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Title: The pros and cons of an Apple-Intel divorce Post by: HCK on January 23, 2013, 03:01:00 am The pros and cons of an Apple-Intel divorce
Rumors persist that Apple will switch the Macintosh from Intel’s x86 processors to ARM-compatible chips like those in the iPhone, iPad, and other iOS devices. Is that possible? Is it even a good idea? The rumors didn’t come out of nowhere. In late 2010, then-CEO Steve Jobs suggested that iOS and OS X would eventually merge. In mid-2011, Apple read Intel the riot act about its power-hungry Core chips in the Mac line and hinted it might move the Macs to ARM-based CPUs. Paul Otellini (right) and Steve Jobs discuss the Mac’s transition to Intel chips at the 2006 Macworld Expo. Perhaps mindful of Apple’s previous success in changing chips—first from the Motorola 680x0 to the IBM/Motorola PowerPC in 1994, then from the PowerPC to the Intel x86 in 2005—Intel quickly reminded the industry it had power-efficient “Ivy Bridge” Core processors and “Medfield” Atom processors in the works. “Ivy Bridge” began shipping in mid-2012, powering both Macs and Windows Ultrabooks. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here http://www.infoworld.com/d/the-industry-standard/the-pros-and-cons-of-apple-intel-divorce-210389 |