Apple to Adopt Alternative Chipsets for Next Laptops?

MacRumors · Jul 28, 2008, 04:11 PM

AppleInsider claims that Apple will forgo the use of Intel's Montevina chipset in their next generation laptops. Instead, Apple will either design their own chipsets or could adopt 3rd part chipsets from AMD or Via.

It should be said however, this does not mean that Apple will be moving away from Intel's processors. The chipsets are simply the support chips required to interconnect the processor and the rest of the computer. Intel's Montevina platform (now known as Centrino 2) consists of a Penryn processor, the Montevina chipset and wireless networking interface. Future laptops will continue to use Intel's most recent Penryn processors which provide improved bus-speeds (1066MHz).

To the customer, Apple's decision to use 3rd party or custom chipsets is not of great significance, as all the chipsets should be functionally identical. However, AppleInsider speculates that Apple must believe there is some competitive advantage in pursuing alternative chipsets, such as improved power consumption.

Article Link

jmoh · 04:19 PM

what?! this probably kills the rumor that the new macbook pro's will be released in august...since apple isn't using the montevina platform, there's no need to compete with other computer companies new montevina laptops. It looks like we will have to wait till late september for new laptops...looks like I'll be buying a new sony vaio for college =(

BRLawyer · Jul 28, 2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

AppleInsider claims that Apple will forgo the use of Intel's Montevina chipset in their next generation laptops. Instead, Apple will either design their own chipsets or could adopt 3rd part chipsets from AMD or Via.

It should be said however, this does not mean that Apple will be moving away from Intel's processors. The chipsets are simply the support chips required to interconnect the processor and the rest of the computer. Intel's Montevina platform (now known as Centrino 2) consists of a Penryn processor, the Montevina chipset and wireless networking interface. Future laptops will continue to use Intel's most recent Penryn processors which provide improved bus-speeds (1066MHz).

To the customer, Apple's decision to use 3rd party or custom chipsets is not of great significance, as all the chipsets should be functionally identical. However, AppleInsider speculates that Apple must believe there is some competitive advantage in pursuing alternative chipsets, such as improved power consumption.

Article Link

You mean AMD, the almost bankrupt company? I'd rather bet my stakes in Via or some other alternative provider...although I fail to see the advantage in using ANOTHER chipset with Intel chips, when the best chipset integration possible will most probably come from Intel itself...

cube · Jul 28, 2008, 04:15 PM

Since when does AMD produce chipsets for Intel CPUs???

And why is NVIDIA not mentioned?

Page 2 material.

Shagrat · Jul 28, 2008, 04:16 PM

Design their own chipset? Wouldn't they need experience in CPU design and fabbing...

Oh wait, WHO did they buy a little while back?

NAAAH. I can't see them doing this. Not at this stage of the Intel switchover...

Surely not...???

masse · Jul 28, 2008, 04:17 PM

so....montevina...remember when?

Weird.

SilentCrs · Jul 28, 2008, 04:18 PM

If Apple does this it will effectively be aiming the gun at their feet, blowing off each toe individually, blowing off both feet entirely and then hobbling around on stumps.

One of the major reasons Apple is seeing an increase in marketshare right now is because of recommendations by techheads. If you buy a Mac, you have a failsafe: you can always run Windows or other common OSes at native speed if things don't work out. Few people do this, but having the OPTION has given Apple the leeway they needed to make inroads into the greater consumer market.

Now, by the sounds of it, they're either going to do their own chipsets or possibly avoid Intel entirely. Boneheaded move, and it'll send their stock price into the reverse direction.

I know that I personally will not buy a Mac if they leave Intel. I bought one *specifically* because they moved to Intel. I recommend them now *specifically* because they're Intel. If they do their own chipset, I'm heading back to the HP/Dells/etc. of the world. I won't like it, but I'm not going to get tied into a platform only one OS uses.

cube · Jul 28, 2008, 04:19 PM

Apple used to design their own chipsets for PPC.

