[Dark Helmet]

Pro-Series? Pentium whatever?

Will it have a custom faceplate with P4 on it to match the current G5s?

[Peter]

Powermacs?

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Peter

Powermacs?

Seems unlikely since the 'power' in PowerMac refers to the PowerPC processors.

When they switched from 68k processors to PPC processors they introduced a new line of Macs. I imagine they'll do the same when they switch from PPC to x86.

[BlueSky]

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.O.™

[Dork.]

I wonder if they can call them G6's? I didn't think the G3/G4/G5 designation was a Motorola/Freescale/IBM thing, I thinkg that's just what Apple called the processors in their marketing. So maybe they'll just rev the number up one. After all, one of the key points to this transition is that it is supposed to be as, ahem, seamless as the initial PPC transition...

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Seems unlikely since the 'power' in PowerMac refers to the PowerPC processors.

When they switched from 68k processors to PPC processors they introduced a new line of Macs. I imagine they'll do the same when they switch from PPC to x86.

Oh ya you're right. So even PowerMac wouldn't work. Interesting.

[residentEvil]

I think they will be getting away from many of the current names including all the iCrap; and shorten them down to one name 'codes'. I see/hear it with the nano (dropping iPod) and the mini (dropping Mac). I thinkt he switch will see away with iCrap and Mac naming.

Course, the i could now mean Intel, so it could go both ways.

Blech.

I'll stand by my original, there will be all new naming and droping the i, Mac and Power prefixes.

[- - e r i k - -]

PowerBooks where called POWERBooks long before Power PC-chips. Just sayin' that's all.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dork.

I wonder if they can call them G6's? I didn't think the G3/G4/G5 designation was a Motorola/Freescale/IBM thing, I thinkg that's just what Apple called the processors in their marketing. So maybe they'll just rev the number up one. After all, one of the key points to this transition is that it is supposed to be as, ahem, seamless as the initial PPC transition...

But what about the actual computer's name? G3/G4/G5 was what Apple called the processors, but called the computers Powermacs. To differentiate between them they called them "Powermac G5" or "G5 Powermac".

I would assume they'd want to stick with the "Powermac" name if at all possible. Its a solid name for the brand and has a strong history. I'd say they stay with "Powermac" and change the processor name to something new. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if they just went to G6 instead of a totally new name.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

PowerBooks where called POWERBooks long before Power PC-chips. Just sayin' that's all.

Yeah, I thought of that too. But it is true that while they were still with the 68k chips there were no PowerMacs, only Macintoshes. So who knows. :/

We should get a clue though at MacWorld (where I'll be at the keynote! ).

[AppleOptionFour]

Does Pontiac owns the rights to "G6" with "the worlds first ever G6?" That commercial/product line still baffles me...Whats so great about a new car type...especially one from pontiac?

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

But what about the actual computer's name? G3/G4/G5 was what Apple called the processors, but called the computers Powermacs. To differentiate between them they called them "Powermac G5" or "G5 Powermac".

I would assume they'd want to stick with the "Powermac" name if at all possible. Its a solid name for the brand and has a strong history. I'd say they stay with "Powermac" and change the processor name to something new. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if they just went to G6 instead of a totally new name.

I'd say the name Powermac will die. It has been in use for a long time. Eons in "computer years". A new name is in order both to differentiate between the old macs and the new, and advance the appearance of moving forward.

[Big Mac]

I will absolutely go insane if they dare call Pentium 4 PCs "Power Mac G6s."

[hickey]

I think they might get keep the 'power' in front of whatever they add on to it. Since they do want to make it a seamless transition, the deletion of power would hinder that.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by AppleOptionFour

Does Pontiac owns the rights to "G6" with "the worlds first ever G6?" That commercial/product line still baffles me...Whats so great about a new car type...especially one from pontiac?

I believe that since Pontiac's G6 is a completely different product than an Apple computer that its not against copyright laws.

But now that I've thought about this name thing a bit, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Apple decides to start a completely new naming chapter with the switch to Intel. If the rumors of Apple offering up a solution that allows you to run multiple OS's on one box (natively) are true, then they might want to make a huge deal out of this launch. They might approach this as a new way era of consumer computing. A new name, with a big fat launch would get the press talking.

And if they time it right, they could take a good deal of thunder away from the Vista launch. I know that Apple has nothing to worry about when it comes to Vista, but MS is going to dupe the public once again and make people think that their new OS is the best thing in the universe. So any publicity that Apple can take away from that sham would be good.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I will absolutely go insane if they dare call Pentium 4 PCs "Power Mac G6s."

It would be entirely consistent...

The G3 was the third processor line used in Macs. 68k, PPC, G3, G4, G5. That progression spanned more than one processor architecture, so there would be no issue with calling the x86 processor used the G6. The Power bit is a bit iffy as I pointed out, but as erik mentioned there is a precedent for branding non-PPC machines with the Power prefix.

In short, it would be perfectly reasonable to call it a PowerMac G6.

