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Architosh Staff ([email protected])

17 Dec 2001

More G5 Details, Notes and Speculation

This year rumors on upcoming Macworld goodies came out earlier than they typically do, especially in regards to the aging Power Mac line. We suspect that this was due to some particular events surrounding a specific product line and its advancement through testing.

Confusion on the Power Mac Line

As rumors poured onto the Web concerning the G5 Power Macs, Motorola commented that the G4 still had "plenty" of life in it. These comments were subsequently taken (by the press) to mean that Apple had intentions of issuing G4 'Apollo'-based Power Macs rather than true G5 parts. Furthermore, it was suggested that Apple might simply name upcoming Apollo-based Power Macs, G5's. We remain conflicted on whether Apple would actually do that and suspect that they wouldn't.

A February D-day

It has been suggested to us by sources that current G5 test boxes (not all but some) are due to be picked up by Apple engineering in February, culminating what would be at least a 6-7 month testing phase with various test sites. These test boxes include machines with 1.2Ghz to 2.4Ghz (estimated) processors. Although these boxes are reportedly sealed, sources claim that Apple engineers told them they were G5 machines.

Since the Apollo G4 is not designed to reach 2Ghz + speeds, the presence of true G5 parts near completion seems hard to contest. However, there are a number of variables here which complicate things for us. Firstly, the Apple engineers acting as liaisons with beta testers are assumed to be in full knowledge of the innards of the machines. This assumption could be wrong. Secondly, it is unclear to our sources whether or not all test machines have the same chips inside. In fact, one source has suggested to us that there was a difference between what was believed to be 1.4GHz equipment and 2GHz+ equipment, above and beyond what you might expect out of a megahertz differential.

Raycer and Speedy Graphics

In asking our sources about graphics performance, it was commented that one of the G5 test boxes was put up against a top of the line AMD Athlon XP box decked out with a speedy gaming graphics card, AND the G5 apparently wiped the floor on the XP box in terms of frame rates and image quality. Other sources within a major graphics software publisher (who shall not be named) also noted graphics enhancements but would not elaborate.

Could we finally see the fruits of the Raycer Graphics purchase? After all, whatever happened to that incredible graphics technology patent pool? We suspect we may find out next month.

Closing Remarks

This year was a bit different for Architosh. Normally this site doesn't get into rumors, but with a huge amount of pent-up demand in the Mac 3D, CAD and graphics markets for much faster machines, it was kind of hard not to get caught up in all the excitement—especially given the inside information that came our way. We suspect that the end of February testing dates mean something about true G5 goods coming a little later in the year. We now think May or July could be introduction time for 1.6Ghz to 2.4Ghz machines. As for the 1.2 - 1.6Ghz machines rumored to be coming this January, we are just not sure if they will be true G5 parts or not.

We stand by our sources that 2002 will see dramatic performance gains in the entire Macintosh line, but with particular improvements in the Power Mac line. Moreover, it appears from our sources that G5 chips are progressing much better than the G4 ever did and will scale dramatically in megahertz as Moto improves manufacturing processes and makes important architectural improvements along the way.

Even if Apollo G4-based Power Macs are introduced at Macworld, the absence of the RapidI/O Architecture in G5 technology could be completely offset by early implementation of HyperTransport technology. In fact, it is not entirely clear how Apple will deal with both of these promising chip-chip communication technologies and if they will ultimately utilize both.

If it was time to turn in bets now, we honestly suspect Apple will introduce G4 Apollo-based equipment with HyperTransport technology in either the new Power Mac line or quite possibly the all new iMac. And let's just leave it at that.

Have some scoop? An idea? Let us know.