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As Apple begins the countdown to the Intel switch, AppleInsider reports that Apple is asking Intel to supply its forthcoming Merom and Woodcrest chips early, in advance of sending the chip to other PC manufacturers. This would be a distinct break in past Intel policy and practise, which has been to ensure adequate supply of chips to all major customers, without privileging one over another. Consequently, PC makers, such as HP and Dell, can bring new models with faster Intel chips to market at the same time. Merom and Woodcrest are internal designations for Intel's next-generation dual-core 65nm chips, which are aimed at mobile and server applications. But currently, the new chips do not meet Apple's mid-2006 release schedule, meaning Apple might be forced to introduce Intel-based Macintosh systems based upon the older Yonah and Dempsey chips, before switching quickly to the new breed of processors. According to AppleInsider, Intel hasn't said yes or no, but the answer is most likely the latter. After all, Apple will buy millions fewer chips than Dell or HP, and it's unlikely that Intel will want to antagonize these key customers. The article suggests that this could push Apple to release Intel-based Macs earlier than June next year, employing Yohah, for example, giving the new Macs a longer bedding-in period, and not rendering their systems obsolete (or excessively depreciated) within a matter of weeks.
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