Here is a very early beta of Linux on the m1 for *advanced users only*. https://t.co/pFLgksZsdw if you don't know how to run this then wait till tomorrow when the more complete release with USB, SMP is posted (with instructions).
The announcement is vague, the link gives 404. However, still somebody made a first move to port Linux to the recently announced M1 Chip, that will power future generations of Apple notebook devices. The community criticizes the approach: the port comes in a single patch with no documentation. Given the size of the patch this is pretty difficult to comprehend. Plus, the patch requires third party code, that apparently is not committed to git.
To conclude, this is a twofold message: while it’s good to see such developments and have Linux ported to such hardware, the approach indeed is difficult. On a more positive note, there are other working groups still motivated enough to work on a more complete port.
During this years wwdc2020, Apple announced it’s own silicon for future Mac computers. This is HUGE. After the switch from 68xxx to PowerPC and to Intel, this is the fourth change of HW Platform for the company. Mainly, it means a huge message to Intel, who has been providing CPUs for the popular Mac Computers.
The rumours ain’t new, but appear to become more tangible. This time Ars Technica reports an announcement could happen as early as this years WWDC.
The report bases on Mark Gurman, an Bloomberg News reporter focusing on Apple News. He initially published an article in Bloomberg News on the topic and tweeted:
New story: Apple preparing to announce move to Macs with its own Arm chips, replacing Intel, as early as at WWDC this month https://t.co/DtALcqDbAI
Not only cost structure and ownership of IP is a significant driver for Apple’s motivation to transition. Most likely, the move will also mean good/bad news for customers and Intel:
Report claims internal Apple testing has seen “sizable improvements” over Intel.
iOS built-in adult content filter blocks all searches with the keyword "Asian,” assuming it's porn-related. Which means a 12 y/o Chinese-American girl might Google "Asian hairstyles" and find out that her culture is blocked as "adult content."
Rumors, that Apple would switch to ARM for their computers have been floating around for a while. MacWorld just recently reaffirmed these with Annual ARM predictions.
Another important product that was announced at this years Re:Invent, AWS has ARM servers in their cloud portfolio. The Graviton2 is a custom-built 64bit processor available for EC2 workloads.
In memoriam of Chuck Peddle: Many of us will have started with a C64, that was powered by the 6502 Processor. The device became the most popular home computer, mainly because it was self contained: at the same time it hat all functionality a computer needed, and was still simple enough for everyone to understand.
In it’s popularity, the same 6502 Processor that was sold between 12.5 – 17 million times in shape of a C64 (according to pagetable.org) during it’s lifetime was also used in many other devices, including the Apple I, the similarly popular Atari 2600 gaming console, or much later, the Tamagotchi digital pet.
The processor contributed to the transformation of a a whole generation with these devices and became so popular, that even today, creative computer users leverages these devices to produce ‘demos’, that rely on this processor. Until today, in particular the demoscene still produces for computers with this processor, most noteworthy the C64. (again).
In other noteworthy sources, the 6502 has been completely simulated, and among others is available as a visual representation. Visual 6502 allows you to watch and see all of the devices internals, while they are working. The website gives you javascript visual insight into microchip operations, the possibility to play around, stop and step through individual instructions. If you are into this, it gives you the opportunity to understand computing from ground up, without having to tinker with electronics, in your browser.
One of two chip designers, Charles ‘Chuck’ Peddle reportedly passed away this week. Thank you for the great work and rest in peace.
Wie mehrereQuellenheuteberichtet haben, ist der erst neuerlich verfügbare Mac Pro in der höchsten Ausbaustufe teurer als ein Tesla Model 3 in der “Performance” Ausbaustufe. Apple ist nicht dafür bekannt, billige Hardware zu produzieren, aber 62.568,00 € sind selbst für die bekannten Verhältnisse beeindruckend.
Man bekommt dann für den Preis immerhin:
2,5 GHz 28‑Core Intel Xeon W Prozessor, Turbo Boost bis zu 4,4 GHz
1,5 TB (12 x 128 GB) DDR4 ECC Arbeitsspeicher
Zwei Radeon Pro Vega II Duo mit jeweils 2 x 32 GB HBM2 Grafikspeicher
4 TB SSD Speicher
Apple Afterburner Karte
Edelstahlrahmen mit Rollen
Magic Mouse 2 + Magic Trackpad 2
Magic Keyboard mit Ziffernblock – Deutsch
allerdings keinen Monitor. Aber dafür wird eine 8TB SSD später noch verfügbar gemacht werden.
