When we launched The Macintel Report in June 2005, we knew it
would have a short life. After all, Apple was going to be 100%
Intel by the end of 2006, so from that point on all Macintel news
would simply be Mac news. Well, Apple beat that deadline by a
country mile, announcing the Mac Pro and an Intel-based Xserve
earlier this month. And that means Macintel News is now just plain
Mac News, so we're bringing an end to the Macintel Report with this
installation.
PowerBook, iBook, and other portable computing news is covered
in The 'Book Review. General
Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review.
The Macintel Transition
Tech Tips and Info
Intel News
The Macintel Transition
Is a Mac mini Update Imminent?
Ars Technica's Charles Jade says:
"Mac enthusiasts are having problems with the transition to
Intel, not the actual adoption of Intel-based Macs, but the
rumormongering. The move to Intel was supposed to make the hitherto
art of upgrade prognostication into a simple craft. Publicly
available roadmaps and release dates were supposed to determine the
upgrade cycle, and this worked with the Mac Pro, but we have yet to see a MacBook
Pro with Core 2 Duo. And now there are signs that a Mac mini update is nearing...."
Link: Is a Mac
mini Update Imminent?
Mac Pro Beats Dell on Price
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our original content, whichever is less.)
Does Intel Increase Apple's Appeal?
Deccan Herald says:
"With Apple reinventing itself in recent times including a new
OS and a line of computers with Intel processors, it is fast
catching the attention of Windows users.
"Ten years ago, if you were a Windows user, the idea of
switching to a Macintosh might not have seemed enticing. An
abundance of new Windows software was arriving on store shelves,
while the selection available to Mac users seemed to be falling
behind, often relegated to a back corner of the same store.
"Today, the calculation is different. Apple Computer, through a
series of transitions, has reinvented itself. With a new operating
system, its own chain of retail stores, the iPod and now a new line
of computers that run on Intel processors, this new and more
mainstream Apple is catching the attention of Windows users.
"But is switching a good idea? The answer, as always, depends on
the needs and preferences of the user. Apple's move to Intel
processors has made it easier to run Windows on Intel-based Macs,
and thus any software a switcher may want to continue using. But
even with that ability, there are pluses and minuses to
consider."
Link:
It Is a Luring Apple Choice
Common Processor Diminishes Mac vs. PC
Debate
The Columbus Dispatch says:
"Shopping for a laptop is either too easy or too hard.
"The stickiest of these value judgments remains that old
standby: Mac or Windows?
"The basic tradeoff between Mac OS X and Windows XP has changed
dramatically since Apple began selling computers that run on the
same Intel processors as many PCs. A Mac now can run every program
a PC can, once you install Apple's free Boot Camp software and use
that to load a copy of Windows XP on the Mac's hard drive. (Or you
can buy 'virtualization' software that runs XP in its own window in
OS X.)
"Instead of having to balance Apple's security and ease of use
with the far-wider choice of software provided by Windows, you can
have both. So if you've been leaning toward getting a MacBook,
Apple's consumer-oriented laptop, but worry that you might have to
run some Windows-only program, go ahead and get the Mac."
Link:
Common Processor Diminishes Mac vs. PC Debate
Apple Gearing Up to Ship Conroe-based
Macs?
The Register's Tony Smith says:
"Is Apple about to upgrade its Mac mini and iMac consumer
computers? One blogger reckons so after a big order for Mac minis
was rejected by his usual supplier. The reseller told him he would
be able to order the kit from 5 September onwards.
"What makes the posting worthy of note is that the same thing
happened some seven months ago, days before Apple launched its
Intel-based Mac minis on 28 February."
Link:
Apple Gearing Up to Ship Conroe-based Macs?
Buying a Mac as a Windows PC
iTWire - IT News Australia's Stan Beer says:
"Like many of the media around the world, I was treated to a
comprehensive demo by the local Apple Mac marketing team, who
showed off the Mac Pro, the last of the company's computer hardware
to move to the Intel platform....
"Leaving aside the benefits and features of having a box that
comes with Mac OS X Tiger, soon to be upgraded to Leopard,
with all the plug and play features, the Mac Pro still becomes a
fairly interesting proposition when considered just as a Windows
box.
"In fact, the same thing now goes for the entire Mac
range....
"There are some commentators out in the marketplace that still
maintain that the Mac will stay just a niche player. They may not
have looked at the prices lately compared to the Windows only
boxes."
