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Warin wrote:

I love the rampant FUD.  I thought better of you, Oatie.

Thought better of me?  What the hell is that supposed to mean? 

Dude, this took EVERYONE by surprise, and none of us - no matter what we say, or how positive someone is about their speculation - have a CLUE what is coming. Jjust friday we were POSITIVE that Apple would never go to Intel, CNet had to have gotten it wrong, don't tell me you know what's coming.

Of COURSE there's fear, uncertainty and doubt - this move is contrary to everything they've ever said before!  How can you continue to take what they say at face value and not have any doubts? 

For my part, I invested about $3000 on a new dual 1.8 G5 just under a year ago, and I'm a little nervous about it possibly being left behind MUCH sooner than I anticipated. 

I said 'invested' - I can't afford to upgrade my computer every few years.  I was wagering that Apple's course was going to remain pretty much true to what they told us, that with subsequent upgrades (pci, RAM, Drives, etc) my tower would be compatible with everything new for as long as my Pismo has been (five years) and longer. 

This announcement potentially throws that into jeapordy, and that's to say nothing of what this might do to the resale value.  As far as I'm concerned, there has never been more reason for fear, uncertainty or doubt.

I suspect Apple will make their own mainboards, but they will do so with off the shelf chipsets - and  may contract with someone like asus for just small modifications.

I also predict that apple's market share will increase to 8% by 2010 and then explode from there up to about 15% where it will remain.

Software developers can't afford to drop PPC for several years. Think about it: PowerPCs won't be fully phased out for another year and a half. In fact, the PowerMacs will probably be the last to go since Apple will need to wait until Intel releases a next-gen processor that's faster then the G5. (like an actual dual core processor, 64 bits, faster per clock and a higher clock, etc.) I'd say software developers can't afford to drop PPC support until at least 4-5 years after the last PPC PowerMacs, so we're looking at another 5.5-6.5 years until PPC apps begin to be phased out. (pure speculation, but software companies are out to make money, not leave out potential customers) I'm in the same situation as you, though, since I just spent over $3000 on a PowerMac a month ago myself. As long as I get at least 4 years out of this machine without any apps that I want being Intel only, I'm happy.

As Elwood suggested, email Steve. Maybe he will reconsider.

In my opinion, the processor doesn't matter as much as the operating system.  If going with Intel will give us faster computers, newer technologies, and a better overall experience then why the heck not go with them.  I agree with you oatmeal that we got sideswiped by this, but I trust that Apple has a good idea of where they are going with all this.  We survived the switch from the 68k macs to the PPC, so I think we can survive the transistion to Intel.  I just hope that prices will come down if they are going to use more industry standard components.  I was going to be buying a new computer at the end of the year, but I think I will wait a bit and see where this is all going.  Maybe I will pick up a new low end Macintel machine when they come out to see what they are all about before investing in a more expensive machine.

I look forward to being able to boot my Mac into either OS X or Windows.  They could use that as a selling point.  Instead of buying a mac and a windows box, you could just get a Mac and do both.  Once again the Macintosh will be more compatable than the PC world!  Maybe this will increase the sales of Apple computers.  Having one computer that can boot to any platform would surely be a good thing for IT people.  No longer do you have to keep PC's and Macs around in a mixed environment and make sure they get to the right people.  Now you could buy a shipment of computers and install whatever you need.  THAT would be the best thing since sliced bread.

resedit wrote:

oatmeal wrote:

Warin wrote:

I love the rampant FUD.  I thought better of you, Oatie.

Thought better of me?  What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I always think better of you than of most people here.
Neut had big shoes to fill and you filled them.

What Res said.

It's scary when I see someone that is usually rational and logical "freaking out" even a little bit.

Oatie, I understand your concerns, but I am pretty sure that Apple is not going to do anything to alienate the existing user base.  I suspect your G5 will perform well and serve you well well into the future.  I am likely going to buy a G5 iMac in september, and that plan has not changed, in spite of this announcement.

I am not convinced that the change will signal anything more than faster systems in a more timely manner, plus higher performance notebooks.