---------- Original message ---------- Subject: Re: PowerPC speeds and the switch to Intel... Date: Freitag 09 Oktober 2009N From: "Michael G.M." <[email protected]> To: "G-Group" <[email protected]>
> Some very interesting thoughts indeed. I'd argue in favor of the > PowerPC architecture. > > * For one, it gave Macintosh computers a uniqueness on the side of the > gaming consoles. One of the last G5s - > the quad-core G5's CPU was based on the Xbox's and/or PS3's CPU. - Not > too shabby. The PS3 continues to be an amazing super computer gaming > system, even though they locked it with the release of the PS3 slim to > not be able to install Linux. Odd move considering the ability of the > earlier models actually increased sales for this feature. I'm > currently unsure if the PS3 slim is able to be anything but an > entertainment center. (someone correct me if I'm mistaken) I was going to mention that too, but forgot about it. The PS3 has a PowerPC 970 compatible core running at 3.4 GHz. Fast, isn't it? But I also read about high power consumption and heat emission, so the main problems of the G5 architecture are still unsolved. At least so it seems. > * Second, the PowerPC architecture doesn't appear to be totally > leaving the scene for Linux users and possibly other OS's. There's the > PowerStation http://www.fixstars.com/en/products/powerstation/ which > comes with YDL > OS. There's also other options of installing Linux on other PowerPC > gaming systems in various configurations. > In short, PowerPC lives on. PowerPC lives on, but only for a few people crazy enough. I can give you reasons too: * First, all available PowerPC platforms are very expensive compared to regular PCs that are comparably fast. I've seem a Core i5 cost less than € 1000. * Second, the PowerPCs available are all still G5s with the 970 core. The PowerStation still uses the 970MP from 2005. * Third, there is only one operating system available for such a PowerPC workstation. Mac OS X is only running on Apple computers. Windows is not and never will be ported to the PowerPC. OS/2 is dead. AIX is not supported for the PowerStation. This leaves only Linux, and we all know that Linux is not made for this one computer - problems that come from incompatibilities or other shortcomings would have to be fixed by a developer - either yourself, or you pay one to do so. That's the Linux way - if there is no company behind it that is interessted in keeping an arch well supported, you're all by yourself and a few community developements by enthusiasts. > * Third, Apple was planning on moving to Intel's architecture. Steve > Job's stated, and I paraphrase "Apple had Mac OS X installed and > running on Intel machines from the very beginning of Mac OS X, just in > case". Um, yeah I understand Mr. Jobs. A little more info please? > Never mind, I can read very well between the lines, thank you. Since Mac OS X really uses a BSD core, it's no wonder it could be easily compiled on a PowerPC. All you need is a suitable compiler. I can see this on my Power Mac G5 running Gentoo Linux. Most software isn't aware of the fact where it is running. You just compile it and it runs, be it now an x86, an ARM, a MIPS, Alpha, SPARC, PowerPC, POWER, ... you name it. Just a few core components have to be ported, like the kernel, the compiler and so forth. That is the main development task. > * Fourth, Where the heck did the darn quality control go shortly > before and after the announcement of the switch to Intel? Um, bad caps > anyone? This was a industry wide issue with bad Capacitors plaguing > boat loads of computers and electronics. http://badcaps.net/ I don't know, I'm very happy with my G5. It runs reliably until now. Cheers, Andreas. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
