Apple to start using INTEL chip......

[Shooshie]

Just talked to MOTU tech support. They can't say anything, of course, but I could tell they're a little concerned (and they handled it very diplomatically, without offering any opinions). But they're more than a little concerned. They're "hoping for the best."

I asked to PLEASE run the request up the ladder to be a little more open with us this time around. Communication will be ESSENTIAL if MOTU is going to survive this switch, because they're going to have defectors this time. Whoever keeps us informed will be the one we go to. After all, if we have to spend the money, anyway, why not go for a competitive upgrade?

Shooshie

<small>[ June 06, 2005, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: Shooshie ]</small>

[emulatorloo]

Originally posted by Shooshie:

If you think your MOTU hardware is going to just plug into an Intel box with OSX running on it, and work just like it does now, then I've got some Florida real estate

Shooshie, get back to me after Steve Jobs announces that G5 Machines are being discontinued.

Let me make a prediction. . .that announcement will not be coming for a long long long long while. It certainlly won't be today.

Apple still ships G4 machines today, and how many years now has it been since the G5 introduced? How long did it take for g3s to disappear from apple lineup? How long for 60x? and so on and so on.

If there are Mactel Macs, so be it. We are a long ways out. There will still be G5 macs.

(and as an aside, you seem to now assume that Apple would open up OS X to any old intel junk machine maker -- I do not beleive there is anything in the rumors to warrant that assumption -- Apple-branded designed intel machines are what is being rumored, w the same quality control of current offerings).

<small>[ June 06, 2005, 07:09 AM: Message edited by: emulatorloo ]</small>

[motumacman]

Apple has had Marklar around for quite a while... For those that dont know Marklar is a version of os x that runs on intel processors, so they have been thinking about this for a while, im just like why now...?

[glmusic]

I don't think it matters much which chip is in the box. Apple is not going to sacrifice compatibility. Plugging in my metric halo 2882 into an Apple box with an intel chip will work just like it does now. Apple is a platform and the chip that runs it is meaningless to me. The transition will be smooth and fairly painless as many have pointed out. It will be a gradual shift over a period of years, not months. Not only that, but Tiger will be running on G5 and G4 chips as long as those boxes last. Software development, if rumors are true of some type of bridge software enabling this switch, will require little to no recoding of existing software. Apple has other fish to fry in order to grow market share and Jobs has created an end user computing experience that transcends the hardware it runs on. The Mac faithful will stay and this move will ensure the long term competitive hardware edge Apple needs in their laptops and towers right now. It's all good.

[Shooshie]

Originally posted by emulatorloo:
(and as an aside, you seem to now assume that Apple would open up OS X to any old intel junk machine maker -- I do not beleive there is anything in the rumors to warrant that assumption -- Apple-branded designed intel machines are what is being rumored, w the same quality control of current offerings).

You assume a lot, fellow. And you don't seem to remember recent history. Do you have any recollection of spending thousands of dollars getting your hardware and software situated for OSX? I do. Quality control has nothing to do with it. Design changes as big as this invariably run into little details that obsolete current hardware and software. It all has to be changed. If Jobs pulled this off without MOTU having to rewrite their software and redesign their interface hardware, it would not only be a first, but it would go down as one of the most amazing technological feats in history. Sure, it would be wonderful if all anyone has to do is insert code in slot, and out pops a fully 100% working copy of the same application for "OS TenTel," but when has that happened? It's not going to start now, I assure you.

The only hope for now is that he doesn't go to Intel for Desktops. But even then, we're looking at Intel Laptops, and the same upgrades all around.

Don't tell me not to be alarmed. I feel like being a little upset about this, and I'll damned well be upset if I please. I'm just hoping it doesn't affect us--ever!

Shooshie

[Shooshie]

And for the doubters, it's no longer rumor. It's in every paper and magazine in the country at this moment. It's official: Next year the Intels will go into the smaller machines. In 2007, they'll go into the large machines.

We've got two years at the most until the new processors hit the Apple stores. Get ready for a compatibility fiasco.

Shooshie

[emulatorloo]

Originally posted by Shooshie:

]You assume a lot, fellow. And you don't seem to remember recent history. <snip> Don't tell me not to be alarmed. I feel like being a little upset about this, and I'll damned well be upset if I please. I'm just hoping it doesn't affect us--ever!
Shooshie

Hey, be as upset as you want, if you feel like it! . . . I was just trying to re-assure you and make you feel better, nothing ever happens overnight, as history will tell you.

I guess my perspective might be a little different right now, having coming out of the hospital this week after a pretty dramatic near organ failure type thing. All ok now, and I am feeling damn lucky and happy w yet a third chance at life.

As I figure it, worse case scenario is that I'll need to get a new computer in 3 years or so. Last Friday nite I wasn't so sure I would be around this world at all. . .

