AMD and Apple

[Asus]

AMD is now sampling Fusion, their CPU with GPU all on the same chip.

AMD reps have been seen at Apple supposedly for meetings with top execs. So the speculation is that AMD is showing off their products to Apple who could benefit from their CPU+GPU design.

Intel does not yet have a CPU+GPU on the same die like AMD plans to make but they do have a CPU+GPU on the same package. If there is an onboard Intel GPU in the CPU then Apple has installed a Nvidia GPU to use instead since Intel GPUs are pretty bad. The AMD benefit is that Apple could get a much better CPU+GPU combination going with AMD and would not have to spend extra money on a discrete Nvidia GPU. Would be a lot lower power as well.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I'm guessing trying to play recent games on it will result in overheating explosions?

 

[Asus]

Well it's not a high end GPU but a low end model. And we are looking at the CPU+GPU combo on the 32nm process so power/heat is low enough for them to take a stab at putting the two chips on one. They didn't try this at 45 or 90nm because it would be too hot.

Did some searching and it seems one of the Fusion versions will use a 4550 onboard as the GPU part.
This shows the Intel GMA HD graphics on the Asus K42F in Call of Duty 4 @ 22 fps. The Studio is a Dell laptop with Nvidia 9400m.
This shows the desktop version of the 4550 compared to an older version of Intel graphics. Again, Intel's newest is GMA HD but it still sucks.
This shows the 4550 compared to a Nvidia 9400. The mobile version of the 9400 is what is getting put in MacBook Pros to use instead of the Intel onboard.
So a mobile 4550 in Fusion would be a bit better plus give Apple a better cost (1 chip to buy) and lower power (1 chip vs 2) for better battery life.

 

[VirusType2]

Apple.

Integrated Graphics.


/leaves