Nvidia loses out to Dammit in new Macinteltosh line

THE RELEASE of Apple's new super-sleek Imacs heralds more than just a design change for the Cappuccino-based firm - it marks some prime inventory movement for the boys at AMD/ATI.

Until yesterday, and the release of the new models, ATI had its graphics chips in just two of the thirteen standard Macs - its X1600 cards were available in the mid-range previous-gen Imacs - with Intel below and Nvidia 7300 above.

The new Imac line is all-ATI, instantly doubling the company's share of the Mac graphics business.

Here's how the numbers break down today:

Intel: 5 machines
Nvidia: 4 machines
ATI: 4 machines

Intel has the GMA 950 inside both configurations of the Mac Mini and all three standard configurations of the Macbook, Apple's consumer portable. Nvidia has the 8600 GT, in both 128MB and 256MB models, inside the three Macbook Pro models. None of these are configurable with any different graphics. It also has the default spot in the Mac Pro, Apple's high-end desktop, with the option of a swap-out to a card of your choice. ATI now has the 2400 and 2600 inside all four standard configs of the Imac, with no possibility of a swap out.

The three companies are vying for prime placement in the machines, which is more of a prestige spot than a guarantee of real sales volume. The real winner, however, is Intel - regardless of who's graphics chips get the nod, every mainboard in a Mac is an Intel chipset, leaving no room for any competition there. µ