toggle

AAPL Stock: 431.77 ( -0.23 )

MacNN News

http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/11/16/amd.based.apple.laptop/

AMD-based Apple laptop in the works?

updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu November 16, 2006

AMD-based Apple laptop?

Apple and AMD are joining forces to build an AMD-based Apple laptop, according to a report by DigiTimes. The publication claims that Taiwan passive component makers are seeing an aggressive rise in orders for high-capacitance multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), and that most of the MLCCs are for use in an AMD-based Apple notebook. The new laptop will require about 70 22�F MLCCs manufactured by Japan-based Murata Manufacturing, Taiyo Yuden and TDK. Demand for Apple's Intle-based dual-core laptops that require around 80 22� MLCCs has tightened supply for the high-capacitance MLCCs, forcing notebook makers to adjust their MLCC mixture. AMD CEO Hector Ruiz in September suggested that Apple would eventually use AMD processors in some of its Macs to avoid being held "hostage" to exclusive pricing deals from Intel.

by MacNN Staff

Post tools:

TAGS :

Apple

toggle

Comments

shawnce
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2000

0

11/16, 01:20pm | report spam | close Reply |
..in a laptop?

I could see AMD in a desktop/tower but in a laptop? AMD has little to offer in the portable space compared to what Intel supplies (performance/watt and even performance/dollar).

...maybe they are confusing ATI (now part of AMD) graphics chips to be used in laptops? (already used in the MBP)

Of course Apple could be looking at releasing a ultra small laptop ... performance isn't the most important factor for those but price would be... which could put the Turion ahead.

...still I don't see it happening anytime in the soon... maybe 2008.

bsnoel
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2006

0

11/16, 01:38pm | report spam | close Reply |
Not impressed

I don't think that would be a very wise idea for Apple. Intel has bent over backwards to help them with their new platform launch. Including first dibs on product releases. Having such an unusually close relationship with Intel could be nothing but advantageous for both Intel and Apple. Why do something to mess that up.

vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2005

0

11/16, 01:48pm | report spam | close Reply |
Actually, not that bad

For Intel, Apple's volume is not that significant. The benefits from this relationship is in Apple's constant push towards the bleeding edge in technological innovation (which no HP or Dell cares to do, since Apple is much more nimble and can afford to change direction - 68k to PPC to Intel; OS9 to OSX). There would be no EFI in mass shipments, had there not been for Apple. For the same reason, AMD would love this kind of relationship. It is unlikely that Inteel would drop this preferential treatment because of an AMD deal. Apple brings great value to their corporate strategy; it motivates their research teams and it provides enormous prestige with the brand association (much nicer than with Microsoft). While they will probably be unhappy with the AMD news, they'll stay with the programme.

As for the rest of the industry (including PC), this move would be eqivalent to the situation when Apple adopted USB and abandoned floppy. Hardware makers finally begun shipping PCs with USB (and peripherals too). Apple's AMD agreement will make the two chipmakers more innovative, benefits of which will probably spill over into the Windows world as well.

G4ME
Addicted to MacNN

Joined: Dec 2000

0

11/16, 02:16pm | report spam | close Reply |
Umm wait

are they just saying Apple will go with AMD because they are odering more capcitors? The same capacitors used in current models?

how the heck does that make sense?

rok
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 1999

0

11/16, 03:30pm | report spam | close Reply |
dodgy writing

sorry, macnn, but this reeks of spin in order to make it sounds more sensational than it is. you're going to need more evidence than a report from another source based on an apparent rise in component orders.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 03:39pm | report spam | close Reply |
Love it.

I hate Intel almost as much as I hate Microsoft and the thought of replacing my Powerbook with an Intel Mac has left me wanting to hack OS X for a homebuilt AMD box.

I'd love an AMD solution - I wouldn't care about the negligible performance decrease. AMD's mobile chips are pretty good and deliver decent battery life and performance.

