Zardon

We reported a few days ago that Apple had ditched support for the Atom processor in their upcoming 10.6.2 OS update - however new details are filtering in that build 10C535 of update 10.6.2 retains Atom support after the previous build removed it.

Originally it was thought that Apple were trying to kill support totally for the "Hackintosh" netbook community but it appears it may have been a temporary issue. That said when 10.6.2 final is released it may very well be removed again.

Intels Atom CPU is a low power, low cost processor which is used in many PC based netbooks and small portable devices. Apple do not use the CPU as sources have told us they feel it is too underpowered for their products - but a growing community feel that OSX runs very well on the ATOM cpu and many are opting for it, rather than Windows Vista and 7.

With the buyout of chip designer P.A. Semi, many sources feel that Apple are in fact designing their own chips for the upcoming Apple Tablet rumoured for release in 2010.

Allan Campbell: Heaven Media