Apple could be looking to switch its graphics cards supplier from NVIDIA back to AMD for the iMac. The Cupertino company began using NVIDIA solutions for its latest all-in-one, which started shipping late last month, but a job listing on its website suggests it could already be preparing to switch back. Apple is looking for a Hardware Systems Electrical Engineer with experience in AMD graphics processing units (GPU).
“The Mac Desktop Systems Engineering team is seeking talented and enthusiastic electrical engineers to work on electrical and system design integration of the Mac Desktop computer system,” the job listing reads. Key qualifications include experience in Intel chipsets, power management, and “AMD and/or Nvidia GPUs.”
It seems odd that Apple would call for a candidate with experience in AMD GPUs if the company has no plans to use them. Its latest iMac employs NVIDIA graphics, its Mac mini uses integrated graphics from Intel, and its Mac Pro uses ATI solutions.
Apple used to utilize AMD’s GPUs for the iMac, but it pulled them in favor of NVIDIA’s for the latest generation, which promises to deliver “up to 60 percent faster graphics performance than the previous generation.”
The new job ad suggests Apple is either going to look at using AMD’s technologies again, or possibly offer them as an alternative to NVIDIA GPUs when buying a new iMac. Either way, the listing is fresh, so any changes could be a long way off.
Source: Apple
Via: AppleBitch