[cpt kangarooski]

The G names do derive from the chips. The 601 and 603 are first generation PPC chips, and the 604 was a second generation ship. I suspect that Apple started calling systems G3's as a marketing ploy. They were competing against the Pentium 2 at the time, and three is larger than two.

As for the PowerBooks, well, remember that in the early and mid-90's,they were using 'power' way too much. PowerBooks, PowerPC, PowerMacs, PowerCD, Powertalk, Powershare, etc. It was pretty silly.

I would like something simple, like Macintosh P4. The iPod name, however, is too valuable to drop just now.

maroma--
You mean trademark. You cannot copyright a name.

[residentEvil]

the Intel PowerMac G6

[ink]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

The G3 was the third processor line used in Macs. 68k, PPC, G3, G4, G5.

I always thought it was 60[13](G1), 604(G2), 7[45]0(G3), 74xx(G4), 970(G5) -- which would imply that the 'G' is a PowerPC chipset generation.

My vote: Beige Mac

[Fonzie]

What's in a name anyways? They could go as far as just calling the PowerMac's for Intel Tower Mac's - But I agree that they need to come up with a suitable name in order for people to differentiate between Intel iMac's and what have you. If they all were named Intel Mac's or something then people would go bananas. Some would i'm sure- maybe not all.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by cpt kangarooski

The G names do derive from the chips. The 601 and 603 are first generation PPC chips, and the 604 was a second generation ship. I suspect that Apple started calling systems G3's as a marketing ploy. They were competing against the Pentium 2 at the time, and three is larger than two.

As for the PowerBooks, well, remember that in the early and mid-90's,they were using 'power' way too much. PowerBooks, PowerPC, PowerMacs, PowerCD, Powertalk, Powershare, etc. It was pretty silly.

I would like something simple, like Macintosh P4. The iPod name, however, is too valuable to drop just now.

maroma--
You mean trademark. You cannot copyright a name.

The 604 was a different generation than the 601 and 603? I guess that would make sense as the G3 and G4 weren't really all that different either... :/

[goMac]

Originally Posted by ink

I always thought it was 60[13](G1), 604(G2), 7[45]0(G3), 74xx(G4), 970(G5) -- which would imply that the 'G' is a PowerPC chipset generation.

The "G2" series consisted of five processors:

The 601, 603, 603e, 604, 604e. I owned a 604 machine at the time and they were fast. My 604 felt like it could still outrun my Wallstreet Powerbook which I got a bit later.

Anyway, the G3 was the first huge leap in PowerPC design, which is why Apple opted to refer to it as the G3 (with the G1 being the 68k series). The 601, 603, and 604 were all pretty similar, similar to all the different series of P4's.

[wdlove]

I think that they will stick with the name Power Mac. Referring to the power of the Mac and its use for professionals.

[ink]

Originally Posted by goMac

The "G2" series consisted of five processors:

The 601, 603, 603e, 604, 604e. I owned a 604 machine at the time and they were fast. My 604 felt like it could still outrun my Wallstreet Powerbook which I got a bit later.

Anyway, the G3 was the first huge leap in PowerPC design, which is why Apple opted to refer to it as the G3 (with the G1 being the 68k series). The 601, 603, and 604 were all pretty similar, similar to all the different series of P4's.

The G3 is basically a 603 with a better branch predictor and an extra integer unit:

http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/cpu/ppc-2.ars

They upped the Mhz too, which helped... but 601->603 was a much bigger change. Although I get the sense that we're trying to understand marketers, which is tenuous task at best

[production_coordinator]

The term "Power" has been around for some time... 1991 IIRC... it was the PowerBook 100, and it didn't have a PowerPC chip inside of it...

IMHO, Power = Pro

I think the G6 or some cool x86 theme is guaranteed.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by cpt kangarooski

maroma--
You mean trademark. You cannot copyright a name.

Aye, you are correct. Thanks for clearing that up.

[jhogarty]

XPS? /duck

J.

[cpt kangarooski]

nonhuman--

The 604 was a different generation than the 601 and 603? I guess that would make sense as the G3 and G4 weren't really all that different either... :/

Actually, I seem to have made a mistake. I had been under the impression that the 603 was a low-power version of the 601, and therefore fell into the G1 family. However, some quick research indicates that the 603 is actually part of the G2 family, along with the 604.

The main difference is that the 601 didn't fully implement the PPC spec, while the 603 and 604 did. There's a page here that goes through the processors and breaks them down by generation (though it basically stops before the G5).

gomac--
No, the generations were all with regards to PPCs. The 68k cpus are not included.

[osiris]

I think Apple will stick with PowerMac.
Unless they use SuperMac - but I think that was used by a clone back in the 90's.
Other potentially insane possibilities: SuperPowerMac, SuperDuperPowerMac, UltraMac, SuperUltraMac and ReallySpecialSuperDuperUltraMac.

