I know Apple isn't our favorite hardware or software vendor here on Slashdot. Truthfully, I wish someone would take the PowerPC Open Platform and implement it, but you are not my fairy godmother(s) and so I will just stick to my feelings on this issue. Apple lowered the performance on its G4 line due to a constraint in chip demands. This is called Supply and Demand (Hey! US Patent Office! Trademark that, why don't you?) It is not so much a price increase as a performance decrease to help meet demand. Their decision, however, to cancel previous individual orders was wrong, and they realize this. Now, onto the big question: If VA Linux Systems designed a series of servers with the IA-64 chip (Itanium *blech*), and chip yields on the higher end were less than expected, would their be so much gossip about it if they followed Apple's idea to lower performance on the models offered, yet honored their old orders? No, I am sure there wouldn't be... but Apple made two mistakes. 1. Announced the configurations in a grand blaze of PR before all the details were assured. 2. Cancelled orders from individuals. As someone who ordered a 7500/100 back right before the 7600 came out, I fell victim to #2. I recieved a letter saying it was delayed indefinitely, and I could either go with a different model, and wait on that to arrive, or wait on my 7500. However, my 7500 had already shipped, so when I called Apple to check on the status of my order, I was told it was already on its way to me. Now remember, this is before the iCeo came back. This is possibly even pre-Amelio, though I doubt that. Apple needs to make up its mind, recheck its facts, and then announce any changes. That should avoid fiascos such as this.
'There is no spoon.' - Neo, the Matrix 'SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!' - Tick, the Tick
As someone with a good amount of Linux, Macintosh, and Mac OS X experience, let me share the following insights. 1. LinuxPPC is one of the most used Linuces, but not the only for PowerPCs. Debian is quite good, even on the iMac, MkLinux is essentially a Linux version of Mac OS X's core components, and Yellow Dog/Black Lab Linux is alleged to be better configured than LinuxPPC. As someone currently running LinuxPPC R5 on my 7500, I can tell you that anyone looking to get a good Linux box should look into the PowerPC. 2. The G4 is available from Motorola for $475 in quantities of 1000+. The specs for a modern MB are available FREE from IBM. Now, if only someone with enough money and a good track record would take advantage of this... 3. The Mac OS X/G4 server might be the thing someday soon. Not quite as cool as an Alpha, but still much better than IA-32, the architecture formerly known as x86. IA-64, though a challenge, should it ever be implemented properly, is causing M$ headaches due to its 64 bit nature, just as Alpha did. Thus, unless you want to spring for an Alpha or wait on the Linux port to Merced (which I am sure is underway, but I don't recall hearing much on it), get a PPC or an Athlon. 4. The likely reason for Apple not going with a Matrox card is lack of drivers, if I am not terribly mistaken. ATI has drivers for Mac OS, Win32, and even Linux. I don't know that Matrox has drivers available for the Mac, not does it seem likely they would develop some if they did not. The G4 looks to be a milestone in computing, somewhere beneath the migration of Linux from the x86 to other platforms but somewhere above Billy boy getting pied. 5. This machine is beautiful, both externally and aesthetically, and internally and structurally. While there are still areas in need of improvement, this DieHard computer user is going to snatch one of these up, soon as OS X is available with them. Flame away! R_DH
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I know Apple isn't our favorite hardware or software vendor here on Slashdot. Truthfully, I wish someone would take the PowerPC Open Platform and implement it, but you are not my fairy godmother(s) and so I will just stick to my feelings on this issue.
Apple lowered the performance on its G4 line due to a constraint in chip demands. This is called Supply and Demand (Hey! US Patent Office! Trademark that, why don't you?) It is not so much a price increase as a performance decrease to help meet demand. Their decision, however, to cancel previous individual orders was wrong, and they realize this. Now, onto the big question:
If VA Linux Systems designed a series of servers with the IA-64 chip (Itanium *blech*), and chip yields on the higher end were less than expected, would their be so much gossip about it if they followed Apple's idea to lower performance on the models offered, yet honored their old orders? No, I am sure there wouldn't be... but Apple made two mistakes.
1. Announced the configurations in a grand blaze of PR before all the details were assured.
2. Cancelled orders from individuals.
As someone who ordered a 7500/100 back right before the 7600 came out, I fell victim to #2. I recieved a letter saying it was delayed indefinitely, and I could either go with a different model, and wait on that to arrive, or wait on my 7500. However, my 7500 had already shipped, so when I called Apple to check on the status of my order, I was told it was already on its way to me.
Now remember, this is before the iCeo came back. This is possibly even pre-Amelio, though I doubt that. Apple needs to make up its mind, recheck its facts, and then announce any changes. That should avoid fiascos such as this.
'There is no spoon.' - Neo, the Matrix
'SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!' - Tick, the Tick
As someone with a good amount of Linux, Macintosh, and Mac OS X experience, let me share the following insights.
1. LinuxPPC is one of the most used Linuces, but not the only for PowerPCs. Debian is quite good, even on the iMac, MkLinux is essentially a Linux version of Mac OS X's core components, and Yellow Dog/Black Lab Linux is alleged to be better configured than LinuxPPC. As someone currently running LinuxPPC R5 on my 7500, I can tell you that anyone looking to get a good Linux box should look into the PowerPC.
2. The G4 is available from Motorola for $475 in quantities of 1000+. The specs for a modern MB are available FREE from IBM. Now, if only someone with enough money and a good track record would take advantage of this...
3. The Mac OS X/G4 server might be the thing someday soon. Not quite as cool as an Alpha, but still much better than IA-32, the architecture formerly known as x86. IA-64, though a challenge, should it ever be implemented properly, is causing M$ headaches due to its 64 bit nature, just as Alpha did. Thus, unless you want to spring for an Alpha or wait on the Linux port to Merced (which I am sure is underway, but I don't recall hearing much on it), get a PPC or an Athlon.
4. The likely reason for Apple not going with a Matrox card is lack of drivers, if I am not terribly mistaken. ATI has drivers for Mac OS, Win32, and even Linux. I don't know that Matrox has drivers available for the Mac, not does it seem likely they would develop some if they did not. The G4 looks to be a milestone in computing, somewhere beneath the migration of Linux from the x86 to other platforms but somewhere above Billy boy getting pied.
5. This machine is beautiful, both externally and aesthetically, and internally and structurally. While there are still areas in need of improvement, this DieHard computer user is going to snatch one of these up, soon as OS X is available with them.
Flame away!
R_DH