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NVIDIA Sources Refute Claim of Split With Apple
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Eh?
"We have a lot of respect for those darn trouble makers Apple.."
I think the CEO was probably referring to Steve Jobs.
Or a "PR Stunt" to boost webhits at SemiAccurate?
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/personal?x_myspace_page=profile&u=342002505931
The report at SemiAccurate links up to support stories at inquirer..... however all of the stuff is written by the same person.
Looking over at Dell's site appears to be quite a few boxes that have flipped over to i7. The causality of "bump problem made them dump" is very suspect for that shift. For the AMD and i7 ( and coming i5 and i3 ) the "blowback for bump problem" is a seriously flawed hypothesis.
If look for boxes with Core 2 Duos on Dell's site.... surprise you run into Nvidia products.
I'm sure the problems Nvidia had caused some negative impacts with their Apple relationship. However, seems overblown (unless Nvidia is truely incompetent. )
From a core I/O (with integrated graphics) chipset perspective since Nvidia and Intel are suing each other over Core i7,i5,i3 offerings , does it make any sense what so ever that Apple even remotely try to walk into the middle of that???? When Intel and Nvidia are done taking whacks at each other and the legal clouds clear then perhaps maybe Nvidia might have a chance. However, if Nvidia showed up with some dog-and-pony show that claimed they were going to win and to start incorporating their roadmap into Apple's future plans now. Yeah, that would be "don't call us, we'll call you" moment.
Similarly with the "Intel IGP is complete crap". Why would Intel put a complete crap IGP configuration inside the chip package with their latest, bleeding edge mobile cores (Arrandale)? Is it going to win performance benchmark contests against all comers? Probably not. Could it slightly less than double scores with a process shrink (from previous implemntations) and a few more graphics cores? Sure.
They can make people take IGP because it is bundled, but if th IGP sucks really badly then folks may not buy the whole package.
The average gap between Mac Pro updates about 6 months so conceptually since Arrandale is due in Q4 2009 and there is no January MacWorld show to hoild them back for could release new laptops in December. May have trouble getting major media attention, but possible.
Nehalem
If Apple does drop NVidia, at least temporarily it will be due to Nehalem.
Lets see for an iMac they could have a Core 2 Duo with a GT130 or a Nehalem CoreI7 with an ATI Radeon HD 4850 ... same goes for the next generation MBP.
I could totally see Apple still using NVIDIA with a Core2 on their cheaper models and introduce Nehalem with ATI on their more expensive models.
This really only affects integrated graphics, and Nehalem will be at a much higher price point for the next year or so then would allow for integrated graphics. I just can't see them building a machine that splurges on a Nehalem but skimps on integrated graphics.
If Apple does drop NVidia, at least temporarily it will be due to Nehalem.
Lets see for an iMac they could have a Core 2 Duo with a GT130 or a Nehalem CoreI7 with an ATI Radeon HD 4850 ... same goes for the next generation MBP.
I could totally see Apple still using NVIDIA with a Core2 on their cheaper models and introduce Nehalem with ATI on their more expensive models.
This really only affects integrated graphics, and Nehalem will be at a much higher price point for the next year or so then would allow for integrated graphics. I just can't see them building a machine that splurges on a Nehalem but skimps on integrated graphics.
December, just before Christmas, would be a totally bad time to release a new product. The best time to release a new computer is early in the calendar year to catch all the school systems purchases, followed by the June graduation purchases, followed by the back-to-school purchases.
Although Electronista reports that ATI is developing their own integrated 9400M competitor, to be labeled the Radeon HD 4200. Performance is expected to exceed the 9400M by 15 percent. And ATI has a license to manufacture Nehalem chipsets, unlike nVidia (whose license is under litigation with Intel).
Apple has not used any i7 (quad core) products previously in non Mac Pro class boxes before. Why would they start now??? The power/thermal requirements for those are not aligned with iMac/Mini/MacBook kinds of constraints. Isn't like Nahalem substantially changed the TDP power budget for i7 class processors. Likewise the cost of the i7 class processors is substantially higher (which is a margin killer).
