AMD boasts of an Apple future, gripes about Intel

Now that AMD has managed to be more than just a thorn in Intel's side, and instead a valid and increasingly threatening competitor, we figured they'd lay off the immature Intel bashing, but AMD's CEO, Hector Ruiz, got a bit whiny the other day during a speech to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. He seemed to think an inclusion of AMD chips is an inevitable for Apple, since "Everybody wants choice." We can't really recall Apple ever being much into this "choice" thing of which he speaks, but he went on to decry Intel's practices as having stifled growth in the PC industry, and then went in for some rhetorical action: "Knowing Apple, why would they want to be held hostage like everyone else has been?" From the way things sounded, AMD probably isn't even in serious talks with Apple yet, and Apple sure seemed pretty set on Intel when they announced their move last year. Apple, of course, has other considerations than pure specs when it comes to their processor decision, such as branding and bulk prices, but we're sure if AMD manages to best Intel on price, power management and benchmarks -- which looks to be a struggle currently -- Steve Jobs and co. might at least be willing to talk.

[Via The Inquirer]

[Korey @ Sep 21st 2006 12:58PM]

AMD will never touch my precious Mac Omg i shudder to even think about it. AMD sucks!!!! Its like asking someone to Blow up you precious Macbook.

[Brandon @ Sep 21st 2006 12:59PM]

AMD has a totally solid product. I would love for Apple to consider AMD, especially for their Xserve line. Steve Jobs has even sayd recently that "they're doing some really interesting stuff, especially in the high end server arena".

A little shameless promotion: If you want to find out what AMD has been up to lately, you should check out AMD's virtual tradeshow - http://virtualexperience.amd.com - where execs from AMD and a few of AMD's partners talk about the innovative stuff they're doing. My company, Design Reactor, made it for them, and it's been getting a lot of public interest. Definitely pretty cool.

[Smeagol @ Sep 21st 2006 12:59PM]

Has this turned into the Apple blog?

[delerious @ Sep 21st 2006 1:01PM]

This is a bit stupid. A company has a right to choice, and AMD needs to stop being stupid. They have a lot of companies using their processors.
I would never want another Turion in my laptop.

Turion 64 = Too damn hot to use.
Core Duo = Wrist warmer, just right.

I would stick to the Core (2) Duo

[Andy @ Sep 21st 2006 1:06PM]

Sure, AMD can be considered for Apple someday... like when they have a product that can compete with the C2D. Don't get me wrong, I like AMD and Intel and I go with whoever is best at the moment. My last computer had an Athlon 64, my next will have a C2D.

[Allan @ Sep 21st 2006 1:07PM]

I don't think the majority of Mac users would be concerned either way. Apple knows that their duty is to provide their customers with the extremely high level of user satisfaction they've come to expect, and if Apple thought AMD processors were the way to go, I doubt customers would really care. The processor is only as good as the machine it lives in.

[Emagoo42 @ Sep 21st 2006 1:16PM]

Silly AMD

[Bryan @ Sep 21st 2006 1:19PM]

You also have to look at the differences in the 2 chip manufacturers market. Intel has always been geared towards the multimedia industry (video, audio, etc) while AMD has always been the gamers choice. Recently AMD has come around to make a good chip for all around usage (like Intel has been doing for years). That being said, I will always be an Intel guy. I have NEVER had any issues with their chips and they have always been good to me, while I have built a few AMD systems, but eventually sold them to friends or on eBay since the chip was not performing like it should. I run an Athlon X2 Dual Core 3800 with 2GB of RAM at work (about 6 months old) while at home I run an Intel 478 Prescott 3.2 with 2GB of RAM (2 years old) and I continuously see my Intel chip blow away the AMD time and time again.

Apple is mainly geared towards the industry that Intel makes chips for, so I doubt we will see a Mac with an AMD chip for a long time.

[Some Guy @ Sep 21st 2006 1:45PM]

Apple will never use AMD chips, cause AMD chips use a lot of IBM tech in them(who Apple is trying to say away from). Using AMD chips for Apple is like crawling back to IBM. Apple has too much pride to use AMD chips.

[Lee Gibson @ Sep 21st 2006 1:50PM]

Unless and until AMD has a decent chipset to work with, not gonna happen.

Now, an AMD/NVidia alliance to produce MacBook mobos...that might be worth paying attention to.

[glacia00 @ Sep 21st 2006 1:59PM]

"AMD will never touch my precious Mac Omg i shudder to even think about it. AMD sucks!!!! Its like asking someone to Blow up you precious Macbook."

Wow, what a blast from the past. I can't count how many times I heard this same quote about Intel.

In more ways than one this is so shaping up to be history repeating itself. Once the lawsuit starts it will be exactly like MS. Customers who bragged about using X, cut low price deals on X and publicly insisted they wouldn't use anything other than X (like Michael Dell) will suddenly say "we were bullied into using X."

