WWDC 2005 - Apple to Move to Intel Processors in 2006
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 6, 2005 3:03 PM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
This is the first year that we have covered Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) keynote, but it will definitely not be the last.
Before we get to the details of Apple's Intel transition, here are some of the highlights from the start of the keynote:
Steve Jobs demo'd iTunes 4.9 with support for Podcasting. The support is quite widespread throughout the new version of iTunes and in Apple's usual style, it is quite easy to use.
iTunes 4.9 Playing a Podcast
Also, later this week, Apple will have shipped their 2 millionth copy of Tiger, which has been shipping for 6 weeks now and has 16% of all Mac OS market share:
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JAS - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
Video of the WWDC keynote:http://stream.apple.akadns.net
Quiksel - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
oh my god, can't you people just stop all the bitchin and complainin about the possibility that you might not be able to run OS X on a normal home-built PC? I mean, if you're all willing to pay $100-200 just for a damn software license for OS X (as someone mentioned earlier), why not get a GOD DAMNED MAC MINI and STFU? You guys are all fuckin retards if you think that this is anything more than a processor switch. A PROCESSOR SWITCH, not a PLATFORM SWITCH. It'll still be a GOD DAMNED MAC, so if you want OS X, GET A GOD DAMNED MAC.geez, with all the speculation and other bitchin and bullshit comments, this entire comment thing has been entirely a waste of time. I wish I didn't read all these comments. :(
xype - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
"Why is that ironic? Because all AnandTech readers know that presently AMD provides far better performance per watt than Intel."Surely you're not that naive, Anand? Apple is not switching now, but in 2006-2007. Or are you claiming that you KNOW AMD will have better performance per watt in one year's time?
Googer - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
Apple is no longer an apple, they are now just another PC clone.Scott66 - Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - link
Apple through there universal binary code will enable software to run on both powerpc and intel processors. Nice little bit of infor that OSX has been running on intel for 5 years. They already have binary translation software Rosetta to allow PPC based software not written in Xcode to run on Intel machines. The software pieces are in place for a much smoother transition than Motorola to PowerPC 10 years ago and so much better than Win 98 to ME or even 2000.Now it is the hardware side of the equation. Guess what guys, you won't be able to just buy OSX and put in on your machine at home. It will run only on Mac hardware that happens to have Intel Processors. Apple is already switching to "PC" standards for video cards, memory, and interconnects but they use Apple drivers and software. It is just like Linux in that if your hardware doesn't have drivers supporting the Operating System, the components become interesting paper weights or door stops.
Apple is once again seeing a desired outcome and making the technology fit their dreams. Let's hope they can continue their rate of growth and show the Personal Computer Industry some innovation. Competition is healthy and should be encouraged.
JAS - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
Has Apple Computer said whether their next operating system release, OS 10.5 "Leopard," will run on PowerPC Macs -- or only on Intel processors?sphinx - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
It was bound to happen sooner or later. IBM has been doing to much lately with Sony and Microsoft, that they put Apple on the back burner. IBM just doesn't have the capacity to take care of everyone's needs.I think this is a great move by Apple. Did he mention anything about the Xserve
knitecrow - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
I am a moderate apple fan, not even hardcore, and I am infuriated by the decision.My only hope is that I'll be able to run a hacked OS X on my $600 athlon64 system over the overpriced intel junk apple is going to start selling.
How low the mighty have fallen. Apple is now going to peddle intel cpus, chipsets, wi-fi chips etc.
downtowncb - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
I meant #45, sorry.downtowncb - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
As much as I'd like to think that Apple cares about the PC enthusiast market, they really don't. They have closed hardware, don't care too much about games (if at all), and haven't really done anything to woo the PC enthusiasts over. That being said, they're not too worried about the negative effects of the Intel over AMD solution. They are going for more market share, quantity over quality. If somebody told Steve Jobs, "Hey, you're alienating the PC enthusiast market by not choosing AMD!" he'd probably say, "And that changes what?"Also, even though AMD is the performance winner today, Apple probably has some insight into the future of both Intel and AMD, and sees a brighter future over at Intel. Plus, they don't care how good AMD chips are at games like most of us do, not to mention all the other reasons for their choice listed here already.
Also #44, Apple shipped over a million computers in the last quarter alone, if I'm not mistaken.