Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware
New Intel Chips - Apple's Ace in the Hole?
So Intel this week announced an entirely new line of chips, due in the 2nd half of 2006. Completely new architecture, 64-bit, super low-power chips across notebooks, desktops, servers and a new device Intel calls a "handtop". Now I'm not usually much for conjecturing or rumoring on what Apple's doing next, but there's just a few too many things adding up lately to keep my gears from grinding on all this. Read on to see where I'm going with this, and feel free to weigh in and let me know if I should lay off the sauce.First on my list of Apple news musings: when Apple announced the switch, they didn't specify which chips - it was just a shaking of hands with Intel and a pink slip for IBM. Second, there was a bit of an initial outcry since, at the time, Intel didn't really have 64-bit mobile chips like AMD has, let alone dual cores. Third, Engadget reported this week that Apple's on the lookout for a handwriting recognition engineer - remember C.K.'s Palmtop post back in March, anyone? Last but not least: Intel's announcement of new chips for "handtops", and the fact that Intel is a complete one-stop-shop for just about every chip Apple could need for any device they can conceive.
Now you can't tell me all this doesn't get your 'what's coming next' blood pumping. iPalm? Newton 2? An OSX Tablet? These aren't "reliable sources" or "leaked tidbits" - these are cold hard facts that I really think are leading to something big (or small - really small) on the horizon, and I think it just might have a glowing Apple logo on it. What do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Macbeb said 7:45AM on 8-26-2005
I totally agree with youre analyse, and share youre dream ...an OS X tablet huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
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Peter Koritschan said 7:57AM on 8-26-2005
I would certainly love to see a Newton rise from the Ashes... it was a revolutionary device, and once refreshed with the newest technologies (bluetooth, WLAN, new software, color screen etc.) I would certainly think they could EASILY compete with PocketPC and Palm...
I used to have a Newton back in High school, and in College I fiddled around with a Handspring Visor (Palm), and my mobile phone runs Windows Mobile 2004.... but none of them come close to what the original Newton had to offer.
And a device in that category is clearly missing from Apple, and I think they could certainly capitalize on such a device. With their know how, fantastic design, and quite scalable OS... I would love to see a cross between NewtonOS and OS X.....
So let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a new, Palm sized Apple device... and even a tablet wouldn't be bad, although with the bad tablet sales we saw in the Windwos world, I don't know if Apple would really be interested in entering such a market... unless of course with a revolutionary idea...
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Tom said 9:00AM on 8-26-2005
So about these tablet computers... so at first I thought they were just a fad and not all useful, but now I'm having my second thoughts. I work for a windows-only software company (I know, don't scorn me... besides I'm in Marketing and all the programmers hate M$, for what it's worth). We just introduced this software for novice users on tablet PCs and we're getting great feedback from the businesses that we're showing it to.
Basically, I now see the tablet (with WiFi and Bluetooth) as an opportunity to get computers out to places that you never thought possible (both physically and in terms of markets). Apple HAS to move on this to keep that important perception as a thought leader and innovator. Plus, you know that Apple is going to get the interface right and make these things even easier to use.
More power to Apple, regardless of the chips they use.
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Tony Ward said 8:29AM on 8-26-2005
Oh, what a glorious thing an Apple PDA would be... I'd be on it like stink on poo. As much as my Palm Tungsten and I have enjoyed the laughs we've had together, a super-portable experience fully integrated into my Mac OS universe would be stellar.
I think you're right on, David, if not about specific products, definitely about the potential love children these two kids can create together...I, for one, will pop a batch of popcorn, sit back and wait with bated breath for the goodness to come! (Well, I might get up occasionally to check for new Widgets.)
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Jer said 9:17AM on 8-26-2005
It's an old dream (2002) but a goody: the bBook!
http://jerryrig.com/log/a938">bBook
(although I'm sure they'll do a better job with the industrial design)
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dan_b said 9:25AM on 8-26-2005
Please oh Please let us see a Mac smartphone to replace my treo.
It looks like the Treo 670 will use WindowsMobile and I couldn't stand having to buy one.
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justin said 10:35AM on 8-26-2005
I'd love to see a new, thin, light, connected Newton (hell, even with the same old OS) - but based on those Intel prototypes, I'd friggin love a handtop Mac. If that handtop prototype they were showing (that was flly functional already IIRC!) was running OS X I'd use my rent money to pick one up!
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Al said 10:41AM on 8-26-2005
Whatever it is, it means I'll be spending more money on my addiction in a year or two.
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Brian said 11:17AM on 8-26-2005
I am thinking that the ipod video and the palm will be one in the same.
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T Hofts said 3:09PM on 8-26-2005
I still use my Newton MP 2100 but it needs a new backlight. The handwriting recognition software is excellent. Bring it on!
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Zak said 11:52AM on 8-26-2005
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=12460
"Looking forward, he states he "is hearing" that Apple will likely source components for future portable devices (including iPods) from Intel, Broadcom and Sharp."
:-)
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Al Willis said 12:05PM on 8-26-2005
David, you didn't mention that Intel's new laptop chip (codenamed Merom) is not only 64-bit, has dual cores and supports virtualization, it uses a maximum of 5 watts.
Expect a seriously kick-ass PowerBook in the 2nd half of 2006.
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Wheels said 1:01PM on 8-26-2005
I think that you can definitely file this under "Apple doing it's homework." If news of these new Intel innovations are just hitting the street now, you know that they've been in the pipeline of development for a while now, so Apple knew about this all along. Plus, I've always been suspicious about the fact that Apple never announced which chip(s) were going to be used in Mactels. Add this to the "watts vs. speed" claim in which Jobs made at the WWDC that was one of the main reasons why Apple was switching to Intel, and I think David is onto something.
I think that if they do bring back the Newton, they should nickname it "Phoenix". That'd be so symbolic and totally cool. =)
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systemsboy said 1:06PM on 8-26-2005
I, for one, am infatuated with the idea of the tablet laptop. If Apple made one, you could follow the path of drool from my place to the Apple Store on the release date.
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Dogger said 1:10PM on 8-26-2005
Bzzzzzzt! Try again, Al. The typical laptop Merom will have the same maximum wattage as the Pentium M which is generally rated at around 21-27 watts maximum. 5 watts is for an alternate lowest-power version that is likely aimed at a palmtop (handtop, whatEVER) design.
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Prof B said 6:47PM on 8-26-2005
Oooh--vPod + Palm. Score!
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Catt said 11:51PM on 8-26-2005
I think that a Mac Tablet is at hand and its about time
too... Imagine a long awaited update to the Newton running on OSX.X Tablet or whatever they call it. Nice!
I'm sure we'll be able to do video, audio and whatever else we are in the mood for... Work, Play, Work play! PLAAAAAAAY!
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