Unimaxium
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2004
- Messages
- 2,689
- Reaction score
- 22
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
If you want, you can watch the video of the keynote speech where Steve Jobs first announced and explained the whole transition to intel processors here. He doesn't start talking about the transition until he's a bit into the speech, so you might want to fast forward a bit, but he does a good job of explaining the whole transition, the reasons behind it, how smooth it will be, etc. Basically apple is just switching processor types so that they can make faster and better computers. Although I don't think they've said it officially, most mac heads (including myself) are pretty sure that apple is going to try to include some way to make sure that their OS can only be run on their hardware, meaning that we're not going to be seeing any Dells running OS X (hopefully). Although some hackers have recently figured out ways to run the current version (which is supposed to be available just for licensed software developers) on non-mac systems, with any luck apple will be able to secure their systems better by the time they release OS X for Intel to the general public.
As for the iBook, my best guess is that it will be updated with intel chips sometime around late 2006 or 2007 (that's just an educated guess), so in my opinion it would be a better idea to just go ahead and buy one now instead of waiting for the next update. There's also a chance that they'll give it one more update with G4 (IBM) chips before they move to Intel. It took them quite a while (four years after the introduction of the G4 desktop computer) before they finally put one in the iBook. That means that if you want to wait for Intel iBooks, then you'll probably be waiting a long time (likely until 2007 at least). The iBooks and the Mac Mini were in fact just updated with faster G4 processors last month, so it will still be a few more months at least until another update comes along. The iBook is a good machine, and it will serve you well for quite a while. And it's not like all G4 iBooks will instantly become obsolete when the Intel ones suddenly come out; it's going to be a several-year-long transition, and there's going to be compatibility with the current hardware for quite some time. So in my opinion, it's best to buy now. You'll be happy with an iBook, and it will work well for you for years to come.
Also, some buying advice for the iBook: get the 12 inch model rather than the 14 inch model unless you really want to have the ability to burn DVDs. The screen resolutions of the two computers are exactly the same (1024x768 ), meaning that you get no advantage from having the larger screen unless you want everything to be slightly bigger (e.g. you have vision problems). Other than that, the only advantage the 14 inch has is the Super Drive which can burn DVDs (the 12" can read DVDs and burn CDs, but not burn DVDs). The 14" also has a slightly faster processor, but I'd say the difference is pretty negligible.
Wow, this post turned out really long! Can you tell I once worked (sorta) at a store that sells Macs?
As for the iBook, my best guess is that it will be updated with intel chips sometime around late 2006 or 2007 (that's just an educated guess), so in my opinion it would be a better idea to just go ahead and buy one now instead of waiting for the next update. There's also a chance that they'll give it one more update with G4 (IBM) chips before they move to Intel. It took them quite a while (four years after the introduction of the G4 desktop computer) before they finally put one in the iBook. That means that if you want to wait for Intel iBooks, then you'll probably be waiting a long time (likely until 2007 at least). The iBooks and the Mac Mini were in fact just updated with faster G4 processors last month, so it will still be a few more months at least until another update comes along. The iBook is a good machine, and it will serve you well for quite a while. And it's not like all G4 iBooks will instantly become obsolete when the Intel ones suddenly come out; it's going to be a several-year-long transition, and there's going to be compatibility with the current hardware for quite some time. So in my opinion, it's best to buy now. You'll be happy with an iBook, and it will work well for you for years to come.
Also, some buying advice for the iBook: get the 12 inch model rather than the 14 inch model unless you really want to have the ability to burn DVDs. The screen resolutions of the two computers are exactly the same (1024x768 ), meaning that you get no advantage from having the larger screen unless you want everything to be slightly bigger (e.g. you have vision problems). Other than that, the only advantage the 14 inch has is the Super Drive which can burn DVDs (the 12" can read DVDs and burn CDs, but not burn DVDs). The 14" also has a slightly faster processor, but I'd say the difference is pretty negligible.
Wow, this post turned out really long! Can you tell I once worked (sorta) at a store that sells Macs?
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/36/36660-bd2cdec38aac6e50675fa36657307cba.jpg?1734169171)