Page 1 of Trying to understand the New Intel in a MAC deal....

I don`t understand why this is a huge deal, and what the benefits would be? thanks!

In a nutshell , faster machines.

The story last year was that IBM didnt want to spend time and money to develop new chips for the Apple range now that they have orders for the 3 consoles, so Apple looked for a new supplier.

Also, from what I`ve been told before, Apple were never going to be able to fit a G5 into a laptop.

IBM weren`t going to bother developing a G5 processor for use in laptops (ie low power usage) because of costs. So Apple did a deal to use Intel chips, faster for lower power (and heat). But I think they just use the chips, they design all the rest of the hardware including the motherboards (not sure about the mb chipset). And of course Intel make a lot of processors, so probably better deal...

This item was edited on Friday, 20th January 2006, 18:46

It means faster Macs! We`re going to see incredible performance on the pro machines as well as consumer ones. Macs have been using PowerPC chips for ages, which are different to the Intels and AMDs. The way I see it, the switch to the same CPU as a lot of Windows machines also means that more developers may develop for a Mac as well as Windows PC in parallel since a lot of people are switching to Mac. More games, more software, perhaps more `stuff` in general.

Yeah, from what I read/heard, Apple wanted faster processors, lower power consumption etc but no further development was forthcoming from IBM. Intel had a better roadmap for future processors and chipsets hence the Apple switch.

The new Intel MacBook Pros and iMacs use the new Core Duo processor and parts of the Intel chipset on its motherboards. I`m not sure if the m/b are Intel`s or Apple`s own custom design.

All in all I think it`s a good move as it`ll deliver improved performance whilst still running OS X. As much as I`d like to have a MacBook Pro to play with I`ll stick with my PowerBook G4 for at least another year before getting a new Mac. :-)

Anil
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Anil Khedun
DVD Reviewer
The UK`s BIGGEST Online DVD Magazine!

This item was edited on Saturday, 21st January 2006, 18:33

Is anyone here going to be getting a MacBook then? I`m goign to to be going for it next month when they are released. Been holding off for ages but now seems the time. Seems like a silly question, but will there be any new compatibility with PC apps/games due to the new processers?

[vils advocate mode] The way I see it, the switch to the same CPU as a lot of Windows machines also means that more developers may develop for a Mac as well as Windows PC[/devils advocate mode]

then why not just buy a pc ;)

Quote:
then why not just buy a pc

Chris, you love to stir it up! :-) Because a Mac, in my view, gives a far better user experience than the equivalent Windows PC. Build quality is better than most, the hardware is fixed (to a degree) which gives a more stable platform for developers to write for (and fewer problems for end users), the consistency in applications makes it easier to use, and of course styling. All new Macs come pre-installed with iLife, which is better than any equivalent software bundle I`ve seen on Windows PCs.

Of course this is my opinion from owning my own Mac for about a year. This isn`t meant to take anything away from Windows users though. At the end of the day you buy the machine you need for the job, right? My previous Windows desktop was rock solid and fast, but I wanted a Mac for video editing as there`s nothing on Windows to touch the likes of Final Cut Pro. I sold the Windows desktop.

I currently have a PowerBook 15" and an Acer TravelMate on my desk. Hands down I use the Mac everyday.

Quote:
but will there be any new compatibility with PC apps/games due to the new processers

No. This is because of the different operating systems. Windows and Mac OSX aren`t compatible with one another so games/apps have to be written to Intel/OSX for Mac, while you have Intel, AMD and other cpus running Windows.

I`d like a MacBook Pro but since I only bought my PowerBook about a year ago I`m going to hold on to it for another year. It serves me well for all my video editing/writing.

:-)

Anil
___________________________________________________
Anil Khedun
DVD Reviewer
The UK`s BIGGEST Online DVD Magazine!

So should I get one immediately then, or wait for a few weeks to see if there are any teething problems? Really looking forward to getting one, but its going to cost me BIG bucks unfortunately. I really feel I need one for my job though, and Final Cut is the way forward when it comes to editing. It`s a straight fight between that and Avid and the latter systems will undoubtedly be phased out within the next 10 years by the looks of things.

Chris, you love to stir it up!

[kenny everate mode] all in the best paawsaberl tayste [/kenny everate mode]

all i really meant is that mac hardware seems to be unifying towards standard pc`s, & tbh thats not a bad thing, after all did you know there are more 3rd party linux drivers than there are mac equivilents ? (ie, gfx cards scanners, printers etc) using macOS around a standard pc`s base makes brilliant business sense, & makes wider compatabilty with easier reach (tho maybe not in this generation of cpu as it`s still the "apple" core design)

Build quality is better than most

horses for courses :) there are many more well built "off the peg" pc`s than there are macs, but because it`s a much more open market there are always duffers, i tend to build my own pc`s so i always get good build quality :)

imo, the bigest strength of a mac is the OS & if moving towards more standard cpu`s etc means faster more powerfull macOS pc`s then surely thats a good thing ?