And why does this speculation stop there and does not consider Apple doing the whole design and just going to someone like TSMC for fabbing?

nagromme · Jul 28, 2008, 04:19 PM

Despite the explanation in the MR article, people will insist on confusing "chipset" with "processor"

They're two different things. Chipset does not = CPU.

This would more likely mean addition acceleration of certain things ALONGSIDE the standard Intel CPUs.

Sounds good to me!

And sounds right in line with Snow Leopard's developer optimizations (OpenCL, etc.)

Or additional chips not considered the "chipset" could come from Apple's recent acquisitions. Either way, why not create hardware benefits that plain Windows PCs can't do? I hope it's true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentCrs

Now, by the sounds of it, they're either going to do their own chipsets or possibly avoid Intel entirely. Boneheaded move, and it'll send their stock price into the reverse direction.

I know that I personally will not buy a Mac if they leave Intel.

Who said anything about leaving Intel? Where is that coming from?

The MR article itself says otherwise.

(Maybe people read only the headline--and think "chipset" means "processor"--and then vote or comment?

)

masse · Jul 28, 2008, 04:20 PM

umm..re-read the original post.

nikhsub1 · Jul 28, 2008, 04:22 PM

I can't help but think this rumor is totally wrong. Intel makes the BEST chip sets around, hands down. Why Apple would want to monkey around with VIA (which has sucked since 1999) or AMD (who is almost bankrupt but they acquired ATI who made decent chip sets before the acquisition). nVidia could be an option but trust me, nVidia chip sets use MEGA power so that is doubtful too. If Apple wanted something 'special' they would be idiodic not to look right to Intel. This rumor makes no sense to me whatsoever.

DeaconGraves · Jul 28, 2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentCrs

If Apple does this it will effectively be aiming the gun at their feet, blowing off each toe individually, blowing off both feet entirely and then hobbling around on stumps.

One of the major reasons Apple is seeing an increase in marketshare right now is because of recommendations by techheads. If you buy a Mac, you have a failsafe: you can always run Windows or other common OSes at native speed if things don't work out. Few people do this, but having the OPTION has given Apple the leeway they needed to make inroads into the greater consumer market.

Now, by the sounds of it, they're either going to do their own chipsets or possibly avoid Intel entirely. Boneheaded move, and it'll send their stock price into the reverse direction.

I know that I personally will not buy a Mac if they leave Intel. I bought one *specifically* because they moved to Intel. I recommend them now *specifically* because they're Intel. If they do their own chipset, I'm heading back to the HP/Dells/etc. of the world. I won't like it, but I'm not going to get tied into a platform only one OS uses.

You will still be able to run Windows.

Also, congrats on being the first person to refer to Windows as a "failsafe".

pkr · Jul 28, 2008, 04:23 PM

I'm no tech but I have the feeling that this could turn out to be big news. I'd also have to wonder if Apple isn't looking for something extra (security, functionality, etc) from such a move.

bolen · Jul 28, 2008, 04:24 PM

I don't like the sound of this.. Hope this won't delay the release of the new and improved Macbook Pro's.

If it's better and runs cooler and doesn't impact the release to much I'll be happy. =)

RyanC · Jul 28, 2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmoh

what?! this probably kills the rumor that the new macbook pro's will be released in august...since apple isn't using the montevina platform, there's no need to compete with other computer companies new montevina laptops. It looks like we will have to wait till late september for new laptops...looks like I'll be buying a new sony vaio for college =(

Enjoy!

Fabio_gsilva · Jul 28, 2008, 04:24 PM

I dunno...

Sounds very unlikely to me. But, if Apple really go that way, I think they´re risking the good relationship they have with Intel... and, I think it is not of Apple best interests to hurt Intel´s feelings...

Let´s wait and see...

BRLawyer · Jul 28, 2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

Despite the explanation in the MR article, people will insist on confusing "chipset" with "processor"

They're two different things. Chipset does not = CPU.

