Re: Intel Based Macs...?
- From: shamino@xxxxxxxxxx (David C.)
- Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 21:39:54 GMT
Donald L McDaniel <invalid@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
> I doubt very seriously whether this will be possible, since the Intel
> platform (even for MacTels) will also necessitate a change in logic
> boards (called "motherboards" in the Wintel world), since the Intel
> platform is completely different from the PPC platform. It just will
> not be possible to insert a PPC processor on a MacTel logic board,
> just as it's not possible to insert an Intel chip onto a PPC logic
> board.
I would agree, in principle. But I've seen counterexamples.
You may remember that several sources (including Apple) provided PPC
upgrade cards for some 68K macs.
The one I'm familiar with (Apple's upgrade card for the Quadra 950) was
a processor card that was installed in parallel to the main 68040 CPU.
A control panel was used to select what you'd boot into (PPC or 68K).
These kinds of cards worked well for most apps, although there were
some incompatibilities.
It may be possible for Apple to do the same thing today. Such a card
would be a PCI-express card containing an entire Intel motherboard
(CPU, memory, bridge chips, etc.). When enabled, the legacy
motherboard would be disabled, with the x86 card taking over the PCI
bus for access to the expansion cards and peripheral interfaces.
Of course, the fact that it is possible does not mean it would be
practical, nor does it mean Apple would actually consider developing it.
IMO, they will not develop any such device.
-- David
.
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