Wild Speculation

Unless you're been living in a cave, you've probably heard that Steve Jobs is expected to announce Apple's move to Intel processors at tomorrow's WWDC keynote. I've been wrong before, but I don't think that's going to be the story.

What I suspect is this: Apple will continue to sell PowerPC-based desktop computers, just like they do now. But the current Apple server offerings (Xserve) are limited - the max configuration only offers 2 processors in a 1U chassis. So Apple will keep on selling Xserves, but they will start offering OS X Server for Intel processors. That solves about 99% of the application compatibility issues that you'd have with a desktop move, opens up the server market to new vendors, and potentially gives Apple more of a toehold in the enterprise market. Maybe Apple brands Intel-based servers themselves, or maybe they license OS X Server for x86 to OEM vendors. Either way, it opens up the market, gives Microsoft a little more competition, and paves the way for Apple to have the option of a desktop switch as well down the road (get ISVs used to producing PPC/x86 fat binaries).

Whatever it is, we'll find out tomorrow.

As for the vacuum question, David and I went to several places yesterday afternoon to try and test-drive some models. We wound up settling on the Dyson DC14 - the base model was about $420 and a lot more palatable price-wise than the fancier Animal models or the DC15 "Ball" version (that one, though real neat, was $600!). After doing a little bit of cleaning with it, it is an impressive little device, and I now understand why the owners have spoken so highly of it. I'm still a little put off by the "yuppie toy" image, but given the performance I think I'll get over it.