Could this be the New Mac architecture?

**hulkaros** · October 2nd, 2002, 05:27 AM

AMD - nVidia - Apple...

I CAN'T say from where I heard it but let's just say that more likely THIS is the real deal! And NO I'm NOT making this up!

NOTE: If this thing IS going to happen, I prefer AMD and NOT intel and also I hope Apple will have all the saying and not other clone-makers... including AMD and nVidia partners! Also, I wanted Apple NOT to chose the x86 architecture and give a shot to quad G4 boxes instead

I REALLY hope my source is ALL wrong, really

**Sogni** · October 2nd, 2002, 12:51 PM

Rumor or not, let's say it would happen...

I really don't belive it would be x86 architecture - I think it would be either Intel or AMD making a processor FOR Apple (ala IBM PowerPC G3 when they where ALSO making x86 processors for PCs), not Apple using an "Off-the shelf" processor from Intel or AMD...

At least... I hope not!

**jocknerd** · October 2nd, 2002, 01:09 PM

<quote>I really don't belive it would be x86 architecture - I think it would be either Intel or AMD making a processor FOR Apple (ala IBM PowerPC G3 when they where ALSO making x86 processors for PCs), not Apple using an "Off-the shelf" processor from Intel or AMD...</quote>

If AMD were to produce a CPU for Apple, it would probably be very similar if not the same, as the X86 processor. Cost containment would be the reason. Which would be good for Apple as well. A less expensive processor makes for a less expensive computer. If they do go with AMD and use the same processor, the bios and firmware would still be for Apple.

So OS X would still require an Apple to run. Although I'm still unsure if this is a good thing or not. I know a LOT of people that would drop Windows in a second if they could run OS X on their PC. It really comes down to whether selling enough copies of OS X for PC's would make up for the loss in Apple hardware sales. I honestly think it would be possible for Apple to sell OS X for PC's without harming their hardware sales.

**jocknerd** · October 2nd, 2002, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by Tormente
I really don't belive it would be x86 architecture - I think it would be either Intel or AMD making a processor FOR Apple (ala IBM PowerPC G3 when they where ALSO making x86 processors for PCs), not Apple using an "Off-the shelf" processor from Intel or AMD...

If AMD were to produce a CPU for Apple, it would probably be very similar if not the same, as the X86 processor. Cost containment would be the reason. Which would be good for Apple as well. A less expensive processor makes for a less expensive computer. If they do go with AMD and use the same processor, the bios and firmware would still be for Apple.

So OS X would still require an Apple to run. Although I'm still unsure if this is a good thing or not. I know a LOT of people that would drop Windows in a second if they could run OS X on their PC. It really comes down to whether selling enough copies of OS X for PC's would make up for the loss in Apple hardware sales. I honestly think it would be possible for Apple to sell OS X for PC's without harming their hardware sales.

**Rhino_G3** · October 2nd, 2002, 01:46 PM

Regardless... if apple did use an x86 architecture clones WILL appear. Bios and firmware are easy to flash. If it needed a special chip to run imagine how fast it would appear on ebay. I, for one, would actualy build one. Not to take buisiness from apple... just to say that I did it.

**fryke** · October 2nd, 2002, 02:20 PM

AMD, nVidia and Apple ARE working together. In a consortium about bus architecture. It has nothing to do with Apple choosing an AMD chip for Macintosh computers.

**mdnky** · October 2nd, 2002, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by hulkaros
AMD - nVidia - Apple...

I CAN'T say from where I heard it but let's just say that more likely THIS is the real deal! And NO I'm NOT making this up!

NOTE: If this thing IS going to happen, I prefer AMD and NOT intel and also I hope Apple will have all the saying and not other clone-makers... including AMD and nVidia partners! Also, I wanted Apple NOT to chose the x86 architecture and give a shot to quad G4 boxes instead

I REALLY hope my source is ALL wrong, really

And I should buy this BS because you think? Or heard somewhere? It's a figment of you imagination. Show some proof next time.

On a lighter side, I do recall hearing of those three companies playing a part in a group on a new bus architecture...kinda like the many numerous other "standards" and technology groups Apple belong to.