Long analisys about Intel CPU (mostly failed attempts to hold Ryzen Pace), buy no single logic reasoning about why an AMD Ryzen based Mac is not possible.No
The fact that both iMac and Mac mini get mentioned for the update is a sign that the Coffee Lake CPUs are being excised from Apple's slate. I think the CFL CPUs must be due for discontinuation within a couple of years.
The successor CPU is still in flux.
Comet Lake S runs hot compared to Coffee Lake because Intel seem to be chasing higher clock speeds as well as increased core counts to combat the threat of AMD's Ryzen CPUs. Apple would need to account for the increased heat from this generation (and subsequent ones) by accounting for it in the redesign but fitting these CPUs into an existing Mac mini without throttling could be a challenge.
Of course, Apple might use the Comet Lake S in a larger cased Mini (Cube) but by the time you've specced that up then HD630 graphics looks remarkably under specced for the money and in any case, making mini users add eGPU seems remarkably poor value for money.
Comet Lake H (as used in the 16" MacBook Pro class Mac) would allow Apple to continue using a BGA mount CPU in the iMac while keeping CPU temps down and crucially fitting into the existing Mac mini case. This could be seen as a downward step in performance but Apple could mitigate this by creating a whole different SKU (eg 24/25" iMac).
You're a lawyer or an engineer? In case you're the former your opinion as lawyer it's irrelevant.
Few facts, AMD licenses Ryzen, no Intel opinion, most of x86-64 it's public domain or close to be, x86 instructions are not copyright subject (ask Google).
Even, if Apple can or not rebrand an AMD CPU as Apple own, it is irrelevant to the purpose to build an Mac using Zen CPU and not Intel, and irrelevant if those CPU are manufactured by Apple, it don't break any AMD-intel agreement as legally apple could figure as AMDs contractor manufacturing products to be sold to apple.
Fact, Intel got no new CPU orders for some sku from 2020, they warned some partners about Apple going on in-house baked CPUs, they don't name those CPU are from AMD as it lacks commercial sense to Early admit a customer goes with your rival, it's like to concede AMD won Intel s jewel a year earlier, Intel sees AMD doesn't deserve that early free advertising, meanwhile no Intel/ARM diehard explain why apple tested latest AMD CPU and APU?
