Apple rushes Intel advance

AFTER DISTANCING itself from the Intel-Microsoft-PC mode of personal computing for 30 years, Apple Computer Inc. on Tuesday unveiled its first iMacs made with Intel microprocessors -- following through on a switch to Intel it announced last June but didn't expect to realize until mid-2006.

"This ushers in a new generation of iMacs based on Intel processors," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs told thousands of Mac users gathered for the annual Macworld Expo in San Francisco, where he introduced the latest and greatest from Apple.

"We're a little ahead of schedule," Jobs added.

Indicative of what a big deal the Intel-Apple manufacturing pact is for both companies, Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini appeared on the Macworld stage -- dressed in the spacesuit-like garb worn in microprocessor factory clean rooms -- to announce, "Steve, I want to report that Intel is ready."

Intel stands to gain a windfall of new sales with the iMacs, which are rising in popularity against other personal computer brands. Apple reported that in the last quarter alone, it sold more than 1 million computers.

The Intel chip built into the new iMacs is one of Intel's newest and boldest products as well. It holds two processors on a single chip, and as such is appropriately called Core Duo processor. Intel touted the new chip at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"It's two to three times faster than the iMac G5," Jobs said of iMacs powered with the Intel Core Duo chip, after noting the design, weight and price of the iMacs are the same as the last generation -- $1,299 with a 17-inch screen and $1,699 for the 20-inch model.

Despite holding two processors,the Intel Core Duo requires less energy than Intel's Centrino or Pentium microprocessors and less than the IBM Corp. and Motorola Inc. chips that Apple has been using. The promise of low power consumption is a reason Apple became interested in the Intel chip, Jobs said.

The Intel Core Duo solves the problem of energy efficiency. In fact, to herald its use Apple unveiled a new line of notebooks, the MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,999.

Jobs said the MacBook Pro is "four times faster" than the latest Apple PowerBooks when measured in performance per watt.

What does three times faster or four times faster mean?

As Jobs demonstrated the newest iMac to the Macworld crowd -- before announcing they were powered with Intel chips -- echoes of "wow" and "oh yea" were heard through the crowd. Granted, the Macworld show has always been like a religious revival meeting. Still, the crowd was noticeably impressed.

The iMac and the MacBook Pro feature a built-in iSight camera for videoconferencing and Web meetings, Apple's Front Row media capabilities for showing photos and home movies and listening to music, and the Apple Remote controller. While these features are new for the notebook, they were already included in iMacs. What's different is the speed and clarity the Intel processor brings.

Apple introduced a new release of its iLife software -- a suite of digital media making applications -- to run on the Intel Core Duo and take advantage of its capabilities. For instance, the new iLife can hold 250,000 photos.

The biggest changes in iLife for the new iMac are Web-based sharing capabilities, packaged in something Apple calls iWeb. With a few clicks, personal photos can be "photocasted" -- a Steve Jobs term for podcast-like sharing and publishing of photos. It includes a podcast studio to help create podcasts and Web sites. It has the ability to include remote interviews through iChat.

While the shift in chip suppliers may impress technology- followers, it is the capabilities that wowed consumers at the show.

"These are all so great for home use if you have a Mac and a digital camera and a family, especially if you have remote relatives," said show-goer Chris Thorik of Santa Clara, talking about the iLife applications being displayed.

However, some heavy Mac users expected problems with the new Intel- powered machines.

"Any applications older than the new software they just introduced will have problems on this iMac," said Yuval Eldar of Montreal, who is a consultant to Mac users. "I think it will be a rough year until all the main programs are updated to work" on the Intel-powered iMac.

Apple introduced a program called Rosetta, which will translate several existing iMac applications to work on the Intel-powered iMac. But Eldar said he expects "compatibility problems."

Despite his comments, Apple has no problems with popularity at the moment.

Before unveiling the products, Jobs announced that Apple's revenue hit $5.7 billion in the most recent quarter when its sales of iPods tripled from the year ago quarter and sales of computers topped 1 million. Apple shares reached a 52-week high Tuesday before settling to $80.86, up 6.3 percent for the day.