Apple is actually switching to Intel CPUs, seems they’ve been compiling OSX for both PowerPC and Intel processors the whole time!! Live coverage here (Reaaaallly slow)
[Later]
- I don’t really care what CPU is in there but it is kinda sad to see Mac’s with Intel chips in there. I won’t complain as long as the ffing sticker doesn’t end up on those beautiful designs.
- Might be fun to compare lameass Windows with OS X on the same chip.
- Well done on contingency thinking Stevo.
- Who the hell but those in dire need will buy a 1.67Ghz Powerbook with 3.xGhz Intel based version soonish? I’m not saying no one, but I’m sure it will hurt sales until then.
- But huhh, Steve, my man, what happened to “64 bits rules! Megahertz aren’t that important! etc. etc.”?
4 Comments
And I just happened to sort of start thinking about being on the market for a laptop and considered maybe, just maybe, switching. Yeah. Really.
Oh well.
It’s all converging.
Martine – It really isn’t the processor, it’s the OS! Ultimately you still have to choose what’s the best platform based on what you need – the software – and also on the user experience.
Personally, for me, I prefer the largely spam-free, spyware/adware/malware/virus-free world of OS X where, similarly, I don’t have to worry that trying some new widget or app will break the system and force me to reinstall.
I also would prefer an Apple Intel machine to any but the best high-end PC. Their reputation for high build / component quality and customer satisfaction is well-earned. As someone who worked in PC repair I can tell you…you get what you pay for.
In any case, Apple will continue to support PowerPC versions of OS X for some time. We will probably see some 3GHz G5s this year, certainly before the transition is complete – and that’s still a long way off. In fact we’re not going to see a single Mactel product until 12 months from now!
The Rosetta layer in the next version means that most vanilla Mac software will run OK, so we won’t have to re-buy all our Adobe and Microsoft apps…thank God…so whatever you buy now will still be a good investment, software-wise.
As the professional Mac observers always say – nothing stands still, If you really need / want a new PowerBook now, go ahead and buy it. MacRumors has a buyer’s guide which keeps track of product line refreshes, if you want advice as to when is the best time to buy the “newest” version.
Apple naturally have their own product schedules. Manufacturing lead times being what they are, they’ve probably “pre-bought” quantities of IBM and Motorola PPC chips in order to meet Q4 production targets for the next rev of iBooks, G5s etc. in time for back-to-school and the holidays. So it’s back to business as usual, at least for the next year or so….nothing to see here…move along!
“If you really need / want a new PowerBook now, go ahead and buy it.”
That’s the problem. “Really need” might be a bit too strong in my case. My system is getting a bit old, I’m running out of hard drive space, I’d like a DVD reader, I’m thinking it might be good to spend money for tax deduction reasons… Do I really NEED it? Not really. But I was tempted. ;-)