14 DAY TRIAL // As the launch of the Mac Pro draws closer and closer, speculation about them rises. So far, it was rumored that Apple would be using Woodcrest processors in the new workstations. However, a recent announcement from Intel has opened up a new can of worms.
Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini recently announced that quad-core server and desktop processors will arrive this year instead of next. "We notified customers we're pulling in both the desktop and server (launch) of the first quad-core processors into the fourth quarter of this year from the first half of 2007," Otellini said. Intel's quad-core Xeon server processor is code-named Clovertown, and its desktop processor Kentsfield. Intel's quad-core chips actually are packages consisting of two dual-core chips, but each package plugs into a single processor socket. AMD, whose quad-core chips are due in mid-2007, uses a more refined design with all the cores on a single slice of silicon.
This move probably comes to counter AMD, who has bruised Intel financially in recent quarters. Earlier this year we saw a similar move as Intel launched its "Woodcrest" Xeon chip for dual-processor servers and its "Tulsa" Xeon for four-processor servers sooner.
Whether or not Apple will be using Clovertown processor in the new Mac Pros remains to be seen, however one thing is certain? Apple has a lot more choices available to it when it comes to processors these days and is riding the technology wave.