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Report: Apple Looking to AMD for Future Chips

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

Could Apple be switching to AMD for the next-generation of Macs?

Before Apple went Intel, Macs were a PowerPC affair. Going Intel gave Macs a new level of performance, though Apple did relinquish a level of control (and it gave enthusiasts the ability to make a Hackintosh from PC parts).

Right now, Apple is still using Intel CPUs for all of its notebook and desktop computing hardware, but that could soon change. According to a report from AppleInsider, workers from AMD have been seen on Apple's Commuter Coach buses, and AMD execs have been seen on their way out from those inside Apple's top levels.

Such meetings between the two companies have reportedly enabled Apple to start experimenting with AMD processors – believed to be of both workstation and notebook class – in its future products.

Apple could be looking at AMD's offerings since Intel is not allowing Nvidia to create the chipsets for Nehalem-based processors. This has forced Apple to use an Intel chipset in its latest refresh of 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros, while tying them into functioning with discrete Nvidia graphics. The current 13-inch MacBook Pro, as well as all the previous unibody models, used both Nvidia chipset and graphics – leaving Intel just with CPU duties.

AMD would be able to supply Apple with the full CPU, GPU and chipset for its products, which could give Apple greater control over its hardware – something the company constantly strives to have.

Of course, all this could be a rouse by Apple to keep Intel on its toes. After all, Apple claims that a lack of Core i5 and Core i7 parts were to blame for the long delay in the MacBook Pro refresh.

There are 71 Comments.
Top Comments
  • 20
    tipoo , April 17, 2010 6:15 AM
    Just keep in mind that as a huge personal computer maker (yes, PC), Apple has access to CPU roadmaps and engineering samples that we do not. Maybe AMD has some kick ass CPU/GPU fusion combo down the line.

    Besides that, The new 13" MBP may be a leading indicator that Apple is showing that they are willing to use a slower C2D cpu in order to get a better integrated graphics solution than is possible from Intel. This is obviously a market segment that AMD should be able to address -- combine a mediocre x86 cpu with a very capable ATI integrated gpu.

    Oh, and Mac Mini. Nuff said.


    Anyways, I look forward to AMD vanilla kernals :-P
  • 24
    tipoo , April 17, 2010 6:24 AM
    razercultmember1Intel should just merge with nvidia to pwn sum amd nubs


    No.

    That is all.
  • 29
    gekko668 , April 17, 2010 6:29 AM
    Looks like Apple is having an affair with AMD. I dont think Intel will like that very much.
  • 27
    buckinbottoms , April 17, 2010 6:40 AM
    crazy to imagine the boost in media attention this will bring, not so much for Apple, but AMD. AMD's biggest problem has always been public recognition and advertising. Just by making this move the shear amount of free press Apple commands and the public image and recognition AMD would receive could be bigger than any product triumph or settlement AMD could ever garnish from Intel.
  • 23
    shin0bi272 , April 17, 2010 6:52 AM
    so apparently apple is tired of paying 200-300 bucks per cpu... and since no one is buying their macbooks anymore except the diehard mac fans maybe a cheaper cpu will allow apple to drop their prices to below 1100 bucks.
  • 14
    shadow187 , April 17, 2010 7:21 AM
    Wow, this is great for AMD. They'll need all the help they can get for the CPU section, even though the GPU section is pulling them through.
  • 11
    vigilantzhu , April 17, 2010 7:58 AM
    I'm not a fan of apple min you but go AMD
  • 11
    4ILY45 , April 17, 2010 8:59 AM
    Hackintosh on a PC with an AMD CPU?? YES PLEASE!! :D 
Other Comments
  • 29
    gekko668 , April 17, 2010 6:29 AM
    Looks like Apple is having an affair with AMD. I dont think Intel will like that very much.
  • 27
    buckinbottoms , April 17, 2010 6:40 AM
    crazy to imagine the boost in media attention this will bring, not so much for Apple, but AMD. AMD's biggest problem has always been public recognition and advertising. Just by making this move the shear amount of free press Apple commands and the public image and recognition AMD would receive could be bigger than any product triumph or settlement AMD could ever garnish from Intel.
  • 24
    tipoo , April 17, 2010 6:24 AM
    razercultmember1Intel should just merge with nvidia to pwn sum amd nubs


    No.

    That is all.
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