Hardware strategies and programming models: What's coming

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Doesn't sound that monumental

"IBM's strategy, in contrast, at least looks very clear: bet the
software business on taking over Linux and use it to push the
cell architecture into the services markets for everything from
desktop to super computers while partners Sony and Toshiba
push it into entertainment and the Asian volume PC market."

Where's the evidence for that? IBM is not going to move their
entire product line to the Cell architecture, and with Linux they
know they don't have too. IBM will leverage Linux across
multiple platforms using the processor that makes sense for the
relevant market, this is the benefit of Linux over say windows or
Solaris. Cell is not going to beat every other architecture for
every application.

"Thus a Sun customer who loads an existing SPARC binary on
the new machine isn't likely to see a significant decrease in
performance while an IBM or Microsoft customer would..."

Sun is backing both SPARC and now committed to x86 after
wavering a bit. They've added a binary incompatibility to their
product ranged forced on them by the competitive pressures of
the inexpensive x86 server market.

"Just how they plan to do that isn't obvious - but one possibility
would be to use the existing Macintosh code base for Office to
deliver that for X360 fairly early in the game,"

Why? Any port of Office would come from the version that
closest matches the OS and GUI API, its very unlikely that will be
the Mac OS X version.

MS is using the PPC chip in its home entertainment device, not
across its entire range. The OS will be a windows derivative.

The hardware strategies discussed, with the exception of Sun
which isn't dramatically changing course, are for specialist
device markets.

"* Intel's strategy is to bet on people not making the transition
to a new programming model."

Yes but they are making x86 chips for desktop and servers.

"* It's not clear where Microsoft is going..."

It isn't? For the new XBox (nothing more) PPC, desktop server
x86. The big play is DRM, because the monopoly must be
protected above all.

"* IBM will use Linux on Cell throughout its product line..."

I don't believe that for a second. The Cell architecture chips
designs don't even exist for the range of device such a
statement requires.

"* Sun's public strategy is to build applications support on its
open source heritage..."

Sun future depends on the success of OpenSolaris, or their
ability to become a Linux provider (they have the skills).

of course these are just my humble opinions.

Posted by: Richard Flude   Posted on: 09/13/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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