Apple might dump nVidia Graphics Chips?

[Kmax82]

Just saw an article on TUAW that mentions that Apple might be severing their relationship with nVidia. I can understand why they would want to. The whole debacle with the 8600GTM definitely left me with a sour taste in my mouth for nVidia GPUs.. but I can say that while working, the 8600GTM is far better than the other AMD/ATI based solutions that I've used in the past.

What are your thoughts on the jump back to ATI Mobile GPUs? Is this a good thing, does AMD have chips that can compete?

Here's the article from TUAW:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/02...vidia-for-graphics-ch/

 

[PricklyPete]

ATI and nVidia have been neck and neck for years (at least last time I kept up with this...which is admittedly 1+ years ago). I'm sure either would be fine and wouldn't make much difference to my use of my Mac. If I played a lot of the latest games...then it might make a difference...but then I'd likely be a Windows user instead.

 

[Kmax82]

Yea, I guess it's kind of a moot point. I did like the dual graphics option in the newest Macbook Pros. I don't think AMD has anything like that, but I'm sure they could develop something similar.

I just remember my X1600 that I had was fine in OS X, but if you tried to play many games with it in Windows it would just collapse under the pressure. Where as this 8600GTM has been great. Of course, I didn't try the same generation from AMD, so it might be just as good.

 

[secretanchitman]

they could...i mean, after the first two mbp revisions were released 3 years ago, apple dumped ati for nvidia. i dont know how well the mbp will handle ati's chips though, in terms of heat. should be the same though. if it gets faster graphics at the same price, why not?

 

[Hacp]

So it looks like Apple computers will be using Intel gpus exclusively in the future?

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: Hacp
So it looks like Apple computers will be using Intel gpus exclusively in the future?

Oh my, I really hope not. :|

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Kmax82

Originally posted by: Hacp
So it looks like Apple computers will be using Intel gpus exclusively in the future?

Oh my, I really hope not. :|

That's probably what this is leading to. If Apple were to drop NVIDIA, they wouldn't stop using IGPs, they'd simply go back to Intel. So you would see an entire lineup of computers based around some common chipset like the G45/X4500, and then a few high-end units packing a dedicated GPU (probably something AMD if they're completely dropping NVIDIA).

Intel's GMA drivers on Mac OS X have been even more atrocious than they have been under Windows. One of the nice things about the 9400M, in spite of its low performance, is that it's better performing than any Intel GMA parts and the drivers are ridiculously better in every possible way.

It's going to be a sad day if the vast majority of Macs are going back to GMA graphics.

 

[akugami]

I don't think Apple will be going exclusively with Intel GPU's. That would be suicide since there are applications that demand higher GPU performance. However, if they (Apple) are unhappy with nVidia for whatever reason it is more likely they will just get AMD/ATI GPU's. AMD is in no position to be as demanding as nVidia has been so Apple can probably land a sweet deal.

To be honest, in the grand scheme of things Apple is a mere blip on the radar in terms of sales (relatively speaking). However, Apple sales would be much more important for AMD/ATI since Apple is a high visibility retailer and that can help mindshare in landing other deals and improve future outlook. For nVidia, who owns a massive percentage of GPU sales already, this is not as important. It's probably more of a pride thing to be losing the Apple contract for them.

 

[Wreckage]

The "rumor" that they are all quoting is from "Semiaccurate" an anti-NVIDIA site.

That latest Macs all have NVIDIA chips (or an option for them) and they just got launched the developer conference.

 

[Tyranicus]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Kmax82

Originally posted by: Hacp
So it looks like Apple computers will be using Intel gpus exclusively in the future?

Oh my, I really hope not. :|

That's probably what this is leading to. If Apple were to drop NVIDIA, they wouldn't stop using IGPs, they'd simply go back to Intel.

You know, AMD makes IGPs too.

 

[TheStu]

They don't make IGPs for Intel