<strong>No, the towers will get a brand new case design. Also, especially with rumors of a new iMac design.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, the piece I'm suggesting/advocating is just the 'mirrored' part. Where 2x XServe-style drive sleds & one dual optical drive could fit. I'd also contend that the 'swinging door' is here to stay, unless something substantially better has been found
Well, the piece I'm suggesting/advocating is just the 'mirrored' part. Where 2x XServe-style drive sleds & one dual optical drive could fit. I'd also contend that the 'swinging door' is here to stay, unless something substantially better has been found </strong><hr></blockquote>
Ah, I'm not really a fan of the MDDs. I'd much rather see the chrome used else where. I really want a brushed metal case or something along the lines of the pBook or Xserve. Leave the white for consumers.
Ah, I'm not really a fan of the MDDs. I'd much rather see the chrome used else where. I really want a brushed metal case or something along the lines of the pBook or Xserve. Leave the white for consumers.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Same here.
I remember a picture a while back of a powermac in a metal case that was really great looking. I hope the next rev case is along the lines of that picture.
I think that it would be nice to have te same approx. sixe as current PowerMacs, but have them take design cues from the xServe. Like all those feakin' mad-cool status indicator lights, ya know
not gonna happen. the music industry would throw a shit fit. the current scad/dvda players dont even have a digital out, the music industry does not want these disks to be duped due to their high quality.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually I "Stole" that idea check
<a href="http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1045735111"; target="_blank">this link </a>out. Intel is looking at add a new Audio Spec named "Azalia" in future Mainboards. Now THAT would rock. Add 6.1 and perhaps some other audio goodies and you have one hell of an Audio box. Both DVDA and SACD do already have their anti copy mechanisms already built into the spec so I'm pretty sure it won't be much of an issue. Howerver you will NOT be able to record whatsoever from these discs.
[quote] Dual front accessible, hot swappable "Xserve" module drives. Four drive bays, software RAIDable. <hr></blockquote>
I disagree with this. I don't think the average PowerMac user would have any reason to quickly swap a hard drive. Leave that to the Xserve and Xserve RAID where it serves a more applicable purpose. Of course, RAID on the inside is logical.
I disagree with this. I don't think the average PowerMac user would have any reason to quickly swap a hard drive. Leave that to the Xserve and Xserve RAID where it serves a more applicable purpose. Of course, RAID on the inside is logical.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The don't necessarily need to be filled (there's two other internal-only bays). But a several different chunks of Apple's "Pro" niche are into big. 180 GB removable drives (that are already designed/tested/interoperable) fit that.
The 'low' Powermac doesn't necessarily even need the 'hot-swap' innards. But if you're going to be using RAID, this is one of the useful things you can do with it. Backups/copying etc can be a matter of just pulling the drive at the end of the day and pluggin it into some other computer/RAID.
Hot-swappable drive bays increase the price (I'm afraid, significantly enough). And PowerMacs, even mega-pro ones, are no longer meant to be servers since Apple has a special exceptionally good product for that purpose, XServe. So if you can't afford a 10-minutes downtime and a reboot to change a hard drive, you are in the enterprise market and you want an XServe. To be honest, graphic pros and developers seldom demand hot swap capabilities.
I'd rather they skip the G4 '57' bump and cut to the beef.
C'mon, Apple, SHOW ME THE MONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!
Surely the stalled and protracted nature of the last few G4 bumps is a good sign we'll see something really new?
By the time the dual 1.42 (Grrr...) ships, six months from then clearly puts us in fall update territory. If no 970 then we'll be waiting until March 2004 for the 970?
Architosh's G5 article. I looked at it again last night. They're not optimistic for a 970 this year. They've got another, 'FINAL' G4 updated for this summer.
"some provision for extended GPU power. Either cards with multi-GPUs (through Raycer acquisition) or something with the other major cardmakers."
ok kids... if anyone says "raycer" again around here, theres a verbal beat down a comin... I thought I told you guys the last time.... its been what: 3 years?
