Unfazed, IBM pumps Power chip program

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I have to disagree

---So how is it that the XBOX, PS3 and Nintendo consoles are so
relatively small?---

Easy. They don't have to contain all of the components that a
laptop needs to contain. They have external power supplies.
http://www.macintouch.com/macintel04.html#jun10
As for the Cell Processor ... it's a high power part (similar to the
P4 at around 120W). It's optimized for compute-intensive tasks
with software optimized for the 3 processors (like games or
perhaps a compute-server). It's not a general purpose chip -- it
requires more optimization than switching to Intel x86. It won't
work in a laptop (1/2 hour battery life?). It won't work in a silent
desktop like the Mac mini. The latter two are the growth
markets.

---My point being, they won't get any special treatment from
Intel, far different than IBM specifically making a chip for
them.---

My point being, they weren't getting any special treatment from
IBM. IBM has publicly stated that Apple was around 2% of their
business, and was a break-even prospect at best. IBM promised
them a 3Ghz chip within a matter of months, and it still hasn't
materialized a year and a half later. Sorry, but being ignored by
Intel can't be any worse. At least Intel will continue to improve
their chips for their other customers and Apple can use these
same chips.

---Apple just wasn't willing to do the same, their loss, and their
customers loss too---

No, Apple was unable to do the same. There's a difference.
Apple does not have the clout, the marketshare, to be able to
afford to do the same things as MS. More Xbox consoles are
expected to be sold by Christmas this year than the total
number of all Apple computers sold for the entire year (and the
Xbox won't be out for several months). It's a numbers game. To
get someone to put in the time, effort and cost to specialize
your chips for you, you have to be able to make it profitable for
them. Apple wasn't able to do this. So they've gone with the
best option open to them.

Posted by: tic swayback   Posted on: 06/10/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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