Apple Seen Launching Intel-Based Computers In January

Dow Jones News Service (excerpt) ^ | December 12, 2005 | Donna Fuscaldo

[HAL9000]

Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) could unveil a Macintosh computer running on Intel Corp. (INTC) chips as early as the first quarter of 2006, according to American Technology Research.

Shaw Wu, an analyst at American Technology, said in a research report issued Dec. 9 that one of Apple's computers, based on Intel's architecture, could be available in the first quarter, ahead of expectations.

"We believe products that will likely move to Intel first include current PowerPC G4-based Macs, including PowerBook, iBook and Mac mini, and its Xserver G5 enterprise server, arguably weaker members of its product line that would benefit moving to Intel," Wu wrote. "We believe one of these product families may be ready as early as 1Q 06," with subsequent roll-outs in the following quarters. Wu doesn't own shares of Apple.

A report in Bloomberg Monday, citing seven analysts, said Apple could unveil a computer based on Intel's chips at the Macworld Expo in January, six months ahead of schedule.

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[js1138]

I guess we'll know pretty soon whether Apple's vaunted performance superiority and reliability is due to the CPU chip.

[Mr. Blonde]

Wouldn't the powerbooks come before the ibooks since the ibook would be more powerful than the power notebook if it had the intel chip first?