Apple ceo Steve Jobs announcement last week that Macintosh computers will embrace Intel microprocessors next year in an effort to improve speed and efficiency, especially on notebooks, has received mixed reviews.
Some analysts fear a rocky transition ahead and a diluting of the brand. However, others are more optimistic. This move away from IBMs PowerPC would allow the Mac to eventually run Windows at full speed, opening it up to more software choices.
But the ability for Mac to run Windows at full speed could provide an extra market advantage, opening up the Mac to more software, other analysts suggest.
The first real choice for developers should emerge in late 2006, when Apple delivers its 64-bit Mac OS 10.5 (known as Leopard) and Microsoft ships its 64-bit version of Longhorn.
Meanwhile, The Developer Transition Kit is now available for $999 to all Apple Developer Connection Select and Premier members. Further information for Apple Developer Connection members is available at developer.apple.com. Intel plans to provide industry leading development tools support for Apple later this year, including the Intel C/C++ Compiler for Apple, Intel Fortran Compiler for Apple, Intel Math Kernel Libraries for Apple and Intel Integrated Performance Primitives for Apple.
Intel (www.intel.com), the worlds largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.
Founded in 1976, California, Apple (www.apple.com), headquartered in Cupertino, California, ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
