In the summer of 2005, Apple announced they would be transitioning all of their products from PowerPC microprocessors (an IBM & Motorola product) to Intel-based microprocessors.
Steve Jobs was unsatisfied with the speed at which Motorola was manufacturing the chips and believed Apple’s future was with Intel. The possible transition was debated for 18 months before the directors decided.
Apple was a 16,000 employee, $1.33 billion company in 2005. This was no small company and no small feat.
The transition of all Apple products to Intel was completed over one year ahead of schedule. Apple’s stock during the period increased tenfold. The transition was seamless and Apple didn’t miss a beat. Even Bill Gates was impressed.
Citing why Jobs really wanted to make the change, he said, “Our goal is to provide our customers with the best personal computers in the world.”
Change, even a big change, is always possible if you’re ferociously focused on your mission.
