Ars Technica Writer: The Facts Elude Him
The so called writer at the website, Hannibal, posted the following this morning. I eMailed him that Apple issued press releases (sent him the URL's) but he has so far not corrected his misinformation. Here's what he wrote:
[quote]Apple has just updated their PowerMac line with a few of the revisions that many expected at MWSF: Firewire 800, Bluetooth support and a slight increase in CPU speeds (1.42 GHz is now the top end). There was no press release and no fanfare with this update, which is appropriate because it's not really that spectacular. The FSB still clocks in at a pitiful 167MHz SDR, and of course the dual-processor machines in the line still use the same old shared-bus topology. (I'm beginning to sound like a broken record on these last two points, but I won't stop griping about them until they're fixed.)
Nonetheless, there are a few interesting things about this update that are worth noting. First, the bottom of the line machine has been mysteriously crippled by being reduced to a single, 1 GHz processor. The second point of note is the big cut in prices for both the towers and the LCD monitors. For instance, the "Fast" tower (dual 1.25 GHz) is now $2,000, while the "Fastest" (dual 1.42 GHz) is $2,700. Also, the 20-inch Cinema display has gone down to $1,300, while the 17-inch model is now at $700. The very slight increase in performance, the addition of two good connectivity options, and the steep price cuts combine to make the PowerMac line's price/performance ratio a little less embarrassing than it has been previously. <hr></blockquote>
He's so proud of his work that he doesn't even use a real name.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: MacsRGood4U ]</p>
[quote]Apple has just updated their PowerMac line with a few of the revisions that many expected at MWSF: Firewire 800, Bluetooth support and a slight increase in CPU speeds (1.42 GHz is now the top end). There was no press release and no fanfare with this update, which is appropriate because it's not really that spectacular. The FSB still clocks in at a pitiful 167MHz SDR, and of course the dual-processor machines in the line still use the same old shared-bus topology. (I'm beginning to sound like a broken record on these last two points, but I won't stop griping about them until they're fixed.)
Nonetheless, there are a few interesting things about this update that are worth noting. First, the bottom of the line machine has been mysteriously crippled by being reduced to a single, 1 GHz processor. The second point of note is the big cut in prices for both the towers and the LCD monitors. For instance, the "Fast" tower (dual 1.25 GHz) is now $2,000, while the "Fastest" (dual 1.42 GHz) is $2,700. Also, the 20-inch Cinema display has gone down to $1,300, while the 17-inch model is now at $700. The very slight increase in performance, the addition of two good connectivity options, and the steep price cuts combine to make the PowerMac line's price/performance ratio a little less embarrassing than it has been previously. <hr></blockquote>
He's so proud of his work that he doesn't even use a real name.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: MacsRGood4U ]</p>
Comments
I wouldn't call Apple's situation embarassing, especially since AMD is also in a similar situation. Apparently AMD's changing their XP ratings with Barton so that 2083 MHz = 2800+. Currently the 2800+ is a 2250 MHz part.
He's already ranted on and on and on about MPX's shortcomings. I don't really see the point to his rambling other than to reveal his bias against Apple.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
<strong>Except for the bit about there not being a PR, what else did he get wrong?</strong><hr></blockquote>
The bit about the 20" display price dropping to $1300. Hard to drop prices on an item that's new to the lineup...
Apple knows their PowerMac situation is embarassing. We know it's embarassing. They know it's embarassing. It is embarassing.
The PR thing is incorrect, but trivial.
<strong>I wouldn't call Apple's situation embarassing, especially since AMD is also in a similar situation. Apparently AMD's changing their XP ratings with Barton so that 2083 MHz = 2800+. Currently the 2800+ is a 2250 MHz part.
</strong><hr></blockquote>The validity of the change depends on the benchmark you measure the bartons by. Apps that benefit from the extra cache see performance improvement. Obviously those that fit in 256K fine are slower.
<strong>
Apple knows their PowerMac situation is embarassing. We know it's embarassing. They know it's embarassing. It is embarassing.</strong><hr></blockquote>
If MHz is all you care about, maybe it is embarrassing. I can tell you there are a few embarrassing things about the PC I'm writing this reply on right now. And I'm actually amazed Motorola can eke out 1416.67 MHz out of a .18 micron 7-stage pipeline CPU.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
<hr></blockquote>
Yet AMD's stuff remains more or less competitive with the P4, performance wise. Except in selective tasks, that can't be said of the G4.
[quote]He's already ranted on and on and on about MPX's shortcomings. I don't really see the point to his rambling other than to reveal his bias against Apple.
<hr></blockquote>
what does that say about the point of your rambling?
[quote]If MHz is all you care about, maybe it is embarrassing.<hr></blockquote>
if by 'MHZ' you mean general processing power, then it is indeed embarassing.
[quote]And I'm actually amazed Motorola can eke out 1416.67 MHz out of a .18 micron 7-stage pipeline CPU.<hr></blockquote>
I'm not.
Who else is not impressed Motorola has hit 1.4+ GHz with a 7-stage pipe and a .18µ process?
<strong>Surprise.
Who else is not impressed Motorola has hit 1.4+ GHz with a 7-stage pipe and a .18µ process?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm very impressed of what they've managed, but that doesn't make the current state of affairs any less embarassing. And frankly, a 167mhz MPX bus is especially embarassing; we're crippling what performance is possible. Not that I'd vote for more R&D on the 74xx line, the sooner it's behind us the better as far as I'm concerned. I'm just worred that once we make the transition to the 970 the iMac is still going to be running a G4 on the current bus design. When considered in this light a new bus design could provide longterm gains, giving new legs to the aging G4, though I'd rather Apple not try and strap new legs on a dead horse.
Touching futher on Moto, aside from their inability to produce at 130nm, they are at the head of the class when it comes to fabrication techniques. They seem to be handling copper and SOI better than Intel, and as far as I can tell by the 970 specs, they're beating IBM on this front as well. Remember that the P3 didn't scale past 1Ghz until 130nm, and it had a 10 stage pipe.
[quote]
I'm just worred that once we make the transition to the 970 the iMac is still going to be running a G4 on the current bus design. When considered in this light a new bus design could provide longterm gains, giving new legs to the aging G4, though I'd rather Apple not try and strap new legs on a dead horse.
<hr></blockquote>
Intel has been strapping new legs to a dead horse for over 10 years.
[ 02-02-2003: Message edited by: Splinemodel ]</p>
<strong>
And frankly, a 167mhz MPX bus is especially embarassing; we're crippling what performance is possible. </strong><hr></blockquote>
That really isn't true for most of Motorola's markets. There's a good reason the G4 was given the embedded processor of the year.