4 ms·
> What was disastrous about the PowerPC? The G4 was amazing, but right from the start Motorola couldn't get acceptable yields on the higher-clock versions, and
by OldHand2018 6y ago
> What was disastrous about the PowerPC?
The G4 was amazing, but right from the start Motorola couldn't get acceptable yields on the higher-clock versions, and that kept happening. The IBM-sourced G5 was a power hog that was clearly not meant to be a consumer CPU.
The first computer I owned was a G4 Power Mac, I ordered with the student discount the day after it was announced. I got the middle 400MHz version. Apple was forced to abandon the high-end 450MHz version shortly after launch.
If Motorola could have manufactured the G4 according to plan, Apple probably never would have switched to Intel.
- sgerenser 6y agoI lived through that era and I’m pretty sure they launched with 400, 450 and 500Mhz. After getting back ordered and not being able to fill demand for the high end configurations they dropped the clock speeds to 350, 400 and 450Mhz. Imagine the shitstorm that would be stirred up today if Apple dropped the specs of a Mac or iPhone after launch.
- WoodenChair 6y agoYes, this is accurate. We purchased the 500 MHz at launch and then it got delayed for several months. I believe we were offered to downgrade to a 450 or wait it out, and we waited it out.
- OldHand2018 6y agoThanks for reminding me! I did get the 450MHz version.