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> Second, while Apple's mobile processors are currently the best in ARM world, for "pro" desktop computers Apple needs desktop-grade processor. Making something comparable to i7 isn't such an easy and cheap job.

Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Cavium have created very powerful ARM chips for non-mobile application. Apple definitely has the chip architects, the money, and the experience to do such a thing.

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I have serious doubts that the marketplace can support 3 desktop/laptop workstation CPU manufacturers.

(Amd, Intel, and now Apple)

I don't think it matters to Apple since they will be using their own chips. Intel will simply sell less, and AMD will not change at all.

By the way, don't forget Broadcom, Marvell, Cavium, IBM etc. as they are doing big bucks with CPU's and SoC's as well.

It matters to Apple, CPUs are a very big expense for them, and the performance of their computers are very important to them.

I'm specifically worried about the performance workstation/gaming cpu market, which Broadcom Marvell, Cavium, and IBM are not major players in. It's currently AMD and Intel. Apple would need to sell a lot of macs with the new CPUs to make the R&D cost worth it and the new CPUs would have to be very fast or they won't sell macs.

I meant the impact on global CPU markets won't matter to Apple, they don't care if Intel makes less money.

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