I think it may well be on the horizon - but I wonder if these orders are for the iTV which is set to go in 07. If nothing else, Apple buying these parts is a sign of changes as they are different values than currently shipping Macs.

e2Sync
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2005

0

11/16, 04:12pm | report spam | close Reply |
mac neverland news

where all our news is pure fantasy...

Terrin
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2006

0

11/16, 04:41pm | report spam | close Reply |
Not going to happen

Not going to happen, at least any time soon. Why? First, Steve Jobs is a close friend of Intel's CEO. Second, as others have pointed out, Intel has really bent over backwards for Apple. It would be dumb to then turn around a kick Intel. Apple might represent a small portion of Intel's business, but Apple was a major score for Intel because Apple embraced Intel when others fled, and Apple is considered by many to be the best PC manufacturer. Third, AMD no longer offers the superior product. This may change, but Intel's Core processors are the best out there. Fourth, I would not be surprized if Apple is contractually obligated to use Intel based processors for a certain amount of time. After-all, Intel has hired over a thousand people just to support Apple.

It is possible Apple will use AMD in the future, but not until AMD takes the lead again in processor design.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 04:54pm | report spam | close Reply |
People said the same

The same was said about Dell and guess what? Dell now sells AMD.

bealzabobs_youruncle
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2006

0

11/16, 08:09pm | report spam | close Reply |
Dell is not relevant to..

this discussion. Apple just went through a massive retooling and re-branding, they are unlikely to introduce any confusion into the product line at this point. Also note that AMD frequently suffers from inventory shortages, chipset designs (more specifically lack of) and can't offer the deep level of engineering and software support that Intel can.

It is almost entirely out of the question that Apple would strain it's relationship with Intel this soon. And for what? Intel offers faster chips, at least at the moment, so there is little reason to investigate other options today.

And let's not forget about why Dell now sells AMD; Intel had to stop offering Dell sweetheart pricing and charge the same to all OEMs across the board. Had Intel still been giving Dell the preferential prices they were getting there would not be an AMD logo on their site. As it is, the products are barely "featured" and not heavily promoted. If anything it can be argued that Dell is now exploiting AMDs slightly weaker position in the market place, and with production and pricing issues might do AMD more long term harm than good.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/16, 09:50pm | report spam | close Reply |
Please

I've seen at least 1 Dell with AMD commercial a day for a while now.

And you are forgetting that AMD is also a semiconductor company just like Intel - they make the whole widget too - in fact many Opteron server boards are designed by AMD.

AMD's shortages, while do happen are similar to what happens to Intel. You're forgetting the P4 EE Debacle and other various shortages at Intel over the years.

It's only been with the Core chips that Intel has been at least competitive with AMD in the past 5 years. The P4 and P3 were getting wiped up with the Athlon. In the server space (the towers use server chips), AMD is more power efficient and generally better performing than Xeons.

I'm sure Apple is not really that "into" Intel. They merely needed an escape from the PPC h*** that Motorola and IBM got them into. At the time (2 years ago), Intel made the most sense as they could throw the engineering muscle into getting Apple to x86 architecture. Now that Apple has experience in x86, they could look at AMD...

Merc248
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2006

0

11/16, 09:59pm | report spam | close Reply |
hmph

I trust AMD more than Intel to deliver quality products, even if Intel's Core series has been a godsend in the computer industry. Here's one very good reason why: Intel is ran by a businessman; AMD is ran by an engineer.

bealzabobs_youruncle
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2006

0

11/16, 11:03pm | report spam | close Reply |
Hmmm

lot's of revisionist history and misinformation in these last 2 post.

-AMD does not make the whole widget, not even close. And they have been shedding assorted parts of their semi-conductor business for years. A few Opteron mobos are spec'd by AMD, but made up of other companies parts.

-The P4EE chips were never mass production chips, Intel never ran out of their bread and butter CPUs in years. There was never a shortage of Northwood or Prescott PIVs or any of the Pentium M CPUs; the chips that make up 95% of sales.

-Intel and AMD traded the performance crown until the Prescott, when AMD ran off with the crown for almost 2 years. Only revisionist fanboys pretend Intel wasn't competitive prior to that.

