omg, wow, intereview with Apple about their G5, cought with their pants down

[Czar]

http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2003/06_jun/features/cw_macg5_interview.htm
stright from hardocp.. but wowww

DVE: Now, you're saying it's the first 64-bit desktop machine. But isn't there an Opteron dual-processor machine? It shipped on June 4th. BOXX Technologies shipped it. It has an Opteron 244 in it.

Rubinstein: Uh...

Akrout: It's not a desktop.

DVE: That's a desktop unit.

Akrout: It depends on what you call a desktop, now. These? From a full desktop per se, this is the first one. I don't know how you really distinguish the other one as a desktop.

DVE: Well, it's a dual processor desktop machine, just like that one.

Akrout: It's not 64, then.

DVE: Yes, it's a 64-bit machine with two Opteron chips in it. It started shipping June 4th.

Akrout: That we'll double check, but in my mind, it wasn't.

 

[digitalsm]

Yeah I read that article a week or so ago.

Apple claims the G5 is a desktop and the BoxxTech system is a workstation. Like others have said if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, its a duck.

 

[Rainsford]

After a quick check of Boxx's website, they call their system a workstation. While the difference isn't too big, it's significant enough for most companies to offer different product lines, and it's significant enough that someone who needed a workstation would not settle for a desktop system.

I don't really like Apple too much either, but let's keep the bashing to real issues.

 

[NFS4]

The guy sounds like a clueless Smurf considering he doesn't know that the Opteron is 64-bit

 

[digitalsm]

The G5 Dual 2Ghz IS a workstation. Any dual cpu system is a workstation. Apple might want to call it a desktop, but it is in fact a workstation.

 

[Czar]

they might even call it the first 64bit mobile computer because... you can move it

 

[Adul]

foot in mouth syndrome teh funny

 

[Pariah]

Bickering over something like that is just dumb. It's all semantics. What exactly differentiates a desktop from a workstation? Basically what the owner uses the system for determines what it is. If I bought a quad Xeon and stuck it under my desk and surfed the internet with it and played games it would be my desktop, but no one who saw a system like that for sale would call it a desktop. We all known AMD thinks of the Opteron as a workstation/server CPU while the Athlon64 will be the desktop variant. From that standpoint, the G5 is the first 64bit desktop. Does it matter? No more than AMD beating Intel to it, which means practically nothing.

 

[sharkeeper]

You can also say the following...

A Bus stops at a BUS station.
A Train stops at a TRAIN station.

My desk has a WORK station.

We also call them worksatans.

-DAK-

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: Pariah
Bickering over something like that is just dumb. It's all semantics. What exactly differentiates a desktop from a workstation? Basically what the owner uses the system for determines what it is. If I bought a quad Xeon and stuck it under my desk and surfed the internet with it and played games it would be my desktop, but no one who saw a system like that for sale would call it a desktop. We all known AMD thinks of the Opteron as a workstation/server CPU while the Athlon64 will be the desktop variant. From that standpoint, the G5 is the first 64bit desktop. Does it matter? No more than AMD beating Intel to it, which means practically nothing.

but basicly a desktop is a mainstream computer, the g5 isnt that, the imac is apples mainstream computer

 

[fkloster]

What is the 'technical' difference between a desktop PC and a workstation PC?

 

[Rogue]

I don't know about that, but the more I see OSX, the more I lean toward maybe having a Mac in my house for the first time ever. My wife is allowing me to put a very basic computer in the kitchen in our house and I'm seriously considering one of the new iMacs for the job. She might like it anyway, since she's into the whole "that's cute" thing anyhow.

Edit: It will be used for things like music while cooking, maybe some DVD watching and looking up recipes on the net and stuff like that.

 

[Pariah]

but basicly a desktop is a mainstream computer, the g5 isnt that, the imac is apples mainstream computer

If I can walk into CompUSA and walk out with one, that is mainstream in my mind. I haven't been to one recently, but I'm pretty sure they don't sell Opteron systems.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: fkloster
What is the 'technical' difference between a desktop PC and a workstation PC?

Workstations tend to be optimized for their intended task (ie: here at work if you use CAD, you get a workstation with more memory and a 21" monitor), a desktop is more of a "jack of all trades" (sometimes master of none).

This is kind of like how GM says one of their SUV's has the most powerful engine in the class, when in fact BMW's x5 has a more powerful engine. BMW just calls the x5 something other than an SUV

 

[Rogue]

Then in essence, you're saying a Dell is not mainstream because you can't walk into a local retailer and walk out with one (in most places anyway). Flawed logic.

