Apple May Start Off w Pentium M Yonah

Apple will use Intel processors in its Macintosh computers starting in 2006. The first Apple systems in 2006 will use Intel's Pentium M processor. The Pentium M uses the same x86 architecture as the Pentium 4, but consumes far less power than Pentium 4 chips and its design philosophy is expected to be the model for Intel's future processors. Jobs justified the move away from the PowerPC architecture to Intel's x86 architecture based largely on Intel's ability to deliver a high-performance per watt ratio compared to IBM's future chips. This would tend to favor the Pentium M, which is just as powerful as high-end Pentium 4 processors yet uses far less power. Pentium M product Intel plans to launch in early 2006, the dual-core Yonah processor, could be an industry leader in performance per watt at that point.