering plugins, but currently costs $2999 😱 . a sub-$2,000 price tag for a dual G5 would have me maxing out my credit card right about now.
Ableton has just released the 4th version of its stellar audio software, "Live", and it includes new sequencing tools, altivec optimization (finally), and compatibility with third party VST Instruments.
So, now more than ever do i *need a dual G5. a dual 2GHz G5 would offer a ton of headroom in the new Ableton Live 4 application running simultaneously with NI Reaktor, Reason, and Waves VST Mastering plugins, but currently costs $2999 😱 . a sub-$2,000 price tag for a dual G5 would have me maxing out my credit card right about now.
I have used an amd and im using intel p4 3ghz.Ive read a few threads stating that the g4 chip is crippled .As a potential switcher my intial reaction is to hold my money tighter.
nyprospect said:
Same here, I'm at the cliff but I can't quite make myself jump off. I dunno what can sway me either way at this point.
i keep hearing the g4 cripple line from a lot of people on this forum, but i think its because there are a lot of pro-users posting. i got an eMac, and i game (warcraft) with pc folks just fine, so i'd say, unless you're doing CAD work or whatever on a powerbook (doesnt seem like a cost effective solution), the G4'll be just fine.
Adding tuners to monitors is easy to do, and there are LCD monitors that already offer this. The problem is that nobody wants to use their computer monitor as a TV. Most people will have a TV and a computer in the room and will want to keep them separate, not share them amongst a single monitor.
aussiemac86 said:
Don't be afraid of buying a top of the line G4 PB - it will be 6 to 9 months before a G5 PB can be announced, delivered and initial customer problems surfacing and getting fixed.
I picked up a new fully loaded 15" G4 PB (with the exception of memory) las month and the 1.5 is significantly faster than my old 667 PB. Went with the 1.5 G4 because I need VPC for one proprietary Windows program I must have when traveling and even VPC is very fast. While I think MS will announce a version of VPC that will work with the G5 I also think it will be another 6 months before I would want to try it!
On pre-show releases there are two good reasons to start firing up the releases now. The first is that there won't be sufficient time to spend on a new PM and a G5 iMac within the time frame without taking away discussions on Tiger - which is what the conference goers really want to hear about.
The second is also interesting. Consider a 2.6 and 2.8 dual PM available immediately and a 3.0 available in a month announced this week, with a new generation iMac 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 announced next week. At the WWDC Steve J can talk more about sales and backorders than the details of the boxes - especially if there are new displays available with the PM and integrated into the iMac. Developers want to know that sales are hot and the new computers are blowing out the door.
The other option I see is that the faster PMs are announced before WWDC with the G5 iMac being in the spotlight at the WWDC.
For me the key of the iMac is that it not only has a G5 (2.0 & higher), but also a lot of the speed related technology from the PM. It needs to address the single processor market with the same vigor as the PM is going to address the dual market.
iPods have a chance if they go with the color 40 gig f=range now and then bump it up to 60 gigs in October for Christmas trading. Otherwise I don't see that before or at WWDC.
Developers and Wall Street are expecting some excitement from Apple (and delivery from IBM) at, or before, WWDC and I don't think that Apple is going to disappoint.
I picked up a new fully loaded 15" G4 PB (with the exception of memory) las month and the 1.5 is significantly faster than my old 667 PB. Went with the 1.5 G4 because I need VPC for one proprietary Windows program I must have when traveling and even VPC is very fast. While I think MS will announce a version of VPC that will work with the G5 I also think it will be another 6 months before I would want to try it!
On pre-show releases there are two good reasons to start firing up the releases now. The first is that there won't be sufficient time to spend on a new PM and a G5 iMac within the time frame without taking away discussions on Tiger - which is what the conference goers really want to hear about.
The second is also interesting. Consider a 2.6 and 2.8 dual PM available immediately and a 3.0 available in a month announced this week, with a new generation iMac 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 announced next week. At the WWDC Steve J can talk more about sales and backorders than the details of the boxes - especially if there are new displays available with the PM and integrated into the iMac. Developers want to know that sales are hot and the new computers are blowing out the door.
The other option I see is that the faster PMs are announced before WWDC with the G5 iMac being in the spotlight at the WWDC.
