[Machound]

Bill, don't paint yourself in too small of a corner. I used to think I would be running my Apple ][+ forever but that's obviously not the case. It is hard giving up something into which you've invested so much of yourself. Like an addiction, quitting is easier said than done.
Ultimately, Mac is not about hardware or software... it's a community.
Einstein taught us time distorts all current perspectives. It's good to remember this following the 100th anniversary of his Special Theory.

[jdb8167]

I've been saying there is no reason to wait. I trust Apple and most third parties to maintain PPC compatibility until at least 2010. But there is a huge problem waiting for Apple. I wouldn't recommend buying a PowerBook right now. A cheap iBook if you really need one but not a PowerBook. Too expensive and not competitive. It is also likely to be the first Mac updated to the Intel line. PowerBooks are a large proportion of Apple's Mac sales.
Having said that, they weren't going to sell too many anyway given the complete stagnation of the line recently.

[hillstones]

Did people forget about the Motorola 680x0 to PowerPC transition? On March 14, 1994, Apple continued to sell 680x0 Macs alongside the three PowerPC models. They didn't suddenly kill off the 680x0. In fact, Apple continued to sell 680x0 Macs until June of 1996 (PowerBook 190 was the last 680x0-based Mac). So Apple and developers continued to support the 680x0 long after the 1994 release.
In October of 1993, I purchased a 68040-based Centris 650. When the PowerPC's arrived, I didn't worry about my investment because it continued to run the software that I wanted to use. In fact, I used the Centris 650 until late 1997, three years after the transition! It was only at that time, developers were starting to shift to PowerPC-only programs. I watched the 601, 603, 603e, 604, and 604e processors come and go from Apple. Sure I wanted one, but did I need one...nope! What made me finally buy a PowerPC-based Mac? Riven: The Sequel to Myst. It was PowerPC-only. It was also perfect timing as the Power Mac G3 was announced at the same time. So I watched all those Power Macs come and go, and when I was ready, I got a G3-based Mac that blew all the previous ones away. I would still be using the G3 today, except I transitioned to a PowerBook G4 867, which I still use today. It does everything I need to do, almost 3 years after my purchase. And it will continue to run future versions of OS X. I will retire it when either OS X is no longer supported on it, or if a new program that arrives that happens to be Intel-only for OS X.
Apple will not suddenly drop the PowerPC on day 1. They will still support PowerPC-based versions of software and OS X. Just like they did with the 680x0. I think this transition will be much smoother than the PowerPC transition because OS X has already been running on Intel CPU's for the past 5 years. I don't think that was true of System 7.1.2 running on a PowerPC. The majority of the code in System 7.1.2 was 680x0-based code running in emulation. I think most people are also forgetting that OS X is a derivative of NeXTStep, which was also UNIX-based and ran on Intel processors (and it originally ran on 680x0 processors!).
Bottom line, if your Mac runs the software you need, it has a long life!

[minderbinder]

Hmm. I have a few disney flicks, and none force viewing trailers. Guess I just got lucky?

"With a probable lack of software for the Intel cpu Macs, those sales will be slow or nonexistant."
Nah. The simple stuff will run in emulation. Most of the most often used apps are apple first party software, and you can count on those. Plus the box will run windoze as well if that's your cup of tea, you're looking at a box that will probably run MORE apps than current macs from day of release. I'd buy one tomorrow if they were shipping. A cheap box to surf the net and do basics (without the hassle of viruses)? It's a no brainer.
"One decision that I have firmly made is that I will purchase no Intel CPU Mac."
Why? Based on what you've said, it makes no sense, sounds like your only reason is blind devotion to a notion that doesn't exist.
If apple ships a box that runs all the software you want, and is faster and cheaper than what you have now, wouldn't it be ridiculous not to take advantage of it?
And what was apple's alternative? Watch sales dribble down to nothing as years pass, the machines don't get any faster, the performance gap with windows gets wider, and market share drops to nothing as people who need performance have no choice but to switch platforms?

