New and Noteworthy: Analysts: Apple, Intel talks probably not about PCs; The dream of x86-based Macs remains elusive; more

Analysts: Apple, Intel talks probably not about PCs Macworld UK reports on speculation from analysts that rumored talks between Apple and Intel may not have been about desktop or portable computers. "Talks between Intel and Apple have been speculated on for many years - probably as much as the recurring Apple/Sony, Apple/Disney merger/buyout scenarios. But with Apple's move into new markets like the iPod, analysts are not so quick to dismiss the rumors this time.' More.

The dream of x86-based Macs remains elusive An InformationWeek editor writes "A lot has changed in the microprocessor world since 1992. That same May when the PowerPC co-development effort was announced, Texas Instruments jumped into the x86 market with a 25-MHz 486 microprocessor. TI joined the likes of Cyrix and Chips and Technologies and Advanced Micro Devices in trying to steal away market from Intel. PC processors are now running at multigigahertz, and only AMD remains as an x86 competitor. The vision of an Apple PC that run can run x86 software, however, remains intriguing." More.

Head-to-head: Dual 2.7 GHz Power Mac G5 vs. Dual 3.6 GHz Xeon Digital Video Editing magazine pitted Apple's Dual 2.7 GHz Power Mac G5 against a dual 3.6 GHz Intel Xeon machine in a variety of speed tests, concluding "After taking the scenic route through the insides of this veritable essay of industrial design, it was time to harness it to the test bench and see what it could do. For the first time ever, here at the Midwest Test Facility, could this new Mac beat the fastest PC? Well, yes and no. It came close, and beat our eight-month-old Dell dual Xeon 3.6GHz test machine in some of the benchmarks, but overall, it still isn?t as fast as our fastest, albeit elderly PC. It?s certainly telling that Intel?s Xeon chips from last year are still faster than the nearly speed-stuck IBM PowerPC chips inhabiting Macintoshes. We can only hope that somehow Apple will decide to start using Intel or even AMD chips in its computers and at the same time find a way to quickly and efficiently adapt all its magnificent software to a processor that has proven to be a more dependable source of continuous speed and efficiency upgrades." More.

Previously on MacFixIt:

• Mac OS X 10.4.1 (#5): Loss of AirPort connectivity/weaker signal, solutions; Problems with sleep; Preserving Spotlight comments
• Slower Verizon Fios speeds on Macs when compared to PCs?
• PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 battery recall; users already receiving new units

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