AMD-based Apple laptop in the works?

I could see AMD in a desktop/tower but in a laptop? AMD has little to offer in the portable space compared to what Intel supplies (performance/watt and even performance/dollar).

...maybe they are confusing ATI (now part of AMD) graphics chips to be used in laptops? (already used in the MBP)

Of course Apple could be looking at releasing a ultra small laptop ... performance isn't the most important factor for those but price would be... which could put the Turion ahead.

...still I don't see it happening anytime in the soon... maybe 2008.

I don't think that would be a very wise idea for Apple. Intel has bent over backwards to help them with their new platform launch. Including first dibs on product releases. Having such an unusually close relationship with Intel could be nothing but advantageous for both Intel and Apple. Why do something to mess that up.

For Intel, Apple's volume is not that significant. The benefits from this relationship is in Apple's constant push towards the bleeding edge in technological innovation (which no HP or Dell cares to do, since Apple is much more nimble and can afford to change direction - 68k to PPC to Intel; OS9 to OSX). There would be no EFI in mass shipments, had there not been for Apple. For the same reason, AMD would love this kind of relationship. It is unlikely that Inteel would drop this preferential treatment because of an AMD deal. Apple brings great value to their corporate strategy; it motivates their research teams and it provides enormous prestige with the brand association (much nicer than with Microsoft). While they will probably be unhappy with the AMD news, they'll stay with the programme.

As for the rest of the industry (including PC), this move would be eqivalent to the situation when Apple adopted USB and abandoned floppy. Hardware makers finally begun shipping PCs with USB (and peripherals too). Apple's AMD agreement will make the two chipmakers more innovative, benefits of which will probably spill over into the Windows world as well.

are they just saying Apple will go with AMD because they are odering more capcitors? The same capacitors used in current models?

how the heck does that make sense?

sorry, macnn, but this reeks of spin in order to make it sounds more sensational than it is. you're going to need more evidence than a report from another source based on an apparent rise in component orders.

I hate Intel almost as much as I hate Microsoft and the thought of replacing my Powerbook with an Intel Mac has left me wanting to hack OS X for a homebuilt AMD box.

I'd love an AMD solution - I wouldn't care about the negligible performance decrease. AMD's mobile chips are pretty good and deliver decent battery life and performance.

I think it may well be on the horizon - but I wonder if these orders are for the iTV which is set to go in 07. If nothing else, Apple buying these parts is a sign of changes as they are different values than currently shipping Macs.

where all our news is pure fantasy...

Not going to happen, at least any time soon. Why? First, Steve Jobs is a close friend of Intel's CEO. Second, as others have pointed out, Intel has really bent over backwards for Apple. It would be dumb to then turn around a kick Intel. Apple might represent a small portion of Intel's business, but Apple was a major score for Intel because Apple embraced Intel when others fled, and Apple is considered by many to be the best PC manufacturer. Third, AMD no longer offers the superior product. This may change, but Intel's Core processors are the best out there. Fourth, I would not be surprized if Apple is contractually obligated to use Intel based processors for a certain amount of time. After-all, Intel has hired over a thousand people just to support Apple.

It is possible Apple will use AMD in the future, but not until AMD takes the lead again in processor design.

The same was said about Dell and guess what? Dell now sells AMD.

this discussion. Apple just went through a massive retooling and re-branding, they are unlikely to introduce any confusion into the product line at this point. Also note that AMD frequently suffers from inventory shortages, chipset designs (more specifically lack of) and can't offer the deep level of engineering and software support that Intel can.

It is almost entirely out of the question that Apple would strain it's relationship with Intel this soon. And for what? Intel offers faster chips, at least at the moment, so there is little reason to investigate other options today.

And let's not forget about why Dell now sells AMD; Intel had to stop offering Dell sweetheart pricing and charge the same to all OEMs across the board. Had Intel still been giving Dell the preferential prices they were getting there would not be an AMD logo on their site. As it is, the products are barely "featured" and not heavily promoted. If anything it can be argued that Dell is now exploiting AMDs slightly weaker position in the market place, and with production and pricing issues might do AMD more long term harm than good.