News: No desktop Yonahs for PCs? Sossaman to be mac only?

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an article about Apple computers could clarify the rumors that have been circulating about intels Sossaman processor, wich appeared in early intel documents and on earlier roadmaps as a dual core Pentium m descendant in 65nm manufacturing for the Desktop, a Desktop version of the Yonah so to say, but then dissapeared from documents and roadmaps and has not been mentioned again. Ars Technica speculates that the Sossaman core could be launched next year on the Mac, as the first desktop pentium m...

... Possibly Intel manufactures the Sossaman core exclusively for Apple, since Intels own Roadmap shows they will only introduce desktop pentium m based chips with the Conroe core. This exclusive contract for apple would at least explain why the Sossaman core cant be found anywhere in intels recent Roadmaps. The fact that Intel does not use the Sossaman core in their won lineup could however also have something do with the missing 64-Bit-functionality of the Yonah core its based on...

... For the mobile market 64bits dont really matter, but after Intel introduced 64-Bit quite broadly to the Desktop market and its competitor AMD is constantly pushing 64bits, Intel obviously cannot take the liberty it to deliver the coming Pentium m of descendants for the Desktop without 64-Bit-functionality. the Conroe core instead wich intel plans to bring the penbtium m architecture to the desktop later, will have Intels 64-Bit EM64T.

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http://www.3dcenter.de/

hmmm im not that sure of the importance of 64bit... im pretty sure many people would buy a desktop yonah even if its 32bit only!
i hope intel doesnt make the same mistake again and still doenst bring the pentium m architecture to the desktop! instead it sells it to its competitor apply who will undoubtfully be very successfull with this fast yet cool running technology... very confusing management decisions from intel again :confused2

Let's look at this logically. The Pentium-M is designed and aimed for the mobile market. Intel portrays Pentium-M as part of a technology platform called Centrino. (alongside Intel-brand chipset and wireless solution)

Intel has said in the past 3 Intel Developer Forums (IDF) that a derivative of the Pentium-M will be the basis for their future CPU lines to replace the P4 architecture. And that transition is expected to be completed by 2007. (NOT in 2006, as they want to gradually phase P4 out).

So if you're expecting an official Pentium-M based desktop from Intel in 2006, you're gonna be dissappointed.

With Apple, the deployment of the first x86 based Apple system will very likely be the Mac Mini, as this is marketed as the "affordable Mac". Apple has publically stated they will start off the transition to x86 in a bottom-up manner, with their top line "PowerMac" being the last to change-over by 2007. (This is to perfectly co-incide with Intel's Pentium-M solutions).

Look at the environment of the Mac Mini. This, in a modern day desktop CPU's view, is a nightmare to work in. You're in a crowded elevator and you'll be the one in their producing the most heat. ie : Its not advisable to put a current P4 in such a small enclosed space.

This is where the Pentium-M comes in. Its low thermal characteristics while still delivering good desktop performance, makes it a perfect candidate for the role in the Mac Mini. (in fact, its the only candidate for the role).

Now, being Apple, as they are...They're gonna be wanting to produce a "superior" product. As a result, Yonah and Sossaman are gonna be the candidates for the Mac Mini (x86 Edition) or some other "budget Mac" platform. Don't be surprised if these two will be on a Apple platform first.

Non-Apple systems will get their Pentium-M lovin' in 2007. (Which is likely when Pentium-Ms get EMT64 capability).

So basically, its no rush for the normal x86 desktop market to get the Pentium-M. (There is no EMT64 anyway, how do you justify to the customer that the replacement doesn't have a capability that the current CPU has?)

The P4 is gonna be around for a while...Be patient, and one day, you'll understand why its worth the wait. ;)

Now, in regards to Sossaman. This is a SMP capable variant of the Yonah.

http://members.optushome.com.au/pmok/sossaman.gif

Its intended to be a Xeon replacement in the low power markets. In fact, its gonna replace Low Voltage (LV) and Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Xeons in the near future.

If Yonah and Sossaman end up in a Mac first, its not the end of the world.

People can still get the CPUs and mobos or specialised adapter like that ASUS CT-479 and build their own setups.

OT : Its quite interesting to note that Intel doesn't mind that people and manufacturers are using and building Pentium-M solutions for the desktop. They know the change is inevitable...Why fight it? ;)

As apple is planning on moving to x86 on the low end first, that chip does look like a good idea, powerful and low heat. Also by selling chips with low clocks like that it means that intel can build up an inventory of faster clocked chips by speed binning them appropriately so when the whole mac line is moved to x86 they will be able to introduce much higher speed chips.

Either way though, as soon as longhorn is out, the whole reason for buying a mac: OSX will be a moot point considering the only thing OSX really has over windows at the moment is that it looks pretty...