Re: Cautiously Optimistic
Apple's use of lots of LPDDR channels was primarily dictated by the desire to scale to very high bandwidth to reach discrete GPU performance levels with their integrated GPU.
Since Qualcomm is unlikely to target desktops at all, let alone workstations like a Mac Pro, they don't need to aim as high for memory bandwidth. But I wouldn't expect to see them support discrete GPUs, they'll target an integrated GPU that's good enough for the broad home/business laptop market and not care about the gamers or CAD users on the high end. It isn't like there are any Windows/ARM games anyway, and porting demanding graphics stuff like CAD applications to it is a sort of chicken and egg problem.
Maybe they might think about supporting discrete GPUs after a few years if they think there can be a high end market for Windows/ARM, but for now they just have to worry about creating a Windows/ARM market AT ALL. Qualcomm's current underwhelming line is not good enough to make that happen.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
