Apple eMac G5 on hold, G4 back in production
Apple Computer has returned its eMac G4 line of computers to production, despite indications earlier this Fall that the company was clearing inventory in favor of manufacturing new models.
Sources close to the computer maker told AppleInsider this month that Apple had anticipated releasing a major revision to the education-centric all-in-one desktop before the end of the year. The new eMac was to include a G5 processor and a significant internal component reorganization.
Instead of making its debut in the latter half of 2004, the eMac G5 was reportedly placed on hold, while eMac G4 production was restarted in order to keep up with demand. At the root of the problem appears to be IBM's PowerPC 970 G5 processor.
Reminiscent of the recent iMac G5 fiasco, yet not nearly as dramatic, sources claim a less than ample supply of G5 processors is to blame for the minor delay. And while the new eMac was to rely on the slowest available G5 processors, currently a 1.6GHz variant, inventory of these chips are being used to reduce demand for Apple's new low-end iMac G5.
This is not the first time a lack of faster PowerPC processors has reportedly slowed the evolution of Apple's eMac. In the Fall of 2003, the dearth of PowerPC G4 processors in excess of 1GHz resulted in October price cuts for the eMac line, rather than faster models.
Last month, sources noted inventory dumps and a decline in orders for eMacs at Apple's manufacturing facility, indicating that new models could be around the corner. According to sources, Apple now plans to introduce an eMac revision in early 2005. Additional details will be published when they become available.
Sources close to the computer maker told AppleInsider this month that Apple had anticipated releasing a major revision to the education-centric all-in-one desktop before the end of the year. The new eMac was to include a G5 processor and a significant internal component reorganization.
Instead of making its debut in the latter half of 2004, the eMac G5 was reportedly placed on hold, while eMac G4 production was restarted in order to keep up with demand. At the root of the problem appears to be IBM's PowerPC 970 G5 processor.
Reminiscent of the recent iMac G5 fiasco, yet not nearly as dramatic, sources claim a less than ample supply of G5 processors is to blame for the minor delay. And while the new eMac was to rely on the slowest available G5 processors, currently a 1.6GHz variant, inventory of these chips are being used to reduce demand for Apple's new low-end iMac G5.
This is not the first time a lack of faster PowerPC processors has reportedly slowed the evolution of Apple's eMac. In the Fall of 2003, the dearth of PowerPC G4 processors in excess of 1GHz resulted in October price cuts for the eMac line, rather than faster models.
Last month, sources noted inventory dumps and a decline in orders for eMacs at Apple's manufacturing facility, indicating that new models could be around the corner. According to sources, Apple now plans to introduce an eMac revision in early 2005. Additional details will be published when they become available.
Comments
if i was apple right now id be kicking some serious ibm butt - just think of where apple would be right now if they could get their ideas into production and out the door without all these delays!
so is the new emac revision to be a g5 but in mid 2005, or a cheaper/beefed up g4 in jan/feb/march 2005?? its not (like all rumours) very clear...
Another factor is that IBM might be getting better yields in the faster chips, reducing the available supply of the 1.6's.
Let Apple see how things are when the dust settles - they might end up putting in a kick @ss chip from Freescale in for 6 months.
Apple's actually going to design a new motherboard and case, and order low end CRTs and keep a different processor in production for a machine they make so little profit on?
Wouldn't it be simpler to debut an iMac with a 15" LCD and put a pane of glass over the LCD to protect it from school kids?
Originally posted by Frank777
I don't get the idea of an eMac G5.
Apple's actually going to design a new motherboard and case, and order low end CRTs and keep a different processor in production for a machine they make so little profit on?
Wouldn't it be simpler to debut an iMac with a 15" LCD and put a pane of glass over the LCD to protect it from school kids?
Good idea.
Originally posted by Frank777
I don't get the idea of an eMac G5.
Apple's actually going to design a new motherboard and case, and order low end CRTs and keep a different processor in production for a machine they make so little profit on?
Wouldn't it be simpler to debut an iMac with a 15" LCD and put a pane of glass over the LCD to protect it from school kids?
If they can make an iMac with the specs you mention and sell it for the price of the current eMac then yes.
The eMac isn't just for school kids, for many people (myself included) the eMac is the only Apple Computer thats affordable.
Originally posted by Frank777
Wouldn't it be simpler to debut an iMac with a 15" LCD and put a pane of glass over the LCD to protect it from school kids?
Nice idea, but it would be easier just to invent a pane of glass that can be put on top of the present iMac. A kind of shell maybe.
This is not the first time a lack of faster PowerPC processors has reportedly slowed the evolution of Apple's eMac. In the Fall of 2003, the dearth of PowerPC G4 processors in excess of 1GHz resulted in October price cuts for the eMac line, rather than faster models.
I find this rather interesting since im in the alley for powerbooks... Powerbook G5's that is..
Originally posted by DHagan4755
Could this new G5-based eMac be Power Mac 9,1 in that plist file?
Not likely. Models that start with an odd number (like Power Mac 9,1) are usually pro machines.
Originally posted by macnut222
Not likely. Models that start with an odd number (like Power Mac 9,1) are usually pro machines.
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Originally posted by Frank777
I don't get the idea of an eMac G5.
Apple's actually going to design a new motherboard and case, and order low end CRTs and keep a different processor in production for a machine they make so little profit on?
Wouldn't it be simpler to debut an iMac with a 15" LCD and put a pane of glass over the LCD to protect it from school kids?
I agree. This is like re-cannibalization of their products. iMac cannibalize powermac and then emac cannibalize imac? In education market, it is norm now to use LCD, not CRT. Anyhow, I would be tempted to buy emac G5.
Originally posted by luki_PL
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Thanks for that info. It confirms what I said.
Intel has to supply what 90%?.
One factor to consider is that the iMac may have been exceeding expectations. Another might be that Apple has been working with IBM in other areas and has given IBM higher priorities than a G5 for the eMac. Like a low power G5 for PBs.
IBM also has other customers for their factory - including themselves - so we really don't know how many chips they are delivering in total. I would say, however, that they are not doing too bad these days.
Originally posted by kenaustus
IBM has been doing pretty well for Apple considering that it is all leading edge technology that even Intel is having problems with - a lot more problems than IBM.
One factor to consider is that the iMac may have been exceeding expectations. Another might be that Apple has been working with IBM in other areas and has given IBM higher priorities than a G5 for the eMac. Like a low power G5 for PBs.
IBM also has other customers for their factory - including themselves - so we really don't know how many chips they are delivering in total. I would say, however, that they are not doing too bad these days.
Even so, hasapi's point is well taken. The optics of this situation don't look good for IBM.
Originally posted by Frank777
Even so, hasapi's point is well taken. The optics of this situation don't look good for IBM.
I too agree that hasapi brought a good point in the discussion. And how much time it remains until IBM decide if their microprocessor business became profitable or not?
I would have to know how iMac G4 did when it was first introduced. Before such comparison, it is premature to judge iMac G5's performance. Most of powermac G5's growth in the future is pretty flat according to analyst's forecast.