The End of x86?
As I wrote in a similar thread I think Intel and x86 is already dead - the writing is on the wall -  Intel just doesn't know it yet. Below is how I believe a key customer has already planned to leave the x86 architecture as nothing but a footnote in their history (alongside the remnants of PowerPC).<p>---<p>Currently Apple relies on Intel for a major component in a key product. Strategically, Apple doesn't like to have to rely on a single source or supplier for key products. Apple will do whatever is possible to remove this reliance.<p>Hence a prediction: within less than 5 years a Mac will be running on an Apple designed ARM processor.<p>How? By slowly, step by step, providing a way towards this.<p>Step 1. Migrate your OS to the new architecture (e.g. iOS already, OS X not far behind) - done<p>Step 2. Migrate your developer base onto developer tools which you control and can easily change the architecture it targets (e.g. Xcode and LLVM) - done<p>Step 3. Provide a space where problematic applications which use other VMs or rely directly on getting too close to the hardware are not welcome (e.g. a Mac App Store) - announced<p>Step 4. Change the marketplace behaviour so that you control how the majority of applications are distributed and can quickly provide updates without user intervention. Such as an App store.<p>Step 5. Release a new Macbook with an ARM processor, absolutely killing on form factor, price and battery performance that Intel cannot compete with. Encourage your Mac App Store developers to flick a switch in Xcode, to recompile and upload their new Universal (x86 & ARM) versions of their Apps to the Mac App Store.<p>Result: you now control the processor direction and application distribution mechanism for a key product and no longer rely upon the whims of Intel.<p>Apple is all about controlling an integrated experience for their customers. Currently Intel is getting in the way of this for the Mac product.