Kelly McNeill: IBM to help MOT make G5s

[PookJP]

<a href="http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nf/20020121/tc/15887_1.html" target="_blank">http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nf/20020121/tc/15887_1.html</a>

I found the potential PR problems section particularly interesting.

- Pook

[GK]

If IBM would be the provider of future G5/G6 chips for Apple, there would finally be light at the end of the tunnel. IBM has the capabilities as well as the resources to make more progress in chip development than Moto has been able to in recent years.
:)

[Macintosh]

I do not care who supplies it as long as it hapens sooner rather than later. IBM may be behind the process anyway, supplying Apple with MOT.

[Bogie]

I personally have a higher opinion of IBM chips than Motorola chips. I really just wish someone had access to the AIM Alliance contracts and such so that we really see what the agreements are and who has the ability to do what.

[Powerdoc]

foolish rumor, IBM is going to buy the semi-conductor division of Motorola.

IBM is struggling hard with Intel, in order to take a serious advantage upon his opponement, he is going to buy the semi-conductor division of Motorola.
Motorola has many problems those days with his semi-conductor division.
as a result IBM will be able to show us dramatic G5 chips running above 2 ghz based on SOI 0,13 micron. Further develloppement of the G5 will be on the stage according to IBM.

[Macintosh]

[quote]Originally posted by powerdoc:
<strong>foolish rumor, IBM is going to buy the semi-conductor division of Motorola.

IBM is struggling hard with Intel, in order to take a serious advantage upon his opponement, he is going to buy the semi-conductor division of Motorola.
Motorola has many problems those days with his semi-conductor division.
as a result IBM will be able to show us dramatic G5 chips running above 2 ghz based on SOI 0,13 micron. Further develloppement of the G5 will be on the stage according to IBM.</strong><hr></blockquote>

mmmmm...I...B...M...
;)

[AirSluf]

[Jet Powers]

<a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001061" target="_blank">http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi? ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001061</a>

this thread asks questions about the 'Cell-power' chips that seem to be destined for game consoles, portable devices, and midrange servers. It's based on a register.co.uk article. Check it out. IMO, any chip that is good enough for gaming consoles, consumer devices and IBM's midrange servers sounds like it has:

-the ability to be a graphical powerhouse (gaming console)
-the ability to push alot of I/O (mid range server)
-cost effectiveness (consumer devices==inexpensive)

Can anyone think of another product that could use graphical power, fast I/O, and relative inexpesinveness? HINT: It rhymes with 'Spowermac'. ;)

It seems IBM is up to something; how it affects Apple is the $64K (or $64M or $64B) question.

Jet

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Jet Powers ]</p>

[Stroszek]

[quote]Originally posted by Jet Powers:
<strong>Can anyone think of another product that could use graphical power, fast I/O, and relative inexpesinveness? HINT: It rhymes with 'Spowermac'. ;) ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't know man, not many people like the flower power imacs, i don't think a FlowerMac would go over to well. ;)

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Stroszek ]</p>

[Belle]

I'd love to see IBM take on production of the G5. Not that I have any kind of vested interest, or anything. :)

Isn't there some sort of issue with AltiVec, though?

[Nonsuch]

It bugs me how OS Opinion articles are so entirely, deliberately lacking in information. It isn't even informed speculation: a real journalist would survey industry analysts or insiders to get at least a vague idea of what's really going on within Moto or IBM. Kelly just reels it off the top of his head. Nice work if you can get it.

[Nostradamus]

[quote]Originally posted by Belle:
<strong>
Isn't there some sort of issue with AltiVec, though?</strong><hr></blockquote>

It was rumored a few months ago that the issue with Altivec was resolved with an agreement entailing the exchange of information. According to past rumors, Motorola allowed IBM to use Altivec in exchange for Motorola to be able to use SOI.

[PookJP]

Ironic we're craving Apple's nemesis of 10 years ago.

- Pook

[TigerWoods99]

Big Blue kicks ass. Bring it on!

[KidRed]

I posted in another thread that someone unregistered over at macrumors said- IBM is taking over the fabbing from moto because moto was is trouble adn couldnt get it done. Another person like a week earlier said to look to IBM for the G5s when everyone was talking about moto doing the G5s.

Sounds good to me and makes sence why IBM would stick around when the G3 has little to offer Apple.

[Stoo]

[quote]Ironic we're craving Apple's nemesis of 10 years ago.<hr></blockquote>

Not really Apple's nemesis, more Mac fans' nemesis. Remember that the PowerPC Apple IBM Motorola alliance is ten years old (already: seems like yesterday an 8100/126 was the best :) )
Maybe they're planning to spring a surprise processor on us as a PowerPC alliance birthday thing :) .

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Stoo ]</p>

[BuonRotto]

The key word in that article is the first one: "Opinion."

[Smircle]

IBM is not better than Moto when it comes to modern and fast chips. They are able to deliver what? a 700 Mhz G3, the "Sahara" 1Ghz is not available yet.

[Telomar]

[quote]Originally posted by Smircle:
<strong>IBM is not better than Moto when it comes to modern and fast chips. They are able to deliver what? a 700 Mhz G3, the "Sahara" 1Ghz is not available yet.</strong><hr></blockquote>

IBM also produces the POWER4 chips which are rather powerful.

IBM knows what it is doing, they prove it time and again. I would say the only reason they haven't produced something better for macs is because there has been no need.

[Keda]

[quote]ronic we're craving Apple's nemesis of 10 years ago.

- Pook
<hr></blockquote>

&lt;old grandpa voice&gt;Back in my day we didn't have no PowerPC&lt;/old grandpa voice&gt; ;) Seriously tho, Ive thought this same thing. I remember when it was Apple, Commodore and IBM. My friend had a PCjr and would always say it was better than my IIe.

But alot has changed since then. I caught the end of a business report on NPR last night. They were talking about Mot and the possibility of them getting out of the semiconductor field all together. According to the report, this would please Wall Street.

Mot is concentrating on the G3 phone (I dont think there is any relation to the Mac chip). This is the third gen of cell phones and is a true cross-over device btwn phone, PDA, and computer. It sounds cool, but it also doesn't have anything to do w/Macs.

With all the rumors flying about and reports surfacing in the mainstream press, I wouldnt be surprised to see Mot sell the chip assets soon. They need to become profitable again. This will be their worst quarter since the 30's.

[Stoo]

But who would they sell their (CPU) chip assests to? <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> IBM? Apple? 3rd party?

[Big Red]

If IBM is still prime on bustin' out some hardcore, affordable linux servers, perhaps the G5 is just what the Dr. ordered. Especially if they can set up some dual or quad processor machines.

I mean, if they really want to be the piss in MS's coffee, making an industry standard server devoid of any trace of Wintel on the hardware and software sides would feel pretty good.

But, to be honest, I know crap about this stuff.

[spotbug]

Couple things:

1. I think I read somewhere (can't remember) that part of Apple's agreement with Motorola stipulates that, if Motorola can't produce, Apple can go to IBM for "help". I assume that means, IBM can fab the chips, Altivec and all.

2. Failing that, I think, either IBM will buy the necessary intellectual property from Motorola (Altivec), or Apple will. Even if IBM weren't interested in Altivec (which they have stated in the past, they aren't), Apple could buy the IP from Motorola and "help" (equals money) IBM with the R+D to fab a custom chip just for Apple.

Either way, to me, it looks like IBM's going to be making G5's (and beyond). And, thank goodness.

I don't think Apple should get into the chip-making business and I don't think they should toss Altivec.