AMD/ATI
Where's the love?
Apple won't be using Nvidia chippery in future machines, it has been claimed. That's according to website SemiAccurate - the clue's in the title - which says it heard the move was prompted by the problems Apple - and, it has to be said, others - had with failing Nvidia GPUs last year. But there's more here than meets the eye …
I'm wondering if Nvidia are trying to get Apple to sign on the dotted line before Intel release the details of their graphics offering and conversely, Apple are stalling for time. Both Nvidia and ATI (AMD) are scared of what Intel can do if they put their resources into graphics as well (hand grenade springs to mind)
... that Apple is singled out. I would suspect that all PC makers are going through a similar process, since it's really an Intel/NVidia thing.
And while it's true that NVidia did great things for Apple in the past, that was IN THE PAST. As I've heard, live in the is, not in the was.
Mine's the one with the confederate dollars in the pocket.
Apple absorbed NeXT and OS/X is Mach and still relies on Objective-C. Potentially at some point in time in the near future, Apple may start to enter the business market. (They are in some niche markets already.)
NVIDA's CUNA is a potential game shifter if Apple or someone creates easier libraries and ways to effectively utilize the GPUs for number crunching.
So I wouldn't count NVIDA out yet...
"The Intel GPU offerings are awful compared to Nvidia, and I can't see Apple switching to AMD / Radeon." - Erm, why not? They've used ATI chips in the past, even, AFAIR, in Intel machines. So the drivers are or were there, and I'd assume that ATI kept writing the drivers when they were dumped for just such an emergency.
@Ian Michael Gumby, I think you're referring to nVidia's CUDA. With regards to Apple or someone creating an 'easier' way to utilise GPUs, have a look into OpenCL. It's a big part of Snow Leopard the next OS X update. My understanding is that it's something Apple initiated and have now pushed to become an open industry standard through the Khronos Group (responsible for things like OpenGL).
'K' said "I can't see Apple switching to AMD / Radeon".
Apple already use Radeon chips - they've always been a BTO option in the Mac Pros and they've used them in the iMacs as well from time to time. Apple are pretty much video card agnostic. Mac OS X therefore also already contains the relevant drivers for a bunch of Radeon architectures and they certainly have the expertise to write more if they need to.
I have no doubt whatsoever if they had/wanted to, they could switch to using Radeon chips at a model refresh without missing a beat.
Jon
It's a bit of relief to see so many others who know that Intel graphic chipsets are so awful.
I wish it could be complete relief, but knowing Apple used Intel's graphics to save money before means they might go back to that well, no matter how tainted the water.
But maybe if enough people let Steve know that they will not buy another Mac with Intel graphics . . . It's almost time for me to upgrade. If Apple does go back to Intel for graphics, I will by that (discounted) one-off model that still has the 9400/9600.
Also it's time to forgive AMD/ATI - As good as nVidia? Close at times. Better than Intel? Easily!