“The latest round of speculation follows a report by AppleInsider that AMD representatives have been spotted several times exiting meetings with Apple’s top brass,” Hook reports. “The meetings reportedly included AMD briefings that spurred work in Apple labs that may lead to placement of the chips inside some upcoming Apple products, AppleInsider reported, citing ‘people familiar with the matter.'”
“If the rumor is true, it is probably a negotiating tactic on the part of Apple, Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group, told MacNewsWorld,” Hook reports. “If Apple were to dump Intel, it might actually be in the market to buy AMD, Enderle suggested. ‘AMD is relatively cheap,’ he said, ‘and Apple could afford to buy it.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Specious.
MacDailyNews Note: Just for informational purposes: Apple’s market value is currently $222.37 billion and they are a debt-free company with $40+ billion in the bank. AMD’s market value is $6.92 billion.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Kevin P.” for the heads up.]
Once I see the name Enderle attached to an article, it loses all credibility.
Well, it *would* fit with Apple’s desire to control as much of its hardware as possible – though it would raise a whole new set of problems and challenges, as an Apple-owned AMD would still have to do a lot of catching up to where Intel is today.
I’m thinking it’s a negotiating tactic (and I’m cringing at the very idea of me agreeing with Enderle on anything).
Why would anyone ask Enderle about anything?. Guy is a pathetic bag of wind.
AMD’s #1 problem is its bland, uninspired name. Apple should buy it and fix that!
So in other words, if a Jehovah’s Witness happens to ring the Enderle doorbell, we should start a rumor that Enderle is considering changing his religion.
Rob, get back on your meds- NOW!
This would be the ultimate lockout
As I’ve always understood it, AMD has never been a company that emphasized efficiency. I might be wrong, but I thought this because apple went with intel because they saw how efficient they were working (power per watt or something like that). So, if they bought it, they would have to revamp the whole line up to reflect apple’s desire to have efficient processors.
Enderle is a fucking idiot.Designing a chip in-house and having someone build it for their tightly controlled mobile offerings is one thing. Owning an entire chip company just to … what? Go head to head with intel? Own all of AMD’s infrastructure just to get chips for their laptops?
These AMD rumors concern me. Just bought the i5 because I assume it’s the next era of chips for the next 3 years (like the Core2 Duo has been). I’d hate to be stuck on an island with a chip that will prematurely age and/or not be able to run future OSes if they did indeed switch to AMD sometime soon.
Or is there something else going on here as Enderle suggests? I’d hate to think he was right about something!
another set of rumour milling
seriously, it’s probably a new ATI graphics card apple wants to use
I can totally see this happening.
AMD does not manages as much technology as Intel. AMD depends on IBM for various process and designs (45nm was a IBM process, not AMD).
Could be good idea if apple plans to build their own A4 chips. and eventually their own x86 chips.
But if they buy AMD, they’d also be buying ATI… Doesn’t make sense especially with Apple’s recent move towards NVIDIA GPU’s…
“Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group,” which consists of Rob, his wife and his dog.
Buying AMD is a longterm investment first chip in 3 years or so but graphic cards from day one!
Apple has thier own energysavings tecnology so no worries there.
In house manufacturing of the A4 chip sounds too sweet.
Apple acquiring AMD is not going to happen. The world is full of chip manufacturers, especially S. Korea, Japan and China. They are constantly building cutting-edge factories, heavily subsidized by governments and clamoring for Apple’s business.
Apple has the clout to demand their own chip designs, and yet make them cheaper overseas.
The only reason for Apple to even consider buying AMD is to screw Dell, HP, et al., who use AMD’s bargain basement chips in their bargain basement Windoze PCs. If Intel were the only game in town, the Windoze cloners would have to raise their prices.
Enderle is even more full of crap than this Iranian cleric who claims promiscuous women cause earthquakes.
No credibility, no news.
Enderlebutt been quiet. We missed you and your inane rantings about Apple.
DO IT!!!!!!!
Why is it specious? It actually makes some sense. It would give them greater control over their entire product line. It’s not outside their core competencies. Having all that engineering talent could help them differentiate their products even more from the generic PC world and more or less complete their vertical integration. The budget PC market is going to die over the next few years with the advent of tablet form computers, so AMD might be open for a buyout. Apple has hinted that their stockpile of cash is ready for big bold moves – this would certainly qualify as one.
This would totally mess up Cray and SGI.
just my $0.02
@Wall-e
Have a look at AMD`s recent line of processors, especially ones marked with an “e” at the end of the model number. I do on occasion like to get my hands dirty and build a computer (notice I did`nt say PC). Recently I decided to build a linux based media center using Sabayon Linux which include XBMC. When shopping for parts, specifically the CPU I wanted a multicore low wattage part and the only one that fit the bill for me was the Athlon II X3 405e, its a tri-core that only uses 45W of power and reviews have shown that watt for watt it would smoke a similarly priced intel, actually intel has no competing product in that space, so in short good value, runs cool, and for my purposes fast enough.
find out about why the new 13 inch macbook doesn’t use the i5 chip. Apple is firing a shot at intel, telling them to get their stuff together.
So, MDN is reporting that Enderle (and his “group”) is reporting that “reports” is reporting that spotters is reporting that they saw top people exiting Apple meetings with their top people.
Doesn’t anyone own their stories anymore?
