IBM's new Power4 offspring chip, delivering a system interface of 6.4GBs in a 64-bit PowerPC processor may not be the ideal solution so much as the only solution to what has gradually become not only a gigahertz disparity crises for Apple, but now more importantly a fundamental performance issue, as recent and widely publicized Photoshop test bed comparisons between the fastest Apple and PC have clearly demonstrated.

Even if IBM cannot be dissuaded from utilizing its own vectoring scheme in favor of Motorola's AltiVec, even if its 64-bit processing isn't backwards compatible, even if the IBM chip is going to be more costly than the double, triple or quadruple CPU configurations that Apple has likely scheduled to implement in its next generation desktops, it's still the most viable solution to a formidable problem that is now threatening the very reason behind many professionals not wanting to own or even use Apple's high-end desktop computers in their businesses.

So what, you may ask, has IBM's processor got going for it? Well let's put it this way: If Intel had come up with a processor with this much muscle and open-ended potential, then without a doubt it would be in every PC company's top-of-the-line computers with Intel's next generation rollout of processors.

Now then, ever ask yourself why it is that we've all heard the refrain: "Time is money?" It's not because it's just an old saying. It is in fact an axiomatic business principal that determines, particular in this case, which desktop computers governments, large corporations, companies, firms and game-mad, graphic-happy individuals such as you and I purchase.

Has Apple got a marketing problem? The truth of the matter is yes, it has, and a very serious one as it's no longer just perceptual but demonstrable.

The simple fact is that even without the gross inequity of the gigahertz disparity (that's now turned into an easily verifiable performance advantage for PC users) the bottom line is and has always been (with few notable exceptions) that there hasn't been sufficient incentive for the U.S. Government or Corporate America to justify the expense of making the leap from their Wintel machines to Macs, that is until now.

For the first time in Apple's history the CPU that IBM has in the works can completely change things around for the company, both literally as well as perceptually. How? Because IBM's processor can give Apple what it's never had before, a hugely impressive and superior processor that can only be matched by Apple's own equally impressive and superior operating system.

Coupling IBM's powerhouse chip to Apple's incomparable OS X is just what Apple needs to establish itself as the undisputed high-end leader in all markets of the industry.

So where does this poll and your votes come into play? Quite simply your collective votes will serve to help resolve, define and guide Apple towards a more informed decision.

It's worth noting that a poll doesn't have to be unbiased to be of value. In point of fact it's precisely because each of us is biased that each of us has an opinion. It's in the expression of that collective opinion (not our personal bias) that has value to Apple.

So now to the questions.

Should (a), Apple embrace IBM's remarkable Power4 offspring chip for their top-notch desktop computers or (b), stick with Motorola's PowerPC offerings or (c), forget PowerPCs chips altogether and go with Intel processors?

It's been said that opportunity and timing make and break companies in this industry with ever increasing finality. With that in mind it's worth considering that the long overdue opportunity for Apple to finally gain the upper hand in the hardware department--by making good use of IBM's dynamic new Power4 offspring chip--couldn't have come at a more fortuitous, advantageous or appropriate time. Perhaps, given the ever widening gap in processor performance between Macs and PCs, it's not so much a question of whether or not Apple can afford to adopt IBM's steroid baby, but whether they can afford not to.

Apple has often said, especially of late, that they listen to the Mac faithful. Well if that's true then let them know how you feel by casting your vote in the accompanying poll.

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