I'm hearing from my office that yesterday and today all our Mac users are abuzz with speculation about what this might mean if it comes to fruition and is expanded into the rest of the Apple line:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4611505.stm

Any thoughts or challenges you see in this?

It's true: Apple switching to Intel x86 CPU line beginning next year (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050606-4974.html) -- Ars Technica
Apple shakes hands with Intel (http://news.com.com/Apple+shakes+hands+with+Intel/2009-1006_3-5733937.html?tag=nefd.lede) -- CNET News.com
Apple Switches to Intel Microprocessors (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/06/06/BUapple06.DTL) -- SFGate

We are going to make the transition from PowerPC to Intel processors, and we are going to do it for you now, and for our customers next year. Why? Because we want to be making the best computer for our customers looking forward. ... This time next year, we plan to ship Macs with Intel processors. In two years, our plan is that the transition will be mostly complete, and will be complete by end of 2007. So today for the first time, I can confirm the rumors that every release of Mac OS X has been compiled for PowerPC and Intel. This has been going on for the last five years.

Unless there's some type of code translator, I would guess that all past Mac programs would not run on the Intel-based machines.

Unless there's some type of code translator, I would guess that all past Mac programs would not run on the Intel-based machines.
From the Ars Technica article linked above:
Jobs also showed off something called "Rosetta," which was described as a dynamic binary that would allow existing PowerPC applications for Tiger to run on Intel's architecture. Jobs demoed Rosetta by firing up MS Office on the Intel demo box, and then Photoshop CS.

Pretty much says it all, I guess:

http://members.aol.com/opus1guy/uploads/appleintel.jpg

Though it probably should have read, "It's About Time!"

Guess we can look forward to lighter, cooler running and longer battery life Powerbooks now.

i've been an Intel employee for 10 years now. All i can say is: :D :D :D

From the Ars Technica article linked above:Ay, there's the pub. The software was running on Tiger? That's the most recent version of OS X. I haven't upgraded because there's been some compatibility issues.

i've been an Intel employee for 10 years now. All i can say is: :D :D :D

Which division?

Resistance is futile.

Which division?TMG- i'm at ATD in Chandler. I was at Fab 12 for 7 years.

Ay, there's the pub. The software was running on Tiger? That's the most recent version of OS X. I haven't upgraded because there's been some compatibility issues.

What I read says all versions of OS X have been compiled for intel chips all along - just not released that way. My question is, do I buy the best last-generation G5 powerMac I can and hope it lasts as long as this G3, or do I now delay my first Apple hardware purchase 2 years? Hmmm.

TMG- i'm at ATD in Chandler. I was at Fab 12 for 7 years.

Cool. I used to work for the (now defunct) WCCG group, San Diego division. For a while I was flying to Chandler at least once a week.

Cool. I used to work for the (now defunct) WCCG group, San Diego division. For a while I was flying to Chandler at least once a week.are you still with us? My original mission with ATD was to package ICG products (probably things you know if they were packaged in-house)though i do it all now - its great to see the state of the art microprocessors coming thru since it's an R&D facility - the dual die stuff, 65 nm, and beyond. Its likely whatever they used in the demo machine today in SF was made here. :D

We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. ;)

We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. ;)
Is there an echo (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showpost.php?p=639840&postcount=9) in here? ;)

do I buy the best last-generation G5 powerMac I can and hope it lasts as long as this G3, or do I now delay my first Apple hardware purchase 2 years? Hmmm.

Can you really wait that long? :~D

I'm almost a Mac widow now that Doc can hook up our old video camera to his computer and make DVDs...

Adrienne

Can you really wait that long? :~D

Why yes... yes I can! ;)

Considering our house userbase is 83% Windows (on Intel and AMD, fwiw) I can wait a little longer.

are you still with us?

Alas, the San Diego Design Center part of WCCG was redeployed (For non-Intelites, this means that you've got a couple months to find a new job within Intel or elsewhere. A relatively employee-friendly form of layoff.) about 3 years ago. WCCG wasn't a very well run division and was swallowed up by another group. I became a consultant and am loving it.

I have this odd feeling of deja vu. As if I've read this post somewhere before.