Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Rumors
Apple using Intel the end of the world?
A lot of virtual ink has been spilled this weekend writing about Apple's rumored switch to Intel for all their processor needs (or at least for something... no one really knows if this is true or not. Well, no one other than his Steveness and a few other key execs I would imagine).If the rumor is more than just a rumor and turns out to be true does that mean the end of Mac life as we know it? In a word, no.
Notice this announcement is supposed to come at WWDC, Apple's developers conference. Developers are the group that will be most affected by such a switch. I don't really care if my Powerbook is powered by a PowerPC, a Xeon, or a hamster, as long as I can surf the web and share my thoughts with you good folks, I am happy.
So, everyone, take a deep breath. Steve will make it all clear tomorrow, and then we can start panicking (all over again) about what it means for the platform and for Apple.
Anyway, the real issue here is that if Apple does go with Intel are they going to slap an 'Intel Inside' sticker on all Macs? I sure hope not, that would ruin the lines of my Powerbook.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RP said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
"Alright, Apple, we'll let you place our Intel chips, built by a special team of Apple lovers in your machines if you put an Intel Inside sticker on them."
(later)
"Apple! Didn't we tell you to put an Intel Inside sticker?!?"
"We did! There's an Intel sticker on the inside of every machine!"
---Apple thinks different once again.
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Neil E. Hobbs said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Hmm. I'm not so sure that it wouldn't affect us humble end-users. We (and by that I mean 'me') could easily get stuck with our old-fangled IBM processors until we ('I') fork out for an upgrade that can run a new version of TextWrangler: I've only just ponied out the cash to get all OS X'y!
Of course, if it's all emulated using magic beans - which Uncle Steve swopped for Apple's only remaining dogcow on the way to market - then that's all fine and dandy. But that sounds just a touch like bobbins to me.
What's really got me worried is if this is part of a transition to Macs as a 'secure media platform', Hollywood-fed units that are only capable of processing DRMified whatsits through their Pentium-D's. Me no likey. But Intel seems to be saying that's not something that's built-in, so who knows.
I've got a nasty feeling in my gut about this, and that's not nice. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a clever plot-twist in the final reel, the "where did /that/ come from?" switch-a-roo that Apple's been so good at lately. Here's hoping.
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Ryan Green said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Wait, has ANYONE considered the fact that Intel is now a WiMax chipmaker? Remember that Apple was way ahead of the game with WiFi, by like two years
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tnkgrl said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
If Apple is going to ditch IBM/Motorola they should start using AMD chips... That would make more sense than using Intel chips!
As for the Intel stickers, I always remove them from my machines.
Maybe Apple will annouce a device that uses an Intel chip, instead of a full switch to Intel.
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ben g said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Intel powered pocket/tablet pc?
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Varun said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
I don't know about this. I will tell you what, if the new macs run on intel and OSX 10.5 runs only on these I will be mighty upset. So upset in fact, that I would run out and buy a new friggin mac. I am so hooked...
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The Jeremy said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
I think the switch to x86 is a bull**** rumor. It makes no sense. Apple switching to x86 when IBM proves it is capable of cranking out a 3.2Ghz multi-core G5 based processor for the Xbox360? No way. Too much hassle.
So this is what it is:
A.) If it is true that Apple will use Intel assembled microprocessors, they will be Intel manufactured G5s. IBM has been very open about "opening up" the PowerPC chips to other manufacturers. Maybe Intel can work around IBM considering how many patents Apple has on PPC technology along with a possible licensing agreement with Sony and Toshiba over the Cell processors.
or
B.) Apple will be using Intel StrongARM chips for the rumored Apple Tablet.
or
C.) None of the above. Its a partnership over Intel's WiMAX technology (which Apple is interested in) and/or the adoption of PCI Express in new Mac models.
Whatever the announcement, it put my iBook purchase on hold... :)
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Sam said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
"I don't really care if my Powerbook is powered by a PowerPC, a Xeon, or a hamster, as long as I can surf the web..."
AMEN!
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Sk8rCai said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Smoke and Mirrors, people.
I still think it's all smoke and mirrors.......where does Apple NOT want you to look right now......
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St3phen said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
The history of the last decade of computing is littered with the carcasses of alternative operating systems for Intel-powered machines.
Solaris, OS/2, BeOS, NeXTSTEP/OpenSTEP, etc...
If Apple releases OS X secured to run only on Apple-made Intel hardware, *somebody* will hack it to run on non-Apple Intel hardware... and then- game over. Thanks for playing. Your favorite fruit-named computing company will join the ranks of the names above...
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Al said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Honestly, I think if it happens, it could potentially be the best thing that Apple ever did, or their biggest failure. Consider that, in the OS battle, Apple's main weakness is that they make software that only runs on their proprietary hardware, which also happens to be more expensive. This creates a skewed playing area for them, only allowing them to market to target audiences that are willing to purchase new software AND new hardware.
It's no secret that Appple's relationship with IBM has been rocky for a while, both over IBM's failure to meet promised performance specifications, as well as their lack of production output. Couple this with the fact that SJ is crazy like a fox, and I can see a pretty big argument for going ahead, biting the bullet, and making the architecture switch.
I think that, if the rumors are true, most everybody is going to predict Apple's failure. I, however, believe that Jobs can pull it off.
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narco said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
Does this mean we have to hear that dumb Intel chime during Apple commercials now?
Fishes,
narco.
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Jay said 4:19PM on 6-16-2005
I have to say, I think Neil is spot on here. Architecture does matter, especially after the HP secure infrastructure announcement last week. I'd rather have a hamster, quite frankly, than a Pentium-D.
But as long as we're talking about chips and security, Apple: how about a crypto chip?
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