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Apple to Adopt Alternative Chipsets for Next Laptops?
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Oh stop moaning, you get to keep your crappy, overheating, overpriced Intel chips, all Apple are doing is giving you a better chipset. Use logic, Apple does everything for a reason, and since there is little chance that there doing it to save money due to all the planning and investment and testing needed, they are doing it to give you a better computing experience.
And to all you people saying you will buy an Asus or Sony computer instead now, seriously, why were you even considering buying a damn sight more for a Mac if OS X means nothing to you. Buy the current one, the new one will be around 4% faster than the previous one, and if the rumours are true that they are basing it off the Macbook Air and iMac designs, and from the leaked images I have seen, then its going to be damn ugly anyway. If you really want the new one then I'm sure after waiting for the past few months, you can wait another month until September when they release it. Actually I hope they leave it until January and Nehealm.
And to all you people saying you will buy an Asus or Sony computer instead now, seriously, why were you even considering buying a damn sight more for a Mac if OS X means nothing to you. Buy the current one, the new one will be around 4% faster than the previous one, and if the rumours are true that they are basing it off the Macbook Air and iMac designs, and from the leaked images I have seen, then its going to be damn ugly anyway. If you really want the new one then I'm sure after waiting for the past few months, you can wait another month until September when they release it. Actually I hope they leave it until January and Nehealm.
Just a thought. Apple has some new ideas about parallel multiprocessing and load sharing with their Grand Central concept coming in Snow Leopard. It may require a new approach to chipsets. Even though Apple has good relations with Intel, Apple is not big enough for Intel to make Apple-specific designs on this scale. Macbook Air CPU design was an exception, and actually a revived product that Intel had shelved previously. So, the original design was not Apple-specific. They just realized that they had already designed something that Apple was looking for.
Intel sets the trends and everyone else adopts them. Apple has new ideas that do not agree with the Intel road map. So, Apple decides to design their own chipsets that would integrate closely with the new features in the upcoming Snow Leopard. They are doing this because Intel would not accommodate Apple's Grand Central concept. No one else has these requirements, so Intel is happy to mass-manufacture their chipsets for everyone else. Apple acquires a leading edge over their competitors, who are years behind. By the time Microsoft realizes all the benefits of Grand Central and tries to play catch-up and Intel finally changes their chipsets to accommodate the Microsoft answer to Grand Central, Apple will be light years ahead. In the mean time, they will be selling millions of machines that will be beating any competitor due to the closely integrated solutions in hardware and software. Isn't Apple all about being a hardware designer and a software company after all?
I am sure that Windows compatibility will remain albeit without all the advantages that the new chipset will provide to Snow Leopard.
Intel sets the trends and everyone else adopts them. Apple has new ideas that do not agree with the Intel road map. So, Apple decides to design their own chipsets that would integrate closely with the new features in the upcoming Snow Leopard. They are doing this because Intel would not accommodate Apple's Grand Central concept. No one else has these requirements, so Intel is happy to mass-manufacture their chipsets for everyone else. Apple acquires a leading edge over their competitors, who are years behind. By the time Microsoft realizes all the benefits of Grand Central and tries to play catch-up and Intel finally changes their chipsets to accommodate the Microsoft answer to Grand Central, Apple will be light years ahead. In the mean time, they will be selling millions of machines that will be beating any competitor due to the closely integrated solutions in hardware and software. Isn't Apple all about being a hardware designer and a software company after all?
I am sure that Windows compatibility will remain albeit without all the advantages that the new chipset will provide to Snow Leopard.
I can't see Apple designing chips for normal computers, it has to be for iPods or a small tablet.
Maybe a security chip to stop the unauthorized Mac clones, a chip like that would also make authorized clones easier to manage. For compatibility reasons Apple will be forced to allow clones for some markets or home-devices, a propertary security chip would help Apple control every aspect of the compatible device.
Maybe a security chip to stop the unauthorized Mac clones, a chip like that would also make authorized clones easier to manage. For compatibility reasons Apple will be forced to allow clones for some markets or home-devices, a propertary security chip would help Apple control every aspect of the compatible device.
