Apple Switch to Intel Not a Big Loss for IBM

KaushalParekh writes "An interesting article about how Apple's switch to Intel chips may not be that bad for IBM after all. "Apple sees an opportunity with Intel. But IBM continues the same chip development that allowed Apple to claim several firsts and fastests. Now, Big Blue will plow its research efforts into processors for game consoles and other consumer products that might one day knock the PC down a rung." Also, "a lucrative avenue for IBM in China, where the marriage of the Linux OS to PCs armed with [IBM] PowerPC chips presents some intriguing possibilities." And, "Large firms like Sony, Microsoft and Comcast are betting that a home-entertainment device, evolved from a game console or set-top box, will replace many of the PC's functions. IBM plans to be inside these new systems.""

Comments

The cycle begins

[lwriemen]

Game console becomes set-top box; set-top box becomes PC; game console gets invented.

"Forward into the past!" - Firesign Theater

Oooooooohhh...

[h2d2]

And everyone thought IBM was at a loss when it chose the three largest game console manufacturers instead of a computer manufacturer with 4% market share.

Re:Oooooooohhh...

[TheRaven64]

Well obviously. I know loads of people with Macs, and no one with an XBox 360 or PlayStation 3.

This post was brought to you by SlashdotLogic(TM).

Re:ThinkPad G5?

[Anonymous Coward]

None at all. IBM no longer makes the ThinkPads.

Re:ThinkPad G5?

[rudeboy1]

About the same possibility of having a laptop buring a hole in your desk.

It's all balanced.

[Jeet81]

If Apple switched from IBM to Intel for it's computers, Microsoft swtiched from Intel to IBM for it's game consoles.

Microsoft must have or will declare this in the future "Apple is just a technology fad that will not be known in 5 years. We will conquor Apple."

So it doesn't matter what chips apple uses since mircosoft will conquor them like all others. :)

IBM's Lock on Game Consoles

[reporter]

Why does IBM think they have the inside track all of a sudden?

IBM has a lock on the next-generation game consoles. "Computer Business Review" reports that Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony (MNS) are collaborating with IBM to build the next-generation processors for game consoles. "PC World" reports that MNS will incorporate IBM processors in their next-generation game consoles.

The hidden sub-text is that the future IBM processors will be excellent for pornographic games, providing life-like flesh tones and smooth-motion "thrusting", "quivering", and "wiggling". Pornography has traditionally be a significant driver of video-processing technology.

Really??!?! Wowzers!!!

[PhoenixPath]

-or- Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Re:Why don't IBM make PPC linux home pcs?

[dan the person]

The worlds-geeks-home-computer market segment makes up about 0.000005% of the PC market. And the sub group of those geeks who would buy a PPC machine just to wank over an exotic ISA is a fraction of that.

They wouldn't make a cent on such a machine, they wouldn't cover development costs.

If you really want a PowerPC box you can get a blade with Dual 2.2Ghz 970s from IBM for US$2259

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C ategoryDisplay?categoryId=2586156&storeId=1&catalo gId=-840&langId=-1

Re:I don't think they are crying about it

[American AC in Paris]

They may have even broke out the good campaign

...I, too, used to have trouble remembering how to spell "champagne". Then, I started pronouncing it as "cham-pag-nee" and I haven't had a single problem spelling it since.

Of course, the folks at the wine store give me funny looks now, but they're just a bunch of snooty cheese-eaters.