 

[Pariah]

No, the point was made that G4/5's are not maintstream. If I can walk into a mainstream retailer and purchase one, it is mainstream in my mind. Dell has retail outlets at the malls here, and they aren't selling Xeon or Itanium systems at them.

 

[Chumster]

Originally posted by: fkloster
What is the 'technical' difference between a desktop PC and a workstation PC?

I don't believe there is a 'technical' definition that would differentiate them. IMHO, there seems to be two criteria that most folks use to separate the two: performance (in conjunction with use) and price.

As to performance, I don't see why'd they choose to call it a 'desktop' over a 'workstation' as the latter is perceived to have more 'horsepower'. Usage is a related category and probably had much to do with their deciding to call this a 'desktop'. Consumer's will most likely equate 'workstation' to a business device and 'desktop' as one used by the entire family. I suspect that they figure to make more money selling to the consumer, than to those looking for a business PC.

Price wise, it's all workstation. The top model (2 x 2Ghz) is ~$3,000 -- well beyond the standard 'desktop' consumer models (Dell's top 'gaming' rig runs about $1200). You have to get into their business 'workstation' range before reaching prices that equal what Apple is asking for their G5.

The difference between the two is mainly based on semantics (what do YOU call a workstation?) but I bet that they chose to use 'desktop' due to the marketing aspect.

Chum

 

[bigpow]

LOL

The big boys from Intel/AMD need to kick their a$$es more IMO

I've seen the latest Apple TV ad, they practically yell it out "the fastest most powerful computer today"

IMO that's BS marketing.

 

[digitalsm]

No, the point was made that G4/5's are not maintstream. If I can walk into a mainstream retailer and purchase one, it is mainstream in my mind. Dell has retail outlets at the malls here, and they aren't selling Xeon or Itanium systems at them.

Whatever, if it talks like a duck, walks like a duck, its a freaking duck. Most people that will buy the dual 2Ghz G5 will be using it as a workstation. Hell thats all Macs are good for, graphic design workstations, video workstations or sound workstations.

The point is you can buy 64bit PCs right now, and you cant buy a G5. Hell Dual Opteron systems are the same price as the dual G5 system, and maybe the 2.0Ghz Opteron will come down from the insane price buy time the G5s actually are released.

 

[Spac3d]

Oh, the horror!!!!

 

[Stang289]

I'm not sure what people consider "workstations" now, but when the term first came along it was actually had few differences (from a typical consumer desktop).

Examples:
1) NIC instead of a modem
2) Lower end video card for "word processing/spreadsheat machines" or Higer end video cards for "graphics workstations"
3) small hard drive "for word processing..." larger hard drive for "graphics"
4) some didn't even have sound cards

One was intended for businesses to save money because they didn't need all the bells and whistles of a regular desktop, this includes removing alot of the add on software that manufaturers included.

The other is intended for high end graphics machines, and usually cost more than a typical desktop. Apple could be included in this catagory.

Now some people are saying that apple isn't mainstream. Well, is Boxx? I personally have never heard of them.

Is Apple the first 64bit PC? Guess you could say yes or no. I'm pretty sure that all of you will be seeing G5's around before you will ever see a Boxx.

Is Apples G5 the fastest PC? Hopefully it is somewhere close, because competition does everyone good.

Stang289

 

[digitalsm]

Is Apple the first 64bit PC? Guess you could say yes or no. I'm pretty sure that all of you will be seeing G5's around before you will ever see a Boxx.

No one said Apple wasnt mainstream. Ive heard of BoxxTech before, long before Opteron. They make good cheaper render nodes. You can buy a dual Opteron from BoxxTech right now, and get it in ~1 week. Same can be said for the various other manufactures selling Dual Opteron systems. There are multiple companies selling dual opteron systems. BoxxTech was just the first one.

 

[Pariah]

The point is you can buy 64bit PCs right now, and you cant buy a G5.

From where? Name a manufacturer, that any of us have heard of, that sells preassembled systems backed with their multiyear warranty. And any $2000 system that has onboard ATi Rage graphics or equivalent and no AGP slot, is not a desktop.

 

[digitalsm]

Is Apples G5 the fastest PC? Hopefully it is somewhere close, because competition does everyone good.

Its catching up, but still has a ways to go. The problem is, is Intel and how fast they ramp up Prescott.

 

[dmw16]

MAC sucks.