Four years later: Why did Apple drop PowerPC?

Mac Daddy · Jun 15, 2009, 12:14 AM

It's been four years this month since Apple announced it would drop the PowerPC architecture and switch to Intel's x86 design. One person involved in the back-and-forth between Apple and IBM at the time provides some insight into why it happened.

When Apple made the watershed announcement in June 2005 ending its longstanding relationship with IBM and Motorola, Apple CEO Steve Jobs attributed the switch to a superior Intel roadmap.

"Looking ahead Intel has the strongest processor roadmap by far," Jobs said in a statement at the time. "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."
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Source: CNET

ET3D · Jun 15, 2009, 06:46 AM

Of course value for money would be a major reason. Intel was coming out with much better performance CPU's, and a good roadmap for them, at a better price, so what's not to like? Though I do think Apple had vision and the guts to realise that was the case and take advantage of it.

procupine14 · Jun 15, 2009, 04:09 PM

If you look back on it now it seems like it was a great idea for them seeing as Intel is arguably the farthest along in development and, quite frankly, they are a very successful company.

Jun 15, 2009, 12:14 AM	#1
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Four years later: Why did Apple drop PowerPC? It's been four years this month since Apple announced it would drop the PowerPC architecture and switch to Intel's x86 design. One person involved in the back-and-forth between Apple and IBM at the time provides some insight into why it happened. When Apple made the watershed announcement in June 2005 ending its longstanding relationship with IBM and Motorola, Apple CEO Steve Jobs attributed the switch to a superior Intel roadmap. "Looking ahead Intel has the strongest processor roadmap by far," Jobs said in a statement at the time. "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." _______________ Source: CNET __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jun 15, 2009, 06:46 AM	#2
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,055 Rep Power: 103 System Specs	Re: Four years later: Why did Apple drop PowerPC? Of course value for money would be a major reason. Intel was coming out with much better performance CPU's, and a good roadmap for them, at a better price, so what's not to like? Though I do think Apple had vision and the guts to realise that was the case and take advantage of it.

Jun 15, 2009, 04:09 PM	#3
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	Re: Four years later: Why did Apple drop PowerPC? If you look back on it now it seems like it was a great idea for them seeing as Intel is arguably the farthest along in development and, quite frankly, they are a very successful company. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU