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Apple Reported Exploring Mac Transition from Intel By Jennifer LeClaire November 6, 2012 1:38PM     One argument to merge Mac OS X and iOS, which runs on ARM chips, is to simplify the architecture while simultaneously leveraging the large code base that has been developed on iOS by both Apple and third-party vendors via the App Store, said analyst Shaw Wu. Merging could also allow Apple to deliver a more seamless and integrated experience.   Related Topics Mac Apple OS X Intel ARM iPhone iOS Latest News Chrome Gets Conversational Search Attention GIFers, It's Pronounced 'Jif' NVIDIA GPU Boosts Citrix XenDesktop Security Alert: New Trojan Attacking Blue Coat Beefs Up Big Data Security News reports are swirling around Apple looking into the possibility of tapping ARM-based chips for its Macintosh computers -- at Intel's expense. Bloomberg Businessweek is citing "people familiar with the company's research" as sources in a report that claims Apple is exploring ways to replace Intel processors with a version of the chip it uses in the iPhone and iPad. "Apple engineers have grown confident that the chip designs used for its mobile devices will one day be powerful enough to run its desktops and laptops, said three people with knowledge of the work, who asked to remain anonymous because the plans are confidential," Businessweek reported. "Apple began using Intel chips for Macs in 2005." Change a Few Years Away Shaw Wu, an analyst at Sterne Agree, told us he's not surprised at the rumors because industry watchers have been discussing this transition since the iPad shipped in 2010 and Mac OS X Lion, which borrowed heavily from iOS, shipped in 2011. "We believe it is inevitable to merge iOS and Mac but not likely for a few years, as Mac code is optimized for Intel," Wu said. "From our understanding, the key reason is because OS X is optimized for Intel x86 processors while iOS is for ARM RISC," Wu said. "It will likely take some time to optimize OS X and hence Mac for ARM. In addition, Intel processors are much more powerful for running compute-intensive Mac applications and for development." Intel's Battery Life From Wu's perspective, one argument to merge is to simplify the architecture while simultaneously leveraging the large code base that has been developed on iOS by both Apple and third-party vendors via the App Store. What's more, he added, merging could also allow Apple to deliver a more seamless and integrated experience across its platforms. The other reality, he noted, is that Mac represents only 14 percent to 18 percent of Apple's revenue, compared with 45 percent to 50 percent for iPhone and 20 percent to 25 percent for iPad. "We believe this is a challenge to Intel to deliver stronger battery life. Today, when using an 11-inch MacBook Air, the smallest form-factor mobile Mac, we notice that it lasts about four to five hours under heavy use, which is only half of nine to 10 hours for an iPad."   Tell Us What You Think Comment: Name: Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com Redefine the way you do business by analyzing market trends, increasing conversion, and creating customer loyalty through Microsoft Dynamics. Unlock your potential through real-time CRM solutions in sales, marketing, and customer service to help your business become more dynamic than ever before.  Apple/Mac 1.   iPhone Takes a Hit in Satisfaction 2.   Mr. Cook, About Those Loopholes . . . 3.   What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? 4.   Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK 5.   IDC: Windows Phone Now in 3rd Place Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK But only for devices issued by govt. Average Rating: Mr. Cook, About Those Loopholes . . . Apple CEO Faces Senate grilling. Average Rating: IDC: Windows Phone Now in 3rd Place BlackBerry OS quarterly share declines. Average Rating:

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Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

Dell Kills Its Public Cloud Effort, Will Offer Partner Marketplace Putting the kibosh on its efforts to build out a public cloud, Dell has announced a new program to offer a choice of cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service through a central marketplace of partners.   Dell's Dismal Quarter Shows PC Maker's Challenges Dell's financial decay worsened during its latest quarter as the company slashed its personal computer prices in response to the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets in the beleaguered industry.   U.S. Defense Department Gives iOS 6 Security OK In a vote of confidence for Apple's iOS devices, the Defense Department has given the all-clear for employees to use iPads and iPhones for work. But only those running iOS 6, and only if issued by the government.

Mobile Enterprise Spotlight

Google Adds Conversational Search to Chrome If you like chatting with Siri, sending voice texts while driving or telling your Xbox when to pause or rewind a DVD, you're going to enjoy the upgrade to Google's Chrome browser.   HTC Execs Bolt, Sales Slide. Is the End Near for the Company? What's going on with HTC? A string of executives quitting and slowing sales for new phone models are raising questions about the health of this major phone maker. Is the end in sight?   Walter De Brouwer's Magical Medical Tricorder In cluttered old offices rooted in the past, Walter De Brouwer works feverishly to conjure the future, hammering away on a gadget that promises to revolutionize the way we monitor our health.

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