Apple to switch to Intel CPUs
The Mac, as we know it, may soon be gone..
Friday, June 3, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Apple Computer plans to announce Monday that it's scrapping its partnership with IBM and switching its computers to Intel's microprocessors.
Apple has been using PowerPC chips to power their Macintosh line of computers since 1994. But according to CNET, Apple is scheduled to announce this Monday at their Worldwide Developer's Conference their intention to make the switch.
Those who remember the migration from the 68k series chips back in the early 90s may recall that it took some doing. To run at optimal speeds, software has to be recompiled to the native chipset. Migrating to a totally different platform such as PowerPC to Intel will be a significant upheaval.
When Apple announced their move to IBM's next-generation PowerPC chipsets (now in the G5) some pundits have long made the argument that Apple can't ship enough computers to remain competitive on both price and performance with computers powered by Intel-compatible CPUs. Simply put, economies of scale were working against Apple in the long-run.
According to a CNET source, what may have spurred the change was just that -- IBM's concerns about making a low-volume chip that competes with x86's in performance in the same price-range.
The question is, can the Mac survive a transition from the PowerPC to Intel-based CPUs with the corresponding software compatibility/optimization issues?
Apple has been using PowerPC chips to power their Macintosh line of computers since 1994. But according to CNET, Apple is scheduled to announce this Monday at their Worldwide Developer's Conference their intention to make the switch.
Those who remember the migration from the 68k series chips back in the early 90s may recall that it took some doing. To run at optimal speeds, software has to be recompiled to the native chipset. Migrating to a totally different platform such as PowerPC to Intel will be a significant upheaval.
When Apple announced their move to IBM's next-generation PowerPC chipsets (now in the G5) some pundits have long made the argument that Apple can't ship enough computers to remain competitive on both price and performance with computers powered by Intel-compatible CPUs. Simply put, economies of scale were working against Apple in the long-run.
According to a CNET source, what may have spurred the change was just that -- IBM's concerns about making a low-volume chip that competes with x86's in performance in the same price-range.
The question is, can the Mac survive a transition from the PowerPC to Intel-based CPUs with the corresponding software compatibility/optimization issues?
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Reply #2 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:34 PM
Reply #2 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:34 PM
Why not? They has been paying for each patch for a long while.
Odin314
Reply #3 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:40 PM
Reply #3 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:40 PM
If the Apple goes from a PowerPC chip to an x86 chip, then doesn't that mean that macs will turn into PCs?
phill666
Reply #4 Saturday, June 4, 2005 1:55 AM
Reply #4 Saturday, June 4, 2005 1:55 AM
Intel makes more then just x86 chips, so why assume that apple is planning to switch to the x86 architecture?
whiterabbit007
Reply #5 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:12 AM
Reply #5 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:12 AM
And thus Intel takes another step towards world domination 
TexasJoe
Reply #6 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:37 AM
Reply #6 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:37 AM
Darn! That's awful good news! so Apple really can tell who's the best chipmaker on the market!
- That's right! Pentium 4 505 will soon be replaced with a model that supports x64 instructions.
- Pentium D & other dual cores support EM64T
| Intel makes more then just x86 chips, so why assume that apple is planning to switch to the x86 architecture? |
- That's right! Pentium 4 505 will soon be replaced with a model that supports x64 instructions.
- Pentium D & other dual cores support EM64T
Steve Grenier
Reply #7 Saturday, June 4, 2005 9:55 AM
Reply #7 Saturday, June 4, 2005 9:55 AM
I guess I won't have to make anymore Mac themes then 
Septimus
Reply #8 Saturday, June 4, 2005 10:53 AM
Reply #8 Saturday, June 4, 2005 10:53 AM
At last. Mac's will be more afordable. They will still restrict the components used and without a lots of bios hacks for example you won't be able to build one, but bugger it who cares.