[JD @ Sep 21st 2006 2:01PM]

Just want to let Korey know that he should do some research/have basic knowledge before posting ignorant comments such as "OMG AMD sucks!" It's funny that you mention blowing up your macbook. Obviously the laptop battery explosion thing has been a problem for more than 1 manufacturer recently. I will, right here, list every AMD powered laptop that has had a battery explosion:


End of list. While I admit the processor seems to have little to do with the battery, and probably more to do with how many Intel laptops are out there, I had to bring it up due to your stupid comment. Don't be a moron, please.

[DrThaddeusVenture @ Sep 21st 2006 2:10PM]

I predict that within 2 years Apple will embrace Intel chips, oh wait I mean a 2button mouse, the mp3 player no no, the 6x6 ITX form factor, wait what is it this time?... oh yeah AMD.

[PEZ @ Sep 21st 2006 2:15PM]

I heard AMD was WaaaaaY better. And, if Apple wants a good deal on CPUs and the BEST graphics GPU there is - maybe Apple can be convinced.

Yeah, thats what I heard.

[John from Buffalo @ Sep 21st 2006 2:18PM]

Ya, but one of the major reasons why Apple choose Intel in the FIRST place is the flexibility in what Intel brings to the plate. It's not just chips, but rather chip SETS, and multiple tier products making it more money driven on the overall process of getting hardware into machines.

Sure an AMD X2 may move faster at some point in time on some chips than Intel, but the deal is probably WAY sweeter than AMD could offer on OTHER aspects than JUST the CPU.

It's like saying that AMD and bring to market 10 products of choice, where Intel can bring 4000. It's economy to scale with respect to Apple, but the politics of it all if it's just a 2-3% market of speed difference.. even 5-10% ... doesn't make this a wise move for Apple regardless.

Sure flexibility and "choice" are factors, but let's get things straight here. People buy Macs to run OS X ... noted, for the most part, and then there's the quality factor. An individual consumer plops down 1000-1500 on AVERAGE for a Mac machine on ANY line they offer (minus the mini). Its NOT because of Windows as the #1 reason, and it will NEVER be that way with Apple. Ever. Period.

If a consumer buys a Mac just because it has the AMD X2 or above processor in it, is either a gamer or enthusist who wants to hack and jack stuff. This is like 1-2% of the Apple population IF that.

[daddy_fizz @ Sep 21st 2006 2:25PM]

Hey I'm an AMD fan myself (and have an AMD processor in my desktop) but I think they need to stop being whiny bithes and make a better (mobile) product, then maybe they will have a chance of Apple using their chips. As someone else said, at this point I personally wouldn't want a Turion in my laptop over a Core 2 Duo chip...

[DrThaddeusVenture @ Sep 21st 2006 2:53PM]

Well Buffalo John, I'm not sure what "noted, for the most part," means but I AM sure when Apple designs IN an AMD processor they'll HAVE an equally convincing STORY as to why they made that UTURN also.

After all Hector Ruiz is speakin' the Apple lingo. Wasn't Apple saying essentially the same thing when they spun the reason for changing to Intel after trashtalking them. Something flowery like "Intel was set free."

I mean next Hector will be saying things like "Intel has no soul" or Intel has a larger marketshare because they bully customers. It's pure SteveJobonics.

[Ben @ Sep 21st 2006 3:22PM]

Apple != Choice. And that isn't always a bad thing if Apple makes good products.

[bob nojob @ Sep 21st 2006 3:29PM]

the technolgy pendulum occasionally swings to AMD for having the best proc at a given time, but it quickly swings back to intel. They both make good products with similar specs. But when you're apple you want the one with the shiniest name and the lowest power consuming dual core chip for a lappy. Intel is the winner, plus their logo looks better next to apples. AMD has too many colors. (sips latte)

[M. Rod Von Hugenstein @ Sep 21st 2006 3:46PM]

Maybe AMD will power the Apple iphone......

[Jordan @ Sep 21st 2006 4:47PM]

One way to surely NOT have your product in Apple hardware is to boast that you WILL have it in Apple hardware.

[Phillip Boyett @ Sep 21st 2006 5:20PM]

"He seemed to think an inclusion of AMD chips is an inevitable for Apple, since 'Everybody wants choice.'"

An inevitable what?

:-)

[glacia00 @ Sep 21st 2006 5:25PM]

"Apple != Choice. And that isn't always a bad thing if Apple makes good products."

I wouldn't argue that Apple isn't a choice when looking for a computer and if you happen to like Apple's designs like 2% of the market then it's the place to go. But their design style and hardware clearly aren't for everyone.

And if you really want choice you have to look elsewhere. Outside of Apple the configuration choices are nearly infinite.

I've had great luck with AMD processors and as others have pointed out while Intel is currently ahead in performance it has gone back and forth.

I'm pretty agnostic about tech. If I like it and it does what I want I don't care who makes it. As someone else pointed out tongue-in-cheekily a lot of what Apple has given their customers has been available elsewhere first. From dualbooting, mini form factor, even the OS underlying OSX. And I agree that likely an Apple product will eventually have an AMD processor. But if I wanted that choice I've had it for years.