It is very doubtful that the next Pro machine will be speed-bumped only 100 mhz, but with Moto having no plans to produce G4's that are faster than the current ones in the Powermac, it looks like we will have to weather this hardware release drought and wait for the thunder of the 970. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
<strong>It is very doubtful that the next Pro machine will be ... </strong><hr></blockquote><knit-pick-mode>
I like your terminology better than that used in the thread title. 'Next Pro desktop' seems like a bit of an oxymoron. We don't have any true Mac 'Pro desktops' anymore. 'Desktop' refers to a case sitting on your desk and under your monitor. (or at least it used to) Powermacs were beige the last time I saw them in a 'desktop' form.
I like your terminology better than that used in the thread title. 'Next Pro desktop' seems like a bit of an oxymoron. We don't have any true Mac 'Pro desktops' anymore. 'Desktop' refers to a case sitting on your desk and under your monitor. (or at least it used to) Powermacs were beige the last time I saw them in a 'desktop' form.
</knit-pick-mode></strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, we have iMacs & eMacs which are Consumer Desktops and the PowerMacs which ar Pro Desktops. Where's the confusion? They are all desktops, exactly, that's why we differentiate between them. (My pro desktop dual gig sits on my desk as does my wife's consumer desktop iMac)
I was just just messing around with the clock multipliers of the last bunch of G4s...
133*6.5 = 867Mhz
167*6.0 = 1Ghz
167*7.5 = 1.25Ghz
167*8.5 = 1.42Ghz
...and I would guess the next step looks like
167*9.5 = 1.59Ghz
I know there isn't enough to built any sort of trend, but I think 167*9 = 1.5Ghz would be a pretty paltry and worthless bump. They're not going to be getting any 7457s so they'll need to overclock again and 1.59Ghz would probably be as high as they can go considering heat issues. But that's just my guess, founded by little.
I'm lead to believe that Apple isn't giving us crappy PowerMac bumps because the 970 is around the corner. I think it's because it's all that they can do with the damn processor. So I don't see it as evidence that their preparing something big for us. They're just doing what they can with what they've got. I'd say that there's evidence that the 970 chips will be ready for September, but we still might see a bump with G4s in mid to late summer and have to wait until 2004 to see the 970 make it into PowerMacs. If Apple wants to make everyone happy, they'll rush the 970 into the PowerMac as soon as possible and have then ready in Q3. But it's up to Steve.
Well, we didn't expect the G4 when we got it and we got it way earlier (cue for Amorph to say, 'Yes...but look what happened to dat...')
The G4 to get another bump in the towers? There's no significant reason to bother. The bus can't cope as it is. Dual 1.59s, that will look good with the AMD 64 hits. Yeesh, the 'G4' like some sad last series run of Dynasty. You just kinda wish Apple would throw the G4 along with Alexi Cole over the cliff edge so we can begin again...
I kinda expect the 970 to arrive Jan' 2004. (The 'negative Bon Bon' does...)
Hopefully, Apple can surprise me with a 'Fall' announcement.
Look, Apple, I've bought the damn table it's going to sit under... Act of faith or what?
No G4 bump would save the PowerMac from being annihilated by whatever Intel and AMD will have. That's why the 970 should be rushed into the PowerMac line as soon as they're ready. That doesn't say much about what WILL happen, no matter how optimistic anyone is. Optimism lost it's strength for me a long time ago, and only a quick and sure realease of the 970 can restore it.
Frosty, I would have to agree with you that Apple is not holding back on G4 speed bumps to make the 970 intro's more impressive. I see an increasing trend of pessamism on the release dates of the 970 as the year progresses. I believe that we will see it this year. IBM has stated that they will be releasing products based on it in the second half of the year, and I would say that this is a good sign. I also think that IBM knows that Apples success will be the best advertising that they can get for the 970, and Apple will be paying IBM for the privlage of doing it. Therefore I dont see a problem with Apple getting chips, even while IBM is putting out computers based on it as well.
I would optamistically say that IBM's statements lead me to believe that they will move the 970 to the 9nm process in time for Apple to release a 970 powerbook by the end of the year. This would definatly make "the year of the laptop" statemtent appropriate even in light of the introduction of a 970 based PowerMac.
