Apple Really Is Switching to Intel
- June 06, 2005
- 3 comments
So the rumors were true this time! Apple will be switching to the Intel chip.
I still don’t know what to think about Apple switching. Before the G5 came along, it would’ve made more sense since the G4 was WAY behind Intel and AMD chips. The G5 has changed that though. And with a vastly improved system architecture, the latest Macs were a huge leap forward from previous ones.
Another thing that I can’t understand is why Intel? Why not AMD? From just about every report I’ve read, the latest Athlons and Opterons stomp the latest from Intel. In some cases it’s embarrassingly far ahead of Intel. So what does Intel offer that AMD doesn’t? Marketshare? Financial power? What?
And does this mean that OS X will be able to run on cheap PCs (with either Intel or AMD)? If so, what does this mean for Apple’s hardware sales? I can only imagine they would plummet. Granted, Apple’s hardware has almost always been beautifully crafted and engineered, but the cost was a major reason more people didn’t buy Macs. I would still buy Apple hardware, but that’s me.
Anyway, I’m not floored that Apple switched, but I AM wondering what this will mean for the Mac in the future.
Russ
From what I understand you will still be getting a Mac. And OS X will not run on a run of the mill PC. Apple will still put the attention they put into their current Mac’s into the new ones. Its the same people making the OS and the Hardware. They will just be using a different chip. And sadly I don’t think prices are going to drop with the new machines.
I planned on getting a Mac once I saved my pennies. I’m guessing that the prices will drop once the chip-switch has been made. My problem is that I want a Mac not another PC which, at least in my opinion, a Mac will be equal to. If I wanted something other than that, I’d switch to Linux.
I’m still undecided on the whole thing. I guess we’ll see what happens when it does.