This would more likely mean addition acceleration of certain things ALONGSIDE the standard Intel CPUS.

Sounds good to me!

And sounds right in line with Snow Leopard's developer optimizations (OpenCL, etc.)

Who said anything about leaving Intel? Where is that coming from?

The MR article itself says otherwise.

(Maybe people read only the headline, and then vote or comment?

)

Absolutely wrong.

Having the same chipset as the CPU ensures an optimum level of support, performance and economies of scale that you cannot have with separate makers; and even more so in the case of Intel, which has an absolute lead BOTH in terms of performance and fab capacity.

If you are referring to GPU acceleration or parallel processing, fine...for everything else a single, all-inclusive maker is better.

It's like using spare parts for a car that are not supported by the original maker. In other words, NO THANKS...

Spanky Deluxe · Jul 28, 2008, 04:26 PM

If this is true then it really is aweful news. Apple would be saying goodbye to the kind of special treatment they've had from Intel in the past - don't expect anything like the effort Intel went through for the MacBook Air.

If it IS true then it could very well be a ridiculous last ditch effort by AMD to sell ATI chipsets to Apple at a loss making price so as to get the good publicity.

It could also be bad news for OS X since it would involve a lot more chipset drivers etc to be included. More support for different hardware platforms = more risk for driver bugs etc. You can expect Apple's stock to drop significantly if such a deal is announced.

Small White Car · Jul 28, 2008, 04:27 PM

Great news.

We all enjoy the 'just works' factor of Apple software and hardware being tied so closely together.

Anything that improves that is only improving the main reason we all came to Apple in the first place.

EDIT: I notice the article say they "may make their own" OR "use a 3rd party source."
That's a pretty big "or." I'm assuming the first option, while most of the nay-sayers are adopting the second choice. Kind of a crummy rummor...they may do something OR something totally different! Uhm, thanks for that.

iOrlando · Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM

nvm

Squonk · Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM

Since they bought that chip manufacturer (PA Semi) a little while back, this seems plausible. And could this make it impossible for users from making Hackintoshes because their PC standard chipset would be lacking something that is part of the Apple chipset.

Couldn't this also drive down the cost of the chipsets for Apple by not having to pay Intel a markup on them?

I'm interested to see where this whole story goes....

nikhsub1 · Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRLawyer

Absolutely wrong.

Having the same chipset as the CPU ensures an optimum level of support,

Absolutely hilarious that the one claiming to be right (you BRLawyer) is totally wrong himself. Chip sets are NOT CPU's, period end of story.

tiswas · Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM

Nobody has mentioned the fact that only a few months ago Apple bought PA Semi. At the time nobody seemed to understand why Apple would want to by a chip manufacturer, maybe now we have an answer. Apple seem to be in a minimalist phase at the moment with Snow Leopard and the Macbook Air and PA Semi specialise in low power chips so maybe Apple simple want to make their notebooks run for longer than anybody else??

DeaconGraves · Jul 28, 2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky Deluxe

It could also be bad news for OS X since it would involve a lot more chipset drivers etc to be included. More support for different hardware platforms = more risk for driver bugs etc. You can expect Apple's stock to drop significantly if such a deal is announced.

Would it necessarily be more chipset drivers than just sticking with intel?

If they released Montevina, they'd have to include a driver for that, same as with any other chipsets released on the other Mac platforms.

Unless Apple goes out and releases several different chipsets for the same platform (doubtful), I feel we wouldn't see much difference.

swagi · Jul 28, 2008, 04:31 PM

*holds breath for some seconds to stop from hyperventilating*

Great news. Maybe we will see the return of the coprocessor.

Maybe even the return of some Altivec-like code (running on a PPC coprocessor from PA Semi).

And maybe it's just...

...a stupid rumor.

