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Apple embraces Intel and spurns PowerPC platform

To move all its Macs to Intel processors by 2007, with the first Intel-based machines to be available a year from now

Apple is to abandon the PowerPC platform and move all its Macs to Intel processors by 2007. The first Intel-based machines will be available a year from now.

CEO Steve Jobs made the announcement to 3,800 software developers at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference and previewed a version of Mac OS X running on an Intel Mac.

'Our goal is to provide our customers with the best personal computers in the world, and looking ahead Intel has the strongest processor roadmap by far,' he said. 'It's been ten years since our transition to the PowerPC, and we think Intel's technology will help us create the best personal computers for the next ten years.'

He revealed that the rumours were true, Apple has long had an Intel-based 'just-in-case' version of OS X. The decision to finally turn to it, he said, was prompted IBM's failure to deliver a 3GHz chip for the Power Mac or a low-power G5 for PowerBooks.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini said that Intel is 'thrilled to have the world's most innovative personal

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computer company as a customer".

'Apple helped found the PC industry and throughout the years has been known for fresh ideas and new approaches. We look forward to providing advanced chip technologies, and to collaborating on new initiatives, to help Apple continue to deliver innovative products for years to come.'

In a later interview with US TV channel CNBC, Jobs said that the transition is not as dramatic as anchor Ron Insana was painting it, but acknowledged that it would take time for Apple, Mac users and developers to come to terms with.

'As we look out into the future, where we want to go is maybe a little bit different,' he explained. 'We can envision some awesome products that we want to build for our customers in the next few years, and as we look out a year or two into the future, Intel's processor roadmap really aligns with where we really want to go much more than any other.'

What the effect on Apple's immediate future will be is uncertain, although sales of Macs are almost certainly going to suffer the Osbourne effect, as potential buyers decide to wait for the new machines and there is a chance that businesses who have recently invested heavily in the transition from OS 9 to OS X will not be overjoyed by the thought of having to repeat the process. However Apple has worked to ensure that the transition will be as smooth as possible and major developers such as Adobe have committed to support both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

Jobs' WWDC keynote can be viewed in QuickTime at stream.apple.akadns.net.

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