PowerPC vs Intel x86 Architecture

Steven Asselanis

Thanh Pham

Timeline of Events

• 1992: PowerPC Architecture Adopted by Apple

• 2005: Apple Announces Transition to Intel x86

• 2009: Apple Releases Snow Leopard for Intel Macs

• 2012: Apple Releases iTunes 10.6.3, the last PowerPC supported Application

• 2013: Apple Labels PowerPC as “obsolete” ending support for all parts and services for the architecture

Use of PowerPC in Apple Computers

• High Processing Speed

• Compete with Microsoft/Intel

• Used in a Variety of Apple Systems

Drawbacks of the PowerPC Architecture

• High Power Consumption• Not suitable for use in laptops

• No backwards compatibility

• Improvement of the PowerPC was plateauing

Transition to the Intel x86 Family

• Announced in 2005

• Product Renaming

• Developed Boot Camp

Why Intel x86?

• More Energy Efficient

• Less Heat Dissipation

• Software Compatibility

• Intel’s Investment in R&D

• Lower Costs

Why Intel x86 (Cont.)

• To keep up with Apple’s Technology Roadmap

Criticism to Apple’s Switch to Intel

• No backwards compatibility with older Apple software

• Less Computing Performance

• Fear of Intel taking over Apple software

• Intel’s Performance was Inferior