Norm Wattenberger: Intel based Macintosh?

[Norm Wattenberger]

Rumor is that Apple is exploring a switch to Intel chips in its Macintosh line. I think I read something like this was a sign in Revelations.

[Viktor Nacht]

Their stock is up over $2 today based on that rumor. On the one hand, I'm glad my stock isn't dropping any more, on the other I planned on picking up more at $30.

This Intel rumor is perennial, although it takes different forms. Sometimes Apple is going to release Mac OS X for Intel (which is kind of did when it released NeXtStep for Intel many Sols ago), and sometimes it's Apple is going to switch to Intel chips in its hardware.

No way in hell will that happen. They'll use AMD chips, which have a simpler architecture closer to RiSC, first. IMHO.

Good Bits,

V

[Titan5]

Apple used to use Motorola chips. Now it uses IBM chips. I won't be supprised if Apple switches to Intel or AMD. By getting into Wintel eventually Macintosh will be able to run MS Windows seamlessly. Stay tuned.

[bigplayer]

I've always wondered why Apple doesn't attempt to create a Mac OS version for Windows? They can't really be making that much money on the hardware...it seems the real money to be made is on the software side of the business.

[Karl D]

> I've always wondered why Apple doesn't
> attempt to create a Mac OS version for
> Windows? They can't really be making that
> much money on the hardware...it seems the
> real money to be made is on the software
> side of the business.

You mean a Mac OS that runs on standard x86 PC's?
That would be interesting although one thing to consider
is all the application software that need to be separately
compiled and built for x86 systems, some of which comes from
third party software companies. They would have to support all
applications in two versions for: x86 systems and standard
PowerPC based systems.

I do think they still should make some money from the hardware.
I just looked at what they charge for memories, disc/media drives
and other peripherals and the prices seem significantly
higher than for x86 systems. The only components in a Mac system I
believe would cost more is the processor itself and the
motherboard with some specialized support chips due to fewer
supplier and lower volume.

I think they did the right thing to build the new Mac OS X
on top of BSD Unix. That will open the door to a lot
more applications, particularly in the open source domain,
which can be easily ported as well as from the reliability
and security perspective. Unix based systems are significantly
more secure and stable than Windows and the older Mac OS.

Speaking of Macs I actually ordered one of those new Mac Minis today,
which comes without monitor, keyboards and mouse to play
around with. I haven't had an Apple since the Apple ][ computer
back in the late seventies but now when Mac OS is based on
Unix, Mac systems have become interesting for me.