Where's the love?

I'm wondering if Nvidia are trying to get Apple to sign on the dotted line before Intel release the details of their graphics offering and conversely, Apple are stalling for time. Both Nvidia and ATI (AMD) are scared of what Intel can do if they put their resources into graphics as well (hand grenade springs to mind)

Rubbish.

Nvidia sells far more products for non-Apple PCs than for Apple PCs. For Apple to change they will need OSX drivers which will take time to write and test. I'd definitely say Apple needs Nvidia more than the other way round.

"Nvidia needs Apple more than Apple needs Nvidia."

Thats a load of crap! And what else are Apple going to put in there higher spec machines? The Intel GPU offerings are awful compared to Nvidia, and I can't see Apple switching to AMD / Radeon.

... that Apple is singled out. I would suspect that all PC makers are going through a similar process, since it's really an Intel/NVidia thing.

And while it's true that NVidia did great things for Apple in the past, that was IN THE PAST. As I've heard, live in the is, not in the was.

Mine's the one with the confederate dollars in the pocket.

So the choice is nVidia or Intel? AMD don't get a look in? Come, Intel's GPUs are garbage, if Apple want to maintain their position as providers of high quality, gfx-focussed machines, they'll absolutely need to dal with either nVidia or AMD, Intel simply is not an option.

Apple absorbed NeXT and OS/X is Mach and still relies on Objective-C. Potentially at some point in time in the near future, Apple may start to enter the business market. (They are in some niche markets already.)

NVIDA's CUNA is a potential game shifter if Apple or someone creates easier libraries and ways to effectively utilize the GPUs for number crunching.

So I wouldn't count NVIDA out yet...

"The Intel GPU offerings are awful compared to Nvidia, and I can't see Apple switching to AMD / Radeon." - Erm, why not? They've used ATI chips in the past, even, AFAIR, in Intel machines. So the drivers are or were there, and I'd assume that ATI kept writing the drivers when they were dumped for just such an emergency.

@Ian Michael Gumby, I think you're referring to nVidia's CUDA. With regards to Apple or someone creating an 'easier' way to utilise GPUs, have a look into OpenCL. It's a big part of Snow Leopard the next OS X update. My understanding is that it's something Apple initiated and have now pushed to become an open industry standard through the Khronos Group (responsible for things like OpenGL).

If the 1st gen doesn't compete, easy: sell apple CPUs with the northbridge bit and basic GPU on the core and give larrabee as a top-up as the 2nd chip. Same size motherboard, USP, same cost

FAIL indeed.

Intel graphics cards = 100% pure crap.

'K' said "I can't see Apple switching to AMD / Radeon".

Apple already use Radeon chips - they've always been a BTO option in the Mac Pros and they've used them in the iMacs as well from time to time. Apple are pretty much video card agnostic. Mac OS X therefore also already contains the relevant drivers for a bunch of Radeon architectures and they certainly have the expertise to write more if they need to.

I have no doubt whatsoever if they had/wanted to, they could switch to using Radeon chips at a model refresh without missing a beat.

Jon

It's the integrated graphics that's the issue, not any standalone offering. Can you get an Core motherboard with an integrated Radeon processor?

I think they are talking about the chipset, not the video.

Can be specced with a Radeon 4850 as their highest GFX option.

Bill because that amount of choice with apple is just bonkers. (and the reason why I haven't bought a Mac)

It's a bit of relief to see so many others who know that Intel graphic chipsets are so awful.

I wish it could be complete relief, but knowing Apple used Intel's graphics to save money before means they might go back to that well, no matter how tainted the water.

But maybe if enough people let Steve know that they will not buy another Mac with Intel graphics . . . It's almost time for me to upgrade. If Apple does go back to Intel for graphics, I will by that (discounted) one-off model that still has the 9400/9600.

Also it's time to forgive AMD/ATI - As good as nVidia? Close at times. Better than Intel? Easily!