''Apple moving to Intel processors in 2006''

Posted on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 0:30 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Apple is said to make an announcement on Monday about a move from IBM PowerPC to Intel processors. It is said Apple might shift low-end computers like the Mac mini to Intel processors by mid-2006, while high-end models such as the Power Mac would make the move by mid-2007.

Analysts believe Apple might drop the PowerPC processors because IBM hasn't turned out a broad enough line of PowerPC chips for Apple while it did managed to make a triple-core 3.2GHz PowerPC from Microsoft's Xbox 360. The move to Intel chips might make Apple's computers more competitive with systems from other manufacturers but it will be hard because of all the consequences.

All Mac software for instance will need to be rewritten, or emulated, because Intel's desktop processors use a totally different architecture than IBM's PowerPC. Mac software developers certainly won't be happy with the change to Intel's x86 processors.

Apple currently holds 2 percent of the computer market but this might decrease if Apple plans to move to Intel chips. Analysts believe the move might hurt Mac computer sales as consumers would rather wait for the new Intel-based platform than buying a platform which will be phased out soon.

Another serious problem would be marketing since Apple said for years that its PowerPC powered computers are much faster at some tasks than Intel's Pentium processors.

More news will follow on Monday from the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco.

Source: Reuters

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

Loading Comments

Use Disqus to post new comments, the old comments are listed below.

Re: ''Apple moving to Intel processors in 2006''
by Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 0:44 CEST

If this is true it might become possible to run Mac OS on Intel or AMD based systems in the near future.

I think many people will be interested in running Mac OS on x86 computers. I believe it will boost sales of Mac OS but on the other hand it might hurt sales of Apple's computers..

Reply by Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 3:56 CEST

If this is true, Apple Computer may as well start digging their grave now.
Reply by Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 4:00 CEST

Apple should use Sun's UltraSPARC
processor instead.

Then they can leverage their amazing
GUI, use parts of Sun's (soon-to-be) open
source Solaris, and take advantage of Java,
and build everything from handhelds to
desktops, to big multiprocessor servers.

And if they share their GUI with Sun, it
will benefit Sun as well.

Good Idea?

Re: ''Apple moving to Intel processors in 2006''
by Anonymous on Sunday, June 05 2005 @ 21:50 CEST

Et Tu, Brutus? Apple users must feel like the brother who just found out his sister is a slut.

My sympathies. All part of the homogenization of America. The cultural phenomenon of the 21st century.

A PC user who believes in competition

Reply by Anonymous on Monday, June 06 2005 @ 1:27 CEST

thats the best comment ive read in ages.

Share this story!