Apple on Intel Posted June 7, 2005 at 12:00 am

Apple announced on Monday that it would begin a two year transition to Intel X86 processors. This is big news in the world of tech. The PowerPC was very much a part of Apple’s aura of being different. Naturally, everyone has their own opinions about why the move was made and where it will ultimately take the Mac. Here’s my take.

This is the move that makes the most sense for Apple to remain performance competitive across their entire product line. Two years ago, Steve Jobs promised a 3GHz G5 within a year of seeing the first G5 PowerMacs; two years later, we’re still waiting. There were high hopes for a G5 PowerBook as well. Development of the PowerPC simply wasn’t progressing at the pace Apple needs to stay competitive. With Intel, Apple should get a reliable roadmap and new chips to give their entire line a refresh.

The long term implications of Apple’s shift should prove to be interesting, to say the last. I’m going to hold high hopes for two things: more Mac software and Windows compatibility.

OS X running on Intel could make the Mac a more attractive target for cross-platform developers. For example, I see three barriers to Mac game development: (1) porting DirectX code; (2) making changes for OS X; (3) making changes for the PowerPC. With Intel Macs, one of these should disappear. I say "should" because it’s not clear what measures Apple is taking to keep their Intel solution proprietary or how it will affect developers. Now, one could make a similar argument for Linux game development, which we haven’t really seen take off. While OS X and Linux have similar market share figures, I would wager that a significant portion of the installed Linux base can be attributed to servers, rather than actual desktops. So, I’m saying that there are effectively fewer Linux gamers to target than with the Mac

I also mentioned Windows compatibility. There’s already speculation that the new Intel Macs will be able to run Windows. Indeed, I think they should. Windows compatibility could be a great boon for Apple. It would make it that much easier for potential switchers to toss the beige box in favor of a Mac. Most potential users will be attracted to a polished OS X solution, but there are plenty of folks who are hesitant to leave Windows completely behind. A box that can run Windows, OS X, and Linux could become a new selling point for Apple. But again, it remains to be seen just how compatible a proprietary Intel X86 box can be.

All that said, I expect good things to come out of the Apple-Intel deal. An X86 Mac solution could spark some new development for the platform and it should also bring in more users.