Re: Apple turns to x86!

From: Andrew J. Brehm (ajbrehm_at_gmail.com)
Date: 06/13/05 

Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 15:16:57 +0100

ppesci@gmail.com <ppesci@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> If you look the IBM Java implementation, you'll discover hat x86 is far
> more complete than Power counterpart, run eclipse in a PowerPC machine
> is a real pain, and is optimized by x86 (fortunately, netbeans runs
> like charm in my Macs). I complained several times about lack of
> PowerPC software but no cigar.

I always found it surprising that IBM didn't dare a second attack with
PowerPC. This time they had everything:

A customer base for midrange and high-end machines

A desktop operating system

Excellent standing in the FOSS community

Linux

The PowerPC G5

Motorola as a second producer of low-end PowerPC chips

Apple's marketing and brand name

They just threw that away.
 
> Unfortunately, IBM never focused in its own architecture, instead the
> people working in the company use PCs with Intel chips, from laptops to
> desktops.

I've always wondered why IBM was more focused on Windows than even
Microsoft seemed to be.

> What you will think if you go t lunch and restaurant is closed with a
> paper in its door saying "out for lunch"?. "IBM, Eat your own food"

The complete reversal of the old saying about not being fired for buying
IBM. Apparenbtly at IBM using an IBM product was considered strange.

> I think Power lost the battle in the desktop with Apple departure, but
> there is much more: almost every user or developer of Linux in Power I
> know, use Macs because is more afforadable machine than any IBM can
> offer.

I've also always wondered why IBM did not sell affordable PowerPC-based
machines for Linux. They would not have to be fast, just affordable.

> Time to rethink if Power matters the efforts of OSS developers.

Linus Torvalds announced only recently that he thinks the PowerPC and
Opteron processors are what matters now. With Intel's recent catch and
IBM's passive "strategy", Linus might well change his opinion.

And when IBM starts losing support in the FOSS community, IBM might
never be able to get it back. Perhaps Sun will take over as the new
corporate face of FOSS.

> May be my next machine will have an obsolete Intel CISC processor. :(.

As will my next laptop.

> Runing Linux of course :).

Never! :-) 

-- 
Andrew J. Brehm
Marx Brothers Fan
PowerPC/Macintosh User
Supporter of Chicken Sandwiches

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Oxford, you retard! Look at Google Groups!
    ... IBM became very scared of Apple's ... PowerPC advances when they got the 4th spot in the world supercomputer ... Apple in both desktops, servers and most important "laptops", so Steve ... So Jesus, thanks for allowing me to make a fool of you once again. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Oxford, you retard! Look at Google Groups!
    ... The PowerPC is still a faster, better chip architecture, but as we've ... IBM became very scared of Apple's ... PowerPC advances when they got the 4th spot in the world supercomputer ... Apple in both desktops, servers and most important "laptops", so Steve ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
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    (comp.arch)
  • Re: Apple poised for Intel leap five years ago
    ... Apple was preparing to switch to Intel chips five years ago before IBM persuaded them to stick with the PowerPC platform, according to the then head of Big Blue's semiconductor division. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • IBM, Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell, Red Hat to Deliver Microsoft-Free Desktops Worldwide
    ... For the first time, IBM and leading Linux distributors Canonical/Ubuntu, ... partners to deliver Microsoft-free personal computing choices with Lotus ... lower cost hardware than new Microsoft technology. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)