According to brightsideofnews, there are some tensions and conflict between Apple and Intel. The reason might be linked to the release of the future mobile platform from Intel.
In order to optimize performances of its "low end" integrated chipset, but also to prevent NVIDIA to be offering its own solutions, as the Ion for the ATOM CPU, Intel decided to integrate the graphical chipset into the die of Arrendale CPU. To evaluate the performance level of the forthcoming solution, just imagine a GMA 950 clocked at 500 and/or 733 MHz...
Apple is reported as disappointed by the performance of this new architecture and apparently officially communicate it to Intel. One can easily understand that after having offered MacBook powered by a NVIDIA GF9400M offering graphical performance equivalent to some discrete GPU, Apple will have problems to convince users and customers that a Arrendale CPU with an integrated GMA 950 on steroid could be a better graphical solution. And this is not the unique problem faced by Apple. Indeed, such low performance integrated graphical chipset will not be an issue for mid-range or high-end hardware as the option for a discrete GPU will remain, but for entry level product such as MacBook and Mac mini performance will most likely be equivalent to the one offered by 12 or 18 months old MacBook generation... In order to preserve Open CL compatibility and performance, Apple will have to use hardware offering a discrete GPU even for its entry-level model. So, instead on saving money by getting a good and performing all-in-one CPU + graphical chipset, Apple will have to go back to true discrete CPU + GPU, and this will have a cost and might impact Apple's margin.
The battle between both companies might become tough. On one side Apple might ask for alternative hardware solution from Intel, but on the other side, AMD is not able to provide competing hardware for the mobile platform; and both Apple and Intel know it. So, Apple complains might have only one goal, push Intel to accept further discount on its future mobile hardware solution to compensate the cost of discrete GPU for entry level models.