I'll wait for 2009 either way, because Nehalem will kick some major butt, if you ask me.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:11 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple to Adopt Alternative Chipsets for Next Laptops? AppleInsider claims that Apple will forgo the use of Intel's Montevina chipset in their next generation laptops. Instead, Apple will either design their own chipsets or could adopt 3rd part chipsets from AMD or Via. It should be said however, this does not mean that Apple will be moving away from Intel's processors. The chipsets are simply the support chips required to interconnect the processor and the rest of the computer. Intel's Montevina platform (now known as Centrino 2) consists of a Penryn processor, the Montevina chipset and wireless networking interface. Future laptops will continue to use Intel's most recent Penryn processors which provide improved bus-speeds (1066MHz). To the customer, Apple's decision to use 3rd party or custom chipsets is not of great significance, as all the chipsets should be functionally identical. However, AppleInsider speculates that Apple must believe there is some competitive advantage in pursuing alternative chipsets, such as improved power consumption. Article Link

Jul 28, 2008, 04:14 PM	#2
jmoh macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	what?! this probably kills the rumor that the new macbook pro's will be released in august...since apple isn't using the montevina platform, there's no need to compete with other computer companies new montevina laptops. It looks like we will have to wait till late september for new laptops...looks like I'll be buying a new sony vaio for college =( Last edited by jmoh : Jul 28, 2008 at 04:19 PM.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:16 PM	#5
Shagrat macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2004	Design their own chipset? Wouldn't they need experience in CPU design and fabbing... Oh wait, WHO did they buy a little while back? NAAAH. I can't see them doing this. Not at this stage of the Intel switchover... Surely not...??? __________________ Proud to be a FireWhiner!

Jul 28, 2008, 04:17 PM	#6
masse macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2007 Location: MA/GA	so....montevina...remember when? Weird. __________________ MBP 2.53ghz 4GB ram \| 32GB 2G ipod touch \|1.33ghz PB G4 15" \| Ipod Nano 1G 4gb

Jul 28, 2008, 04:20 PM	#10
masse macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2007 Location: MA/GA	umm..re-read the original post. __________________ MBP 2.53ghz 4GB ram \| 32GB 2G ipod touch \|1.33ghz PB G4 15" \| Ipod Nano 1G 4gb

Jul 28, 2008, 04:15 PM	#4
cube macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2004	Since when does AMD produce chipsets for Intel CPUs??? And why is NVIDIA not mentioned? Page 2 material.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:18 PM	#7
SilentCrs macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2006	If Apple does this it will effectively be aiming the gun at their feet, blowing off each toe individually, blowing off both feet entirely and then hobbling around on stumps. One of the major reasons Apple is seeing an increase in marketshare right now is because of recommendations by techheads. If you buy a Mac, you have a failsafe: you can always run Windows or other common OSes at native speed if things don't work out. Few people do this, but having the OPTION has given Apple the leeway they needed to make inroads into the greater consumer market. Now, by the sounds of it, they're either going to do their own chipsets or possibly avoid Intel entirely. Boneheaded move, and it'll send their stock price into the reverse direction. I know that I personally will not buy a Mac if they leave Intel. I bought one specifically because they moved to Intel. I recommend them now specifically because they're Intel. If they do their own chipset, I'm heading back to the HP/Dells/etc. of the world. I won't like it, but I'm not going to get tied into a platform only one OS uses.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:19 PM	#8
cube macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2004	Apple used to design their own chipsets for PPC. And why does this speculation stop there and does not consider Apple doing the whole design and just going to someone like TSMC for fabbing?