For me the key of the iMac is that it not only has a G5 (2.0 & higher), but also a lot of the speed related technology from the PM. It needs to address the single processor market with the same vigor as the PM is going to address the dual market.
iPods have a chance if they go with the color 40 gig f=range now and then bump it up to 60 gigs in October for Christmas trading. Otherwise I don't see that before or at WWDC.
Developers and Wall Street are expecting some excitement from Apple (and delivery from IBM) at, or before, WWDC and I don't think that Apple is going to disappoint.
For both of you...You need to decide what is best for YOU. Why would you consider getting a mac? Cost? Performance? Usability? It's your call. I could give you a million (ok, about twenty) reasons right now to try to convince you to go Apple, but some are very subjective. I could also give you a few as to why you ought not to go with Apple. But they depend on your particular situation/needs.crowdaddy said:
Don't buy and then have regrets. That would be a waste. I'll tell you now, I can say I'm thrilled to work only on Macintoshes. And along with the 35,114 other members on THIS board alone, we can't ALL be wrong.
The best to ya!
Home Run! Thank you for stepping up to the plate and swinging. Couldn't have said it better.leftbanke7 said:
Back on topic: (sorry) I think what other's have been saying about Steve wanting to spread out the new stuff over a coupla weeks is right. But then again, when was the last time he actually said, "oh, and one more thing..."? Before the flatpanel iMac for sure. Anyone know? Bueller...Bueller...Bueller? 😉
How versatile can the iMac get with its current consolidated design? I'd jump for an iMac in a second if it had room for a top of the line video card. I feel that is the only thing missing right now. With a videocard gaming on the imac would be a lot more enjoyable and with the added performance the range of games playable on the imac would be increased.
mj_1903
macrumors 6502a
Personally I have a 1ghz G4 15.2" PowerBook and have used a G5. There is light and day between the machines, but I still manage to get a lot of work done and at my pace with my PowerBook.
Nevertheless, I will be buying a G5 as soon as they are announced because the speed difference should be worth it with regards to compile times and testing as neither are optimized for altivec, so raw power is more important.
The G4 is not 'crippled'. In fact, of either chip are crippled its the G5. It's altivec unit is a hack, not a proper implementation. It still happily flogs many a chip on the market though, and that goes for the G4 as well.
Nevertheless, I will be buying a G5 as soon as they are announced because the speed difference should be worth it with regards to compile times and testing as neither are optimized for altivec, so raw power is more important.
The G4 is not 'crippled'. In fact, of either chip are crippled its the G5. It's altivec unit is a hack, not a proper implementation. It still happily flogs many a chip on the market though, and that goes for the G4 as well.
crowdaddy said:
Yes, I have the same problem with buying a imac, no video card upgrade. That's why I going to buy a new PowerMac G5. Although I think I'll wait till the winter, a few months after releasing a new computer, they sometimes drop the price and offer some bundled savings. That's how I bought my PowerBook.
AT71 said:
iPods aren't going to happen for a while, not at least until they have a new design ready to implement and/or the drives are ready to be mass produced. Apple is so strong right now with iPods, they don't have a reason to change anything until the demand is lower and/or they have a more effective design.
Chase
You got that right!stoid said:
Even if Apple "can't" lower the price a lot, they need to update the design of them.
imgmkr
macrumors member
iMac G5 coming soon!
and i heard it thru grapevine that it's gonna be a headless 😉
hence affordable one. i can't wait to see its new design though...
what Mr. Ive could do to top a previous design of iMac? hmmm 😉
perhaps that chameleon transluscent case? well, we'll see~
and i hear this wireless firewire technology... i guess it could
go hand in hand with headless iMac G5 as an very expensive
option 😉
and i heard it thru grapevine that it's gonna be a headless 😉
hence affordable one. i can't wait to see its new design though...
