Also just saw on another thread (Intel at 4 Ghz) that IBM has just announced their own version of a BookE compatible PowerPC chip.
So, the Motorola 8540 has been announced (but I don't think is shipping yet) and IBM also have a version of an embedded processor which (I think we all agree) is based on the G5 core.
Again, very interesting stuff (this time hard facts, not fluff).
I have been thinking about this too and was wondering if anybody had any idea of the financial logistics of this potential approach?
If the desktop G5 has been developed by both Apple and Motorola (I assume this to be true as it would have to include Altivec) and then fabbed by IBM, what would be the financial implications for Apple?
I understand that Altivec would have to be licenced by IBM, thus ensuring an income for Motorola, but the fact that they would not actually manufacture the chips would surely mean that the 'royalties' (if that is how it would work) are the only income from the chips (plus a bit of R+D). Would Apple purchase the G5 from IBM (lets say for $250 a pop) and then IBM pay Motorola for Alitivec licencing n each chip? How would this be divvied up?
Any speculation is strongly encouraged, as it would be quite nice to think there is some possiblity of this alternative.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Apple would License Altivec and make he payments to Moto. Moto wants $$ for their design work. IBM could license Altivec but I think that they were not interested and would rather roll their own, i think for Playstation chips. I think that Apple would license Altivec and have it included in the chips that IBM would make for them. I think that the interest in IBM is due to Low k, and SOI, and copper. All these technologies help keep the heat down, and I think that low heat leads to more design options for Apple. Strange thing Low k, SOI, and Copper all cost$$ but they also help eliminate bad chips, so less is thrown away which pushes the cost down since I think that the pricing model figures in the cost of manufacturing bad chips. So the cost to Apple could be about the same, although when MOTO starts to use SOI that will boost yields by 20% I think that Low k is 10% or 20% boost.
<strong>So the cost to Apple could be about the same, although when MOTO starts to use SOI that will boost yields by 20%.</strong><hr></blockquote>Don't the new chips in the towers user SOI?
Anyway - does the licensing scheme with Motorola ever run out? Maybe at some point others could use Altivec without paying licensing fees? I seem to remember hearing this before, but I don't know if it's true or not.
Comments
...most interesting.
Also just saw on another thread (Intel at 4 Ghz) that IBM has just announced their own version of a BookE compatible PowerPC chip.
So, the Motorola 8540 has been announced (but I don't think is shipping yet) and IBM also have a version of an embedded processor which (I think we all agree) is based on the G5 core.
Again, very interesting stuff (this time hard facts, not fluff).
You'll also have to forgive my lack of knowledge regarding etiquette; I am new to this forum lark.
<strong>
I have been thinking about this too and was wondering if anybody had any idea of the financial logistics of this potential approach?
If the desktop G5 has been developed by both Apple and Motorola (I assume this to be true as it would have to include Altivec) and then fabbed by IBM, what would be the financial implications for Apple?
I understand that Altivec would have to be licenced by IBM, thus ensuring an income for Motorola, but the fact that they would not actually manufacture the chips would surely mean that the 'royalties' (if that is how it would work) are the only income from the chips (plus a bit of R+D). Would Apple purchase the G5 from IBM (lets say for $250 a pop) and then IBM pay Motorola for Alitivec licencing n each chip? How would this be divvied up?
Any speculation is strongly encouraged, as it would be quite nice to think there is some possiblity of this alternative.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Apple would License Altivec and make he payments to Moto. Moto wants $$ for their design work. IBM could license Altivec but I think that they were not interested and would rather roll their own, i think for Playstation chips. I think that Apple would license Altivec and have it included in the chips that IBM would make for them. I think that the interest in IBM is due to Low k, and SOI, and copper. All these technologies help keep the heat down, and I think that low heat leads to more design options for Apple. Strange thing Low k, SOI, and Copper all cost$$ but they also help eliminate bad chips, so less is thrown away which pushes the cost down since I think that the pricing model figures in the cost of manufacturing bad chips. So the cost to Apple could be about the same, although when MOTO starts to use SOI that will boost yields by 20% I think that Low k is 10% or 20% boost.
Ty
<strong>So the cost to Apple could be about the same, although when MOTO starts to use SOI that will boost yields by 20%.</strong><hr></blockquote>Don't the new chips in the towers user SOI?
Anyway - does the licensing scheme with Motorola ever run out? Maybe at some point others could use Altivec without paying licensing fees? I seem to remember hearing this before, but I don't know if it's true or not.