Norberto Quintanar wrote: > http://www.apple.com/macmini/ > --- Luke Scharf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> If I were to buy a PS3 for my home, it would need a >> fully-functional and >> accelerated X-server. But, at the $600 price-point in my living >> room, >> it's really competing with the Mac Mini. :-) >> Individuals interpret value v. price very differently. These are not the same, nor are they reasoned by individuals in similar ways at all. One approach in examining what value, if any, exists along with the price (whether it be the PS3 or other computer) is to compare computer processing performance of Cell v Intel, in this case a Mac mini - since they are offered at about the same price. One could also take the time to compare other Intel computers selling for the same price. A quick view of just what is available within the same price range may be revealing, here are some links:
http://www1.epinions.com/PC_Laptops--reviews--intel--prices--price_range_0_600 http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-3118_7-0.html http://www.mysimon.com/4566-3000_8-0.html?filter=100021_10530723_ The specs for the Mac mini, as mentioned elsewhere, are here: http://www.apple.com/macmini/ One of the most infuriating aspects of interpreting the technical information Apple provides has been comparing what they present against standard fundamental comparisons which other vendors use. However, many companies don't present that kind of information in a format which is plainly or easily discoverable. So let's use what can be found quickly. In considering this particular problem I found 2 meaningful sources, from amongst a flood of others, referring to the Cell: 1. 2 straightforward meaningful numbers from here: http://www.ps3.net/ps3-specs.php 2 numbers which caught my eye are: 1.8 Tera-flops floating point performance for the GPU 2 Tera-flops System Floating Point Performance 2. A different report from the ISSCC: http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT022805234129 This report is perhaps more interesting than others which have been referred to because it's purpose is to clarify and analyze, as opposed to present something impressive. They mention what is often overlooked, 1Tera-flop is equivalent to 1 Billion instructions per second. Let's return to Apple's Mac Mini whose floating point numbers are on that same page. What is that value? 26.3 Now let's be fair, Apple is comparing it's current model against it's older one -- and there is a significant improvement. That is not what interests me here. I am interested in extracting information which will help me ascribe a value which can help inform my personal view in comparing against another similarly priced computer. We have 26.3 floating point compared against 1.8 Teraflops floating point. That's 1.8 Billion instructions per second for processing floating point based calculations. In the fields such as advanced financing (Stock Market institutions), and sciences (dna processing, muscle and nerve innervation analysis, biochemical analyses of all sorts, astronomy, weather analyses, earth sciences, etc.) where tiny and unimaginably huge values are are needed to analyze interactions and events accurately the access to such technology is of huge importance. These people have homes and families (who themselves may appreciate an inexpensive computer they can reliably work with utilizing advanced precision) , and other persons not as well established in their careers or life who have the knowledge can certainly utilize this kind of power and make their own contributions in these same fields as well in various ways because of the open source concept and a free web, via this same inexpensive system. Although I did not discover the system wide performance numbers for current Intel based machines I frankly don't have that much time to pursue this question further. However, I have not heard of any other computer system being at anywhere near 2 Teraflops for system wide floating point performance, except the Cell (a joint venture of Sony, IBM and Toshiba). There are other computers performing at the level of the Cell or better. However IBM according to the NY Times, Feb. 9, 2006, "IBM Unveils Server Line That Uses Game Chips" by Steve Lohr, sells those computers starting from 20-30K ($20,000 - $30,000). Given this added published fact, the value in my view is with the Cell. For $600 there is the opportunity and chance to learn and acquire skills approaching that used in very high end systems. In my view, that is value indeed. I personally comprehend what that value is because I have accumulated over 15+ years of technically advanced work experience with high end computer systems from IBM, Stratus and others. I have a profound respect and great enjoyment in having worked with these advanced systems and look forward to the continued availability of such powerful systems returned to the public and commercial market at such an amazing price. _______________________________________________ yellowdog-general mailing list [email protected] http://lists.terrasoftsolutions.com/mailman/listinfo/yellowdog-general HINT: to Google archives, try '<keywords> site:terrasoftsolutions.com'
