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The Forgetful CPU (Linux on M4)

267 points · 203 comments · signa11

  1. sscaryterry · · focus · HN ↗
    Imagine how big Apple would/could be if they embraced open hardware. They do have a moat here. macOS is so bloated, I hate it, but the hardware is just so much better than anything else.
    1. MBCook · · focus · HN ↗
      Apple is a vertical company. They don’t WANT to sell you hardware. They don’t want to sell you software.

      They only want to sell the whole package. You might as well ask the Catholic Church to start a rap music 8-track only record club. Same probability.

      The hardware is a means to an end, and nothing else to them.

      1. UltraSane · · focus · HN ↗
        But Apple could make a lot of money selling Linux servers with their CPUs.
        1. internet2000 · · focus · HN ↗
          Why would they want to? They make even more money selling their own computers with their CPUs.
          1. UltraSane · · focus · HN ↗
            The Server market is enormous with a much higher average selling price. It would make perfect sense for Apple to make servers if it meant more revenue and profit than they could make not doing it. There are rumors that Apple is planning a M8 based server in 2029.
            1. fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
              That's a helluva rumor. Apple tried b2b with Xserve, back in the day, but didn't have the stomach for it.
              1. boredatoms · · focus · HN ↗
                That’s because they tried integration with the rest of their SW ecosystem.

                If they just did motherboards with cpu/ram/pcie and let other OEMs build complete systems the story would be very different

                1. scheme271 · · focus · HN ↗
                  They tried it with various open systems that allowed licensed powerpc clones of their systems and they ended it because it reduced their profits as people bought the clones instead of mac hardware. I don't see them redoing that anytime soon.
                  1. MBCook · · focus · HN ↗
                    Also in that case they didn’t even own the hardware. They were IBM chips. They just had a reference design and a BIOS.
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