Apple's PowerPC Processors: A Look Back at Pre-M-Series Custom Silicon
By
stmw
6mo ago· 3 min readenInsight
80/100
Golden Brown
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Summary
The article discusses Apple's historical PowerPC processors from the early 2000s, noting that while Apple's current M-series chips get most attention, the company previously used custom PowerPC microprocessors in their computers. It explores the debate around PowerPC's performance advantages compared to Intel chips at the time, and mentions that despite being two decades old, these processors still have niche uses today, such as running modern large language models on vintage hardware like the 2005 PowerBook G4.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledSince Apple went through a lengthy Intel phase prior to the development of their M-series chips, it is often assumed that these are their first custom processors.
But twenty years ago, Apple had different custom silicon in their computers — PowerPC microprocessors.
The advantages of these earlier chips were not as clear cut as the M-series chips.
Diehard Apple fans swore that they were superior, while the PC crowd wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole.
What good is a 2005 PowerBook G4 in this day and age? Not much, unless you want to run a modern large language model in style, that is.
What good is a 2005 PowerBook G4 in this day and age? Not much, unless you want to run a modern large language model in style, that is.