[John @ Sep 21st 2006 7:39PM]

Geez, Apple and AMD and their bitter jealous ways XD

[h0mi @ Sep 21st 2006 8:26PM]

AMD needs to work on better CPUs for Laptops. Thats why Apple chose intel- Intel CPUs for laptops have been better on battery consumption and heat and laptops are where computer sales are these days.

[Matt G @ Sep 21st 2006 8:27PM]

Nope, not gonna happen. Apple doesn't want to go with "choice," they CHOOSE the BEST, which is why people will CHOOSE Apple. If AMD some day surpasses Intel in their technology, then maybe they'd consider it, but I don't personally see that happening anytime in the near future. And besides, Apple did a great job switching to Intel with the whole brand recognition, now a lot more people are gonna look at Mac's, and even if the AMD chips were a bit better, at least they're getting more people on the Mac platform, which is good for the whole world, thus it's better being on the more widely known platform, rather than the lesser known.. even if the lesser known is higher quality (marginally speaking).

[Phour ZwanZig @ Sep 21st 2006 10:23PM]

If Apple ever started putting AMDs in there boxes.....


Id say.. " I switched "

but till then Im stuck with Me & My MS..(Oh well)

My biggest problem being such a AMD-FanBoy is that Im also (and have always) been an Nvidia-FanBoy too.. Now Im being torn.. If AMD turns ATi around Ill have to leave Nvidia bhind..

To #1.. Have you ever owned an AMD.. I had both, but after a few AMDs later, I wont change.. (I upgrade bout Yearly, and to get a great chip for a lil less, I love it)

[DrThaddeusVenture @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:27AM]

" they CHOOSE the BEST, which is why people will CHOOSE Apple"
MatG, that had to be the blindest rationalization I've ever heard. Which is why what? Why 2% of people choose Apple? Mat has drunk the koolaid.

"If AMD some day surpasses Intel in their technology"
Clearly you are completely new to the Intel/AMD competition. They trade the top spot back and forth all the time.

You realize you just said that it's better to be on the better known platform even if it's not higher quality. You know I had no intention of insulting you but Wow, you insulted yourself.

[iptydafu @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:49AM]

That title cracked me up for several minutes. -Apple seems to have a built their reputation on products that work, which, let's face it, they do, because they pick every nit before it hits the street. I'm all for choice, but too much of it removes the control and perfection that Apple's renowned for.

[Ilgaz @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:36AM]

in certain real life configurations AMD is far more better than Intel. People should be able to select their x86 variant,every single computer company offers the choice except Apple.

If Apple doesn't offer a AMD configuration I am sure the monopoly court lawyers of AMD will sure use it in the case. Apple is right now a pure Intel poster child.

Even Dell offers AMD based configurations.

[Wolf @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:54AM]

You choose OS X, you gotta buy Apple. You choose price - performance, forget Apple. I don't think Apple hardware is good - but they do have some nice aspects about their software. Now, as long as you mainly run X11 stuff, Linux is way better, and as long as you mainly run Adobe or Microsoft office apps, Mac OS X is not different from Windows.

Also, Apple is way out, way out expensive. My Asus A6T with 2 GB memory, 100 B harddrive, NVIDIA Geforce G0 7600 256 MB graphics card, 1280 x 800 glossy screen, AMD Turion 64 X2 1.6GHz, 2 year on-site warranty, Giga-Ethernet, extended WiFi boosted USB powered antenna with Buffalo PC card interface, cost me some 1700 US dollar, whereas a similar Apple laptop will cost about 3200 US dollar - and your warranty is STILL not on-site. That's about double the price for just about the same performance.

On the PC side - which is the "good side" for technical considerations, I guess - you can discuss the AMD or Intel choice. I tested some benchmarks for laptops on calculations I am working on, and found array floating point operations to be a bit faster on AMD Turion 64 X2s than on the current Intel Core Duo, so that's what I just bought. However, if you do heavy integer math or 3D games, Intel Core Duos win these days. Were I to play 3D games, or just for office work, I think I would have gotten an Intel machine or not even cared that much.

[Brian @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:57PM]

"Knowing Apple, why would they want to be held hostage like everyone else has been?"

Apple is used to being held hostage ever heard of PowerPC? ring a bell?

[Denis @ Sep 24th 2006 10:21PM]

I Apple were to offer a computer with an AMD processor in it then I would definitely buy one.

[tariq @ May 28th 2007 4:07AM]

Salaam
AMD Rocks always & if we imagine that latest APPLE become with AMD Phenom Series that mean every one gona sing AMD Rocks again & again with low cost perfect solution than others.AMD Athlon x2 & FX are best but core 2 due is simply best coz its new weapon against intel lolz intel tried last lots core like Pentium D mean dual core from intel but didnt win the Dual core battle and then they release core2 due but in these days Athlon X2 6000+ 3.0ghz beat intel core2 due 2.66ghz in some intresting benchi's and AMD still best best ever best in 64BIT
performance
its pleasure and luck for apple that if AMD agreed in future agreement with them in server market with their Barcelona core and Phenom :
inshallah
AMD gona make cheaper products for Apple users
AMD Phenom >>>>
best ever best