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When Powerbooks do go dual core...
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You don't really think they will use the same processor? Apple may end up using a dual core processor in its mobile range, but that doesn't mean you wont see faster processors and more of them in the desktops. The PowerBook is still a portable and it has to suffer all of the limitations that come with batteries and battery life, unless you want them to build a PowerBook with a 10 minute Alienware battery life.
I think it may be reasonable to expect some applications to perform on the
level of current dual processor desktops, so you will be able to do more
work faster or at least more efficiently.
Another difference is that these new processors will hopefully run much
cooler using less power, so that will help with battery life.
We might also see improvements in graphics if they develop better
methods of increasing dedicated video RAM without adding excessive heat
and power consumption.
I'm also pretty sure that most laptops will use improved HD displays
across the lineup.
If previous speculation becomes reality, you may also see dual boot and
triple capabilites allowing the user complete freedom of choice to run
ANY application they need to get their work done.
These improvements may not all come at once, but the next two years
should be amazing.
level of current dual processor desktops, so you will be able to do more
work faster or at least more efficiently.
Another difference is that these new processors will hopefully run much
cooler using less power, so that will help with battery life.
We might also see improvements in graphics if they develop better
methods of increasing dedicated video RAM without adding excessive heat
and power consumption.
I'm also pretty sure that most laptops will use improved HD displays
across the lineup.
If previous speculation becomes reality, you may also see dual boot and
triple capabilites allowing the user complete freedom of choice to run
ANY application they need to get their work done.
These improvements may not all come at once, but the next two years
should be amazing.
1 - Desktops are most of the time easier to upgrade
2 - Desktops are cheaper than portables - if everything evened out, you'll still fork out more money for the portables
3 - Portables' battery space restrictions make it hard to have new hardware - e.g. better video cards, better hard drives, etc.
As for the video card thing - what they could do is maybe look back at an older technology with older video cards. They had the ..WRAM... WDRAM...???... see its old I don't even know what its called it was installable RAM on the video card. But put aluminum around the RAM with fans around it and a liquid panel that sits on top of the RAM. Overclock standard RAM such as DDR2 RAM to 733MHz, and have that be the main RAM for the VRAM. Setup a dual bus channel so that data rates are used to an optimum level, set the card up to where it accepts 3 different speeds of RAM, 533, 400, 333. Have it only upgradeable on one module. Setup another module that would flip the cache from the RAM module to built onboard RAM to increase speeds... Here's it more simply:
Cool Video card sufficiently - liquid panels, fans, and aluminum casing
Use DDR2 SDRAM as a VRAM RAM Module but overclock it (hence cooling)
Setup at least 128MB cache to flip VRAM RAM Module (VRAMRM) to the standard build on VRAM.
Use dual bus channels.
Accept only certain speeds of RAM
Could they do that?
2 - Desktops are cheaper than portables - if everything evened out, you'll still fork out more money for the portables
3 - Portables' battery space restrictions make it hard to have new hardware - e.g. better video cards, better hard drives, etc.
As for the video card thing - what they could do is maybe look back at an older technology with older video cards. They had the ..WRAM... WDRAM...???... see its old I don't even know what its called it was installable RAM on the video card. But put aluminum around the RAM with fans around it and a liquid panel that sits on top of the RAM. Overclock standard RAM such as DDR2 RAM to 733MHz, and have that be the main RAM for the VRAM. Setup a dual bus channel so that data rates are used to an optimum level, set the card up to where it accepts 3 different speeds of RAM, 533, 400, 333. Have it only upgradeable on one module. Setup another module that would flip the cache from the RAM module to built onboard RAM to increase speeds... Here's it more simply:
Cool Video card sufficiently - liquid panels, fans, and aluminum casing
Use DDR2 SDRAM as a VRAM RAM Module but overclock it (hence cooling)
Setup at least 128MB cache to flip VRAM RAM Module (VRAMRM) to the standard build on VRAM.
Use dual bus channels.
Accept only certain speeds of RAM
Could they do that?
Desktops will always be ahead, if only for Intel and Apple to differentiate and not cannibalize sale.
Desktops will always have the advantage of unlimited power and better cooling. Even as the new Intel CPU's get better performance per watt, you can still stick a more powerful CPU in a desktop.
Desktops will always have the advantage of unlimited power and better cooling. Even as the new Intel CPU's get better performance per watt, you can still stick a more powerful CPU in a desktop.
The main reason is power consumption. If we had an infinite power source, the next thing we'd be looking at is heat output. If we had both of those under control, Portables would be as powerful as desktops, but its power consumption that is holding portables back.
risc said:
No doubt there will be different processors for desktops and mobiles, but from the recent Anantech reviews the Yonah came REALLY close of the AMD64 X2 CPU running at the same clock speed.
I really wonder what Intel will do for their desktop chips based on the Pentium M.
It's quite possible that the whole PowerMac range will shift to quad-core processors known as Kentsfield (65nm) and 8-core processors known as Yorkfield (45nm).
http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/12/04/intel_roadmap_update_12_2005/index.html
http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/12/04/intel_roadmap_update_12_2005/index.html