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IBM Announces New Chip Making Method

IBM officially announced that it is producing the PowerPC 970FX today based on "a new method of manufacturing to make microprocessors that consume less power".

The new manufacturing process for the new chips includes silicon-on-insulator, strained silicon and copper wiring based on a 90nm chip making process. The resulting chip "which can process vast amounts of computer memory compared with a standard 32-bit chip, can either run at faster speeds or use less power".

According to Richard Doherty, research director at Envisioneering, "It's logical that Apple would select the flexibility of this chip for a next-generation notebook computer."

The incorporation of both Silicon-on-insulator and strained silicon gives credence to this early rumor report which claimed that IBM was producing chips using a new SSOI (strained silicon on insulator) manufacturing process. Previous expectations had targeted this technology at a later date (2005).

The new chips are already being used in the Xserve G5s. More information should become available at the ISSCC 2004 conference this next week.


Meanwhile, CNet report echos a previous expectation of 2.5GHz speeds, but may simply be based on the same Microprocessor Report speculation published earlier this week.

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104 months ago
Whoo Hoo G5 powerbook next month then
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104 months ago
When I hear "low power", I think laptop. Could this be the much anticipated G5 laptop? If they are developing it now, I can't image that it would be available sooner than the Fall. sigh :-(

Thank goodness Apple is getting rid of the Motorola chips.

Thanks IBM!
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104 months ago
Bring on the G5 PowerBooks, G5 iMacs, and throw in some 3 GHz PowerMacs as well please! Ah, what the hell, be generous, give the eMacs and iBooks G5s as well! What the hell, G5s for all!!!! :cool:
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104 months ago

Originally posted by Macrumors
According to Richard Doherty, research director at Envisioneering, "It's logical that Apple would select the flexibility of this chip for a next-generation notebook computer."[/B]


Well there we go. We'll have PowerBook G5s soon enough.

It's interesting that my dad heard about this earlier than MacRumors reporting it since he usually doesn't care about what happens to Apple! But ever since the G5s were released, he's been hoping to see a PowerBook G5 soon. Hmmmm, maybe he'll buy me one.
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104 months ago
these are promising times for apple. It is seeming more possible that SJ's promise of many great things to come this year might be a reality.
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104 months ago

Originally posted by Macrumors
next-generation notebook computer


Best news I've heard in a long time. This should give us G5 "notebooks" by the end of the year, maybe a little sooner. Bye bye Motorola.
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104 months ago
Apple designed and launched the Xserve G5 before the chip was made official, so maybe there really is hope for a G5 PB anytime soon?
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104 months ago
Hmmm... wonder when we are able to welcome the G5 Xserves.
After that the road is wide open for:
a) High clock speeds PowerMac G5s
b) PowerBook G5
c) iMac G5

WOW... this could be a gr8 year!!!
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104 months ago

Originally posted by ~Shard~
Bring on the G5 PowerBooks, G5 iMacs, and throw in some 3 GHz PowerMacs as well please! Ah, what the hell, be generous, give the eMacs and iBooks G5s as well! What the hell, G5s for all!!!! :cool:


Why not, G5s for the iPod Mini!
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104 months ago

Originally posted by yoman
these are promising times for apple. It is seeming more possible that SJ's promise of many great things to come this year might be a reality.


The things He has promised will come to pass. Indeed, this is truly God's country.

;)

(sorry i couldnt help it, what's with everyone sounding like Apple is a religion lately? i'm a huge fan of course, but come on... )
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