My iMac G4 is being sold and would like to buy iMac G5 20 but concerned about processor change to Intel. Does anyone know when the Intel processor will be included on the iMac.
My iMac G4 is being sold and would like to buy iMac G5 20 but concerned about processor change to Intel. Does anyone know when the Intel processor will be included on the iMac.
I don't know when, but I guess not earlier than one year from now. I don't see why Apple should rush the iMac, which is right now a nice machine without the performance issues of Powerbooks, and will continue to be so for some time still. My guess is that the next update will bring a 2.3 GHz G5 at most, with perhaps other improvements (although there is not too much room anymore to improve this already well equiped computer).
Quote:
Appreciate opinions as to whether to wait or not?
In your place (that is if the iMac G4 was my only computer, as it seems is your case), I would not wait for the reasons above. Furthermore, I would prefer personally a PowerPC model just to be able to run some old classic applications (Classic will be dead with the advent of Intel machines).
mass migration from the powerpc platform by large graphics companies will not occur until about 6 to 8 months after the new intel powermacs are in retail outlets. adobe will not put out a credible product until about that time, based on its switch timing to os x previously.
therefore you have about 2 years of good use of a powerpc platform mac left.
therefore you have about 2 years of good use of a powerpc platform mac left.
Very well put. It's also interesting to note that there's about 2 years until Intel on mac is going to be in full swing. Lastly, I know that I buy a computer about every 18 months.
I was worried about buying an iMac G5 20 because of all the intel stuff... I'm so glad I didn't wait ~ it's the best purchase I've made in a long time. In fact I was so happy with mine I convinced my parents to switch from winblows to an iMac G5 17 ~ they LOVE it.
Even after intel macs are released, PPC macs will be more compatible with the latest OS X software for at least a year. It will take over a year after first release for the final, large professional apps to be ported. Even then, their PPC counterparts will be common and PPC software will be better debugged.
This isn't to say that intel machines are bad... only that PPC machines won't be suddenly obsolete anytime soon. A PPC iMac purchased now will be supported through it's useable lifetime.
Even after intel macs are released, PPC macs will be more compatible with the latest OS X software for at least a year.... A PPC iMac purchased now will be supported through it's useable lifetime.
More than that I would say. Even after the Intel transition is complete, the PPC Macintosh installed base will still be so big, that Apple would have no other choice than to support the PPC platform through universal binaries for many years to come.
I doubt that when Apple starts releasing new Intel-based Macs, that they will drop a new processor into a current enclosure. If you like the design of the iMac G5, then it would seem to me the best thing to do would be to buy it now... The intel iMac probably won't look the same (just as the iMac G5 didn't look the same as the iMac G4).
Considering how closely tailored the G5 case is to the needs of the CPU and it's motherboard position, at the very least I expect the interior to be radically different.
I recently bought an iMac G5 20", and I couldn't be happier. The switch to Intel, while had me concerned, isn't going to put a hamper in my iMac for atleast 3 - 4 years. The reason why, as so many others have mentioned (like PB), is that the installed base for the PPC is just too large for it to just drop out of the running any time soon.
Mac OS X will probably have atleast two more revisions to it before it goes Intel only. Probably even a third revision will be PPC capable, but that one is foggy in the ol' crystal ball.
It Powermac enclosure didn't change between the G3 and G4 but did change between the G4 and G5.
You are right, the first G4 style case was released around the time of the iMac in the Blue and White G3's. Apple changed the color slightly, but not he overall design of the cases. However, due to the scope of the switch to intel I would not be surprised if Apple does change the overall design of the cases across the entire product line to differentiate them from their PowerPC brethren. This would be a change more in the line of the G3 to G4 or G4 to G5 iMac and the G4-G5 PowerMac than the G3 to G4 PowerMac change.
However, due to the scope of the switch to intel I would not be surprised if Apple does change the overall design of the cases across the entire product line to differentiate them from their PowerPC brethren.
If I get correctly Apple's philosophy about design and funtionality of a computer, the user should not notice the difference in the internals. But who knows how Apple will finally make the transition. One only is certain, they will try to incorporate to the transition whatever changes (other than the CPU, internal and external) are necessary to keep the hardware up to date. Just to keep costs down.
Comments
Originally posted by switchfromdell
My iMac G4 is being sold and would like to buy iMac G5 20 but concerned about processor change to Intel. Does anyone know when the Intel processor will be included on the iMac.
I don't know when, but I guess not earlier than one year from now. I don't see why Apple should rush the iMac, which is right now a nice machine without the performance issues of Powerbooks, and will continue to be so for some time still. My guess is that the next update will bring a 2.3 GHz G5 at most, with perhaps other improvements (although there is not too much room anymore to improve this already well equiped computer).
Appreciate opinions as to whether to wait or not?
In your place (that is if the iMac G4 was my only computer, as it seems is your case), I would not wait for the reasons above. Furthermore, I would prefer personally a PowerPC model just to be able to run some old classic applications (Classic will be dead with the advent of Intel machines).
therefore you have about 2 years of good use of a powerpc platform mac left.
buy it now.
its great.
Originally posted by niji
therefore you have about 2 years of good use of a powerpc platform mac left.
Very well put. It's also interesting to note that there's about 2 years until Intel on mac is going to be in full swing. Lastly, I know that I buy a computer about every 18 months.
I'm about to get an iMac 20 as well.
I have the 1,8 ghz one, and it's snappy : the latest version should be sligthy better .
Don't forget to add more RAM. The G5 macs, and in general mac OS X is Ram hungry.
This isn't to say that intel machines are bad... only that PPC machines won't be suddenly obsolete anytime soon. A PPC iMac purchased now will be supported through it's useable lifetime.
Originally posted by dfiler
Even after intel macs are released, PPC macs will be more compatible with the latest OS X software for at least a year.... A PPC iMac purchased now will be supported through it's useable lifetime.
More than that I would say. Even after the Intel transition is complete, the PPC Macintosh installed base will still be so big, that Apple would have no other choice than to support the PPC platform through universal binaries for many years to come.
It Powermac enclosure didn't change between the G3 and G4 but did change between the G4 and G5.
Mac OS X will probably have atleast two more revisions to it before it goes Intel only. Probably even a third revision will be PPC capable, but that one is foggy in the ol' crystal ball.
Originally posted by dfiler
The enclosure won't necessarily change.
It Powermac enclosure didn't change between the G3 and G4 but did change between the G4 and G5.
You are right, the first G4 style case was released around the time of the iMac in the Blue and White G3's. Apple changed the color slightly, but not he overall design of the cases. However, due to the scope of the switch to intel I would not be surprised if Apple does change the overall design of the cases across the entire product line to differentiate them from their PowerPC brethren. This would be a change more in the line of the G3 to G4 or G4 to G5 iMac and the G4-G5 PowerMac than the G3 to G4 PowerMac change.
Originally posted by JCG
However, due to the scope of the switch to intel I would not be surprised if Apple does change the overall design of the cases across the entire product line to differentiate them from their PowerPC brethren.
If I get correctly Apple's philosophy about design and funtionality of a computer, the user should not notice the difference in the internals. But who knows how Apple will finally make the transition. One only is certain, they will try to incorporate to the transition whatever changes (other than the CPU, internal and external) are necessary to keep the hardware up to date. Just to keep costs down.