4/29/2002 2:18:44 PM, Donald Keenan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >What's your guessitimation for the phasing out of 32-bit platforms? How >far off are we?
That's hard to say. 64-bit RISC computing has been a reality for over 10 years now, thanks to DEC, and there have been 64-bit network operating systems (Windows NT, OSF/1, and VMS) for almost as long. Intel's IA-64 platform isn't nearly as mature, but it's out there, and with it are 64-bit versions of Windows NT and Windows XP (why anyone would want to spend $6000 on a workstation, and then run Windows XP on it is anybody's guess). But the current stage of processor evolution is different, as it represents the entrance of 64-bit computing into the home user consumer market. Here's how I interpret the way things are likely to go: Recently, AMD's (now former) CEO, W. J. Sanders III, testified in Microsoft's defense in the DOJ trial. Days later, Microsoft announced their support for AMD's x86-64 platform, which will soon compete with IA-64. I believe x86-64 to be the superior architecture, but that's not enough to take away the slimey impression that Sander's testimony made on me. It doesn't take Holmes and Watson to read between the lines here. I think that x86-64 is going to dominate the consumer 64-bit RISC PC market. AMD has been pretty open with their "roadmap", and it looks promising--especially the notion of SMP on a single chip. I'm hoping that Apple will see fit to port coming generations of OS X and OS X Server to x86-64, and I certainly don't think that that's beyond the realm of plausibility. As virtually everyone here is probably aware, Apple tends to be rather secretive about their forthcoming technology, but rest assured that they've been developing the 64-bit successor to the PPC platform for a long time. I'm excited to see what that will be, even though it, when compared to PPC, probably won't represent as big of a leap as x86-64 compared to current x86 architecture (since x86 is such an old CISC platform). If Apple follows AMD's lead, they'll maintain a certain degree of backwards compatibility with current 32-bit architecture. Since backwards compatibility will be a necessity for most people when transitioning to the new platform, I'd say that we can safely take that much for granted. So how long will the phasing-out period last? If by "phasing out" you mean how long will they be supported by most major commercial software publishers and hardware manufacturers, then I'd guess a max of 2-3 years from the time that a major vendor (Dell, HP-Compaq, Gateway) starts distributing it. Since AMD's "Hammer" is slated for a fourth quarter 2002 release, I think that vendors could be selling them by xmas if AMD's on schedule. -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
