Apple's Bold Move to Intel: A New Era for the Macintosh

Strategic Insights -

Apple's decision to switch to Intel processors has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, with some praising the move as a bold step forward and others expressing skepticism about the company's ability to adapt. In a surprising quick turnaround, Apple has already delivered its first Intel-based Macintosh computers, and the results are impressive. The new MacBook Pro, powered by a 2 GHz Intel Core Duo chip, has won praise for its speed and performance, thanks in part to Apple's elegant MagSafe power adapter. However, the transition to Intel also raises questions about the availability of native applications and the need for emulation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new MacBook Pro is powered by a 2 GHz Intel Core Duo chip, boasting 2 MB of shared Level 2 Cache.
  • The machine features a 15.4-inch thin-film transistor liquid crystal display with 1,440 x 900 pixel resolution and a 100 GB hard drive.
  • The computer runs on Tiger operating system (Mac OSX version 10.4), but can also be hacked to run Windows using emulation.
  • The MagSafe power adapter has been praised for its secure yet easy-to-remove design.
  • The availability of native Intel-based applications from Microsoft and Adobe is still lacking, with emulation serving as a stopgap solution.
  • Apple's clean design and software package remain unchanged from previous models.

Statistics:

  • The 2 GHz Intel Core Duo chip provides a significant boost in processing power.
  • The 15.4-inch display boasts 1,440 x 900 pixels, a notable improvement over previous Macintosh models.
  • The 100 GB hard drive provides ample storage for users' files and applications.
  • The MagSafe power adapter has been praised for its secure design, which can remove easily if stepped on.
  • The price of the MacBook Pro is set at $19,900.

Sources:

  • Apple Computer article on the MacBook Pro (no date)
  • [1] Danyll Wills, Apple Computer Enthusiasts around the world were stunned when the company announced last June that the old workhorse PowerPC chip would no longer be the brains of new Macintosh computers.