Just as was rumored, Apple will switch to Intel processors, starting in 2006. While the Mac zealots were predictably upset, this is actually an extremely intelligent move from Apple.
- Intel produces CPUs in massive volume. This translates into lower cost as well as higher production. Apple has been plagued by CPU R&D and production issues, first from Motorola, and more recently from IBM. Intel is not going to have any problems producing more, faster, cheaper chips. This is going to mean cheaper Macs, and/or more profit margin for Apple.
- Virtualization. Moving to x86 means that it will be stupid-simple to get Windows (or maybe Windows apps) running. There’s already stuff like VirtualPC for the Mac, but it’s vastly slower than the real thing. Switching to x86 should give around 90% of the performance of the real thing, with far less code. I wonder if Apple is going to do anything with WINE. Regardless, this is going to make running Windows stuff on Macs much easier, and probably sway a good portion of the market to Apple.
- Apple has been moving away from expensive and propritary technology for ages. They switched from SCSI to IDE, ADB to USB, propritary RAM to bog-standard SDRAM. While they definitely had a role in developing and popularizing stuff like USB and FireWire, they’re industry standards. This translates into more competition and reduced cost. The CPU switch is no different.
- The CPU doesn’t matter anyways. While Apple may have to eat some crow, since they have maintained that the G5 is just “better” than anything from Intel, it doesn’t matter except to the most hardcore geeks. Apple’s core markets have been education and graphic design, with a smattering of home users on the side. The one thing all these markets have in common is that they don’t care about the hows or whys, they only care that the computer does work. Simply put, Mac OS X and sexy looking case designs are Apple’s secret sauce.
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