This sounds like it could be an excellent move.
Firstly, this is not a move away from Intel at all, yet along x86 processors. There is no danger of any programs needing to be rewritten, etc. It isn't significantly more of a change from one generation of Intel chipset to another, which has happened several times already with intel macs.
Secondly, this does not mean that it will be more difficult to run windows on the machine. All it means is that Apple will have to release new drivers through boot camp, which they would have to do with a new Intel chipset anyway. There are plenty of Windows machines that use Via/AMD chipsets just now.
Thirdly, it might pave the way to using AMD chips in the future if that becomes a good idea (it doesn't seem to be now, but 3-4 years ago AMD were on top). AMD are not going bankrupt as some people are suggesting, they have fallen behind, mainkly due to production process rather than chip design which is often better (smaller process from intel allows basically the same chips to run faster and cooler).
Fourthly, the big one...
*Integrated graphics*
Intel's graphics chipsets are still dire - they seem tobe getting better, but are still miles behind. AMD now own ATI, and their new integrated chipsets look very nice. Wouldn't it be great to get integrated graphics with real performance - real 3d acceleration back as standard on all macs!
Of course all of this is based on rumour, but I don't see why everyone is being so negative.
Firstly, this is not a move away from Intel at all, yet along x86 processors. There is no danger of any programs needing to be rewritten, etc. It isn't significantly more of a change from one generation of Intel chipset to another, which has happened several times already with intel macs.
Secondly, this does not mean that it will be more difficult to run windows on the machine. All it means is that Apple will have to release new drivers through boot camp, which they would have to do with a new Intel chipset anyway. There are plenty of Windows machines that use Via/AMD chipsets just now.
Thirdly, it might pave the way to using AMD chips in the future if that becomes a good idea (it doesn't seem to be now, but 3-4 years ago AMD were on top). AMD are not going bankrupt as some people are suggesting, they have fallen behind, mainkly due to production process rather than chip design which is often better (smaller process from intel allows basically the same chips to run faster and cooler).
Fourthly, the big one...
*Integrated graphics*
Intel's graphics chipsets are still dire - they seem tobe getting better, but are still miles behind. AMD now own ATI, and their new integrated chipsets look very nice. Wouldn't it be great to get integrated graphics with real performance - real 3d acceleration back as standard on all macs!
Of course all of this is based on rumour, but I don't see why everyone is being so negative.
I read this, and together with the acquisition of PA Semi, I can come to but one conclusion...
RETURN OF THE AMIGA!
Which actually would be very cool.
RETURN OF THE AMIGA!
Which actually would be very cool.
HAHAHAHAHA. If Jobs said he doesn't have enough money to commute to work because of high oil prices, I bet you'd be the first to give him $100 no questions asked.
Oh man not the OSX is god argument again. I'm going to ask you what you think of the new redesign a week after they release it...you'd be all over it like as if it's your new born child.
Also...rumors always always always undershoot release times. Add a few weeks to whatever the rumors are saying. I am thinking October for any sort of annoucement...if the update isnt big enough...then just a refresh.
Apple might be screwing college students who want to get their hands on a laptop before the semester starts. I am actually one of those people. But we all know that most, if not all people who will go along and get the promotion with the free ipod touch will get sucked into the new system and begin auctioning off their recently purchased, soon to be older version macbooks. At least thats what I might do if I buy one now.
You know, know the laptop you buy now will be plenty fast in a month.
PA Semi.....not so fast cowboy...
I would be shocked if anything is going to happen with PA Semi anytime soon. This was only a $250 million acquisition (very small for apples sake). And most analysts feel it was only for the talent (the people) and not the actually devices or whatever they make. Maybe in the next few years..but people shouldnt be including PA Semi in current discussions. Also, products being released this fall, have been in the planning probably starting in late 2006 - 2007....way before PA Semi.
