technology Apple Rumored to Move Away From Intel for Macs

[A Blithering Div 247]

In a move sure to surprise no one but possibly rustle some jimmies at big blue 2.0, Apple is rumored to be moving away from Intel CPUs in favor of derivatives the CPUs found in their iPhones and iPads.

 

Sauce

 

Willing to move from PowerPC to x86 to in-house ARM... I'm sure OS X devs are jumping with joy. /sarcastic digression

 

The reasoning behind this is they want a seamless experience from an iPhone to a macbook. I'm not sure if that is the right direction but time will tell. This is plotted to happen by 2017 and may not occur if Intel can make a compelling Atom CPU for a smartphone. It would be interesting though to see Apple using custom CPUs for all of their hardware. Or this could open up a new chapter for Apple's legal Dept. Hardware patent lawsuits here we come!

[Nohbdy 4,108]

This is a terrible idea. One of the Mac's biggest downsides is that there is a far smaller selection of third-party programs compared to Windows. This is going to alienate developers even more.

Edited November 10, 2012 by Aquila

[Betez 1,735]

I'm really starting to get sick of hearing about smartphones. If the people at mac are really doing this, they're idiots. Why would you want your computer to feel like your phone?

[inactive1234 10]

Who makes their chips? If it's Qualcomm then it's not a big deal seeing that Qualcomm wants to start going above the 2.0 GHZ line and make REAL chps... still stupid though.

[Retro*Derpy 3,266]

I'd be for it. Just because it doesn't say intel on it doesnt make it crappy. But seeing they are using one from ipod touch/pad, you can only see how it plays out. It could be one of the best choices apple made this year, or a complete failure.

[null1 606]

Ah, they shouldn't do that. I liked the Intel chips. Plus there's really no issues right now, it isn't broken, don't fix it. Just let it be.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Or this could open up a new chapter for Apple's legal Dept. Hardware patent lawsuits here we come!

You know it's going to happen. I'm not sure how, but they'll find a way. Apple loves claiming ownership of tech they didn't invent and trying to sue their way to the top. The only question is how long it will be after making these changes before they get to it.

 

Why would you want your computer to feel like your phone?

Who wouldn't?

 

 

 

I'm sick of that trend too.

[Evilshy 5,093]

More reasons to bash Apple? I am okay with this.

 

Anyway, I remember when they switched to Intel in the first place. A lot of people were really happy, because it would be easier to make things that would work on Windows and Mac. I had an Apple fanboy friend who was ecstatic.

 

I understand while they'd be doing this, with companies moving towards computers just being glorified tablets (which I fucking hate), it'll be simpler to marry the app store with desktops and laptops if they have similar hardware.

[null1 606]

Forgive me if this isn't accurate, I've been raised on Macs since the 90s, before hipsters in Starbucks hijacked the product.

 

If it's a jack of all trades, then it is a master of none. The Microsoft Surface looks pretty neat with the keyboard thing for it but I think it's going a bit far wanting to run an OS that is supposed to work with every piece of hardware. Computer OSs should stay dedicated to desktops and laptops, mobile OS need to stay with mobile devices. Especially when it comes to different special tasks to do on a computer.

 

The hybrid idea does look neat, I'm just too uncertain about it.

[Samurshy 708]

Yeah, I am not too enthralled with where technology is headed in the next generation. Windows 8 looks completely horrible, and the iPad mini is the worst concept imaginable. Why do technology developers insist on making new stuff, if it is not broke do not fix it right?

Edited November 8, 2012 by Bronynonymous

[Twilight Circuits 604]

I'm not a mac user but I can understand the need and desire for their use. However, this move would make mac software 100% proprietary, meaning that even windows wouldn't run on a mac and all software would have to be specifically designed around the hardware in mind. That's my take anyway.

[null1 606]

and the iPad mini is the worst concept imaginable.

 

I actually kinda like the iPad Mini, if I was going to use a tablet, that would be it probably. Small enough to be convenient, big enough to enjoy. I don't have an incentive to purchase one, but if I had one to use mobile Apps like ArcGIS, that would be it. It also would be the ultimate Drudge Report browser for me. But to each their own.

 

Why do technology developers insist on making new stuff, if it is not broke do not fix it right?

 

What I have seen with Windows 8 and the Surface tablet is that Microsoft is really trying to emulate Apple too much. But this time they're cramming too much into one OS.

 

iPad Mini wise I think it was mainly made to compete with other similar sized tablets and the more casual and recreational users, for reading, media, so forth.

[A Blithering Div 247]

Who makes their chips? If it's Qualcomm then it's not a big deal seeing that Qualcomm wants to start going above the 2.0 GHZ line and make REAL chps... still stupid though.

 

They were getting their ARM CPUs from Samsung for a while, now its in-house. Still ARM based though.

 

You know it's going to happen. I'm not sure how, but they'll find a way. Apple loves claiming ownership of tech they didn't invent and trying to sue their way to the top. The only question is how long it will be after making these changes before they get to it.

 

I'm sure Intel's portfolio of hardware patents would be enough to fend off such things, along with IBM, VIA (if they're still around by then), AMD (again if they exist for that long), Imagination Tech. (formerly MIPS), etc etc. Would be fun to watch though.

 

I understand while they'd be doing this, with companies moving towards computers just being glorified tablets (which I fucking hate), it'll be simpler to marry the app store with desktops and laptops if they have similar hardware.

 

The thing is, I doubt an ARM based CPU will ever have the brute power of a high end (or even medium end) Intel chip. The A15 is the only arch out from ARM right now that can match Intel's horrific Atom CPU. Their philosophy behind it is the same for the Atom and all other low power CPUs in that they're "good enough". I don't think I'm alone in saying that I want better than "good enough" out of a laptop. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out though.