Report: Apple Looking to AMD for Future Chips

As a Mac hater and an AMD fanboy, I have mixed feelings about this.

Same goes to me.

and me too, although I only slightly lean towards AMD.

ql. i think that macOS will parry to windows.

Sounds good either way...

Report: Apple Pretending to beLooking to AMD for Future Chips to get Better Prices from Intel

Apple is a company centred solely around brand name and suddenly they'd replace one of the world most well known brands with a relative stranger the average computer user never heard off?

If anything, I believe that either:
- Apple is taking an option for future products like Llano because they have an advantage over what Intel has offered them
- The execs aren't there for CPU's, but for GPU's. the iMac already uses ATI discrete GPU's, it would make sense for Apple to expand their offering now they're the only one that can offer DirectX11 in the price segment Apple GPU's are in.

I'm an AMD user, but AMD notebook CPU are just not as good as intel ones.
I don't understand why Apple would do this (I'm an apple hater, BTW)

@Silmarunya :: While the more technical people know what is inside their MacBook/iMac/MacPro, most people don't. Nor in fact do they care as long as it does what they want it to. Seriously, they could stick a single core Celeron in there and most of their user base wouldn't know the difference, they would be looking at it and saying "It's so shiny" as they play Farmville and browse ebay while listening to their latest MP3.

There is a distinct Brain Gap between the normal guy/girl who has wandered in to the Apple Store and pointed blindly at a laptop because they have been pulled in with the marketing hype, and someone who looks at the specs of what they are getting. While someone like us would be looking at the amount of RAM we can fit in there, the speed of the drive and the overall specs of the machine, Jane Doe walks in and buys pretty much what she can afford, and REALLY doesn't care about the specs. All they know is that there is a screen, keyboard and CD Drive, with an awful lot of Voodoo they don't understand happening underneath.

Apple themselves care about ONE brand, and that is the Apple brand. They can if they so chose these days ignore the tech market, and just concentrate on the Consumer Market. At one time that would have been an issue as the only people buying their kit were specialists, or tech nerds. This has changed with the prevalence of the iPod and iPhone. They are now seen as an aspirational brand, even if their kit isn't "the best" anymore (it isn't, there is no way in hell any of the present range will outlast the 14 year old Powerbook I was handed recently) it doesn't matter, it's still selling, and in greater numbers than they have had in years.

So Apple using AMD? possibly just a marketing ploy to get better prices from Intel, but could be serious as AMD stuff is also cheaper, and with the AMD Mobile Platform initiative where they pretty much get to pick and chose what gets put together they have a more flexible and negotiable (with the manufacturers) starting block. Start with an AMD CPU, go for an AMD or nVidia motherboard, go for nVidia or ATi Graphics, and then pick one of 5 different brand WiFi Cards. While this would cause some issues for someone doing the install outside of Apple, it doesn't matter to Apple themselves. As long as their stuff lasts past the Applecare warranty, and the customers come back to get their latest fix of "Shiny" then Apple are happy.

As an aside I still think that opening up the platform is long overdue, I have fond memories of a Power Computing server that we used as a CAD box many many years ago. Ripped the Apple machines of the time a new one because for it's time it was just pure grunt.

I think this could be good news. The existing AMD hardware has proven itself to be powerful, reliable and cost-effective; especially the GPU logic. AMD seems to have a very good working relationships with it's partners, too. A MS Windows PC or Mac...it's still using AMD hardware. If a machine has to have x86-compatible CPU logic and decent GPU logic then there's only really Intel and nVidia who are able to get their foot in the door..

Also, do Mac users really care what hardware is used as long as that logo Apple logo remains? I don't think they mind to be honest.

I think AMD should seize the moment but I respect your reservations and would like to know more.

What I meant was, Intel and nVidia are the only viable alternatives, rather than being the only options available

Maybe Apple have been testing some of AMD's future products and are suitably impressed.

I love AMD, like OS X and hate Apple. And if I can build an AMD powered Mac then so can Apple

Don't let your dislike of Apple's disgraceful business model stop you from enjoying an impressive OS. Besides, my sub £100 Mac makes me feel smug when Mac fanboys are spending hundreds or thousands on inferior technology.

Silmarunya, if you're the average user then there's no surprise you've never heard of AMD. Specifically, that they make Intel clones for 20 years now, so NO - they're as popular in the market as Intel (nowdays because of ATI's graphics unit too).
Besides, the article does not say whether or not Apple is looking for Today's tech. They might be looking at Fusion for their Air line, or at least for some of the HD R6xxx GPUs...

Then they sure as hell should have also checked out Intel's 'Sandy Bridge'

They probably have. If Intel are pricing it too high, they will look for cheaper alternatives.

Maybe they checked out Intel's business philosophy and weren't suitably impressed..

God I hate Mac!!!! Love AMD though!

Suppose its good for Business