Apple is in talks to use Intel chips in new machines, according to a report on Reuters newswire.
Whilst the move has been dismissed by the firm as 'rumour and speculation', it allegedly follows months of negotiations which will possibly see the x86 architecture become standard across the Apple range, should the initial roll-out go well.
Currently, Apple uses PowerPC G5 chips from IBM in its machines. The chips top out at 2.7GHz, and are more expensive than their Intel counterparts.
It has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry that Apple has maintained an x86 codebase for is OSX operating system, alongside the PowerPC version.
If Apple does go with Intel, many will question why it hasn't chosen to partner with AMD. AMD chips offer faster media performance because of the HyperTransport architecture that they employ, an architecture also used in the current generation of G5 Macs.
It seems likely that dual-core chips will be used by the Mac-maker. Whether the firm goes with Xeons, Pentium 4s, Pentium Ms or an unannounced chip is unclear, however. Whilst the P4Extreme Edition is currently the only dual-core chip in the Intel lineup, more are following close behind.
Exactly what will happen to the huge library of PowerPC software for the Mac is unclear. It is likely, however, that major application creators could swiftly recompile their software for Intel chips by using existing code from Windows application creation.
The full story is at Reuters, here. Should Apple be using Intel chips? Should it stick with IBM, or move to AMD? Your thoughts are wanted, in this discussion thread.
Whilst the move has been dismissed by the firm as 'rumour and speculation', it allegedly follows months of negotiations which will possibly see the x86 architecture become standard across the Apple range, should the initial roll-out go well.
Currently, Apple uses PowerPC G5 chips from IBM in its machines. The chips top out at 2.7GHz, and are more expensive than their Intel counterparts.
It has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry that Apple has maintained an x86 codebase for is OSX operating system, alongside the PowerPC version.
If Apple does go with Intel, many will question why it hasn't chosen to partner with AMD. AMD chips offer faster media performance because of the HyperTransport architecture that they employ, an architecture also used in the current generation of G5 Macs.
It seems likely that dual-core chips will be used by the Mac-maker. Whether the firm goes with Xeons, Pentium 4s, Pentium Ms or an unannounced chip is unclear, however. Whilst the P4Extreme Edition is currently the only dual-core chip in the Intel lineup, more are following close behind.
Exactly what will happen to the huge library of PowerPC software for the Mac is unclear. It is likely, however, that major application creators could swiftly recompile their software for Intel chips by using existing code from Windows application creation.
The full story is at Reuters, here. Should Apple be using Intel chips? Should it stick with IBM, or move to AMD? Your thoughts are wanted, in this discussion thread.
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