New Intel laptops introduced by Apple

[eppur_se_muova]

Thought there might be lots of MacHeads on DU, so I thought I'd let you know that these are on Apple's web site http://www.apple.com already, though I haven't seen a news announcement yet.

more info:
http://www.apple.com/intel/
http://www.apple.com/rosetta/
Rosetta allows software for PowerPC Macs to run on the new Intel Macs.

edited to add more links

[Atman]

1. But of course! I just bought a 20" iMac (not intel).

Although I'm not sure what "twice as fast means." I can't click any faster, and I rarely see a status bar anyway, even when using heavy Photoshop filters. But what the heck...it was fun having the latest, greatest Mac, even if was just for six weeks!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. sweet. watch for the program to run MS software on OSX within a week.

Should be seemless, given the intel chip.

And MUCH MUCH more secure than windows.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. Linux software should be even MORE seamless. -nt

[htuttle]

3. I was about to upgrade my iMac to an iMac G5 just last week

...but I waited.

Now, however, I'm in a quandry. As a general rule, I avoid the very first versions of any new hardware (made by anyone). So should I wait longer? Just get the iMac G5 and go for the Intel version later (a year or two)? Get the Intel iMac now, and suffer through the inevitable compatibility issues?

Hmm...choices, choices. Well, I should consider myself lucky that I *have* choices, I guess...

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Well, now you also have to consider that G4/G5 prices will drop...

But a few years from now they will be totally unsupported, even by third party software vendors.

[Swamp Rat]

6. Not really

Ancient Mac gear is still in use and still supported by MANY creators third party software, much of it FREE! I recently installed OS X Panther on a 1998, 266Mhz G3 iMac and it works great as an Internet portal, iTunes station, etc.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. OK, true, I was overcompensating a little...

I actually have a lot of old Mac gear myself, but I don't consider myself a "typical" user at all...I do all my own hardware repairs and installs, and I stick with old software which can't do all the fancy new tricks. But someone who uses his Mac mostly for MP3/4 and videos is gonna be less happy.

PS: Hi Swamp Rat! Hope you'll keep giving those R's the green-skin makover until the fumigation "takes" and we've got our country back!

[Swamp Rat]

8. Here ya go:

:hi:

[Elwood P Dowd]

10. I'm still using two iMacs purchased in 1999 and 2000.

They still do what I need them to do. The only work I've done to them is add RAM, replace the battery, and blow out the dust every few years. They have proven to be two of the most reliable, productive, and enjoyable consumer products I've purchased during my 58 years on this planet.

[Swamp Rat]

5. I am VERY glad I bought an iMac G5!

I figured I'd wait until the second or third generation Apple Intel laptops come out before I got one. In the meantime, I can edit video, photoshop, watch DVDs, record my own music, etc. on a beautiful 20" screen! :)

[davidwparker]

9. No, get it if you need it. Apple has behind-the-scenes maintained

their software on both PowerPC and Intel. You're good to go.

[stopbush]

11. This move to Intel was made to accomodate laptops more than iMacs.

There were two problems Apple addressed with this move: 1) supply chain problems on chips produced by IBM & Motorola, and 2) power consumption. The Intel chips do better in the power consumption end. Power consumption is not a problem when you're using a desktop computer hooked into a wall socket, but it does relate to battery life on a laptop. As far as supply chain, there is no question that Apple's problems with IBM and Motorola cost them $ in sales. If you can't get the chips, you can't build the product!

I just bought a new-model 17" iMac G5 in October and it does just fine. One can always hope for even faster processing, but the thing's so fast now that I can't complain (or image that I'd want it to move much faster).

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. my office runs on a 17 inch G-4 laptop, and a miniMac.

I would NEVER switch to windows. But, since some clients have only windows stuff, I run soft PC. Which I hate.

I am extremely satisfied with the machines.