what Mr. Ive could do to top a previous design of iMac? hmmm 😉
perhaps that chameleon transluscent case? well, we'll see~
and i hear this wireless firewire technology... i guess it could
go hand in hand with headless iMac G5 as an very expensive
option 😉
SiliconAddict
macrumors 603
leftbanke7 said:
Ya right. If I was a betting man I'd bet on a set of companies that own 95% of a market vs. a company that at best owns somewhere in the ballpark of 3-5%. I mean really. If this wasnt Apple and we were talking say a series of grocery store chains who would you bet on with the above stats? No its because its the great Apple that everyone believes that they will be around forever. And yes people have been predicting the demise of Apple for god knows how long. They were all wrong but they havent been wrong about one thing. Zero market share growth. Unless Apple changes how they distribute computers there is zero chance of catching market share. Catching new users yes. New market share no. Apple could hardly stay on top of the demand for the G5 PowerMac. Do you think Dell, Sony, Gateway have that kind of problem? So when Apple gets to less then 1% market share do you think anyone outside of fans of Apple will give a care in the world about Apple? Would you commit your fortune 500 company to a company that has less then 1% of the market? And if you say yes you are a flat out liar. As it stands Apple is in a precarious position. That position isnt going to keep me away from Apple, yet, but I know a whole heck of a lot of people where its a concern. I will only get concerned when more of the larger players that develop software for the Mac call it quits. If Adobe totally folds up shop on the Mac then I would question if I should even be considering the Mac. Until that day its still a viable platform.
Folks, lets not sugar coat Apple predicament. You can play all the games you want with numbers, specs, sales, stats, and whatnot but at the end of the day Apple isnt growing in the computer market by any leaps and bounds. When I see even a 2% growth over a 2 year period then I will believe that Apple is on the right track. Until that time I will remain pessimistic about the future of the Apple at least when it comes to computers. Ive done my part by sending people to the Apple store when that ask about computers at work but the occasional stray computer user being sent into the Apple store isnt going to save Apples hide. Home appliances are another matter. I really believe that Apple has a potentially bright future in home electronics so much so that they are going to give Sony a serious run for their money. I would dearly love to see what Apple could do with a smart TV, or a DVR, or a cellphone, or even a cordless home phone. They know how to create some dang fine devices. Even more so then Sony. Am I right? Am I wrong? Dont know. Dont care. Its just an opinion at this point. I want to see Apple do well but as it stands, IMHO, they arent at least enough for me to breath a sigh of relief.
Product releases have come as such a pathetically slow pace that it borders on insane. I know of no company in the PC world that releases a desktop once per year. And the same could be said of Apples laptops. Sure they have given us some speedbumps but its nothing new. Nothing drastically different. This is supposedly THE innovative company. What true innovations have you seen in the PowerBooks as of late? Reading the tech manuals of the 17 and 15 PowerBooks I dont seen anything that innovatively different between that and the PC counterparts other then the form factor and that has changed drastically in the last year due to the Pentium M. In fact the only thing that Ive seen is DVD-R, RW, [insert whatever flavor it supports here] support that Apple still leads in but beyond that? Every time I hack on Apple I feel like a X Files quote, I WANT TO BELIEVE. I really do. But as it stands I need something to believe in. The proverbial UFO sighting. Give me a glimpse of what Apple is capable of at WWDC and then at that Paris gig this fall. Show me I dont have misplaced faith in this company.
In short: Make me a believer. As it stands. *shrugs* I cant get excited about Apple since there isnt anything out there to get excited about.
Analog Kid
macrumors G3
aswitcher said:
I agree on the iPod (with the current battery life you'll want to charge it every chance you get, so if it's docked, may as well power it), but I think the DV Camera would be a great application.
They're finally starting to put video-in ports on the front of TV's so people don't need to go digging around behind them to watch what's on the camera. No wires at all would be a great advantage for something like iMovie. In general, it's easier to find a wall outlet to plug in a charger than it is to get to the cabling ports on most machines.
Another application-- before I checked here I was sitting on my couch playing with iMovie. Powerbook doesn't have a big enough drive so I've got an external firewire drive plugged in. Stood up and the cable got wrapped around my leg and yanked out of the PB. Yeah, I'm clumsy, but just having the drive plugged into the wall and sitting on the couch next to me would be a lot easier.
Then there's the whole rats nest behind my iMac. Such an elegant machine but by the time I've got my Firewire CD burner, two FW hard disks, printer, flat bed scanner, film scanner, XD card reader, microphone and iPod plugged in it looks like it's sitting in a pile of rubberized Easter grass...
If everything communicated wirelessly it would cut the cable load in half.