09/21/2006, 1:50pm, EDT
Thursday, September 21st
AMD CEO Apple will use AMD chips someday
AMD recently announced that it would spend $5.4 billion to acquire graphics giant ATI, which currently supplies the majority of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) used in Apple systems. Interestingly, Intel is the supplier of CPUs for the Cupertino-based company's new Macs, working closely with Apple engineers to perfect new mobile and desktop systems. News of the acquisition proved the root of much speculation surrounding whether Apple would forego future deals with ATI in favor of Nvidia, ATI's arch-rival in GPU production.
Following AMDs acquisition announcement in late July, Intel in early August asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Deleware permission to serve ATI a subpoena for important documents which it believes will affect its ability to compete in the processor market. AMD filed an antitrust case against Intel in June of 2005, alleging that the chip giant used its dominance of the x86 microprocessor market to discourage PC manufacturers as well as retailers from purchasing AMD chips.
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That's funny. Last time I looked, the latest chip offerings from Intel were eating AMD's chips for breakfast, from a performance point of view.
An industry exec indulging in wishful thinking is NOT the same as a corporate announcement of an order from an new customer.
If it ever comes down to it, Apple would be able to switch over to AMD chips very quickly. Luckily for us, Intel is delivering big-time on their roadmap, so we really have nothing to complain about at the moment.
But I don't think it would happen anytime soon. Intel has invested way too much in their relationship with Apple to let them just go to some other company.