Cool Mac Gear
• iPod Video
• iPod nano
• iPod 1G-2G
• iPod 3G
• iPod 4G
• iPod Mini
• PowerBook-iBook
• Garageband
|
|
By Applelinks Senior Editor John H. Farr
We've seen a couple of news stories over the last few days that appeared briefly but generated no follow-up, at least not yet, and both of them certainly should have. One is an up-front claim by an Australian magazine that claims to be quoting Apple sources directly concerning Apple switching to Intel chips (yes, that again), and the other is an article about Japan, China, and Korea collaborating on a secure, open-source alternative to Windows.
We'll take what we consider to be the more credible and important story first: the gist of the Nikkei Electronics Asia story is as follows:
Computer viruses targeting Windows' defects have been rapidly proliferating since early this summer, awakening global industry officials to the need for reviewing their heavy dependence on Microsoft's operating software.To develop a Windows replacement, the partners will make improvements to Linux or other open-source programs, using their basic designs, and develop their own unique application software programs, including those for word processing and spreadsheets.
Apparently the governments of the three countries would be subsidizing this effort, and some of the largest corporations in the Far East would be involved. But why haven't we read more of this? Is it actually true? Wouldn't this be staggeringly big news if it were?
The other story, curently linked at the front page of the Aussie Smart House Magazine site, says unequivocally that Apple will be switching to Intel chips as soon as is feasible. Supposedly an Intel-based Mac will be introduced at Macworld San Francisco this coming January, with Apple gradually phasing out IBM processors.
We have to think somebody is either consciously generating nonsense or the victim of an enormous hoax, and hereby invite some of our many Australian readers to speak up on Smart House's reputation and background with this sort of topic. Or is this primarily a satire site?
Some of the things blithely related in the article defy easy digestion, such as the following:
If Apple were to go solely with the Intel based system the biggest problems would be that every existing Mac program would have to be recompiled to work under Intel. For new versions of current programs that would be fairly simple, but for older software it would not be worthwhile.By releasing an Intel based system Apple will be able to offer the best of both worlds.
A gradual adoption by Apple of the Intel architecture would give time for the costs to drop and software to be upgraded. Eventually all Macs would be Intel.
"Best of both worlds"? Just try to imagine Apple dealing with software for both platforms at the same time. Imagine Apple abandoning the G5 and soon-to-arrive faster cousins for the same processors used by its rivals. Imagine how many times we've heard this story. Possible is one thing, probably another.
Page: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5