Apple seminar reveals Pixar's switch to OS X, G5s
updated 11:35 am EST, Wed March 10, 2004
Pixar switches to OS X, G5
seminar in New York on Wednesday morning. In his Keynote presentation, Apple's Don Peebeles said that Pixar has used Linux and Intel-based architecture in 2003, but that Pixar was switching to Mac OS X and G5 workstations for its production work: "Peebles went on to say that this switch was 'a move that no doubt made common CEO Steve Jobs very happy.' According to Peebles, Pixar challenged Apple to come up with a way to review HD quality video on the desktop at a reduced file size but keeping the quality. Of course the technology they developed (with Pixar) was based on Wavelet compression and named accordingly, 'Pixlet'. With this impressive technology, the new G5 systems and OS X's Unix underpinning, all the pieces were in place."
Great!
03/10, 12:14pm reply
This was a move that I was expecting to happen. Common Apple/Pixar CEO...kind of a giveaway...This will definitely boost future video and special effects technology on OSX. This is a great platform if you want cutting edge stuff.
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
hopefully...
03/10, 12:17pm reply
Pixar and Virginia Tech demands have been factored in the XServe delays and supply chains. First time buyers might get turned off to apple if they get slighted and that is where Apple needs to gain ground. Those on the Mac side will always wait - they are already hooked.
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
re: hopefully...
03/10, 12:25pm reply
Usually when making big purchases, there is an expected delay. It's not like buying from the Apple Store where you pay today and it shows up tomorrow.
We are talking about millions of dollars worth of equipment. I would guess that it would come in phases (financially the best way to go about it)...
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
RIPE
03/10, 12:36pm reply
Pixar was just RIPE to start using G5's w/ Panther. It seems to me that the G5 was built with Pixar in mind. The fact that Apple and Pixar share a CEO doesn't hurt things either.
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
RIPE.
03/10, 12:48pm reply
I think it's a great thing that Pixar has started using Apple products, and it has nothing to do with the shared CEO. The fact is, Pixar is at the forefront of computer graphics in the mainstream world, so their endorsement lends credibility to Apple and the G5. There's no way that Pixar would be using G5s if the computer wasn't just RIPE to performs all the needed tasks.
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
RIPE
03/10, 01:11pm reply
I am just RIPE to start enjoying this RIPE stuff.
In other news, congrats Apple!
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
unix underpinning
03/10, 01:12pm reply
FYI
is just another way of saying that the apple desktop is built on top of a dos, or unix in this case. much like dos on top of windows 3.0 or windows 98...
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
s*** underpnning
03/10, 01:58pm reply
the difference is that macos is like a carbon fiber body built on top of a titanium racing frame where windows 3/98 was a paper machai box put on top of a steaming pile of s***.
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
RIPE.
03/10, 02:16pm reply
Microsoft is just RIPE to sue you for patent infringement and disclosure of trade secrets because Longhorn is actually based on a steaming pile of cow manure. Honest!
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001
Sheesh...
03/10, 03:03pm reply
What took them so long?
MacNN.com Reader
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2001