Apple Ditches Nvidia, Goes ATI-only for Desktops
Apple using Radeons across the board for iMac and Mac Pro.
If you take a closer look at the Mac Pro and iMac refreshes this week, you'll notice that Apple has ditched Nvidia graphic parts in favor of strictly choosing ATI GPUs.
From a technology perspective, Nvidia right now has the shinier bullet point list with its Fermi-based chips, but all iMac and Mac Pro options are comprised of ATI's Evergreen family.
That's not to say that Apple has switched sides, as the company employs Nvidia chipsets and GPUs across the entire MacBook, starting with the GeForce 320M in the 13-inch MacBooks to the GeForce 330M discrete part in the MacBook Pros.
This could be a sign, however, that Apple and AMD are forming a stronger relationship. Earlier this year, rumors did the rounds that Apple may be considering using AMD CPUs in its upcoming computers.
(Sources: AppleInsider, Icrontic.)
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
-
Tamz_msc Looks like Apple finally learned the meaning of value for money,but only forgot to lower the price!.Reply -
matt87_50 this may have something to do with valve being massive ATI fanboys? no? steam on mac ect?Reply
anyway, I recently did the same thing. I dono, I just get this feeling ATI are more reliable. -
L0tus Good move I'd say.Reply
Ati's recent offerings offer the same performances at marginally lower prices and much less power consumption (so Apple saves on a LOT on PSU wattage). Just worried about Ati's drivers.
As for AMD CPU's, another good move. Given that Apple users aren't enthusiasts, there's no need for i5s and i7s. -
joytech22 Good job AMD, now bring out those 16-core Bulldozer CPU's by the beginning of next year and i swear i will pay anything between 300-800 for one! (still cheaper than Intels upcoming CPU's AND CURRENT high-end CPU's)Reply -
DaveWesh Im sorry but this just screams "we want to charge the same price for cheaper made computers" and When/IF they pick AMD cpu's up on the desktop line, It will just make the "Apple Premium" cost even more. I mean with Intel CPU's at least you get a decent Horsepower with the computer, AMD's have price/performance on their side which is what makes them great when you slap "price/performance" in a "premium brand" you aren't really getting "price/performance".Reply
....Then again this hinges on the idea that they dont change the prices >_>