The PowerPC platform may linger on at Cupertino until 2008, according to Apple’s SEC filing.
Steve Jobs opened the most recent Apple WorldWide Developers Conference with the news that Apple would switch from using PowerPC processors in its personal computers to chips provided by Intel. Macs running with Intel Inside are expected to reach the market in 2006.
But the hotly-debated decision to make the switch from suppliers like IBM and Motorola-spinoff Freescale of Austin, Texas, may still see some PowerPC hardware enter the market over the next three years. Apple recently filed an 8-K Form with the SEC, containing information on an “Entry into a Material Definitite Agreement” as noted here:
On August 22, 2005, Apple Computer, Inc. (“Apple”) and Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (“Freescale”) entered into a Purchase Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, subject to certain conditions, Freescale is obligated to supply its microprocessors for orders placed by Apple through December 31, 2008. Apple is under no obligation to purchase Freescale microprocessors other than work in progress that was in place at the time the agreement was executed.
Apple has stated it does not plan to open its signature operating system to hardware produced by other PC makers. A security feature on Intel chips would limit the system from working on PCs without that feature. But a version of Mac OS X capable of running on other Intel PCs has found its way online, anyway.
Naturally, it isn’t clear at this time why Apple may wish to delay the transition of part of its PC line to the Intel platform, or if they truly plan to do so.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
