[Ted] Apple delivered another bang up Macworld keynote, replete with deeds done (14 million iPods sold in Q4 2005 and John Belushi to boot), software enhanced (everybody’ll be podcasting their funny home videos in ’06), and products announced (earbuds, FM tuners, and two new computers).
Apple once again went right when everybody else was looking left. There was no Mac Mini announcement. Instead, Apple brought Intel into its core computers, the iMac and new MacPower lines, six months ahead of expectations (and Vista). Intel’s dual core Core Duo chip will turn the iMac into a video screamer that won’t stutter when a video chat comes in. It will also bring the MacBook Pro to life.
Intel’s and Apple’s roadmaps coincide wonderfully, which means this partnership will pay off handsomely for both companies. But today, Intel wins big. It now has a second PC brand to align with, thus distancing itself a bit from Microsoft and propelling itself into the digital home with the new entertainment king of that hill.
But notice I said Intel “chip,” not “platform.” The iMac isn’t running Centrino, it’s running Duo. MacBooks aren’t running Viiv, they’re running Duo. And that means Intel must be satisfied with chips and not platforms. But the company has recently reorganized and relaunched the brand to support platforms and not chips. Apple has done what I expected -- it will be its own platform integrator thank you very much. This is a big risk for Intel -- it may sell lots of processors, but find itself competing for every other piece of silicon with best of breed providers.
Still and all, Intel wins big today -- and will continue winning, especially if Apple takes Intel’s co-marketing dollars and accompanying new Intel swoosh logo.
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