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New Intel Chips - Apple's Ace in the Hole?

by David Chartier Aug 26th 2005 at 7:06AM

intel logoSo 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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So Intel this week announced an entirely new line of chips, due in the 2nd half of 2006. Completely new architecture, 64-bit, super...
 

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Catt

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!

August 26 2005 at 11:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
prof B

Oooh--vPod + Palm. Score!

August 26 2005 at 6:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DBL

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.

August 26 2005 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
systemsboy

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.

August 26 2005 at 1:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wheels

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. =)

August 26 2005 at 12:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Al Willis

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.

August 26 2005 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zak

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." :-)

August 26 2005 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
T Hofts

I still use my Newton MP 2100 but it needs a new backlight. The handwriting recognition software is excellent. Bring it on!

August 26 2005 at 11:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

I am thinking that the ipod video and the palm will be one in the same.

August 26 2005 at 11:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Al

Whatever it is, it means I'll be spending more money on my addiction in a year or two.

August 26 2005 at 10:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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