I don’t think Apple chose to switch the Macintosh platform to Intel’s x86 architecture because of raw processing speed. I think they did it because of Intel’s power over hertz and heat over hertz ratios. A smaller ratio of power over hertz means longer battery life. A smaller ratio of heat over hertz means cooler systems, which means faster portable systems that don’t melt.
For example, Apple probably won’t be needing nine fans in the Intel version of their PowerMac model. Nor the big vent holes in the Xserve. And perhaps we’ll finally see some true improvements to the portable line, not just in speed, but in battery lifetimes finally moving up.
I’ll save the conspiracies for another day, but after my incident with the fan module in my Rev. A 12″ PowerBook G4 going bad due to overuse and having a battery life that can barely play a feature length film, I look forward to what Apple and Intel have to offer in the portable product lines.
