SAN FRANCISCO - In a risky move that could further shrink its minuscule slice of the PC market, Apple Computer Inc. is expected to announce plans to switch in its Macintosh lines to the same Intel chips used in systems that run Microsoft Windows. Apple, which for years suggested its users "Think Different," would be joining all other PC makers in using chips built around the x86 microarchitecture.
It would drop PowerPC-based microprocessors from International Business Machines Corp. and Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
Details of the announcement, first reported by CNET Networks Inc. and The Wall Street Journal, were expected to emerge Monday from Apple CEO Steve Jobs at a conference for software developers.
Though such a move could potentially end complaints that Macs are too expensive, slower and suffer from a lack of programs compared with Windows-based systems, it's also a major gamble for Apple.
For one, it means that all programs now built for PowerPC-based Macs will have to either be rewritten or run through an emulator to work on Intel-based Macs. And anyone with a Mac today might not be able to run software built for the computers after the switch.
Apple has made similar moves in the past — and each time its market share has shrunk, said Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at the research firm Insight 64.
In the mid-1980s, the Mac captured as much as 10 percent of the overall PC market, he said. When Apple switched from the Motorola 68000 processors, the Mac's share dropped to below 5 percent. When the Mac's operating system changed to OS X, it fell to below 3 percent.
"I have a lot of trouble understanding why they would do it," Brookwood said. "Unless there's something magical, I would have to believe it's not a good move. My concern is that every time Apple makes an architecture shift, many of its customers and development partners say enough is enough."
Officials from Apple, Intel Corp. and IBM declined to comment Monday in advance of Jobs' speech.
Oh boy...the software changes bug me....but what really irks me is the switch to Inetl chips....one of the main reasons I like macs is because they don't use intel....*sigh*
EDIT: Wow this is the first thread I've posted here....
EDIT 2: No wait...second thread...meh...I frogot the post with the Sin City Trailer
I don't have a whole lot to say about this topic (I don't use Apple, nor do I ever plan to, so this news doesn't really affect me), but I needed to post. Mostly because when I saw your topic, my immediate thought was "Holy crap, Gwyneth's baby committed suicide!? How is that even possible?"
Yes, there is a small hardcore group of Apple fans that may get put off like this.
Personally, I don't think 90+% of computer users give a crap about what brand name processor is in their computer as long as it works.
As long as there is no substantial negative effect on the user experience (i.e. the mentioned problems with pre-switch software having difficulty running) I don't think Apple will be hurt.
If anything, this should allow Apple to use commodity components from popular manufacturers, driving manufacturing costs WAY down. Apple has always had a problem with competitive pricing on its products (with the possible exception of the Mac Mini) and being able to say to prospective PC buyers "We can offer you a better user experience for about the same price" is going to give them a serious boost in market share.
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I am no longer on MTGS staff, so please don't contact me asking me to do staff things. :|
Well. I wouldn't call it suicide. You have to see this move in a broader framework
- iPod and iTunis is what Apple is about today.
- Computer market is shifting from desktop to laptop and portable computing. Maybe they need Intel in this segment.
- Apple is really small. To small to be on their own (especially with more and more valid open source alternatives). They are retreating to a niche market. This could be the logical step after choosing for Windows/Office etc.
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These are the decks that I have constructed, and are ready to play:
01. Ankh Sligh to be exact.
I seriously don't think that Apple can survive in the Intel PC market. They're doing fine now, but it's because they're not compteting with the entire computer market, includiong all the big names. They've always been a sort of island, if you will.
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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."
I seriously don't think that Apple can survive in the Intel PC market. They're doing fine now, but it's because they're not compteting with the entire computer market, includiong all the big names. They've always been a sort of island, if you will.
That has very little to do with the processor in the box. Apple isn't suddenly going to be competing with Dell/Gateway/HP just because the processor is now similar.
Apple has always had a different angle on marketing its products: the focus on the user experience. Ease of use. Not having to spend hours getting devices installed. Having an operating system with features simultaneously so cutting edge that there's a good chance the next version of Windows won't even have them, and that are easy to understand and actually mean something to the end user.
That's what made Apple an "island," and as long as they can maintain that focus, the chip under the hood isn't suddenly going to make them jump markets.
Now if they start having problems with pre-Intel software not running, then you WILL brand loyalty start to waver.
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This does put some Apple users off. One of the big hurdles they had to get over was the software developers. Now that they have this "universal binary", software developers don't have much to complain about. You won't need to have a Windows version of software and a Mac version from what it sounds like.
It should be good. This may give Windows more competition in 2007. Longhorn is going to have some hefty competition I predict.
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Oh boy...the software changes bug me....but what really irks me is the switch to Inetl chips....one of the main reasons I like macs is because they don't use intel....*sigh*
EDIT: Wow this is the first thread I've posted here....
EDIT 2: No wait...second thread...meh...I frogot the post with the Sin City Trailer
Oops, my bad.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
Personally, I don't think 90+% of computer users give a crap about what brand name processor is in their computer as long as it works.
As long as there is no substantial negative effect on the user experience (i.e. the mentioned problems with pre-switch software having difficulty running) I don't think Apple will be hurt.
If anything, this should allow Apple to use commodity components from popular manufacturers, driving manufacturing costs WAY down. Apple has always had a problem with competitive pricing on its products (with the possible exception of the Mac Mini) and being able to say to prospective PC buyers "We can offer you a better user experience for about the same price" is going to give them a serious boost in market share.
- iPod and iTunis is what Apple is about today.
- Computer market is shifting from desktop to laptop and portable computing. Maybe they need Intel in this segment.
- Apple is really small. To small to be on their own (especially with more and more valid open source alternatives). They are retreating to a niche market. This could be the logical step after choosing for Windows/Office etc.
These are the decks that I have constructed, and are ready to play:
01. Ankh Sligh to be exact.
That has very little to do with the processor in the box. Apple isn't suddenly going to be competing with Dell/Gateway/HP just because the processor is now similar.
Apple has always had a different angle on marketing its products: the focus on the user experience. Ease of use. Not having to spend hours getting devices installed. Having an operating system with features simultaneously so cutting edge that there's a good chance the next version of Windows won't even have them, and that are easy to understand and actually mean something to the end user.
That's what made Apple an "island," and as long as they can maintain that focus, the chip under the hood isn't suddenly going to make them jump markets.
Now if they start having problems with pre-Intel software not running, then you WILL brand loyalty start to waver.
This does put some Apple users off. One of the big hurdles they had to get over was the software developers. Now that they have this "universal binary", software developers don't have much to complain about. You won't need to have a Windows version of software and a Mac version from what it sounds like.
It should be good. This may give Windows more competition in 2007. Longhorn is going to have some hefty competition I predict.