My wife bought a new Powerbook a couple of weeks ago and in the process of getting her setup I was again reminded that the Mac is a really nice computer. I thought I'd go ahead and get one as well... then Apple announced they are switching to Intel chips. Why buy now when I can get the new gen of machines with a better processor next year, so I'm waiting. I must be Apple's worst nightmare come true.
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Jun 08, 2005
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The Intel deal isn't a reason to not buy. They'll always be a better processor next year with any computer you buy on any platform. Unlike MS, Apple is doing it right and the apps are just going to run on either chipset so if you want one don't bother to wait. I have a g4 in a 12" PB and a dual G5 64bit machine and both are super fast for their respective categories and I'm very hard on computers running many apps at once, etc.
Posted by: Ian | Jun 08, 2005 at 01:01 PM
It's one thing to anticipate new versions of existing processor lines, it's another entirely to switch from one processor line to another. Historically, Apple has not handled these transitions well, as was the case with the 68000-to-powerpc transition. It certainly appears that they are pulling out all the stops to reassure developers and ultimately consumers that this will be a smooth transition, but I'll wait and see.
Ironically, the reason why Apple is switching is also a big reason why I'll wait. Lisa's G4 Powerbook offers acceptable performance, but it's definitely not snappy like my Thinkpad X. Apple's inability to get a G5 Powerbook out definitely hurt them in the market. The dual G5 desktop is a great machine, but I'm a laptop buyer.
Posted by: jeff | Jun 08, 2005 at 01:19 PM
Jeff, there will ALWAYS be a "better processor next year". Get one now, that'l save you one year of hassle with virii and spam-trojans. You'll love it, believe me.
Posted by: Frank Koehntopp | Jun 09, 2005 at 12:04 AM
So if someone can spread some light on the subject, why are Mac moving to Intel over IBM PowerPC processors? I thought that the Mac has always been expensive due to it's complex processor, which, as I understand it is far more capable than most/any PC/Intel/AMD processor - especially in terms of multitasking... Can anyone lift the veil on this one?
Posted by: Jordan | Jun 22, 2005 at 10:44 PM
I think you have hit the crux of the marketing dilemma facing Apple. For years they have been saying that the PowerPC is a superior architecture than the Pentium, and now of course they are intent on using the Pentium.
First, it appears that the reason why Apple is going with Intel has less to do with the capabilities of current PowerPC chips and more to do with IBM's capacity to evolve the chip. Apple has been damaged on two fronts, the first being IBM's inability to manufacture the chips in quantities that Apple requires, and secondly by IBM's inability to get a notebook version of the G5 chip into production. Apparently, the heat generated by the G5 has been a issue that notebook designers have been unable to deal with. All the while, Intel is putting out increasingly powerful Pentium chips, demonstrating a path to 64 bits, and equipping laptops with some of the most powerful chips in their product portfolio.
Finally, with regard to the notion that PowerPC is more capable, this is where Apple will most likely tout as fact the notion that it was never the chip that made Macintoshes superior, but the Mac OS which of course will not change with an Intel powered Macintosh.
Posted by: jeff | Jun 24, 2005 at 07:09 AM