The battle of the dual-core processors

Dell predicts dual-core Xeons to top AMD in 2006 — Chairman Michael Dell’s claim is rather hollow when you step back and consider that his company cannot build a system based on the AMD processors. Since Dell doesn’t produce an AMD based PC Dell’s fortunes in the end depend on Intel improving their products.
GamePC has an article on details of the new Intel ‘Paxville’ Dual Core Xeon. It looks like Intel has a bit of catching up to do.  This article is consistent with benchmarks posted by other independent hardware oriented websites.

This makes me wonder about Apple’s decision to switch from PowerPC processors to Intel.  Had they instead went with AMD, the processor switch would be more consistent with their Think Different advertisements. Steven Jobs wouldn’t have looked so stupid for saying “we will never switch to Intel!”  It could have been an interesting marketing coup for Apple comparing a faster AMD based Macintosh against the lagging Intel based PCs of the largest PC manufacturer…Dell.

IMHO the issue is the quality of Apple’s and Dell’s manufacturing processes.  Ever since the original Pentium math bug Intel has maintained a more conservative approach.  Despite the marketing hype Apple and Dell quality control for their manufacturing processes would have a difficult time with the hotter AMD chips.