Regards

<small>[ June 06, 2005, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: emulatorloo ]</small>

[Morpheo]

I've been reading the whole thread and frankly, what a great way to start a week ! There's everything here: funny stuff, frightening stuff, etc.... But there is one thing that tends to reassure me more than everything else: IF Apple makes the move to intel, it's obviously for a reason, and I bet it's one helluva 'good' reason. So for now, I trust SJ and Apple. Now let's see what happens in a few hours.... btw, we just got a Dual 2.7 THIS MORNING (to replace our QS dual 1 GHz) !!!!!!!! Can't wait to play with that obsolete beast :p

[motumacman]

obsolete... lol aint that the truth

[billf]

Originally posted by emulatorloo:
I DO NOT GET WHY UNICORNATION THINKS THE SKY IS FALLING.

If macs are moving to intel processors, it is going to take more than a day. The transition will be gradual. My guess would be phase out of G4s for an intel chip in mac mini and powerbooks, which ship w iApps, etc, G5s continue on their merry way for a while, and then who knows what will happen. . .I'll be due for a new computer anyway, so whatever. . .

People are freaking out because the memory of the OS9 to X conversion is still fresh in everyone's mind (indeed there are some that have yet to make that leap), and we're dealing with a lot of speculation right now (massive FUD). What is unknown is what happens to G4 and G5 development. If, as according to Cnet, all applications have to be rewritten, then those of us who own G4's and G5's may end up in orphan land. But I can only see that happening if Apple is willing to give a big "FU" to the pro video/graphics/audio market, which I think is unlikely, but we shall see shortly.

One reason panic is premature is that one possible scenario is that the lower end stuff gets x86 chips running the Transitive emulator (assuming it is as good as people say it is), and the higher end Macs maybe getting some new Intel chip based on the PPC specs that runs everything natively, and effectively becomes the G6 generation. that's one way to explain the staggered release schedule reported by Cnet.

So let's revisit this in a little over an hour, because by then we'll know a lot more, and some fears can be put to rest while others will likely arise.

[Zola]

Well, it's official now! jobs confirmed intel chips!

[sdfalk]

I had planned on getting a second mac, but now I'm not so
sure.
Hey I'm sure a dual 2.7ghz mac is great, but my concern is
support for them in the coming years.

[Zola]

what's even weirder is he talked about pentium 4 chips!!!!!

[emulatorloo]

Originally posted by Zola:
Well, it's official now! jobs confirmed intel chips!

Good live coverage here, if you wanna follow along as it happens.

http://live.macobserver.com/article/2005/06/wwdc2005_keynote.shtml

Re Dev tools

<snip>
[1:38 PM] Developers applauded Steve when he said that both processors would be supported for a long time to come, and the core to this will be universal binaries. - posted by Dave

[1:37 PM] In a chart, Coca apps had half the "tweak" time as Xcode, but Steve emphasized that it will be easy. - posted by Dave

[1:37 PM] "Cocoa apps: A few minor tweaks and a recompile, and it just works. Widgets, scripts, and JAva just work." Xcode will take a few more tweaks. - posted by Dave

[1:35 PM] Looking at the developer's apps now. Everyone is on the edge of their seat. - posted by Dave

[1:34 PM] Steve confirmed all this, BTW, by saying the rumors have been true about how Apple had an Intel project. - posted by Dave

[1:33 PM] Today's demonstration has been done entirely on an Intel Mac. Steve is showing us how everything works. - posted by Dave

[1:33 PM] Every project done at Apple has been mandated to work on PowerPC and Intel. - posted by Dave

[1:33 PM] "This has been going on for the last five years." Every release of OS X has been compiled and run on Intel processors. - posted by Dave

<snip>

<small>[ June 06, 2005, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: emulatorloo ]</small>

[croyal]

I agree that all is not lost. I'm sure there'll be some emulation for old (2005!!!) software to run on the new platform - which will be (drum roll please)....

OSX - ta da!!!

And for those of us who hate upgrading CPUs every year anyway- just keep using what you're using now. If it works now it will still work 10 years from now. It's ony gear lust that makes us upgrade when things are already working just fine.

I prefer my G4, but my SE/30 still lets me type letters and use Studio Vision and Sound Designer II software if I have to. All my machines still do what they were originally bought for. I'm going to upgrade to a G5 soon and I have no worries of imagined obsolescence.

Would any of us turn down current work because our current computer is going to be too old in 2 years? No more than we should worry about driving today, knowing full well our cars will be xx miles older in 2 years.

BUT...
If by chance a new Mac CPU is released that completely blows away the G5 ( I mean multiples of 5 faster)- we will all want one- no matter what processor is involved. MOTU and everyone will scramble to write software for it- because such a box could conceivably replace Intel, AMD, etc. Not a competitor but a replacement for all current desktops. And with a Unix/OSX front end, Apple developers will have an easier time than the PC developers trying to jump into the game.

Alas,
Apple's announcement has not even implied such a "scooping" of the industry. Instead- status quo using Intel instead of IBM. All will be fine- or just use what you have. It's the GUI we're used to seeing. Would it really matter if it was a Tandy powered machine running Tiger at G4/5 specs?

Chris