I would be shocked if anything is going to happen with PA Semi anytime soon. This was only a $250 million acquisition (very small for apples sake). And most analysts feel it was only for the talent (the people) and not the actually devices or whatever they make. Maybe in the next few years..but people shouldnt be including PA Semi in current discussions. Also, products being released this fall, have been in the planning probably starting in late 2006 - 2007....way before PA Semi.
The Apple motherboards will be more expensive then the Intel motherboards. Apple is just making this change to get a long lifetime motherboard.
wouldn't be surprised if Apple integrates a smallish SSD onto the chipset and stores the OSX operating system components there. Read-only when booted and using, writable when applying updates/upgrading the OS. And because it is sitting right in the chipset, expect fast bootups and general fastness.
Thank you!
I don't understand why Apple gives us the same worthless video that $400 PC laptops have. If anyone hasn't noticed, even Sony's prices have dropped below $1000 lately, and yet although Apple's low end is more expensive than all PC makers, they still dump the worst video chips on the market into the box.
I always wondered if it was a requirement from Intel that if you use their chipsets a certain percentage of them have to include their video as well. If true, maybe Apple's finally gotten sick of it.
Well, really the only reason to use the complete intel "bundle" it to qualify for the "Centrino 2" title. But seeing as Apple could care less about that, it isn't unreasonable for them to grab CPU and run. My only gripe is the added development time, since I'd REALLY rather have a Mac before school...
The only people who are correct in this discussion are the people who say they don't know what to think. That's right, there isn't enough information in this stupid rumor to know whether this is a good decision or a bad one. Anyone who thinks this is "suicidal" needs medication. Well, probably most people who write on this site need medication, but that's beside the point.
I think you're way off. Like many folks here, I've owned 2 PPC mac's. Actually, I'm still using a PPC Mac (see my sig), I haven't made the switch yet to intel!!
Why is this relevant? Here's why: Because Apple did such a damn fine job in making the underlying hardware transparent to the user - I can sit down and use a PPC Mac running Leopard and it looks and feels and works 100% *exactly* like an intel based Mac. No difference whatsoever, aside from speed. Windows can't claim that - 64 bit Windows is a driver nightmare. Itanium Windows is another driver nightmare. Windows on the DEC Alpha (1995-1996) was the same story before that. The fact is that Apple is the only mainstream desktop OS vendor (Linux doesn't count) that "gets" multi platform and does it right.What does "accepted widespread platform" mean? It means nothing so long as the OS works and doesn't have an trouble with the hardware. The reason Mac's have been increasing in market share vs. 2005-2006 time frame is not because of intel switch, but rather because of the performance boost provided by the intel switch. PPC was lagging way behind intel in performance. All the reviews gave the PPC mac's poor scores for low performance as compared to their Wintel competition. Now that the hardware is competitive with Windows, they're seeing great reviews. But here's the kicker - had PPC arch been able to keep up, or surpass intel in performance they'd still be using it today!! It's all about performance and has nothing to do with your perception of "widespread" or "mainstream" hardware.
14" MacBook?
If he's right that the screen size on the MB is going up to 14", clearly that's aimed at differentiating it from the MBA (or the MBA from the MB).
Also gives them a reason to raise the price.
This might give me the ammunition I need to jump in and grab a 13" MB before the iPod offer expires.
If he's right that the screen size on the MB is going up to 14", clearly that's aimed at differentiating it from the MBA (or the MBA from the MB).
Also gives them a reason to raise the price.
This might give me the ammunition I need to jump in and grab a 13" MB before the iPod offer expires.
I think you're way off. Like many folks here, I've owned 2 PPC mac's. Actually, I'm still using a PPC Mac (see my sig), I haven't made the switch yet to intel!!
