Apple to switch to NVIDIA chipsets?
Written by Andreas G 31 July 2008 21:10

Apple made a historic update of its Mac program two years back when it decided to transition to Intel's processor platform and has since then been working closely with the chip giant. Rumors are going around that Apple is about to cheat on Intel with one of its rivals, namely NVIDIA. The reason is supposed to be Intel's lackluster chipsets, especially the integrated graphics. Alas, understandable but at the same time it would seem like a very drastic move that might anger Intel.

At PC Perspective they've posted an article on the topic where they list possible reason why Apple's next generation Mac systems will have NVIDIA chipsets.

The pieces just fit too well:

1. NVIDIA has been developing an answer to Intel’s Montevina chip for a while and has not been shy about it
2. That same MCP79 chip has the ability to scale from ultra-low power versions to small-form-factor machines fitting in with Apple’s range of products
3. A new refresh on mobility discrete GPUs for the fall (and support for HybridPower and HybridSLI) combines with MCP79 for a very impressive mobile lineup
4. Insiders pointing at a switch in Apple’s MacBook hardware

There are several reasons to why this seems plausible. One of the biggest being that Apple hasn't shown any interest in Intel's new Centrino 2 platform and has said that there will not be any new systems until September. That Apple would wait to launch a new Mac family so long after the Centrino 2 launch doesn't sound very likely. At the same time, NVIDIA has been rather quiet about its mobile plans, which falls into place with Apple's usual secrecy.

Intel would of course still deliver the processors for Apple's systems, but the question is if NVIDIA will slap Intel or not. We will just have to wait and see, but it doesn't seem entirely unlikely.

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