Apple is dumping its PowerPC processors and replacing
them with chips from Intel to save on production costs. The move
was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in the US
this week.
Apple said Macintoshes equipped with the Intel processors would
be shipped from next June, and that all Macs would carry Intel
chips from the end of 2007. By taking advantage of Intel’s much
higher chip production volumes Apple should benefit from lower
manufacturing costs.
The announcement may also result in a selling frenzy within
Apple channels, with dealers aiming to offload Macs equipped with
the outgoing PowerPC processors, as advanced Apple users look to
adopt the next big thing in the Apple environment.
Some Apple houses may consider waiting until next year to buy
any new Macs, as the channel may come up with some Mac bargains
that rely on PowerPC processors.
Apple also announced the availability of a Developer Transition
Kit, consisting of an Intel-based Mac development system along with
preview versions of Apple's software, which will allow developers
to prepare versions of their applications which will run on both
PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.
"Our goal is to provide our customers with the best personal
computers in the world, and looking ahead Intel has the strongest
processor roadmap by far," said Apple chief executive officer Steve
Jobs.
"It's been ten years since our transition to the PowerPC and we
think Intel's technology will help us create the best personal
computers for the next ten years," he said.
"We are thrilled to have the world's most innovative personal
computer company as a customer," said Intel CEO Paul Otellini.
"Apple helped found the PC industry and throughout the years has
been known for fresh ideas and new approaches. We look forward to
providing advanced chip technologies and to collaborating on new
initiatives, to help Apple continue to deliver innovative products
for years to come," he said.
"We plan to create future versions of Microsoft Office for the
Mac that support both PowerPC and Intel processors," said Roz Ho,
general manager of Microsoft's Macintosh business unit.
"We have a strong relationship with Apple and will work closely
with them to continue our long tradition of making great
applications for a great platform," said Ho.
"We think this is a really smart move on Apple's part and plan
to create future versions of our Creative Suite for Macintosh that
support both PowerPC and Intel processors," said Bruce Chizen,
Adobe CEO.
The Developer Transition Kit is available now for £540. Intel
plans to provide development tools support for Apple later this
year, including the Intel C/C++ Compiler for Apple, Intel Fortran
Compiler for Apple, Intel Math Kernel Libraries for Apple and Intel
Integrated Performance Primitives for Apple.