Comments on: Apple: Next Mac OS X unlocks chip power

Snow Leopard features tech called Grand Central Dispatch to better tap into multicore chip power. Also: OpenCL for doing calculations on a graphics chip.

[tipoo_]

Nice.

[sanenazok]

The obvious implication is the current OS X doesn't make use of multiple core CPU's efficiently. Dual core CPU's have been mainstream since the start of 2006. I guess it takes more time for Apple to adapt new technologies. Of course, they're quite good at marketing things so hats off to them for that. The more software is written for dual core processors the better. Does anyone need OpenCL other than for something for Apple to dominate? Time will tell whether it will be useful.

[Gadget70]

I think you will only see it in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro that are crunching the numbers.

[odubtaig]

"Does anyone need OpenCL other than for something for Apple to dominate?"

It's an open standard which will also be making an appearance in Linux sooner or later. MS, in typical fashion, are introducing Compute Shaders in DX11 instead because if it's not their drum, they're not marching.

Look up anything nVidia CUDA is currently being used in because they'll be replacing it. Anything which requires a lot of vector maths will benefit eg volumetric sculpting http://www.3d-coat.com/

[lycanr1]

Marketing Hype:

"When it's busy, it uses more threads to take advantage of multicores. When idle, all those threads go away, giving back resources to the system," Federighi said. "When you apply that to every application, you get a big win in performance and responsiveness."

Uhm, what new technology does that bring us? That's essential programming, nothing new here, most software has been using multiple threads for many many years even on single processor systems, ever hear of an Operating System? Ever hear of Windows or Unix? This is at the heart of operating system.

Threads go away? Of course threads go away, that's what threads do when threads are complete. As if threads didn't go away in programs before OSX Snow Leopard.

LOL - show me something new.

[nooridaoud]

Jesus.........Microsoft took a toll on your brains.

Honestly guys, the Apple OS is the best thing about ANY mac.
Its the heart of a mac, its what put Apple at the top of the charts.
Their OS is almost perfect. Thinking about how they can make any more big advencements baffles me. I dont see how its possible.

Dont get me wrong, the hardware is awesome also
I mean, Apples beating Microsoft at their own game (Windows)

Yes, its true, I put SOLEY windows on one of my macs and it makes me laugh that I actually bought alienware multi grand pc's

*Chuckle*

Yay apple

[dmrouns]

wow you mean I have had to listen to junk about the Apple OS and its not 64 bit? and it is only now being designed for multi-threading? and just now working on taking advantage of graphics processing?

Why would I want to move backward 5+ years in technology?

[odubtaig]

*cough*

Windows won't have a unified GPGPU language until Win7 and DirectX 11

Try to pay attention.

[dmrouns]

if you have the $$ buy Apple, peace be with you. But please in no way is it any better than XP or Vista or 7 I mean the last Apple I used IIe just doesn't measure up. Do they still use floppy disks? Apple just can't cut it if they haven't done anything better than that technology.

Seems appropriate as we dredge up 1998 and before issues.

[dmrouns]

and honestly I would love to try an Apple OS does anyone know if I can load it on a Intel white box? I hate spending two large just to try out somehting that real should fade into the background of my actual work.

Discussing Apple vs MS is like going to a foreign country and hanging out in the beautiful hotel lobby. I am sure many people have the $$ to travel and spend most on their hotel space and never venture outside. Peace to that, maybe someday I can abide.

[Gadget70]

Using OSX is like going to a foreign country and hanging out in the beautiful hotel lobby.
Using Windows is like hanging out in a back alley living in a cardboard box while virus infested rats nibble on your toes. But hey, look how much money you saved on shelter, food and health!

[dmrouns]

good one. What's OSX???

[Tod Smith]

I wish Windows was $29.

[xophaser]

Vista SP1 was a free update.

[tm_anon]

That's because Vista SP1 was the rest of the OS. It's like comparing a contracter giving you a discounted remodel because he built your house and another contracter throwing in a "free" fourth wall for your bedroom.

[SystemsJunky]

Hey Nice, Apple just found out there is such a thing as grand central dispatch..Also known by the rest of the world as - "Multi-threading".. What a Concept..Apple blows my mind with their innovation everyday...Up next and a year late, the i7...They'll call it the first 64 bit 8-Core Grand Central Computer ever made by mankind..Typical CrApple B.S., never bought it - never will..I'll stick with 7, since it doesnt work at all and all I do is fight viruses all day..

ID10T's

[Gorifyny]

At $49 for a five-pack update, looks like I can update my Macs for under $10 each! Even if it is basically a service release, I'm in.

[donsms]

Wonder why Apple only considers SF for their presentations?The Gay Male keys were everywhere during the show,And by the way!why isn`t there any females working at Apple?

[kingofkings1968]

I have vista for 3 years now and every time it slows down , I just reformat the disk and shazam !! it runs faster again . vista makes reformating your disk so easy ran with no ( yes no ) virus software protection for 3 years and only got 1 virus . ( reformating took it off )

vista is very secure ! and still as fast as when I got it ! so lighten up apple fan-boys . it's just an operating system. try to get on with your life .

[Uncle Spongehead]

You're not doing your side any good by admitting to system reloads.

[Stories84]

I don't see what the big deal is here. All OS out there are moving towards (if they haven't already) 64-bit. And GPGPU is already out there, it's called NVIDIA's CUDA or AMD's FireStream and is implemented in Windows with several other open source OS having wrappers.

Apple's OS has always been pretty good in performance, so isn't adding these kinds of features unnecessary? Not to mention Apple uses slow GPUs in their PCs, anyway.

[pithenumber]

*looks at top of the line Mac Pro*
not any more
the Radeon HD 4870 isn't the fastest card out there, but it is pretty fast compared to the graphics cards of many other computers

[odubtaig]

I don't know, what was the point in DirectX? Oh yeah, not having to rewrite the same code for _every_single_different_vendor_out_there!

CUDA = nVidia.
FireStream = AMD
OpenCL/DX11 = nVidiaAMDIntelS3etcetcetc.

Developers don't have to care if their customers are running nVidia anymore because PhysX code can go hang, CUDA can shove it and FireStream can go blow itself. All hail the write-once run-anywhere power of OpenCL! Except on Windows because if you want to do XPlatform then Redmond hates you.

[tipoo_]

As a comparison Sony just released a 13" SR with an ATI 4570, which almost equals a 9600 GT.

So much for 9 months of evolution. OpenCL is an open standard which AMD supports strongly, so thats no excuse either.

[sachinafc2005]

sachin is bad

[tipoo_]

They should show some OpenCL accelerated tasks then.

[TZZDC]

Are you retarded? - Apple Offers point updates 10.5.1 10.5.2 etc (Service Packs for you Windows blokes) for FREE yep look that word up in the dictionary.. FREE baby!. Not to mention every so called "upgrade" of Windows has been full price and the fact that the ultimate edition retails of Windows costs as much as 2 OSX licenses.