The entire existence of 32-bit x86 Macs is in and of itself a tragedy of Apple's own making. Intel shipped the Core 2, a 64-bit CPU widely regarded as one of the company's greatest products, later in the very same year that Apple shipped the first x86 Macs. There was never any reason for 32-bit x86 Macs to exist except for Apple's rush to get them out the door and close down the AIM alliance.