and the first with a 64-bit processor which means it breaks the 4 gigabyte barrier and can use up to 8 gigabytes of main memory. The new G5 processor - available at speeds up to dual 2GHz with a new ultrahigh-bandwidth system architecture featuring AGP 8X and PCI-X - makes the Power Mac G5 a breakthrough in desktop processing power. [ apple.com ]

The new Power Mac G5 throttles past both the fastest Pentium 4 and a dual-processor Xeon workstation when tested using industry standard SPEC CPU 2000 benchmarks -- SPECfp_base2000 and SPECint_base2000 measure the speed of a single task -- either a floating-point calculation or an integer calculation -- executing on a single processor. The "SPEC rate" metrics, which recognize multiple processors, more accurately demonstrate the performance of a dual processor system. The results (see chart below) should make your pulse race just a little bit faster. "World's fastest" based on SPEC CPU 2000 benchmark results and leading professional application performance tests against 3 GHz Pentium 4-based Dell Dimension 8300 and 3.06 GHz Dual Xeon-based Dell Precision 650. SPEC CPU 2000 benchmarks run with GCC 3.3 and independently tested, full report available from Veritest; professional applications tested by Apple, June 2003. The PowerBook 17-inch G4 ensures you’ll stay connected in any environment. For wireless situations, the unit features integrated 802.11g AirPort Extreme--the fastest wireless connection available on a Mac--and new Bluetooth support. For traditional setups you’ll find a host of wired connections, including high-speed 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet facilities, a low-speed 56K modem, one IEEE 1394 FireWire and two USB 1.1 ports, and a variety of audio and video ins and outs. System controls include a unique fiber-optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that’s right out of the future. It even features a light sensor that automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. Average battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.5 hours. [ read more ]