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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.

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tipoo 04/17/2010 1:15 AM
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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

razercultmember1 04/17/2010 1:18 AM
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tipoo 04/17/2010 1:24 AM
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razercultmember1 :
Intel should just merge with nvidia to pwn sum amd nubs



No.

That is all.

gekko668 04/17/2010 1:29 AM
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Looks like Apple is having an affair with AMD. I dont think Intel will like that very much.

nforce4max 04/17/2010 1:33 AM
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buckinbottoms 04/17/2010 1:40 AM
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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.

shin0bi272 04/17/2010 1:52 AM
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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.

otacon72 04/17/2010 2:04 AM
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nicodemus_mm 04/17/2010 2:05 AM
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ta152h 04/17/2010 2:12 AM
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shadow187 04/17/2010 2:21 AM
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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.

Marco925 04/17/2010 2:30 AM
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It surely would do well for shareholders if AMD gets a contract with Apple

Anonymous 04/17/2010 2:36 AM
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Last time Apple looked to Intel when AMD had the lead, and everybody asked "why?". I bet Apple knows something we don't, like the possibility that AMD Fusion CPUs will be a complete game-changer. Since the stream-processors are connected directly to the cores, instead of through hypertransport, it's possible that the cores can schedule work on them without any intervention from the programmer(like L3 cache that actually does work). This could mean that AMD would have a vast performance lead.

Report that AMD has already sent Fusion CPUs to partners(possibly Apple):

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/d [...] _2010.html

spentshells 04/17/2010 2:43 AM
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tipoo :
No. That is all.



agreed

victomofreality 04/17/2010 2:54 AM
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cheaper cpu's means more profit for apple... not surprised.

vigilantzhu 04/17/2010 2:58 AM
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I'm not a fan of apple min you but go AMD

majorgeek 04/17/2010 3:02 AM
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I think they would be wise to make the switch to AMD, after all they offer the complete solution CPU/GPU. I say let Intel and Nvidia fight it out in court over the chipset crap, Apple has computers to sell, and just wait until Bulldozer arrives!!!!! Apple/AMD looks good to me

"The Future is Fusion"

gpace 04/17/2010 3:08 AM
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So, Apple is going to buy cheaper CPUs? I'm sure it's not to increase the profit margin.

But, it will be good for AMD, presuming Apple actually actually acknowledges the switch.

False_Dmitry_II 04/17/2010 3:20 AM
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They were really after nvidia integrated graphics. The fastest kind of integrated graphics that were available with intel stuff. They just had to get nvidia chipsets with it. AMD chipsets and integrated graphics are excellent and that could easily be what they're really after.

Especially after that macbook relaunch where the smallest one was a C2D simply because that way they didn't have to have a discrete graphics card in it.

4ILY45 04/17/2010 3:59 AM
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Hackintosh on a PC with an AMD CPU?? YES PLEASE!! :D

zybch 04/17/2010 4:02 AM
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lauxenburg 04/17/2010 4:11 AM
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It will be cheaper for them and hopefully cheaper for us. Plus AMD deserves some more market share especially with how stupid Intel has been lately.

kageryu 04/17/2010 4:32 AM
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"It will be cheaper for them and hopefully cheaper for us" This is Apple we're talking about. The company needs profit @_@ Apple tax for all even with AMD processors.

Nintendork 04/17/2010 5:36 AM
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nicodemus_mm :
What better way to have sub-par performance while gouging customers for more money. With AMD they can have processors that performs worse than Core 2 or Nahalem and have a lower build cost while they keep the price the same. As a business tactic it makes sense. The majority of their target won't notice the difference as long as it looks pretty.I like AMD for certain tasks, but if I'm spending that kind of cash I want Intel... or Power 7.




Buy a Phenom II X6 and then come back.

DjEaZy 04/17/2010 5:53 AM
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... would be nice... AMD is a platform company...

wintermint 04/17/2010 5:55 AM
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Ahh.. Apple finally making the right choice :D I hope they don't fk up by overpricing their AMD products though! (just read title only.. doin hw so yeah don't know context of article T.T)

cruiseoveride 04/17/2010 6:43 AM
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I guess its time to buy AMD stock

sonofliberty08 04/17/2010 7:25 AM
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Good News ,
Apple + AMD + ATI , 3A sounds good ,
just like what i like ASUS + AMD + ATI ;)
nvidia should make more chipset for AMD plstform too , like the old days of Atlhon64 ,
intel just skrew them self and hit the wall :p

anamaniac 04/17/2010 7:37 AM
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cruiseoveride :
I guess its time to buy AMD stock


Maybe. Screw buying a RRSP, even if it is tax deductible... no wait, still going for the RRSP.

I'm very interested in the fusion platform though. If AMD can make 35W 6 core server chips, why can't they finally make a damned decent mobile chip? Something they neglect far too much.
I would love a 2.5GHz quad core AMD laptop with a 5770m integrated directly beside the CPU.

tacoslave 04/17/2010 7:47 AM
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Maybe this will lower there prices. Then again it will most likely stay at the same price and just raise their profit margins.

stm1185 04/17/2010 8:07 AM
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It could be huge for AMD, I hope they do. Just think a 6 core Phenom 2, in a mac with a 5800+ gpu for $1000! Theyd sell out!


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