The Love Story Between Intel and Apple

After Apple announced earlier this year that it will stop using IBM PowerPC chips and will begin using Intel products starting 2006, everyone is waiting eagerly for the new products. But Apple only updated the performances of its present products, concentrating on the iPod line. Still, rumors began to spread, announcing a Widescreen iBook, a built in webcam for PowerBook, a 25% thinner PowerBook and also an Intel based Mac Mini.

Reports show that we will see some Apple Intel based products in January 2006 at the Mac World Expo in San Francisco, in the form of an iBook featuring Intel's processor code named Yonah. The presumptive name is "Core" but with the recent plans of Intel's re branding unveiled, this is not a sure thing. Also, lower prices are expected, with up to US$200.

Currently, all Apple computers use IBM G4 or G5 processors. Reports say that Apple will replace the Mac mini, iBook and PowerBook G4 processors with new ones from Intel first. Apple originally said that it will use Intel processors only by the end of 2007, but, contradicting the initial reports, the company announced that the new Intel based products will arrive from mid 2006 later on.