I think, Intel still has an edge in the mobile area (performance, overall power-consumption of the chipset).
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That’s not said that Apple couldn’t come-up with something even better. Even with the relatively few units they need.
And mobile is clearly where Apple makes the most profit (MB, MBP).
My guess is that this is just a small message to Intel, basically saying “You know, we could…”.
I’d be surprised if it happens. It does not make sense in the real world, unless there’s something going on that we don’t know about.
We will see
Apple could easily use AMD’s CPUs in their “consumer” level Macs: MacBook, Mac Mini, and low-end iMac models. That’s the likely purpose of any meetings. Why make the jump to “Apple is buying AMD”?
Also, it’s not all or nothing. If Apple decides to put AMD in Macs, it does not mean Apple is “dropping” Intel.
I’m sure Apple wants to keep using the high-end Intel chips in their “pro” level Macs: Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, and Xserve models. But in consumer Macs, AMDs offerings may work just as well (or better) at lower cost. If Apple can optimize Mac OS X for use in an iPhone and successfully transition from PowerPC to Intel, substituting AMD chips in Macs would be like a walk in the park in comparison.
It would be a terrible acquisition. Why would Apple want to by a chip maker? Do you really think that the AMD customers now would prefer shopping from Apple instead. It would be a very expensive way to have your own manufacturing. It might be cheaper to start from scratch.
@ Tim Flint,
“”Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group,” which consists of Rob, his wife and his dog.”
Sad news Tim. The dog quit an ran away. It posted on it’s MySpace page, “My boss is an idiot, I’m outa here”.
I see no point to such a purchase. I can’t see what Apple would want out of it. ATI? Then again, I didn’t see the Intel move as a good idea, and boy was I wrong on that.
Nah, AMD is not at the top of their game… Apple may use AMD chips in some devices – Steve Jobs is in an “independent” mood at the moment (Adobe, Google) so perhaps Intel is next on the list for an Apple Reality Check…
“Enderle is even more full of crap than this Iranian cleric who claims promiscuous women cause earthquakes.”
Actually, in this case, I agree with the Iranian cleric. I don’t know about you, but when I see a hot babe, I definitely feel the earth moving…
In related news Robs dog has taken a position at AMD (VP of pissing into the wind) a position held at the Enderle Group until recently. When ask about the move the dog replied that he made the move “in anticipation of AMD’s pending sale to the Apple Corp.” he added that his former boss was “full of crap” and the social stigma of working for a frigtard had become to much for a self respecting pooch to take.
I heard Enderle’s wife left and is now working for Thurott.
“The only reason for Apple to even consider buying AMD is to screw Dell, HP, et al., who use AMD’s bargain basement chips in their bargain basement Windoze PCs. If Intel were the only game in town, the Windoze cloners would have to raise their prices.”
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. In one shot Apple will have secured their own supply, and created a monopoly position for Intel — ensuring higher prices for their commodity PC assembler competition.
Has he ever been right?
B*ll*cks
Apparently type the word “Bollocks” creates an error on this page!
Rob Says Apple “may” be “considering” acquiring AMD.
He would be equally as accurate in saying Steve Jobs “might” be “thinking about” buying a toupee. It’s meaningless, but within the realm of the possible.
Mrs. Jobs “could” be “pondering” rearranging the living room furniture.
How the hell does that noodle get paid for his writing?
why not buy nvidia and sony too while they’re at it ?
I think not.
Chip fabrication and sale is outside their core competency and they are already stretching it with the new iAd business. Additionally, it seems to me that all of AMD’s Windows partners would drop AMD chips like a hot potato if it were to become Apple. That is too much of AMD’s core business to just throw away.
But I have been wrong in the past.
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(More than I care to admit actually.
MacNewsWorld actually asked this no nothing about this? Or did he simply ring and leave it on their answer machine I wonder. Either way doesn’t say much for their credibility does it referring to him.
“Tim Flint : Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group,” which consists of Rob, his wife and his dog.”
Don’t be so cruel Tim, he’s probably got a goldfish as well…
“”The only reason for Apple to even consider buying AMD is to screw Dell, HP, et al., who use AMD’s bargain basement chips in their bargain basement Windoze PCs. If Intel were the only game in town, the Windoze cloners would have to raise their prices.”
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. In one shot Apple will have secured their own supply, and created a monopoly position for Intel — ensuring higher prices for their commodity PC assembler competition.”
I think you are both wrong, I think the shareholders would like to see revenue from all the junk those companies sell. Talk about new revenue stream, Apple making money off of every crappy windoze machine sold with an AMD chip. Brilliant!! And they can still keep the best kit in house…
Apple could very well buy AMD as a fabrication plant. Or for the new gaming system. But to leave the INTEL scene is wrong. Being with INTEL has levelled the processor field for consumers and Apple. If Apple were to drop the INTEL line and put in AMD – customers would be upset.
Reading of the MDN headline in real time:
Enderle:…
/back button
Does Enderle PAY people to ask him stuff?
If not, WTF is it with these TechTards caring whether Enderle even HAS an opinion?
I love apple but I hope they don’t buy AMD because then Apple will probaly stop selling AMDs products to others leaving us with Intel as the only alternative for CPUs and I really hate Intel and try to avoid them to all cost. But I don’t think Apple would be allowed to buy AMD because Intel would be left with a total monopoly.