What does "accepted widespread platform" mean? It means nothing so long as the OS works and doesn't have an trouble with the hardware. The reason Mac's have been increasing in market share vs. 2005-2006 time frame is not because of intel switch, but rather because of the performance boost provided by the intel switch. PPC was lagging way behind intel in performance. All the reviews gave the PPC mac's poor scores for low performance as compared to their Wintel competition. Now that the hardware is competitive with Windows, they're seeing great reviews. But here's the kicker - had PPC arch been able to keep up, or surpass intel in performance they'd still be using it today!! It's all about performance and has nothing to do with your perception of "widespread" or "mainstream" hardware.
You can spin it anyway you want, but being able to run Windows natively was a huge part of Apples success. Now people could get a mac without the fear of being stuck with only a mac if for some reason they didn't like it. People could also justify buying macs for work since they most likely needed some form of Windows support.
Anecdotally, all of the new 'switchers' that I know switched because they thought macs were cool (and always wanted one) and could now run windows.
What???
OK, here's the revisited rumor:
Apple might or might not use Intel chip sets in their next laptops revision that should come out on or before 2009. The rumor stipulate that the new laptops might or might not get an metallic enclosure.
If Apple goes with Intel's chip sets, it might be the Montevina or something else. If Apple goes with 3rd party developers, they might consider any kind of chip sets or something completely different. An other possibility is that Apple might build their own chip sets (or not) so they could develop a chip set that is as good as the Intel ones currently used in their laptops lineup.
OK, here's the revisited rumor:
Apple might or might not use Intel chip sets in their next laptops revision that should come out on or before 2009. The rumor stipulate that the new laptops might or might not get an metallic enclosure.
If Apple goes with Intel's chip sets, it might be the Montevina or something else. If Apple goes with 3rd party developers, they might consider any kind of chip sets or something completely different. An other possibility is that Apple might build their own chip sets (or not) so they could develop a chip set that is as good as the Intel ones currently used in their laptops lineup.
You haven't read about the new VIA ISAIAH (now called NANO) processor have you? It is leap years ahead of the C7 VIA has out now and they are coming out with it in another month I believe which will be around this time. Some of the test that have been shown have it beating even the Intel Atom CPU.
It would make for a great mating for the iMac Touch device rumored. And guess what....VIA is needing a chipset since NVidia dropped a new one that they were making for them.
http://arstechnica.com/journals/har...y-via-isaiah-tests-show-excellent-performance
As a few other posters have suggested, I think this would put an end to the hacintoshes. I'm hoping that is the plan and not just to use cheaper crap than they're already using thus increasing margins.
I believe this one
I absolutely believe this rumor in light of recent comments made during Apple's quarterly results call regarding a "product transition" by September. This totally fits! Transitioning an existing product line to a new chipset is what I believe Apple was referring to in that statement.
This doesn't mean you won't be able to run Windows -- the CPU will still be Intel. With Snow Leopard coming up early next year, I believe Apple decided that it needed more control over certain aspects of the motherboard. This mysterious transition, an optimized Snow Leopard, and statements that competitors won't be able to touch these new products all points to Apple doing something with the support chips to blow everyone else out of the water.
This also fits perfectly with Apple's acquisition of PA Semi and the development of Quartz CL. This is all starting to add up folks. I think Apple is going to be bringing us something fabulous in the new laptops. I can't wait!
I absolutely believe this rumor in light of recent comments made during Apple's quarterly results call regarding a "product transition" by September. This totally fits! Transitioning an existing product line to a new chipset is what I believe Apple was referring to in that statement.
This doesn't mean you won't be able to run Windows -- the CPU will still be Intel. With Snow Leopard coming up early next year, I believe Apple decided that it needed more control over certain aspects of the motherboard. This mysterious transition, an optimized Snow Leopard, and statements that competitors won't be able to touch these new products all points to Apple doing something with the support chips to blow everyone else out of the water.
This also fits perfectly with Apple's acquisition of PA Semi and the development of Quartz CL. This is all starting to add up folks. I think Apple is going to be bringing us something fabulous in the new laptops. I can't wait!
Apple already stated at it's analyst conference last week that margins for new products would be DECREASING next quarter. It also said the new products would be unbeatable on a price/functionality level and that it would use economy of scale to continue to lower prices as the products aged.