Rumor: PowerPC 970 Macs - DP 2.3GHz, SP 1.8, 1.4GHz


In the lead up to the recently-shifted Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC), information surrounding Apple's still-secret PowerPC 970 Macs continues to leak like a sieve.

The 970 will be available in DP 2.3, and single-processor 1.8 and 1.4GHz versions initially, according to a MacBidouille story. However, these configurations may be subject to last-minute changes.

MacBidouille reports that Apple changed the dates - and venue of the WWDC because of the PowerPC 970's schedule. Some sources suggest this was to fit in with IBM's schedule for volume production of the 970.

MacBidouille says that the Taiwanese company which tenders successfully for the 970 motherboard will manufacture both the single-processor and dual-processor boards. Previously, there have also been reports that there will be both 'pro' and 'consumer' versions of the motherboard. The PPC 970 will also be ZIF-socketed, not mounted on a processor daughtercard.

Apple will reportedly demonstrate PPC970-equipped Macs at the WWDC, with some senior figures from IBM also likely to be in attendance at the demos. Panther, OS X 10.3 has also been rumored to be in beta as a 64-bit version.

Analysis: Interestingly, MacBidouille reports that Apple will make display models of PPC 970 Macs available at the time of introduction, although orders will not be filled for 6-8 weeks. Generally, display models are usually available only when a model is in stock. This may represent a slightly different approach by Apple, as consumers generally wait weeks for new models to arrive after they've ordered. Anything is better than anticipation - and no fulfillment.

[article updated 3/25 to correct a translation inaccuracy].