CPU scaling on dual-layer powerbook

I've been recently looking into buying a powerbook and wondered if owners of the new dual layer PB could fill me in on its new power management scheme.
I understand Apple removed user control on CPU frequency scaling in their latest model. I would like to know if the CPU still reduces its frequency when plugged into AC power. I plan to leave the computer plugged in most of the time and it would be nice if it would still clock down to reduce heat and noise.
Also, what control do you still have over power management, can you control the video hardware's power saving?

The DL Powerbooks support both divide-by-two mode, AND, for the first time, divide-by-four mode. That is, the processor will set itself to 1.67GHz, 833MHz and 417MHz as needed for the particular task at hand. There is no user control over this switching; it is automated. Previous Powerbooks with 7447 processors have simply supported divide-by-two, e.g. 1.5GHz or 750MHz, with the user having the option to choose 'highest', 'automatic', or 'reduced'. The source for this information is the developer notes on the Apple Developer Connection website.
Interestingly, I had understood only the 7448 processor from Freescale was supposed to be able to support divide-by-four, and this was the processor that many speculated would be in this revision of Powerbook -- Freescale's first 90 nanometer G4 chip. However, it was not to be and this computer once again has a 7447 G4. I don't know how Apple has implemented it on this one -- perhaps the new ASIC controller chip that was allegedly causing trouble in testing.

Similar Messages

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    Hi,
    I have done a pretty simple test using an application called "Reaktor". This is a music application which uses quite a lot of CPU.
    On my new Alubook Dual Layer 1.67 GHz one of the instruments doesn't even play. The application CPU meter shows "over" , indicating a CPU overload.
    On the previous generation 1.67 (non-DL) this instrument registers 70% CPU use. With the energy saver processor settings on "automatic" or "highest", the instrument still plays.
    The only reason I can think of for this is the change from user managable processor settings (energy saver) to dynamic processor frequency scaling.
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    I found this in another post:
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    Having read this, I would assume that in the divide-by-four mode, the CPU is being run at 1.25 Mhz, but should be run at 1.67.
    Any other observations / explanations would be appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Dan
    G3 300 Mhz Gossamer DT   Mac OS 9.0.x  
    G3 300 Mhz Gossamer DT   Mac OS 9.0.x  

    hello sir,
    i want to your help
    i was installed fresh windows 7 via cd rom and then after installed all software.
    and now after 1 day customer complained me that cd rom not read any cd and i m also check when i insurt cd so its not read and when i am double click on cd rom icon its eject so what i do for that please reply on my email address.
    [text removed for privacy]
    VIMAL

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  • Can powerbooks read dual layer discs

    can my powerbook read dual layer discs? 2003 867 mhz reads cd's and burns cd's and reads dvds

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    Thanks for the link, but it seems their solution is to replace the superdrive with a dual layer drive.
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  • Superdrive Should Read Dual Layer, but doesnt?

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    Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
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    I believe only the last version of the 17" G4 PB had a DL burn capable drive. Exactly what model do you have? Your System Profiler specs indeed do not show DL capability.
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    Unit Number: 0
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    Here is a very good guide to use in purchaseing any media.
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    Hi, this is my weird problem:
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  • 15" PB Dual Layer SD Airport Problem

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    Officially Apple will not respond to issues in these discussion boards. As it says on the forum home page, "Our discussion forums are filled with thousands of Macintosh and iPod users from around the world. Search for an answer, post your question, or answer other users' questions in the Apple Discussions community...."
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  • Dual Layer Superdrive doesn't recognize DL Discs

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    Jeremy

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  • Problems burning dual layer DVDs - help...please

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  • Dual Layer 1.67GHz

    Hi,
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    Message was edited by: Pismo 900
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