Umm, merc248, you do know that Apple isn't run by an engineer either... right? What a useless measure you are trying to apply; most of the large tech companies do not have an engineer at the helm and with good reason. Perhaps if AMD was run by a businessman they wouldn't have inventory and production issues?

Note that I have never said AMD doesn't make a great CPU, but as a whole company they have some issues and all the wishing in the world won't make AMD a better run business. Apple already suffered through stock issues in the last few years with not enough of their most in demand chips, I seriously doubt they will risk that right now. And again, why would they opt for slower CPUs right now, maybe when the K8L ships...

I don't personally care what CPU is under the hood of my Mac as long as it performs, but there aren't a whole ton of reasons for Apple to stray from Intel at the moment.

010111
Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2002

0

11/17, 05:56am | report spam | close Reply |
iTV

pretty sure the Airport Express and Airport Extreme use AMD chips already.

since i fully expect the iTV to also function as a wireless base station (audio streaming base station : Airport Express :: video streaming base station : iTV) ... i am guessing they might be using an AMD processor in them.

i'm guessing they'd need a lot of them as well.

testudo
Forum Regular

Joined: Aug 2001

0

11/17, 12:15pm | report spam | close Reply |
Sorry

But I can't imagine that Intel spent all that time and money helping apple with their conversion (including updating compilers, software, etc) without some type of agreement that Apple would be tied to intel for a particular stretch of time. Otherwise, everyone would be using Intel to work a switchover then toss them for a cheaper solution without need for R&D money...

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/17, 04:45pm | report spam | close Reply |
Bzzt

Wrong on so many accounts.

It was widely regarded that the Athlon was a better performer than the P3 and most of the P4 machines.

AMD now does make the whole widget - they never stopped making chipsets - search on their website. Now they make the chipset, CPU, and with the ATI acquisition, the video card. The only thing they don't really do much of is OEM motherboards, which is something Intel has done for a long while.

Intel has paper launched before - It was VERY hard to get a hand on the 3Ghz P4's, IIRC. The P4 EE was a joke, and there were a couple other paper launches from Intel in recent history.

Please get your stuff straight.

bealzabobs_youruncle
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2006

0

11/17, 06:14pm | report spam | close Reply |
The only one here...

in need of getting their stuff straight is you itguy05, there are no fruits bourne of the ATi merger yet so they don't make the whole widget just yet. And you can keep posting the same myths all you want, the PIII and PIV were more than competitive until the Prescott generation.

sbandyk
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2005

0

11/20, 12:05pm | report spam | close Reply |
Fanboys..

I've been using AMD chips for ages but I just can't stand AMD fan-boys. They're worse than Apple's faithful.

First off, AMD didn't have a tangible performance lead until the Hammer came out. The P4 was a disappointment but Intel got by on raw clock speed. It also helped that 3dNow was kind of a disappointment and Intel's SSE implementations got better and better (from lame to decent). AMD was always a generation behind on SSE. [though, MMX was c*** and AMD did have a temporary advantage with 3dNow though the dev community never seemed to embrace it much]

Intel is, right now, a significantly superior option. They are beating AMD on Price/Performance and raw performance. I'm shopping for a single computational node right now and I'm thinking Intel is the best solution for power (our chiller is 21+ years old) and for overall performance. I'm holding off a bit for the Xeon QuadCores to ship in all speed bins. The 4 socket AMD boards are just too expensive. BTW: AMD has made chipsets since the Athlon (at least) but mainly as reference designs to get the chips in production. AMD has stated over and over that they don't like being in the chipset business. This is probably a big reason why they bought AMD.. they now control someone who is in the chipset business.

sbandyk
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2005

0

11/20, 12:11pm | report spam | close Reply |
oops

sorry.. last post: I obviously meant to say a big reason they [AMD] bought ATI was so that they controlled a chipset maker.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/20, 12:25pm | report spam | close Reply |
History Lesson:

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlon

Athlon Classic

"Upon release, the Athlon was the fastest x86 CPU in the world, and various versions of the CPU held this distinction continuously from August 1999 until January 2002. Athlon outclassed Intel's Pentium III processors in nearly every way and compared quite favorably years later to the best the Pentium 4's Netburst-architecture could offer."