Pessamistically, I am afrade that Apple will drop the Dual systems in the current PM price points when they move them to 970's, or only make the Duals in the top of the line. This is dishartening, and is counter productive in Apple's long term strategy of MP pro computers, becouse Developers will be less likely to add MP optimization to thier software if Apple it is still a "nitch" market within Apple sales.
Comments
<strong>No, the towers will get a brand new case design. Also, especially with rumors of a new iMac design.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, the piece I'm suggesting/advocating is just the 'mirrored' part. Where 2x XServe-style drive sleds & one dual optical drive could fit. I'd also contend that the 'swinging door' is here to stay, unless something substantially better has been found
<strong>
Well, the piece I'm suggesting/advocating is just the 'mirrored' part. Where 2x XServe-style drive sleds & one dual optical drive could fit. I'd also contend that the 'swinging door' is here to stay, unless something substantially better has been found
Ah, I'm not really a fan of the MDDs. I'd much rather see the chrome used else where. I really want a brushed metal case or something along the lines of the pBook or Xserve. Leave the white for consumers.
<strong>
Ah, I'm not really a fan of the MDDs. I'd much rather see the chrome used else where. I really want a brushed metal case or something along the lines of the pBook or Xserve. Leave the white for consumers.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Same here.
I remember a picture a while back of a powermac in a metal case that was really great looking. I hope the next rev case is along the lines of that picture.
<strong>
not gonna happen. the music industry would throw a shit fit. the current scad/dvda players dont even have a digital out, the music industry does not want these disks to be duped due to their high quality.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually I "Stole" that idea check
<a href="http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1045735111"; target="_blank">this link </a>out. Intel is looking at add a new Audio Spec named "Azalia" in future Mainboards. Now THAT would rock. Add 6.1 and perhaps some other audio goodies and you have one hell of an Audio box. Both DVDA and SACD do already have their anti copy mechanisms already built into the spec so I'm pretty sure it won't be much of an issue. Howerver you will NOT be able to record whatsoever from these discs.
I disagree with this. I don't think the average PowerMac user would have any reason to quickly swap a hard drive. Leave that to the Xserve and Xserve RAID where it serves a more applicable purpose. Of course, RAID on the inside is logical.
<strong>
I disagree with this. I don't think the average PowerMac user would have any reason to quickly swap a hard drive. Leave that to the Xserve and Xserve RAID where it serves a more applicable purpose. Of course, RAID on the inside is logical.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The don't necessarily need to be filled (there's two other internal-only bays). But a several different chunks of Apple's "Pro" niche are into big. 180 GB removable drives (that are already designed/tested/interoperable) fit that.
The 'low' Powermac doesn't necessarily even need the 'hot-swap' innards. But if you're going to be using RAID, this is one of the useful things you can do with it. Backups/copying etc can be a matter of just pulling the drive at the end of the day and pluggin it into some other computer/RAID.
<strong>What I'd Like to see (but probably won't):
Dual 1.8 GHZ 970s
4 GB DDR RAM
Serial ATA
Hardware RAID Controller
8MB Cache HDs
8x AGP
Quadro4 or FireGL Graphics (no more gamer cards in pro machines!!!!!)
10Gigabit Ethernet
Dolby 5.1 Audio Out
Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse
Faster Superdrives</strong><hr></blockquote>
What we all would like.
[quote]
Dual 1.5 Ghz G4, no 7557.
Some old crappy motherboard.
Lower stock price.
<hr></blockquote>
What we'll probably get. Its Apple.
[ 02-21-2003: Message edited by: T'hain Esh Kelch ]</p>
C'mon, Apple, SHOW ME THE MONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!
Surely the stalled and protracted nature of the last few G4 bumps is a good sign we'll see something really new?
By the time the dual 1.42 (Grrr...) ships, six months from then clearly puts us in fall update territory. If no 970 then we'll be waiting until March 2004 for the 970?
Architosh's G5 article. I looked at it again last night. They're not optimistic for a 970 this year. They've got another, 'FINAL' G4 updated for this summer.
