Granted the 1400 market is inestimably larger than the 2400 market, but it just may be possible to convince Sonnet to do a theoretically matching 14 x bus multiplier on the 2400 if they are reaching 466 mhz (w/ 33.3 mhz bus) on the 1400. But unlikely on the cheap, which is why there was always such a great price differential between 2400 CPU upgrades and other cards.
Here's roughly what's on my mind (first iteration): This bus multiplier breakthrough could mean a CPU speed at 520-600 mhz on a 2400 if they could push the bus multiplier 14-15 x. No use waiting for another subnotebook from Apple, but there's always hope. The residual potential 2400 market is too small and troublesome to support, service and guarantee a CPU upgrade, even via 3rd party vendors. However, the percentage of 2400 owners likely to consider an upgrade is much higher than the 1400 population. If Sonnet were to resort to distributors/ installers as an intermediate tier, there would be too little volume and margin, even to cover basic R&D. Since Sonnet has Newer personnel and presumably technical info on the original 240 mhz G3s for the 2400, plus the 366-400 mhz betas, it is not inconceivable that they could make a special "unsupported" run of turbocharged 2400/G3-520-600/1mb backside CPUs by custom order. Such an effort would have to be privately supported and be at least a run of, say, 150-200 cards, plus a 10% overrun for possible DOAs or early failures. If the CPU survives 30 days, it's likely to survive full term. Therefore I'd like to know who and how many and how much 2400 fanatics would be willing to spend to upgrade to 520-560-600 mhz (email or copy me offlist too). I'm presuming improved manufacturing, smaller micron size of circuits etc. will result in lower power consumption so battery life should be relatively unaffected. Let's assume an "unsupported" bare bones non-DOA 30 day warranty, a run of 200 cards, and a direct offer price of $500-550-600. Who would be willing to buy one and back up a firm order, hypothetically, with a 30% deposit if the project is a GO? At which price would "fanatics" still be willing to buy? I'm going to be in Irvine, CA in early May. I'd be willing to drop in on Sonnet to discuss the matter, BUT ONLY IF there is firm and serious interest established beforehand. It is not the case to make an unresearched hypothetical proposal to Sonnet and the commercial risk must be eliminated a priori. I do not want to publicly spearhead this research, but perhaps Ralph Mawyer can set up a more anonymous polling page on the Mac/2400 website and he/others can also pulse the Japanese community. I'm willing to take the project forward with Sonnet (or possibly undertake this independently if they are "unofficially" willing to help), BUT ONLY IF there is very serious and substantive interest. Let me and the Duolist know your thoughts. This is probably the last chance ever to prolong the life of 2400s. Even the upgrade market itself is slowly dying out. Of course I'll abandon this tomorrow if Apple was to announce another genuine subnotebook. Meanwhile, let's collectively give it a shot! Sidney Ho ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com> Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
