Why Apple/Intel could be true, just not in the ways you think

Tags: Apple, Intel, IBM, Marketing

CNET is now repeating the rumor of Apple ditching IBM's Power series of chips in favor of Intel. We've argued against this rumor a couple times before here and here, so to say we are dubious is an understatement. But here are a couple of thoughts about why there might be a germ (not a lot, but a germ) of truth in the story, even if Apple still uses G5 and G4 processors.

• Apple uses lots of different processors. Intel processors are already in the XSan series of storage products that Apple makes. Garden variety Intel processors could be in the next Apple base station, the next Apple iPod, or in a number of other applications. So the Apple/Intel alliance could be literally true -- just not for Macintoshes.


• Intel has great technology other than mainstream processors. Pentiums, Celerons, and Centrinos aren't the only chips Intel makes. One particularly intriguing idea might be that Apple might be signing on to Intel's WiMax series of wireless chips for wide area, high bandwidth wireless.


• Intel could make G4 and G5 processors. Much of Apple's complaint against IBM has been around fabrication, not around architecture, and the Power architecture can be licensed from IBM (don't believe it? Look here). Intel has LOTS of fabrication capacity to keep busy. Getting a contract to build another million chips a year, even if they are not x86 parts, could be just what the doctor ordered.


• Apple might have a new specialized server product in the works. Jobs has said this upcoming World Wide Developer's Conference is all about Tiger and its applications. What if Apple were to introduce a new Spotlight search server, whose job it was to index and search an entire network of content, including Windows file servers, Macs, and Linux machines? Apple might build such a server out of Intel PC parts, put a specialized version of Tiger on it, and make it an enterprise product to compliment its XServe and XSan products. Alternatively, Apple might introduce an HDTV distribution product using Intel hardware, as has been rumored previously.

The bottom line: there are a number of reasons Steve Jobs might bring Intel's new CEO, Paul Otellini, out on stage at the developer's conference. Just don't expect to see a Wintel Mac.