intel macs +/-?

shane_mcc

what does everyone think of the new intel macs?

why are they advertised as being twice as fast as the power pc versions when they still run at the same ghz? is it cos the intel is more efficent?
still it'll be a while before i consider getting one, not much software at the moment.
it'd be interesting to see if windows would run on a mac (not that you'd want to) and visa versa, it'd be nice to have osx running on my x86 laptop too.

i'd like to see cheaper ibooks in a 10" form factor

ipod radio is good enough idea, pity its not built in though!

aidan_walsh

shane_mcc wrote:

it'll be a while before i consider getting one, not much software at the moment.

Apple have stated that the x86 version of OS X will be able to run all PPC-compiled software through an emulation.

Personally, its not the software that will bother me, but I think I'll wait and see how the Gen.1 hardware sits for a while first before I consider it. Perhaps then, wait for a mini version to arise.

K.O.Kiki

They're supposed to be faster because:

• They have dual-core processors
• They increased the FSB (finally!)

Oh yeah. And for marketing purposes, obviously!

Dunno if I could live with 12" -- saw the VAIO 10.4", wouldn't wanna rely on that. But agreed on cheaper Macs.

You know what I really want? A laptop with 768x1024 resolution -- ergo, one with a vertical (rotated) screen!

babypink

i rekon they're winners....how tempting is the macbook pro!!!!!!

to chuck in the 12" pb or not??

gonna ponder this for a few days

SouperComputer

why are they advertised as being twice as fast as the power pc versions when they still run at the same ghz? is it cos the intel is more efficent?

Its theoretical marketing goop. But it is fair to say that the intel based machines are more efficiant thermally and computationally. The G4 CPU is pretty old now on the grand scale of things. Having two cores is great, but its not the same as having two CPU's with dedicated RAM and busses for each.

Im not sure about this, but I would say given the age of the G4 CPU, on a single core basis the intel will do more work per cycle. I dont have anything to back that up, just a hunch and I'd love to hear from someone who knows more.

it'd be interesting to see if windows would run on a mac (not that you'd want to) and visa versa, it'd be nice to have osx running on my x86 laptop too

It can already be done with CPU's that support SSE2, ie P4, centrino and athlon64.

Of course it is unauthorised, unlicenced and illegal, but can be done quite easily. Easier than some windows installs TBH if you pick the right hardware.

dub45

shane_mcc wrote:

what does everyone think of the new intel macs?

.......................

ipod radio is good enough idea, pity its not built in though!

Don't mean to divert the thread but its long overdue and surely should be integrated into the ipod? More long leads (if you dont use the Apple headphones) I know several people who wont buy an ipod due to the lack of radio plus it adds another 50 euros to the effective cost.:(

atilladehun

Why buy the imac G5's that are still on sale anybody, at the same price too. maybe the price will drop soon.

dub45

atilladehun wrote:

Why buy the imac G5's that are still on sale anybody, at the same price too. maybe the price will drop soon.

Who would want to be a mac dealer with stocks of the old model on hands?:eek:

shane_mcc

it'd be cool if the new intel macs where black, same shiny plexi case/white apple logo, just black, and if it used the organicLE technology that sony have used on there new mp3player to make it look like there is no screen at all, that would be some sexy mac.
at least you'd know if you were looking at an intel or ppc mac, and i think they'd sell really well too, it'd be 'match the ipod with the mac'.

savemejebus

i wonder what type of price drops we can expect on the g4 and g5 models over the next few months?
I was planning on getting a new ibook in NYC in a couple of weeks but now, i'm not sure of the wisdom of that move.

K.O.Kiki

Well, it's still good (using one now), so just think of it as a lower-powered Mac (like a portable macMini!)

savemejebus

no disputing that , was just thinking that it might be worth waiting a bit now (even losing the saving from the us) so as to see what will happen regarding G4 price drops and also the intel ibooks.

has anyone heard anything about the battery life of the intel machines?

Dr_Teeth

Well they've said that they are going to move all their Macs to intel this year, I guess you have to decide how long you want to wait for a new iBook, or 'Macbook' as it will probably be called.

shane_mcc

i bought an imac g5 at the end of august, and i got it on the day that the new version with the built in isight shipped, which was a downer, but now the intel version!! but i'd say that it'll still be good for the next 2-3 years as most business' (printers etc) wont be upgrading until they have to, i know of a printers that still have a g3 among other machines and are working away happily with it but its not used for anything intensive, just quark and the like. so ppc macs in my eyes are still good for the next few years. the only real reason to upgrade is to run the software more efficantly.

jtsuited

i just bought a g4 PB last month. Damn!!! But i'm sure the apps i'm running will have all sorts of compatibility and performance issues with the new intel macs.
But they really do look fierce fast!!!