Link: Buying a Mac as a
Windows PC
Tech Tips and Info
Intel Simplifies Multicore Parallelism
PR: Intel Corporation yesterday announced the
availability of three new threading tools that enable software
developers to efficiently create reliable, high-performance
threaded applications to take full advantage of multicore
processing systems. These new tools, Intel Threading Building
Blocks 1.0, Intel Thread Checker 3.0 and Intel Thread Profiler 3.0,
are part of the most comprehensive tool set in the industry,
enabling developers to achieve correctness, scalability and ease of
programming in parallel development. "These are the tools software
developers need the most to enable them to exploit parallelism from
multicore processors," said James Reinders, marketing director for
Intel's Developer Products Division. "Developers do not want to
inflate their code by writing their own thread management code and
no one should have to debug and tune applications using yesterday's
developer tools. These products work with other Intel tools,
understand locks, OpenMP and other parallel constructs, and fit
easily into current development environments."
Intel Threading Building Blocks 1.0
Intel Threading Building Blocks 1.0 is a C++ runtime library
that simplifies introducing threads to an application, making
performance gains possible while shielding software developers from
the low-level complexity of assigning threads to processor cores.
With this tool, developers can avoid having to rewrite, retest and
retune common parallel data structures and algorithms. Developers
can utilize this product to make their programs simpler and more
maintainable while also enhancing the speed and scalability of
their applications. Intel Threading Building Blocks enables
developers to write an application once that automatically
recognizes the number of available cores and scales performance
appropriately. This reduces the need to rewrite application code
when new processors with more cores are released. Threading
Building Blocks 1.0 provides a single solution for Windows*, Linux,
and Mac * OS on platforms using Intel, Microsoft* and GNU
compilers. This library can be used in concert with other threading
programming interfaces, such as Windows, POSIX* and OpenMP*
threads.
Intel Thread Checker 3.0
Intel Thread Checker 3.0 is a threading analysis tool that
allows developers to introduce threading in a way to minimize error
potential. With its patented, advanced error protection engine, it
provides "thread safety" by identifying the most obscure threading
errors in 32-bit and 64-bit applications. Intel Thread Checker is
unique in its ability to help developers understand how to
optimally use Windows*, POSIX* or OpenMP* threads in their
applications. This latest version of Intel Thread Checker now
supports 64-bit applications on Intel hardware platforms based on
the Intel 64 architecture, enabling developers to use just one
thread analyzer for both their 32- and 64-bit applications. In
addition to supporting Intel compilers and existing Microsoft*
compilers on Windows*, Intel Thread Checker 3.0 adds integration
with Microsoft* Visual Studio 2005.
Intel Thread Profiler 3.0
Intel Thread Profiler 3.0 for Windows provides developers with
insight into how their application threads interact. Intel Thread
Profiler visualizes threaded application behavior and pinpoints
parallel performance issues, such as bottlenecks. It allows
developers to measure the number of cores that are effectively
utilized by the application and indicates the percentage of the
code that is not optimally parallelized for the hardware platform
on which the application is running. Intel Thread Profiler 3.0 can
also prototype and estimate the performance potential of threading
parts of an application, enabling developers to thread the parts of
their application that will yield the greatest performance.
Intel Threading Building Blocks 1.0, Intel Thread Checker 3.0
and Intel Thread Profiler 3.0 are available today. Suggested
pricing for the products: Intel Threading Building Blocks 1.0 for
Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems $299; Intel Thread Checker
3.0 for Windows and Linux $999 and Intel Thread Profiler 3.0 for
Windows $299. The Intel Thread Checker 3.0 for Linux, which
currently supports command-line usage only, has a suggested price
of $499.
Intel offers a complete line of software development products,
including compilers, libraries and analysis tools, which enable
developers to get more performance out of their systems and
applications. Intel software developer products offer industry
leading support for parallel programming for systems of all
sizes
Link: Intel Software
Development Products
Intel News
Laptops Get Performance Boost from Intel Core 2
Duo Processors
PR: Laptops around the world are getting a makeover as
systems based on Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology are now
shipping with Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processors inside, Intel
Corporation announced today.
More than 200 Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology-based designs
from PC manufacturers, resellers and integrators around the world
will incorporate the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor (formerly
codenamed "Merom") this year. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor,
launched last month, has garnered widespread acclaim and is already
shipping in the company's other premium platform for consumers,
Intel Viiv technology-based entertainment PCs.
"In just one year we've taken extraordinary leaps in mobile and
desktop computing with the launch of the Intel Core 2 Duo
processor," said David (Dadi) Perlmutter, senior vice president of
Intel's Mobility Group. "For laptops the new processor has doubled
the performance, giving consumers and businesses an immersive
mobile experience while keeping power consumption and battery life
unchanged. The dual-core processing power of the Core 2 Duo
processor helps people handle the toughest of multitasking
scenarios no matter where they are."
Intel Core 2 Duo processors have two processing cores - or
computing "brains" - that can handle multiple tasks in less time
while consuming less power. This means cooler, sleeker and smaller
systems. These processors also deliver improved performance for
videos, gaming and multimedia activities - especially when running
multiple applications simultaneously. For example, when integrated
into Intel Centrino Duo-based systems, the Intel Core 2 Duo
processors can improve viewing and playing back high-definition
video, speed up conversion of songs into a digital format so they
can be uploaded onto an MP3 player, and more quickly run the latest
virus protection updates.
