“Apple Computer has recently received much applause for its iTunes music service. But its new Power Mac G5 computers, set to arrive in stores today, will probably have a much larger impact on the world of personal computing,” reports John Markoff for The New York Times. “Apple already has 100,000 orders for its G5 machines, which are priced at $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the configuration. The breakthrough is that the computers use 64-bit microprocessors, a significant step beyond the 32-bit processors on current Apple machines and most Windows-based PC’s.”
“Apple is not alone. In the Windows world, Advanced Micro Devices plans next month to roll out a 64-bit processor, the Athlon 64 FX. And Intel’s Itanium chips, introduced in 2001, are already 64-bit processors – although in contrast to the Apple and Advance Micro products, the Itanium is not a processor to which users of lesser chips can easily switch,” writes Markoff.
Markoff continues, “The arrival of 64-bit desktop processors signifies a new era of computing – initially for professionals who are bumping up against the memory limits of existing PC’s. Soon afterward the new chips will affect everyday computer users, for whom a new generation of media machines should offer remarkable improvements in audio and visual effects.”
Full article here.
Did I miss something?! TOMORROW??
WHAT WHAT WHAT???
Are they really hitting the stores tomorrow?
*rumages through pants pockets for loose change*
*rumages through roommate’s pockets for credit card*
Check! I’m on my way!
is that pre-order number correct? If so, how significant would this be to the quarter?
100,000 * $2,000-$3,000= $200,000,000-$300,000,000
sure in stores on the 18th. i am still waiting to buy a damn 15 inch Aluminum powerbook
The question is then, how MANY are shipping? It could be months before Apple fills all backorders. Or they could surprise us and have G5s flooding out.
If this is true, it’s interesting in light of the rumors that G5 production hasn’t even begun, and that the G5 plant was shut down by the blackout and needs days to recover.
In the past several years, Apple has never had a problem meeting demands and exceeding expectations in delivery time. They are known for saying “3 months” and you get it within one.
The article is true, but it didn’t boil down the truth: Even IF Intel can pump out Itaniums, Microsoft’s current 64-bit version of Windows is a severely stripped down version (useless to any home user) and must EMULATE 32-bit Windows to run current programs, resulting in a much slower processing time than if it were run on current 32-bit systems. It may be many years before we see a 64-bit Windows that can compare to the speed, elegance, stability and simplicity of Apple’s Mac OS (if ever).
Apple has had shipping problems, for the record, even recently. 17″ PowerBooks this year, for example. I’m not saying it will happen again, just that a problem meeting demand IS possible. (And demand here is higher than it was for the 17″, too.)
If the G5 Powermacs do ship this week then Apple will have beat the competition for bragging rights by selling the first consumer 64-bit computers. This could be the week when Windows users (and journalists) are forced to admit that the PC now has to catch up to Apple, in terms of next-generation technology and overall value.
All those getting ready to reply that Intel has been selling 64-bit processors for months should remember that those computers are not for the consumer market and are thus priced accordingly.
Sol
How about Boxx?? Those are for consumers and have been on the market since June. (Uses AMD processors) I know plenty who have those systems already in place.
(just a counterpoint)
Aryugaetu
You’re FoS. You have no idea what the 64bit Win system will be like, much like none of us knew what the specs on the G5 were until the infamous web slip-up. It’s all conjecture so quit BSing.
3DBOXX M4, dual Opteron model 240, configure roughly as the lower end dual G5 is $3,875 with no bundled software. If you want better Opteron chip – say model 246 – feel free to add up to ~$1700 more.
If benchmarking are going to be similar (and NASA thinks quite better actually) I doubt a ~$2500 G5 should receive bad reviews if compared to a ~$4000 BOXX machine.
The reason why Apple calls the G5 desktops and BOXX Techologies calls its products workstations is essentially a matter of price.
PS
You may configure the BOXX machine as you like on the web. A naked BOXX (no CD nor DVD driver, no sound card, no FireWire ports, 64MB video card, no bundled software) is ~$3000)
It is official: G5 shipping: Apple.com
sorry made a mistake: gave the BOXX a 40GB HD. Add a couple $100 still.