“Apple Computer Inc. has been in talks that could lead to a decision soon to use Intel Corp. chips in its Macintosh computer line, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday,” Reuters reports. “The report, citing two industry executives with knowledge of recent discussions between the companies, said Apple will agree to use Intel chips.”
“Neither company would confirm the report and an Apple spokeswoman told the Journal she would characterize it as ‘rumor and speculation.’ It was unclear whether such a move would signal a large-scale shift away from chips made by IBM, Apple’s longtime supplier, the report said,” Reuters reports. “Apple sells only about three million computers a year — a small portion of the estimated 200 million sold globally. But for Intel, winning over Apple would be a prestigious endorsement from one of technology’s most influential trend-setters and could associate the chipmaker with Apple’s hugely popular iPod music player.”
MacDailyNews Note: Apple is currently selling over 1 million Macs per quarter, or closer to 4.5 million Macs per year.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: With all three major next-gen gaming systems all going PowerPC and the G5 poised to break the 3GHz barrier, we don’t see this as anything more than a rumor. Unless Intel has something completely new that nobody outside Intel and Apple know about. Does anyone remember that the Apple, IBM, Motorola (AIM) Alliance developed the PowerPC? Why would Apple admit defeat, especially when GHz to GHz the PowerPC pummels anything from Intel into submission? This could be a planted story to save some sort of face for Intel as even Microsoft have dropped Intel and chosen PowerPC for the Xbox 360 and with Sony’s Cell processor causing so much excitement. For Apple to go backwards to what Intel currently offers would be ridiculous.
Macs are cheaper than PCs, and their processors are faster too. – Paul Murphy, “Will Apple switch to Intel?” – May 23, 2005.
Some things to keep in mind: Apple already uses Intel IOP chips in Xserve RAID, so maybe this is related to this rumor and people have gotten the details screwed up. Or maybe it’s a new Apple product like a remote control or tablet Mac or something that will use some Intel processors? Maybe Apple is using this to light a fire under IBM to finally get a G.D. 3GHz G5 Power Mac this summer. You know, the 3GHz G5 that we were supposed to have last summer as promised by Steve Jobs? And, (stop reading now if Mac OS X for Intel gives you a queasy stomach), as we reported last week, Intel did add FireWire 400 and 800 to latest motherboard. Also, remember that Apple’s iPod revenue stream makes them far less dependent on Mac hardware sales and give them the ability to maneuver in ways nobody would have dreamed just a few years ago.
The Wall Street Journal article (paid subscription required) is here.
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Apple shares rise on Intel Mac rumors – May 23, 2005
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Apple Xserve RAID has ‘Intel Inside’ – March 04, 2005
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Apple CEO Jobs misses ‘3Ghz G5 within a year’ prediction by wide margin – June 09, 2004
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iPod success opens door to Mac OS X on Intel – March 04, 2004
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Dvorak spews latest prediction: Apple to go Intel within 18 months – March 19, 2003
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