[Big Mac]

Honestly, I'd prefer Apple just throw in the CPU towel now, instead of making bastardized faux-Macs. It's going to happen anyway, so Apple should save itself the embarrassment. Apple is no longer interested in making superior systems, so it's time to license OS X to HP and watch our platform fade away. Regrettable but true.

[mduell]

We still don't know what Intel is going to call their chips... current rumors suggest that it won't be Pentium 5.

[Salty]

Any votes for Xmac?

Get an Xmac for Xmas... hehe...

Seriously though I could kind of see them going with Xmac. I don't know about keeping Power Mac or not. That said Power Mac really isn't that great of a name. I remember when I first became a Mac user I thought it was really dumb.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Honestly, I'd prefer Apple just throw in the CPU towel now, instead of making bastardized faux-Macs. It's going to happen anyway, so Apple should save itself the embarrassment. Apple is no longer interested in making superior systems, so it's time to license OS X to HP and watch our platform fade away. Regrettable but true.

Why aren't you willing to at least wait and see what Apple does? For all you know the x86 Macs will be vastly superior to what we have now.

[Teronzhul]

Originally Posted by osiris

I think Apple will stick with PowerMac.
Unless they use SuperMac - but I think that was used by a clone back in the 90's.
Other potentially insane possibilities: SuperPowerMac, SuperDuperPowerMac, UltraMac, SuperUltraMac and ReallySpecialSuperDuperUltraMac.

You left out "Uber" and possibly other insanely great words.

Originally Posted by mduell

We still don't know what Intel is going to call their chips... current rumors suggest that it won't be Pentium 5.

A lot of people thought the Pentium D would be the Pentium 5, but since it didn't continue the # scheme, I think you're right. It is time for a new name and possibly retire the Pentium name entirely.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I will absolutely go insane if they dare call Pentium 4 PCs "Power Mac G6s."

Too late...

[kmkkid]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Honestly, I'd prefer Apple just throw in the CPU towel now, instead of making bastardized faux-Macs. It's going to happen anyway, so Apple should save itself the embarrassment. Apple is no longer interested in making superior systems, so it's time to license OS X to HP and watch our platform fade away. Regrettable but true.

Still on our crusade are we?

[driven]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I will absolutely go insane if they dare call Pentium 4 PCs "Power Mac G6s."

You are aware the Intel is drooping the numerical designations, right?

We now have the "Pentium D". :-)

Maybe this will be the "Powermac GD"

[JoshuaZ]

Probably just Powermac. Keep it simple for the simple Windows crowd.

[Lateralus]

The generations go as follows:

G1: 601
G2: 603s and 604s (the 604ev arguably being G3)
G3: 740/750
G4: 74xx
G5: 970xx

The G refers to the PowerPC generation/family, so it would in no way be applicable for x86 based machines. It also does not in any way refer to the 68k series of machines.

And if we're to think that Apple is going to drop the 'Power' from the Power Mac name simply because of the switch away from PowerPC, you'd have to think they'd be dropping the PowerBook name as well for the same reasons. And there is no way in hell that is going to happen. Power Mac and PowerBook are some of the most brand-valuable names in the entire industry. Just like ThinkPad was with IBM and Pentium is with Intel.

Originally Posted by kmkkid

Still on our crusade are we?

Yes.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Honestly, I'd prefer Apple just throw in the CPU towel now, instead of making bastardized faux-Macs. It's going to happen anyway, so Apple should save itself the embarrassment. Apple is no longer interested in making superior systems, so it's time to license OS X to HP and watch our platform fade away. Regrettable but true.

[Salty]

I don't know how valuable PowerBook and Power Mac are as brands.

[Dark Helmet]

You'd think iPod and iMac was the most valuble. I just hear people say Apple laptop. When was the last time anyone said Apple MP3 player when talking about the iPod.

[Salty]

Actually honestly PowerBook sounds more awkard than iBook. I'd sooner say that they all would be called iBooks, perhaps iBook pro or something.

[Kevin]

Super Duper Books!

[waxcrash]

I think they'll call 'em "Power Mac XPS-360".

[Kevin]

A like that sig Wax.

[isao bered]

Originally Posted by driven

You are aware the Intel is drooping the numerical designations, right?

We now have the "Pentium D". :-)

Maybe this will be the "Powermac GD"

:-) and when it breaks it will be the "gd powermac" - just the same as now. ;-)

be well.

laeth

[goMac]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Honestly, I'd prefer Apple just throw in the CPU towel now, instead of making bastardized faux-Macs. It's going to happen anyway, so Apple should save itself the embarrassment. Apple is no longer interested in making superior systems, so it's time to license OS X to HP and watch our platform fade away. Regrettable but true.

Huh? Have you seen the benchmarks on the new Pentium M?

Saving the Powerbook line. That's what they're doing. The new Pentium M is faster than most desktop processors.

[Dark Helmet]

Apple current laptop performance is pathetic.

[Salty]

Dude didn't you watch that Mhz myth video!? The G4 rocks the casaba!