Nebbers
Reply #10 Saturday, June 4, 2005 12:53 PM
Reply #10 Saturday, June 4, 2005 12:53 PM
It's all rumor and speculation... notice Apple hasn't sued the Wall Street Journal for the leak yet? They sue leakers 99% of the time. They want this rumor, obviously. Heck, it got us all talking, what do you think it's doing to IBM or Intel? It gives them a bargaining tool. But I'll be damned if I start seeing and hearing that little Intel Swirl logo and sound on my Apple commercials!!
ravenbloodbath
Reply #11 Saturday, June 4, 2005 2:56 PM
Reply #11 Saturday, June 4, 2005 2:56 PM
Intel makes the best hardware for PC"s in the world.
This will be the best thing that ever happened to Apple.
I will go buy the first one that comes out with an Intel processor.
It is about time they started thinking about the inside as much as they do about the outside.
This collobration in my opinion will spur the creation of the finest computing platform that has ever been concieved.
Very happy about this and ready to go buy. 
This will be the best thing that ever happened to Apple.
I will go buy the first one that comes out with an Intel processor.
It is about time they started thinking about the inside as much as they do about the outside.
This collobration in my opinion will spur the creation of the finest computing platform that has ever been concieved.
Very happy about this and ready to go buy.
Odin314
Reply #12 Saturday, June 4, 2005 3:57 PM
Uhh...
Reply #12 Saturday, June 4, 2005 3:57 PM
| Intel makes the best hardware for PC"s in the world. |
Uhh...
TexasJoe
Reply #13 Saturday, June 4, 2005 4:15 PM
Thanks ravenbloodbath (sweet name! BTW) for helping us all see the light! If you're not with Intel then you're against everything that's good and pure in our world! Yeah I'm an Intel fanatic, so what? (just kidding, though a large part of it is true)
Reply #13 Saturday, June 4, 2005 4:15 PM
| Intel makes the best hardware for PC"s in the world. This will be the best thing that ever happened to Apple. I will go buy the first one that comes out with an Intel processor. It is about time they started thinking about the inside as much as they do about the outside. This collobration in my opinion will spur the creation of the finest computing platform that has ever been concieved. Very happy about this and ready to go buy. |
Thanks ravenbloodbath (sweet name! BTW) for helping us all see the light! If you're not with Intel then you're against everything that's good and pure in our world! Yeah I'm an Intel fanatic, so what? (just kidding, though a large part of it is true)
Phantom Puppet
Reply #14 Saturday, June 4, 2005 7:31 PM
Reply #14 Saturday, June 4, 2005 7:31 PM
People won't be able to call it wintel anymore.
mrbiotech
Reply #15 Sunday, June 5, 2005 1:22 AM
Reply #15 Sunday, June 5, 2005 1:22 AM
"Intel makes the best hardware for PC"s in the world."
You really haven't looked at the G5
architecture, have you?
Your spurious claims are not supported by
facts.
Hopefully this means that Apple and Microsoft will compete
head-to-head on the same platforms, giving users the option of getting the Mac
OS or Windows. Perhaps Steve Jobs is feeling the confidence in realizing his OS
really has surpassed Windows
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,120763,pg,3,00.asp and is jockeying
his position in the PC race. Just speculation.
macrobaye
Reply #16 Sunday, June 5, 2005 9:53 PM
Reply #16 Sunday, June 5, 2005 9:53 PM
Hmm...this could be seen as a good thing...
Chances are, if this is not a rumor, Apple will only be adopting an Intel chip for one product, like a cheaper portable or maybe a faster Mac mini.
If not, the more realistic idea would be Intel creating PowerPC chips. An Intel G5.
Also, Apple would NEVER allow OSX onto other PCs, so this would still be a mac thing.
I'm afraid that the title of this article couldn't be more wrong. Don't say goodbye to mac. With this is play, say a long awaited farewell to total MS domination. Think about this:
The best hardware running the best software on the best operating system. Microsoft need not apply!
Chances are, if this is not a rumor, Apple will only be adopting an Intel chip for one product, like a cheaper portable or maybe a faster Mac mini.
If not, the more realistic idea would be Intel creating PowerPC chips. An Intel G5.
Also, Apple would NEVER allow OSX onto other PCs, so this would still be a mac thing.
I'm afraid that the title of this article couldn't be more wrong. Don't say goodbye to mac. With this is play, say a long awaited farewell to total MS domination. Think about this:
The best hardware running the best software on the best operating system. Microsoft need not apply!
Jafo
Reply #17 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:20 PM
Reply #17 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:20 PM
Skinner mrbiotech ... careful how you do your 'quotes'....don't inadvertently hilight parts of the page....just the text....
caseagainstfaith
Reply #18 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:34 PM
What are you suggesting... Mac's running on the ITanium??? I think we can safely rule that out. Now, they make a number of flavors of x86 chips, some dual core, some not. Some with x64, some not. But, we can be pretty sure it will be something of the x86 variety. And most likely x64 I would think.
Reply #18 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:34 PM
| Intel makes more then just x86 chips, so why assume that apple is planning to switch to the x86 architecture? |
What are you suggesting... Mac's running on the ITanium??? I think we can safely rule that out. Now, they make a number of flavors of x86 chips, some dual core, some not. Some with x64, some not. But, we can be pretty sure it will be something of the x86 variety. And most likely x64 I would think.
caseagainstfaith
Reply #19 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:38 PM
I haven't personally looked at the G5 architecture, but, I have indeed heard many many people say that it is a very good design. Yet, the claim for why they are switching is because IBM is having misgivings about making the G5? I hate to see the loss of a competing archetecture if for no reason than competition is good.
Reply #19 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:38 PM
| You really haven't looked at the G5 architecture, have you? Your spurious claims are not supported by facts. |
I haven't personally looked at the G5 architecture, but, I have indeed heard many many people say that it is a very good design. Yet, the claim for why they are switching is because IBM is having misgivings about making the G5? I hate to see the loss of a competing archetecture if for no reason than competition is good.
David Lin
Reply #20 Monday, June 6, 2005 1:00 AM
Reply #20 Monday, June 6, 2005 1:00 AM
I have no experience on software side, hence, hard to tell if there will be any advantage/hurdle for switching from PowerPC to x86 at instruction level. However, I'm kind of wondering that the reason for Apple to jump to the Intel/x86 bandwagon is because the volume of Apple boxes/systems won't be attractive/huge enough for sustaining IBM to customize their Power/PowerPC-based silicons for desktop systems. While Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all debut/announce/plan their next-generation game consoles with more powerful PowerPC (either 1 or 3- PowerPC 970-class cores inside) core(s) inside (at least, Apple doesn't have PowerPC 970 running at higher than 3GHz frequency), Apple is awfully left behind as its flagship G5 system will look not that great compared to those game consoles (say 2.4GHz G5 system from Apple with one PowerPC 970 inside compared to 3 x PowerPC 970 @ 3.2GHz cores inside XBox 360 Xenon processor). Unlike Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, Apple doesn't pay extra money for customized processors (IBM is moving into more design service instead of selling the standard parts like PowerPC 970 chips), therefore, I suspect that from IBM perspective it may not be lucrative enough to focus on Apple account compared to other customers.
If Apple continues hanging with PowerPC architecture, Microsoft can easily step into Apple's turf by enabling Windows running on XBox 360 and re-brand/sell the three-core inside XBox box as Super G5 system (while you may only need to pay less than a Mac Mini price to get XBox 360 with three 64-bit PowerPC 970-class cores inside).
In a nutshell, I think IBM dumps Apple somehow (as IBM's resource is sucking into developing customized chips for others but not Apple).
Steve Jobs may make a right choice for the time being, but in long run, could Apple be as influential to Intel chip architecture as it used to be to PowerPC chip architecture before? I don't think so ...
If Apple continues hanging with PowerPC architecture, Microsoft can easily step into Apple's turf by enabling Windows running on XBox 360 and re-brand/sell the three-core inside XBox box as Super G5 system (while you may only need to pay less than a Mac Mini price to get XBox 360 with three 64-bit PowerPC 970-class cores inside).
In a nutshell, I think IBM dumps Apple somehow (as IBM's resource is sucking into developing customized chips for others but not Apple).
Steve Jobs may make a right choice for the time being, but in long run, could Apple be as influential to Intel chip architecture as it used to be to PowerPC chip architecture before? I don't think so ...
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Reply #1 Friday, June 3, 2005 10:48 PM