Intel-based Macs at Macworld SF?

Iria · Nov 15, 2005, 07:49 PM

When Steve Jobs announced the Big Switch at the Worldwide Developers Conference last summer, he promised that there would Intel-based Macs available by the time he took the stage for the 2006 WWDC keynote. June 2006 may have been a worst-case scenario, and it's starting to look like we may see Intel-based Macs introduced at MacWorld San Francisco.

The debut of x86 Macs is likely to happen faster for a handful of reasons. While sales since the announcement have been strong, Apple fears that may change as we move into 2006. That is due in no small part to the tendency of Mac users to put off purchases when they believe updates are imminent. In the past, waiting might gain you an extra 200MHz of CPU speed and a better graphics card. At this point, putting off your purchase will get you a whole different architecture, one that Apple is banking the future of its computing platform on.

Another factor is Intel. The CPU maker's move to the 65nm fabrication process is going swimmingly, in stark contrast to the problem-plagued transition to 90nm. In particular, development of the 32-bit Yonah CPU—likely to be used in the PowerBook, iBook, and Mac mini—is going very well. Intel could end up shipping Yonah by the end of 2005 instead of waiting for the CPU's formal introduction early next year.

Additionally, Apple's internal development appears to be moving ahead at brisk pace. The Intel version of Mac OS X gained parity with the PPC version earlier this month with the release of 10.4.3 for the Intel developer boxes, the first time this has occurred since the transition began.
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Read More / Source: Ars Technica

Nov 15, 2005, 07:49 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Intel-based Macs at Macworld SF? When Steve Jobs announced the Big Switch at the Worldwide Developers Conference last summer, he promised that there would Intel-based Macs available by the time he took the stage for the 2006 WWDC keynote. June 2006 may have been a worst-case scenario, and it's starting to look like we may see Intel-based Macs introduced at MacWorld San Francisco. The debut of x86 Macs is likely to happen faster for a handful of reasons. While sales since the announcement have been strong, Apple fears that may change as we move into 2006. That is due in no small part to the tendency of Mac users to put off purchases when they believe updates are imminent. In the past, waiting might gain you an extra 200MHz of CPU speed and a better graphics card. At this point, putting off your purchase will get you a whole different architecture, one that Apple is banking the future of its computing platform on. Another factor is Intel. The CPU maker's move to the 65nm fabrication process is going swimmingly, in stark contrast to the problem-plagued transition to 90nm. In particular, development of the 32-bit Yonah CPU—likely to be used in the PowerBook, iBook, and Mac mini—is going very well. Intel could end up shipping Yonah by the end of 2005 instead of waiting for the CPU's formal introduction early next year. Additionally, Apple's internal development appears to be moving ahead at brisk pace. The Intel version of Mac OS X gained parity with the PPC version earlier this month with the release of 10.4.3 for the Intel developer boxes, the first time this has occurred since the transition began. ____________ Read More / Source: Ars Technica