Apple to switch to Intel processors, announcement follows on Monday

Rumours that Apple will switch from IBM to Intel processors have become a lot stronger. It is said that Apple will make an announcement regarding a move to Intel processors at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco.

The sources say Apple will move its low-end computers, like the Mac mini, to Intel processors by mid-2006. The high-end models such as the Power Mac will move to Intel processors in mid-2007.

A switch from IBM PowerPC to Intel x86 processors would mean that a lot of software will need to be rewritten to take full advantage of the new processors.

That skepticism remains. "If they actually do that, I will be surprised, amazed and concerned," said Insight 64 analyst Nathan Brookwood. "I don't know that Apple's market share can survive another architecture shift. Every time they do this, they lose more customers" and more software partners, he said.

More details at CNET