Lemon Bon Bon
ok kids... if anyone says "raycer" again around here, theres a verbal beat down a comin... I thought I told you guys the last time.... its been what: 3 years?
<strong>It is very doubtful that the next Pro machine will be ... </strong><hr></blockquote><knit-pick-mode>
I like your terminology better than that used in the thread title. 'Next Pro desktop' seems like a bit of an oxymoron. We don't have any true Mac 'Pro desktops' anymore. 'Desktop' refers to a case sitting on your desk and under your monitor. (or at least it used to) Powermacs were beige the last time I saw them in a 'desktop' form.
</knit-pick-mode>
<strong><knit-pick-mode>
I like your terminology better than that used in the thread title. 'Next Pro desktop' seems like a bit of an oxymoron. We don't have any true Mac 'Pro desktops' anymore. 'Desktop' refers to a case sitting on your desk and under your monitor. (or at least it used to) Powermacs were beige the last time I saw them in a 'desktop' form.
</knit-pick-mode></strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, we have iMacs & eMacs which are Consumer Desktops and the PowerMacs which ar Pro Desktops. Where's the confusion? They are all desktops, exactly, that's why we differentiate between them. (My pro desktop dual gig sits on my desk as does my wife's consumer desktop iMac)
133*6.5 = 867Mhz
167*6.0 = 1Ghz
167*7.5 = 1.25Ghz
167*8.5 = 1.42Ghz
...and I would guess the next step looks like
167*9.5 = 1.59Ghz
I know there isn't enough to built any sort of trend, but I think 167*9 = 1.5Ghz would be a pretty paltry and worthless bump. They're not going to be getting any 7457s so they'll need to overclock again and 1.59Ghz would probably be as high as they can go considering heat issues. But that's just my guess, founded by little.
I'm lead to believe that Apple isn't giving us crappy PowerMac bumps because the 970 is around the corner. I think it's because it's all that they can do with the damn processor. So I don't see it as evidence that their preparing something big for us. They're just doing what they can with what they've got. I'd say that there's evidence that the 970 chips will be ready for September, but we still might see a bump with G4s in mid to late summer and have to wait until 2004 to see the 970 make it into PowerMacs. If Apple wants to make everyone happy, they'll rush the 970 into the PowerMac as soon as possible and have then ready in Q3. But it's up to Steve.
[ 02-21-2003: Message edited by: FrostyMMB ]</p>
The G4 to get another bump in the towers? There's no significant reason to bother. The bus can't cope as it is. Dual 1.59s, that will look good with the AMD 64 hits. Yeesh, the 'G4' like some sad last series run of Dynasty. You just kinda wish Apple would throw the G4 along with Alexi Cole over the cliff edge so we can begin again...
I kinda expect the 970 to arrive Jan' 2004. (The 'negative Bon Bon' does...)
Hopefully, Apple can surprise me with a 'Fall' announcement.
Look, Apple, I've bought the damn table it's going to sit under... Act of faith or what?
Lemon Bon Bon
[ 02-21-2003: Message edited by: Lemon Bon Bon ]</p>
<strong>The "Perfect POWERmac"
Serial ATA HD(forget RAID we're talking ATA here)
</strong><hr></blockquote>
The Xserve comes with ATA-drives (http://www.apple.com/xserve/specs.html) and Xserve RAID (http://www.apple.com/xserve/)! So - what is the problem?
I would optamistically say that IBM's statements lead me to believe that they will move the 970 to the 9nm process in time for Apple to release a 970 powerbook by the end of the year. This would definatly make "the year of the laptop" statemtent appropriate even in light of the introduction of a 970 based PowerMac.
Pessamistically, I am afrade that Apple will drop the Dual systems in the current PM price points when they move them to 970's, or only make the Duals in the top of the line. This is dishartening, and is counter productive in Apple's long term strategy of MP pro computers, becouse Developers will be less likely to add MP optimization to thier software if Apple it is still a "nitch" market within Apple sales.
<a href="http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp0195.pdf"; target="_blank">Specs</a>