Linked by David Adams on Sun 8th May 2011 04:47 UTC
The Apple/ARM rumor du jour is that Apple will transition its entire portable Mac line to ARM-based CPUs, dropping Intel altogether. Sources speaking to Semi Accurate claim this is a "done deal," and the move should happen by 2013, when a 64-bit ARM A15 core becomes available. While a future generation of Apple's A5 processor could make some sense for something akin to the MacBook Air, the claim that Apple will ditch Intel wholesale for ARM just doesn't add up.
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Member since:2008-07-15
if Apple were to release OSX on ARM there would be less chance of MS restricting the platform and keeping the WinTel virtual monopoly in place.
That's not going to happen. If Apple do move to ARM on the low-power laptop end, losing most major apps already in the process, they'll use this chance to move these lower end systems over to iOS and lock them down tight. They might re-skin it and make it look like OS X, but there's no way that control-freak Jobs would ever allow the chance for more locked-down iOS devices to get away from him. The sad bit is, most of your typical computer users simply wouldn't care, and would probably embrace it just because it's got a shiny Apple logo on it.
RE[2]: Apple dropping Intel
by unclefester on Sun 8th May 2011 09:05
in reply to "RE: Apple dropping Intel"
Member since:2007-01-13
RE[2]: Apple dropping Intel
by mutantsushi on Sun 8th May 2011 15:00
in reply to "RE: Apple dropping Intel"
Member since:2006-08-18
If Apple do move to ARM on the low-power laptop end, losing most major apps already in the process, they'll use this chance to move these lower end systems over to iOS and lock them down tight.
But why do they really need it ´locked down tight´?
Simply by shifting the low-end ´iBook´ market to ARM itself is a disruption that will almost certainly be able to boost Apple´s App Store. Many developers will CHOOSE to only distribute their ARM versions via App Store... Once there is inertia, ANY ARM App will by default be offered on the App Store (if not exclusively) once that is what consumers expect, and Apps that DON´T do this will tend to lose market-share to the convenience of App Store downloads. No need to ´force´ anything.
What does getting 100% accomplish for them? Forcing developers who don´t want to / can´t conform to App Store rules to no longer offer their product to Apple´s consumer majority? I don´t think Apple REALLY want ANOTHER OSX platform to worry about, keeping it simple with iOS, iOStablet, and OSX (x86 and ARM) is very manageable, the different executable format is trivial.
Such a shift also gives Apple better differentiation vis-a-vis their Pro-line, which right now isn´t really that differentiated: basically screen size (which is totally artificial), and I/O options, which most of the Pro-market (people buying them) doesn´t care all that much about (people who want 15¨ screens are probably equal to those who need hi-speed/expandable I/O). With a more differentiated ARM low-end, that let´s Apple much more organically differentiate the Pro-line, e.g. for people who want real x86 performance... An obviously differentiated successor to the 12¨ Powerbook is now realistic, and Apple can now sell 15¨+ iBooks to more low-end customers for more net profit than the people forced to get MacBookPros for a large screen.
Edited 2011-05-08 15:06 UTC
Member since:2010-03-08
Disagree. Macs are also frequently used for multimedia work (it is said that OSX does a pretty good job at handling low-latency audio and such, but it's probably more of a cultural thing). Is ARM ready for handling heavy loads and unoptimized monsters like Cubase ? This remains to be seen...
Edited 2011-05-08 12:24 UTC
RE[2]: Apple dropping Intel
by henderson101 on Mon 9th May 2011 11:17
in reply to "RE: Apple dropping Intel"
Member since:2006-05-30
it is said that OSX does a pretty good job at handling low-latency audio and such....
Yes, that is true. Standard Windows drivers are awful in comparison to Core Audio. So - same hardware (MacBook 2007 model, 4GB RAM, Mac OS X 10.6.6 vs Windows 7 professional 32bit) using Reaper under OS X with no additional drivers, perfect flawless low latency audio recording for 5 tracks built up in turn over a session (recorded one at a time) However, Windows, we have synchronization after the first track with standard Windows drivers. Installing ASIO4ALL (ASIO driver emulation) we get passable results. Conclusion - Mac OS X is better at low latency audion "out of the box."
Just to clarify - same with 10.5 (where it's running in more 32bit mode - though the version of Reaper is 32bit anyway) and this is using the Mic jack built in to the hardware with no external USB/Firewire sound cards included.
Edited 2011-05-09 11:19 UTC
Features
Linked by David Adams on 05/16/13 4:23 UTC
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
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Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/08/13 14:22 UTC
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Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/24/13 22:24 UTC
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Member since:
2005-07-22
Hmmm
There are many reports that Apple are going to use Intel as a foundry for their future ARM designs. I suppose that is one way to keep intel happy.
As to why Apple would do this?
The majority of laptop users (both Windows & OSX) do remarkably similar things.
1) Browse the web and use web services (eg Facebook etc) inc uploading content.
2) Use Email
3) Create simple documents.
WOT no Gamers?
IMHO they are a minority
All of those (non gamers) can be accomplished using applications that are pretty well OOTB. ie nowt special.
With this in mind, moving to ARM CPU's is really a no brainer. Their USP would be the 24hr (or thereabouts) battery life.
With Microsoft stating that Windows 8 will run on ARM as well (it remains to be seen if that is FUD or real) also puts the death of low end Intel Powered laptops very much on the menu.
The 64K$ question is:-
Will the likes of Adobe follow and make versions of their consumer products (PS Elements) available on the new platform for both OSX & W8. If enough of them 'Just Say No' then using W8 or OSX on the ARM platform will have a limited life.
I can't help wondering if the big hand of MS is muddying the waters here. They did it with Netbooks.
That said, if Apple were to release OSX on ARM there would be less chance of MS restricting the platform and keeping the WinTel virtual monopoly in place. IT all depends upon how desperate MS gets (and personally how many Linux distros release ARM versions).
As for the high end? All I can think is 'wait & see'.
Edited 2011-05-08 06:27 UTC