AthlonXP "the pace, but gradually clawed their way closer. The 1.7 GHz P4 (April 2001) served notice that the Thunderbird could not count on retaining performance leadership forever, and thermal and electricity-consumption issues with the Thunderbird design meant that it was not practical to take it past 1400 MHz (even at that speed it was excessively hot)."

It was a flip-flop for the later processors, and the Opteron is still ahead of the Intel solutions for the server.

The Optern LV is pretty much the benchmark for performance and low heat/power in the data center at this point.

Once Intel releases its CPU's, this may change, but for the DC, the advantage is AMD.

yakirz
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2001

0

11/22, 10:47pm | report spam | close Reply |
Whatever you do, Apple

Put a decent video card, with its own memory, in the damn thing!

I want a MacBook, but I don't want to be held back by integrated graphics.

sdf
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2004

0

11/25, 02:13am | report spam | close Reply |
Not a credible source.

If you're going to quote Digitimes, why not go all the way and quote a magic 8 ball?

VERY DOUBTFUL.

Well, there you go.

chirpy22
Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2006

0

11/25, 01:19pm | report spam | close Reply |
??

Who really cares? My quad processor Mac Pro is not any faster than a dual G5 with any universal apps I've ran on it so far. And they defintely didn't come down in price at all, which is what I would have hoped for. I've been using it for 3 months now and all I can say is, "meh". It's not worse, it's not better. It's the same. What I would like to see Apple make is a computer somewhere between a Mac Pro and a Mac Mini or iMac... Half the size of a Mac Pro, that can still be upgraded with a couple PCI-X cards and hard drive. This is a niche that Apple needs to tap and it's where other computer makers are kicking Apple's butt. You can get a tower model PC for way less than a Mac Pro. It doesn't matter that a comparable model PC costs the same. They need to make something that competes with the lower end PCs that are more upgradable than an iMac or Mac Mini.

Show More Comments

Login Here

toggle

Network Headlines

06/18	Apple issues Java updates for Snow...
06/18	Hidden iOS 7 beta settings point to...
06/18	Case for rumored low-cost iPhone shows...
06/18	A closer look: iOS 7 Safari mobile...
06/17	Apple TV gains iTunes Radio support...

Show All

06/18	Sony Xperia Z shipping in US within...
06/18	Case for rumored low-cost iPhone shows...
06/18	A closer look: iOS 7 Safari mobile...
06/17	Apple TV gains iTunes Radio support...
06/17	Report: 'iPhone 5S' display assembly...

Show All

toggle

AMD-based Apple laptop in the works?

updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu November 16, 2006

AMD-based Apple laptop?

..in a laptop?

Not impressed

Actually, not that bad

Umm wait

dodgy writing

Love it.

mac neverland news

Not going to happen

People said the same

Dell is not relevant to..

Please

hmph

Hmmm

iTV

Sorry

Bzzt

The only one here...

Fanboys..

oops

History Lesson:

Whatever you do, Apple

Not a credible source.

??

Login Here

Register for our weekly email newsletter:

Connect tools:

Subscribe

to our RSS

Follow us

on Twitter

Most Read

10 Most Discussed

MacNN Marketplace

AMD-based Apple laptop in the works?

updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu November 16, 2006

AMD-based Apple laptop?

Related Articles

Recent Articles

..in a laptop?

Not impressed

Actually, not that bad

Umm wait

dodgy writing

Love it.

mac neverland news

Not going to happen

People said the same

Dell is not relevant to..

Please

hmph

Hmmm

iTV

Sorry

Bzzt

The only one here...

Fanboys..

oops

History Lesson:

Whatever you do, Apple

Not a credible source.

??

Login Here

Register for our weekly email newsletter:

Connect tools:

Subscribe

to our RSS

Follow us

on Twitter

Most Read

10 Most Discussed

MacNN Marketplace