Apple moves to Intel processors
so, I read all the articles but they paint over what I think is the real reason for the switch. This has been going on for a while, and from the folks I've talked to it makes sense...
Basically, Microsoft has always threatened apple that it will 'delay' the release of new office versions on the macs. MS don't say it that way, but more like "product developement could be delayed due to technical issues". When apple would attempt to be more aggressie with new offerings that could compete with MS products, MS would use this threat. The MS office suite being avaiable on the Mac is a HUGE deal because it allows it to be an alternative to Windows. If you are a graphics designer who only needs office and internet browsing in addition to all the other MAC/Graphics related product, then a Mac would be the way to go. Now take away the office portion and you have the company/IT department frowning upon the use/requirement of two desktops for one user. 'Hey, just get abdobe for windows and suck it up'.
So Apple says FU to M$ and recompiles their OS to run on an Intel platform. Does that make all software immediately compatible? Hell no, but it makes it A LOT easier to port. And lets be honest, the Mac architecture is what has been holding them up for so long.