[stormovick]

Any Mac user that has a older PPC and a lot of older but useful software(some of it Classic) should be concerned about this change. If I didnt already have a dual G5, Id be in the market for one those discounted PPC machines that we are sure to see in the next two years or so. I cant see Apples sales drying up completely the G5 machines with Tiger are just too sweet a package right now.
I hate the Mac basher publications like The Register using the word obsolete to describe PPC machines what a joke that is.

[spire]

In reply to:

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This transition period is going to be hard on Apple, not hard on Mac users. If youve just purchased a machine recently, or need to buy one soon, youre no worse off than you would have been if Apple had remained committed to producing new PowerPC hardware todays machines would have been obsoleted by even-better machines next year no matter what processors they contained. And no one is abandoning PowerPC software development. I see no reason to expect Intel-only Mac software in the near future. Universal Binaries take full advantage of both Intel and PowerPC Macs. Thats worth repeating: Universal Binaries take full advantage of both Intel and PowerPC Macs.

---

Intel or not a new mac is a new mac. It's up to you.
If you need one, can affort it, and you'd use it, get it.
If you can wait, then wait.
Entire article (excellent)) here:
http://daringfirebal...5/06/bombs_away

[horvatic]

I plan on buying a new iMac in August of this year. Intel processor switch hasn't changed my mind about anything.

[ka2357]

While I've followed the Mac-on-Intel news closely since Jobs announced it, I am one who will still go ahead and buy a PowerBook. I admit, though, that I don't have a choice. I'm switching jobs and have to turn in my corporate-owned Pbook, so will have to simply buy one soon.
What gets me, though, is that Jobs suggested at WWDC that there were still a lot of great PowerPC products to be released... well, when are they coming? If he wants people to have faith and keep buying Apple, perhaps it would be in his best interest to let us know what some of those great new PPC products are. I know I'll be upset if I buy a PowerBook now, just to learn the following week that he's introducing an even better model.

[Spark]

Bill the Taxman-- That is the most unreasoned, kneejerk reaction I've ever heard. By the way... A G5 with 30" Cinema display for Excel business software development? Who are kidding. I doubt that was ever in you plans or budget.

[stormovick]

>> Cinema display compatibility >>
I have a Cinema display in the budget for August but now I am wondering if it will work with the new X86 Macs that are coming out in a few years. I tend to use high quality monitors longer than the cpu. Does anyone think six-year compatibility is a safe bet?

[wintomac]

I currently use a wintel laptop and am eager to get a mac. I was waiting for a g5 PB but now that looks unlikely to happen, so I'm in a quandry. I've fooled around with PBs at an Apple store and they seem a little sluggish. My inclination is to wait for the intel macs as it seems like they may be among the first of the new macs with intel processors.
As for the controversy surrounding the use of intel processsors, it looks like a smart move to me. Intel processors have always FELT faster than the comparable PPC processors (g5 being an exception). The switch only makes me more eager to get a mac not less.

[jdb8167]

In reply to:

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I have a Cinema display in the budget for August but now I am wondering if it will work with the new X86 Macs that are coming out in a few years.

---

The new Cinema displays use industry standard digital connectors called DVI. It will work with the next several generations of both Macs and Wintel PCs. Even my 22" Cinema dispaly with an ADC connector will work with new machines as well since I have an adapter that converts to DVI. You have nothing to worry about.

[stormovick]

>> it's because of Apple's sleazy policy of disabling extended desktop capability in the iMac. >>
This is a real problem for Apple consumer PPC systems and I hate it myself. Could it be that Apple couldnt get enough different kinds of useful PPC chips? Without a wide range of processors to choose from, Apple had no way to differentiate its consumer systems from the higher priced Pro kit. Expect the switch to Intel to mostly solve this - Intel makes processors that address a wide range of performance levels.

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ddogg]

I have read all of threads and can't wait for intel macs becasue currntly pcs with
intel are 2.4 GHz+ and also we finaly see a 3GHz mac yes