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Copper for the Pros (7/21/98)
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If you're looking for clues as to what kind of processors are likely to surface in this fall's pro-level Power Macs, a helpful clue exists in the form of a CNET article about IBM's current chip plans. It appears that IBM is plunging ahead with its new copper manufacturing technology, which provides better on-chip conductivity than the traditional aluminum. The first chips to use the copper system are code-named "Lone Star" and are PowerPC processors expected to debut in September at 333, 366, and 400 MHz.
Given the expected release of the 400 MHz Lone Star only a month after next month's Seybold show (and the reports that pre-production "samples" of the processor have already found their way into the hands of IBM's partners, probably including Apple), we at AtAT fully expect a formal announcement of 400 MHz copper G3 pro systems at that fun-and-frenzied publishing event. The systems themselves will then likely become available sometime in the September or October timeframe. Since the G3's are so small and low-power, expect to see 400 MHz PowerBooks, as well-- we've even heard from several sources that the 400 MHz processor will consume less power than the current 292 MHz chip in the highest-end PowerBook, which implies that the new speed-bumped models may run a little cooler when they finally surface.
The Lone Star processors represent copper technology in its infancy, so don't expect anything particularly mind-boggling right out of the gate. But after the initial 400 MHz chips, we can look forward to copper-based PowerPC's running at higher and higher clock speeds, eventually reaching 1 GHz and beyond. Our bet is that 600 MHz chips won't show up in shipping systems until the middle of next year at the earliest, however, so don't hold your breath. Breathe normally; they'll be here soon enough...
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SceneLink (872)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 7/21/98 episode: July 21, 1998: The Apple Store gains yet another brother in a couple of weeks, as the stork drops off the brand-spankin'-new Reseller Apple Store. Meanwhile, IBM plans to start feeding copper-based PowerPC's to Apple in September, presumably for use in the new Pro G3 models, and rumors out of Hong Kong whisper of a MessagePad-type-thing running the Mac OS in Apple's secret labs...
Other scenes from that episode: 871: Build-To-Order Madness (7/21/98) If any of you out there in TV-Land are lucky enough to be working at a company that still buys Macs, you may be aware of a problem that plagues us on an ongoing basis: we have "build-to-order envy." Whereas Joe Consumer (and now, Jane Student) can visit the online Apple Store and custom-configure a cool new Mac to his (or her) heart's content, those of us working at companies that require us to purchase all equipment through a list of approved value-added resellers are stuck choosing from among Apple's shelf configurations... 873: PalmMacMessageMate (7/21/98) Rumors of what may be an "eMac" prototype sighting are floating out of Hong Kong. As faithful viewers are aware, after killing the Newton, Apple announced that it would re-enter the handheld market in 1999 with new machines based on the eMate form factor, but running a version of the Mac OS...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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