Apple to adopt AMD chips?
Apple is reportedly talking with Advanced Micro Devices about using the No. 2 chipmaker’s processors. Simply put, an Apple win would be huge for AMD since its profit margins just can’t keep up with Intel’s at the moment.
The AppleInsider reports the following:
-AMD reps have been seen talking with Apple;
-Apple is working with AMD chips in its labs;
-Apple wants to diversify and isn’t happy about Intel design decisions that have hurt the company’s partnership with Nvidia;
-Apple may be interested in AMD for its graphics ability and the fusion of CPUs and GPUs.
The AppleInsider report is fascinating in that it shows how Apple may be looking for leverage.
Add it up and AMD could provide the graphics capability Apple is looking for. As AppleInsider noted, AMD traditionally trails Intel on raw performance. However, Ghz is a secondary issue for Apple buyers. An Apple purchase is about design, quality, OS X and ease of use. AMD can get by on the Ghz equation with a mere close enough to Intel if the graphics stars line up.
An Apple design win would be a major boon for AMD because it is a known fact that the processor is a secondary consideration (at best) for buying an Apple System.
