06/07/2005, 7:55am, EDT
Tuesday, June 7th
Intel-based Macs to include 'Rosetta' for legacy apps
"Not all OS X applications will run under Rosetta and some will run better than others. Applications that have a lot of user interaction and low computational needs, such as a word processor, are quite compatible. Those that have a moderate amount of user interaction and some high computational needs or that use OpenGL are, in most cases, also quite compatible. Those that have intense computing needs aren't compatible. This includes applications that need to repeatedly compute fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), that compute complex models for 3-D modelling, or compute ray tracing."
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This further confirms that the Mac platform is doomed for real. It means Apple's primary target, which requires intense computing needs, won't be covered at all. We are going to see a huge flow of graphic professionals switching to Windows platform. And there is AMD: those pros need AMD's processing power, and it is available only on Windows.
This is the saddest day for all Mac users. Apple has been ditching all good technologies for the last 5 years in favor of picking up inferior technologies, and we thought the loss of customizable Apple Menu and Application Menu/switcher was bad enough. DELL is looking very attractive now.....
Tells you a lot about it:
Rosetta does not run the following:
Applications built for Mac OS 8 or 9
Code written specifically for AltiVec
Code that inserts preferences in the System Preferences pane
Applications that require a G4 or G5 processor
Applications that depend on one or more kernel extensions
Kernel extensions
Bundled Java applications or Java applications with JNI libraries that can’t be translated
Doesn't sound too promising or am I wrong here ? Altivec optimized Photoshop filters won't work, so the presentation at WWDC was pretty useless IMHO.
Thomas
Don't hold your breath. It is going to be one hell of a painful transition, and I don't think Apple will survive it. They are doomed. Switch to Windows before it's too late.
Actually, most of the Altivec stuff in Photoshop was done through plug-ins. Without the plug-ins, they'd be done in software (i.e. slower). There's nothing to say they weren't running photoshop on intel, just without the plug-ins. (Of course, they probably just showed the easy stuff, and then say "Look at how fast it is!").
This happens every single time Apple switches technologies. Everyone gets their panties in a bunch and vows the world will end and any Mac users left will have grown horns and tails. And has this ever happened? NO.
First thing is this was just announced. The ink hasn't dried yet. Slow down, check your pulses, and loosen the belts, please. Take a deep breath, and relax.
1) Apple is merely releasing this to the developers to "finish it". This means lots could change in the next two years; namely, Apple will undoubtedly clarify a few key concerns over legacy support, and will likely address issues it receives from its developer community.
2) Sure Apple could have had a regular G5 running underneath Steve's demo desk at the WWDC keynote.....but why? This isn't Apple's first foray into the PC world, lest we have forgotten iTunes for Windows? Plus, why would he lie to the developer community, a group whom upon Apple relies heavily for continued support of the Mac platform?
3) To james9490: It is time to move out of your mother's basement, put the D&D games away and grow up buddy. Either you are a teenage PC user who get off on riling up Mac users, or you are an Classic loving hermit who hasn't liked anything Apple has done since the introduction of OSX. Time's are a changin' james, and best you either hop on board or get caught in its wake.