G5 Powerbook 'this Year'?

Hi guys, read on...

Originally posted by Macworld UK
G5 PowerBook 'this year'?

By Jonny Evans

Microprocessor experts expect Apple to release new G5 Power Macs soon and posit the release of a G5 PowerBook "this year".

In-Stat/MDR's Microprocessor Watch editor-in-chief Peter Glaskowsky, who attended briefings with Apple at Macworld Expo San Francisco, writes: "In announcing the new Xserve G5 at MacWorld Expo, Apple CEO Steve Jobs glossed over what we consider the most interesting fact about the new system: it represents the debut of IBM's 90nm (nanometer) PowerPC 970FX, which Apple calls the G5."

This new generation processor offers one crucial advantage against the G5 currently used in Apple's desktop Macs. The latter processors were made using IBM's 130nm manufacturing process. This different manufacturing method means the new G5 has a, "maximum power consumption of 55W at 2GHz, down from the 90W" of the current Power Mac chip, Glaskowsky said.

"We expect to see new G5 desktops soon, with faster processors, and G5 laptops later in the year", he said.

In its brief 'Quick Reference' guide, IBM describes the typical working power consumption of the 970FX as: "12.3W@1.4GHz, or 24.5W@2.0GHz" – potentially more impressive, and much less that the current processor's typical power needs of 51W@1.8GHz.

This difference means the Xserve G5 does not require as statuesque a series of fans to ensure the machine does not overheat. It also offers a glimpse of a road map of what Apple has called "the engineering challenge" of building a G5 PowerBook.

IBM has already revealed that the 970FX offers power-management features – meaning a processor capable of speeds of 2GHz could be clocked down, in order that it generate less heat in use.

IBM has released some details pertaining to the new processor. They reveal that these processors can reach speeds from 1.4GHz to in excess of 2GHz, with a bus interface that's ten per cent faster then the current G5 – 1.1GHz from 1GHz.

All told, Apple and IBM appear set to deliver on Apple CEO Steve Jobs' promise that the Power Mac G5 would reach 3GHz in 2003.

Looks like pretty good news to me. :lol:

#112405

I hope i happens, I really do.

I'm gonna need a laptop for uni in september, and I could just about buy an iBook now, but if there is the slightest chance that there'll be a G5 laptop by then, I'm happy to wait. I may even have more money by then. I hope >.< .

#112625

*drool*

#112651

i'd be content with like an G3 ibook, but i won't even get that.

#112954

Just a matter of sitting tight really.. Apple could probubly stuff a current 90nm version in, but the pBook would need to increase in size for the needed cooling and Apple don't do things by half. They'll want to continue to boast the slimness of the pBook as well as it's lightness.

#112965

Originally posted by omniiv@Feb 11 2004, 06:07 AM
*drool*

Couldn't have said it better myself. Drool factor 10!

#112995

its a "rumor" thats been around since the powermac G5 came out (and more so since the iBook G4 came out).

the reason i say "rumor" is because everytime it seems promising and i would like it to be true also. but i wont believe it until i see it.

and from what i hear, it is quite possible to put a G5 in there (especially the 970FX) because at lower speeds it produces lower heat. but then again, the 15" already goes to 1.25 and the 17" goes to 1.33Ghz (G4's).

i dunno, i want to see a G5 iMac....cuz thats possible, too

#113045

I have to wait until at least june or july anyway...so maybe that is good...LOL

#113061

A little more news... (or probably rumours) :lol:

Originally posted by Apple Insider
Development of the next revision to Apple's Power Mac G5 product-line, rumored to go by the code-name q38, was completed early last month, sources previously reported to AppleInsider. But the company has been awaiting shipments of the new 90-nanometer PowerPC 970FX before announcing the revised models to consumers.

According to Electronics Weekly, IBM is now ready to deliver its very first volume production of the 90-nm system-on-a-chip processor boards to Apple.

Sources expect that the new units will be announced shortly after Apple receives quantities of the CPUs, and around the same time that the company begins shipping its Xserve G5 servers. IBM is expected to provide additional details on the chip during its presentations at next week's IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference.

#113137