Laptops based on Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology with the
Intel Core 2 Duo processor also include the current Intel 945
Express chipset family and the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network
connection.
Intel Viiv technology-based entertainment PCs with the Intel
Core 2 Duo processor, which started shipping earlier this month,
also include the new Intel 965 Express Chipset family with support
for high-definition playback and up to 7.1 surround sound.
The mobile version of the Intel Core 2 Duo processors T7600,
T7400, T7200, T5600 and T5500 are priced at $637, $423, $294, $241
and $209 respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. For additional
information on platform component pricing and availability, visit
Intel® Processor Pricing (PDF 24 KB)
Intel's Core 2 Duo Makes Notebook Debut
eWeek's John G. Spooner reports:
"As expected, numerous PC makers on Aug. 28 unveiled plans to
offer Intel's new Core 2 Duo processor inside notebook PC
models.
"The Core 2 Duo for notebooks, otherwise known by the code name
Merom, offers buyers extra performance - an increase of about 20
percent over its predecessor, the Core Duo, according to Intel -
while holding power consumption to nearly the same level, an
increase from 31 watts for the Core Duo to 34 watts for the Core 2
Duo."
Link: Intel's
Core 2 Duo Makes Notebook Debut
Intel Core 2 Duo 'Merom' Notebooks
Trusted Reviews' Benny Har-Even reports:
"Every few months computer technology moves forward. Usually
it's only a small jump, such as a latest iteration of a graphics
architecture, but sometimes it's a significant one, such as the
recent introduction of Intel's Core 2 Duo desktop processor, known
internally by Intel as Conroe.
"Conroe's arrival was very important as it represented the first
time that Intel had brought the fruits of its new 'Performance per
Watt' architecture direction to the desktop....
"...Intel previous mobile chip, Yonah or Core Duo was so good
that it didn't need to rush it to market. However, Intel definitely
needed to bring Conroe to the market as for a long time been
lagging behind AMD."
Link: Intel Core 2
Duo 'Merom' Notebooks
Merom Core 2 Duo Benchmarks
Extreme Tech' Loyd Case writes:
"Merom is out.
"The mobile version of the Core 2 Duo, code-named Merom,
completes the circle: The company now has the same architecture
across desktop, mobile, and most server platforms. The mobile
version is identical architecturally to the desktop Core 2 Duo, but
adds more aggressive power management. That's a good thing, as
we'll see shortly, because the new CPU can run hotter when pushed
hard than Intel's previous Core Duo mobile line.
"We had the rare opportunity to look at both Core Duo and Core 2
Duo in the same platform. Intel supplied us with a 'white box'
laptop PC: an ASUS Z96J, which uses Intel's mobile 945 chipset. The
Z96J uses a standard socket 479 for the CPU, which allowed us to
swap out Core Duo for Core 2 Duo. This allowed us to run benchmarks
on identical systems."
Link: Merom
Core 2 Duo Benchmarks
Extreme Tech also reports:
"Let's first take a look at the results from SYSmark 2004 SE,
which simulates real-life workloads for both Internet Content
Creation and Office Productivity. The content-creation part uses
apps like Photoshop, 3ds Max, Dreamweaver, and more, while the
office-productivity tests use typical office apps, such as
PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
"The difference in clock rates between Yonah (Core Duo) and
Merom (Core 2 Duo) is slightly less than 8%. The difference in
SYSmark Office Productivity scores is over 25%, while the
difference in the Internet Content Creation test suite is just shy
of 15%, so clock rate is not the key differentiator in performance.
This gives us the first clue that the new CPU is a substantially
better performer than the older Core Duo."
Link: Merom
Core 2 Duo Benchmarks
'Woodcrest' Shows Its Stuff
eWeek:
"Armed with Intel's latest dual-core Xeon processors, IBM's
x3500 server offers organizations speedy performance and flexible
internal storage and memory configuration for their
mission-critical applications-all with a compact footprint.
"Released in July with the new Xeon 5100 series processors
(formerly code-named Woodcrest), the 5U (8.75-inch) x3500 tower
server is a solid choice for remote branch locations and data
centers. The x3500 vies with two-processor towers such as Dell's
PowerEdge 2900 and Hewlett-Packard's ProLiant ML370 G5, both of
which also can be configured with the Xeon 5100 processors.
"Built on a new Core microarchitecture, the Xeon 5100 processor
features a 4 MB Level 2 cache shared between each of its cores
and a 1,333 MHz Dual-Independent Bus architecture. Clock speeds for
the new Xeon processors, which were released in June, start at 1.6
GHz and go up to 3.0 GHz, with power consumption ranging from 65
watts to 85 watts."
Link: 'Woodcrest'
Shows Its Stuff
