I have a feeling that Apple is going to enter the custom chipset business. They will make a controller chip that connects to Intel processors with internal graphics that will exceed what Intel and Nvidia have brought out performance-wise, and come in at a lower power usage. These chipsets will be used for their iMacs, minis, and portable computers. Perhaps even the Mac Pro, minus the integrated graphics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morky
Other than fabbing chips, it looks like Apple is betting on its ability to make the whole widget. The risk doesn't seem that great. If they can just keep up with commodity offerings (or even almost keep up) like the Tegra, they pocket the extra profit. If they fall too far behind, they simply move to the commodity hardware. As long as it is uses the ARM instruction set and the graphics support OpenGL, there wouldn't be a problem. I don't see them pulling out far ahead in chip technology. No one ever does. I think it's really just a matter of complete control over hardware and software integration, as well as increasing profit margins.
It seems the whole PA Semi strong point is in custom chips in regard to first, power usage, and second, speedy design. I'm skipping the custom design as a reason, because that is now a given, as Apple did buy them.
I'm sure one of the real standards is if they can do whatever they do with greater cost efficiency. However, I also believe Apple wants to create higher standard products that will differentiate them, so mere cost savings is not enough.
But, I would draw the line (at least for a while) at the custom chips being designed first for iPhone/iPod, then later the mobile computing line. A tablet might be a tough first project for them. For desktop systems, the Mini would make sense. Perhaps iMacs?
The new Apple ATI chip guy seems to be full of quirky possibilities!
btw, it seems rather interesting that this is such a potentially substantive piece of news with strategic and significant impact for Apple, but all the commenting is happening on "news" of less factual nature...news of Verizon/Apple talks. Kudos to all who post here! (minus me, of course...that would be too conceited...plus I know i posted on the first rumors of Ver./Apple)
Those that interpret this news as "Apple is building a game console" are missing the point almost entirely. Dedicated gaming devices are over. Just like dedicated phones are over, dedicated cameras are over, etc. etc. It's jsut a matter of time, and how many revisions of the iPhone it takes to replace those markets.
Woooosh.
Mac = General Purpose Computing Device
AppleTV = Dedicated Entertainment Device
iPod Touch/iPhone = Mobile General Purpose Computing Device
iPod Classic = Mobile Dedicated Entertainment Device
The iPhone is not going to replace set-top boxes any time soon.
They serve a specific function which the iPhone does not.
The iPhone will complement the AppleTV and enhance its use.
Comments
I have a feeling that Apple is going to enter the custom chipset business. They will make a controller chip that connects to Intel processors with internal graphics that will exceed what Intel and Nvidia have brought out performance-wise, and come in at a lower power usage. These chipsets will be used for their iMacs, minis, and portable computers. Perhaps even the Mac Pro, minus the integrated graphics.
Other than fabbing chips, it looks like Apple is betting on its ability to make the whole widget. The risk doesn't seem that great. If they can just keep up with commodity offerings (or even almost keep up) like the Tegra, they pocket the extra profit. If they fall too far behind, they simply move to the commodity hardware. As long as it is uses the ARM instruction set and the graphics support OpenGL, there wouldn't be a problem. I don't see them pulling out far ahead in chip technology. No one ever does. I think it's really just a matter of complete control over hardware and software integration, as well as increasing profit margins.
It seems the whole PA Semi strong point is in custom chips in regard to first, power usage, and second, speedy design. I'm skipping the custom design as a reason, because that is now a given, as Apple did buy them.
I'm sure one of the real standards is if they can do whatever they do with greater cost efficiency. However, I also believe Apple wants to create higher standard products that will differentiate them, so mere cost savings is not enough.
But, I would draw the line (at least for a while) at the custom chips being designed first for iPhone/iPod, then later the mobile computing line. A tablet might be a tough first project for them. For desktop systems, the Mini would make sense. Perhaps iMacs?
The new Apple ATI chip guy seems to be full of quirky possibilities!
btw, it seems rather interesting that this is such a potentially substantive piece of news with strategic and significant impact for Apple, but all the commenting is happening on "news" of less factual nature...news of Verizon/Apple talks. Kudos to all who post here! (minus me, of course...that would be too conceited...plus I know i posted on the first rumors of Ver./Apple)
Not gonna happen.
Those that interpret this news as "Apple is building a game console" are missing the point almost entirely. Dedicated gaming devices are over. Just like dedicated phones are over, dedicated cameras are over, etc. etc. It's jsut a matter of time, and how many revisions of the iPhone it takes to replace those markets.
Woooosh.
Mac = General Purpose Computing Device
AppleTV = Dedicated Entertainment Device
iPod Touch/iPhone = Mobile General Purpose Computing Device
iPod Classic = Mobile Dedicated Entertainment Device
The iPhone is not going to replace set-top boxes any time soon.
They serve a specific function which the iPhone does not.
The iPhone will complement the AppleTV and enhance its use.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/...a-koduri-apple
Another AMD/ATI defector?
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/...a-koduri-apple
At this rate Apple may as well just buy AMD and take it ALL