The i3 mobile class Nehalem solution is Arrandale. It has integrated graphics built in to it so the "choice" of IGP vendor is pretty much a done deal with those.
As far as the discrete options on the higher end options. Nvidia has released the 2xx series ( the 1xx series is now old. ) so stuff shipping later in the year. But could just take the current high iMacs and make them low end. So would be exactly what the options are now since not going to incurr any new R&D to move the same exact config down.
Could be a wrong Wikipedia info but
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...deon_R600_IGP_.28HD_3xxx.2C_HD_4xxx.29_series
The code name RS880 with Radeon 4200 is attached to rumors about the 785G IGP. That's an AMD CPU solution. AMD has a AMD CPU package + IGP "gap" to fill before they set up something to sell more Intel CPU packages.
Looking for a IGP chipset that AMD/ATI has dropped in last year for Intels.... maybe not looking in right places but they don't seem to be doing that.
One reason why I the Nvidia thing has spawned two days of rumors is because of the Nvidia vs. ATI ( vs Intel ) war that constantly rages.
It is like mac vs. PC , vi vs. emacs , etc. that is good for folks doing battle.
Apple on the discrete graphics front Apple has gone back and forth ATI , Nvidia, ATI given who had something better at the same time of the apple design cycle for the last 9+ years. If it is going through another cycle what is new with that?
If a IGP + Core I/O chipset the problem with AMD/ATI is that don't seem have much to offer if sticking with Intel cores.
If it is discrete graphics.... there are ATI options now. It may shift that there are more ATI options than Nvidia options but somewhat wouldn't expect them to toss them both out, if the discrete chips can both operate with close to identical power/thermal(and package-size for on motherboard options) constraints since sitting on the end of a PCI-e bus.
They are already in the process of producing their next attempt at a discrete graphics card (larabee). There isn't a need to buy nvidia.
Both FUD and the Inquirer have roughly -33 credibility on anything anymore. It's unfortunate, but many tech news sites have gone downhill in the past couple of years. At any rate, Arstechnica's analysis is the most logical and explains things pretty well. Nvidia will likely remain a graphics option for Apple, but they will end up choosing whichever company gives them the best solution at the best price. If ATI is able to get a one-up on graphics in a new chipset, then they may be the next option.
Well, it is called the inquirer - I'd challenge anyone to show me a publication with 'Inquirer' in the title that is of a credible nature.
I will always spend the extra money to get the ATi card. Not until nVidia (Apple whatever) up the anti with drivers and we get something better than a mediocre 8600 Renamed (GT130) or Non Renamed (8600GTM).
it will be interesting to see what actually happens. i bet the lawsuit will have a big impact on it
I am not sure why this really surprises anyone.
Watch Apple will be switching to AMD/ATI. why because Apple a few month back hired some big wigs from AMD.
Not Intel but AMD. Boom suddenly you get inside connections.
AMD = less expensive chips = easier to maintain profit margins.
Oh wait Apple will pass the savings onto the end users LOL
Watch Apple will be switching to AMD/ATI. why because Apple a few month back hired some big wigs from AMD.
Not Intel but AMD. Boom suddenly you get inside connections.
AMD = less expensive chips = easier to maintain profit margins.
Oh wait Apple will pass the savings onto the end users LOL
In what way?
supply channels
Perfromance
applications
cost
heat
chipsets
cpu/gpu relationships
bus features
Phenom II can hold its own against Core 2. LGA 775 is a dead socket walking right now.
Core i7 on LGA 1366 is nice for the high end but not on a single socket system. Bloomfield/Gainestown is for multi-socket systems with the move to QPI.
AMD's strength right now is it's platform as a whole. You're not going to run into licensing nonsense like Intel vs. nVidia right now over DMI and chipsets. Unless you cough up for the 9400 there aren't any decent IGP solutions over on the Intel side. AMD/ATI and nVidia offer a smorgasbord of choices on AMD's side. It's somewhat amazing what IGPs you have to pick from.
Where do we go on Arrandale for the IGP unless Apple goes discrete again? It's a whole new mess of GPU nonsense from Apple that they can't commit to.