Reality Shock: Intel in Macs

At first there was disbelief. How could it be true?  Then the rumors started to mount. Soon even highly reputable sources were claiming that it was true. Many of the Apple faithful just could not accept it. Finally Monday came and everyone waited for the news:

Old and busted: IBM

New Hotness:  Intel

Some laughed, some cried many cheered because they didn’t know what else to do. But now that we have all caught our collective breaths why don’t we try and see just what this means. Because even though most people haven’t realized just how big this is soon they will. And when that moment comes I am certain that Jobs will be ready for it. So, lets see if we can figure out where Apple will go from here.

What we know

Price: Expect prices on all Macs to drop. Apple has apparently reached a sweet deal with Intel and I can’t believe that deal would include higher chip prices.

Supply:I don’t foresee anyone waiting two or three weeks for their new computer purchase to come in now.

Speed: Well, for better or for worse Apple is using Intel. So, I guess we all better get use to having faster processors in our computers.

Translation: I am simply blown away by the fact that Apple has been working on this whole “switch to Intel” thing for FIVE years. It boggles the mind how they managed to keep that a secret for so long. And what about Rosetta?  Isn’t that just amazing?  That little utility means that just about any PPC application can become a Pentium application very quickly. This is very good for Apple because this means that their entire library of software will be ready when shipments begin next year.

What we hope

Windows Applications: If Apple has been working all of this time on a way to transfer their Apps over to the Pentium I would imagine they have at least given thought to transferring Windows only applications to this new Intel version of Tiger. If they really do have a plan to make it easier on developers then this would be wonderful news. No, this would be #$&%*! awesome news. Imagine if there was a fairly painless way to transfer over a Windows application to OS X. That means that Apple could conceivably get a very big upgrade to their software library in the coming months.

Graphics: Hopefully Apple will be able to make immediate use of the newest and most powerful graphics cards out there. I wonder if game developers will now see the Mac platform as one worth pursuing?  If so I imagine that Doom 4 will look very stunning on a 30” aluminum display.

Laptops: I think that a lack of G5 laptops hurt both Apple’s pride and their wallet. But by switching they gain access to new faster processors designed strictly for laptops. Good news for on the go consumers.

What we wonder

Clones: I could be wrong (and if I am please correct me) but during the keynote speech I don’t remember Steve saying whether or not Apple would let others license OS X. This is a huge point so if someone out there knows please fill me in. Because on one hand Apple could port OS X to Intel but then continuing to be the only one who sells OS X. On the other hand Apple could continue to sell OS X on their own hardware but also license it out to Dell, HP, Sony and the rest so it can come preloaded on their machines. In the first scenario Apple would retail their hardware sales at the expense of growth in market share. In the second scenario Apple would lose hardware sales (though not as much to cause them any real trouble) but gain tremendous market share and thus become even more profitable.

AMD: If Apple has gone this far I see no reason not to continue and port their stuff to AMD’s chips as well. If they can do it with Intel then surely they can do it with AMD.

Altivec/Velocity Engine: I just want to know what is going to take the place of this because Apple has been building around it for quite a few years. Without it certain things are bound to slow down but if they do by how much?  And what will take its place?

Think on these points in the coming weeks when this story is endlessly debated. How will things ultimately turn out is anyone’s guess but I know that in true Jobs style he hasn’t let all the surprises out of the bag. Oh no, not by a long shot. So, lets wait and see how this plays out. It only gets crazier from here folks. As a parting shot take note, if Apple decides to license OS X big things will happen. And I for one can’t wait to see what.