Apple and Intel Rumors

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CNET is reporting that SJ will announce a transition to Intel chips on Monday. Hot topic. Since the Mac experience is really determined by software, it probably doesn't really matter much what chip is inside the box. Some have speculated that it relates to a new wireless product line, replacing the current AMD chips. Others believe an entirely new RISC based PPC compatible chip so that new code does not have to be adopted wholesale. We'll have to see. I read the opinion of one person (can't remember where) that the reason IBM is giving Apple the short end of the processor stick is that Apple is really beginning to make inroads into the server market with its OS and Hardware combination, which is a large part of IBM's business. IBM making powerful chips for Apple enables Apple, with the better software (or some say) to directely compete with IBM in both Hardware and Software, which is detrimental to IBM. IBM supplying chips for the Playstation and the XBox is no big deal as they don't compete with IBM's bread a butter server busniness. I could see where SJ might hafve seen the handwriting on the wall as far as the IBM relationship goes. A definate conflict of interest for IBM in the long term if Apple desires to see substantial growth in the server market (which it does). We will have to see. It would really be nice to see Apple get a processor provider that is unencumbered with other baggage and only in the chip business so that we could have the fastest and most efficient Mac platform. Monday will be interesting.