Re: Mike and Ward, what next?

Hi!

robert spykerman wrote:
> Even with the limited amount of registers an x86 has, in still seems
> on average to trounce PPCs on performance (the monster P4's, FX's and
> even overclocked Pentium M's - see tom's hardware) and probably
> efficiency as well (Pentium M and further iterations of same).

I remember when the news broke and chaos was reigning over on the
slashdot threads over this.  I think there was some mention of the fact
that Intel CPUs have been getting more RISC-ish, but maintaining the
CISC instruction for one reason or another.  I'm not much up on CPUs,
though, so I guess you have take that for what it's worth...

>
> I would REALLY have loved to see Apple adopt Cell. It looks like a
> bastard of a chip to program and would probably require a new OS, but
> hey, that's real innovation. That's going to take real balls.

Referencing Slashdot again, I think there was some mention of the fact
that Cell is really not heading in the direction of desktop computing.
Something about how it doesn't do out-of-order branching or indexing or
some-such.  Basically, it's heavily aimed in a specific direction that
game platforms can take advantage of, but not desktop computers.
Besides, aren't the Apple PPC CPUs and Cells both derivatives of IBM's
POWER CPUs?  If it weren't for the expense and heat issues, I could see
Apple being all over that.

> So I am going to buy a PS3 instead, because firstly Sony will probably
> foot some of the hardware cost as most game console producers do,
> making it reasonably cheap. And I know some dude out there will
> probably figure out how to put a unix or something on it... And then,
> voila, Cell workstation...

I think the Cell processor is going to be in every major console coming
out soon.  Personally I'm wondering when someone will come out with a
"Hack the XBox" redux.

> One thing good about this whole apple debacle.
>
> Wait 2 years and you will get a notebook computer with a pretty
> exceptional build quality, will run OS X AND Windoze.

I hope not.  The Windows part, I mean.  Dual-booting seems so against
the grain on a Mac (and a lot of people seem to be drooling over the
idea)...  Virtual PC I can see, though. 

Erik