Jul 28, 2008, 04:22 PM	#11
nikhsub1 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007	I can't help but think this rumor is totally wrong. Intel makes the BEST chip sets around, hands down. Why Apple would want to monkey around with VIA (which has sucked since 1999) or AMD (who is almost bankrupt but they acquired ATI who made decent chip sets before the acquisition). nVidia could be an option but trust me, nVidia chip sets use MEGA power so that is doubtful too. If Apple wanted something 'special' they would be idiodic not to look right to Intel. This rumor makes no sense to me whatsoever. __________________ Laptop --> 17" Hi-Res 2.4 SR MBP / 4GB RAM / 7200RPM 500GB HD / 10.6.1 Phone --> 32GB White iPhone 3G S⃣ Desktop --> The Beast

Jul 28, 2008, 04:23 PM	#13
pkr macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2004	I'm no tech but I have the feeling that this could turn out to be big news. I'd also have to wonder if Apple isn't looking for something extra (security, functionality, etc) from such a move.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:24 PM	#14
bolen macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden	I don't like the sound of this.. Hope this won't delay the release of the new and improved Macbook Pro's. If it's better and runs cooler and doesn't impact the release to much I'll be happy. =) __________________ MacBook Pro Unibody \| 2.53GHz \| 4GB DDR3 \| 9400M+9600M GT \| G.Skill Falcon 128GB SSD Work: Dell D430 & HP 6910p 32GB iPhone 3GS

Jul 28, 2008, 04:24 PM	#16
Fabio_gsilva macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: São Paulo - Brasil	I dunno... Sounds very unlikely to me. But, if Apple really go that way, I think they´re risking the good relationship they have with Intel... and, I think it is not of Apple best interests to hurt Intel´s feelings... Let´s wait and see... __________________ "MacBook Pro, 2.16, coreduo"

Jul 28, 2008, 04:26 PM	#18
Spanky Deluxe macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK	If this is true then it really is aweful news. Apple would be saying goodbye to the kind of special treatment they've had from Intel in the past - don't expect anything like the effort Intel went through for the MacBook Air. If it IS true then it could very well be a ridiculous last ditch effort by AMD to sell ATI chipsets to Apple at a loss making price so as to get the good publicity. It could also be bad news for OS X since it would involve a lot more chipset drivers etc to be included. More support for different hardware platforms = more risk for driver bugs etc. You can expect Apple's stock to drop significantly if such a deal is announced. __________________ "No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

Jul 28, 2008, 04:27 PM	#19
Small White Car macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington DC	Great news. We all enjoy the 'just works' factor of Apple software and hardware being tied so closely together. Anything that improves that is only improving the main reason we all came to Apple in the first place. EDIT: I notice the article say they "may make their own" OR "use a 3rd party source." That's a pretty big "or." I'm assuming the first option, while most of the nay-sayers are adopting the second choice. Kind of a crummy rummor...they may do something OR something totally different! Uhm, thanks for that.

Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM	#20
iOrlando macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Miami Beach, Florida	nvm

Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM	#21
Squonk macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2005	Since they bought that chip manufacturer (PA Semi) a little while back, this seems plausible. And could this make it impossible for users from making Hackintoshes because their PC standard chipset would be lacking something that is part of the Apple chipset. Couldn't this also drive down the cost of the chipsets for Apple by not having to pay Intel a markup on them? I'm interested to see where this whole story goes.... __________________ iSwitched in 1988 MP quad 2.8 (4GB/1.5TB/ATI 2600), iPhone, iPods

Jul 28, 2008, 04:29 PM	#23
tiswas macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2007	PA Semi??? Nobody has mentioned the fact that only a few months ago Apple bought PA Semi. At the time nobody seemed to understand why Apple would want to by a chip manufacturer, maybe now we have an answer. Apple seem to be in a minimalist phase at the moment with Snow Leopard and the Macbook Air and PA Semi specialise in low power chips so maybe Apple simple want to make their notebooks run for longer than anybody else??

Jul 28, 2008, 04:31 PM	#25
swagi macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	holds breath for some seconds to stop from hyperventilating Great news. Maybe we will see the return of the coprocessor. Maybe even the return of some Altivec-like code (running on a PPC coprocessor from PA Semi). And maybe it's just... ...a stupid rumor. I'll wait for 2009 either way, because Nehalem will kick some major butt, if you ask me. __________________ Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein

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