[olePigeon]

A while back I predicted Apple would be moving to the CELL processor architecture, then Apple did a 180 and announced they're moving to Intel. So that threw off my spotless Apple Technology prediction threads.

Today I read that Toshiba is designing laptops that use CELL SPEs in coordination with a Intel Core 2 Duo as the main processor. The CELLs handle all the video processing.

To give you an idea of how cool the CELLs are and how underutilized they are on the PS3:

Toshiba had four demos running, the first of which transformed standard-definition video into 1080p. This takes ... 640x480-pixel video ... applies some hardcore image processing, and spits it out a few hours later as full 1080p. ... what would take 24 hours with an ordinary laptop can be done in just three hours with the aid of [CELL SPEs].

This is something I'd imagine Apple would be very interested in, especially for their pro apps.

I'm hoping Toshiba's announcement will spur Apple into looking at CELL again, maybe vindicate my once perfect prediction record. Or perhaps even a partnership between Intel and IBM to get CELL processors as apart of an Intel chipset.

[IceEnclosure]

Imagine if they put a cell proc. in one of the new Dodge Challengers? You'd LOVE that.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure 

Imagine if they put a cell proc. in one of the new Dodge Challengers? You'd LOVE that.

You know, the PowerPC came about first as an embedded microprocessor for car computers. I bet the Challenger would get 50% more horsepower if they used a CELL.

[mduell]

Cell as a coprocessor is great... but so is your GPU.

[- - e r i k - -]

Cells as co-processors are an interesting concept. It is my understanding that CELLs themselves are horrible for general purpose computing, but for specialised tasks like this they can be extremely useful indeed.

[ghporter]

The newest Mac-"It's got a hemi!" Yeah, that'd go over well.