I disagree. I work with arbitrary-sized data items all the time on big-endian format. It's more efficient to use big-endian because the bits are arranged in a consistent linear order. The x86 little-endian format can require a lot more swapping and shifting for bit fields of arbitrary length.
Little-endian storage format is a bizarre relic from Intel's 4-bit calculator chips of the 1970s. The only advantage it offers is it can start processing some low-order data while it is still loading a high-order word. Intel's architects have admitted that sticking with little-endian was a regrettable error.
What the hell does it matter? The current AMD64/opterons are so incredibly fast and efficient it doesn't matter...I work in 3d animation and I only care about floating point, memory bandwidth etc...these chips are monsters.
Why? It isn't the Mac just going to be another Intel Box running a version of BSD UNIX?
Why is Jobs going to the INTEL Chips? Is it because they offer better performance than the IBM Chips,or if Jobs going to INTEL chips to get worse performance at a better price.
If Endian was as a big factor in performance would Jobs switch to Intel Chips? Perhaps the reason may be that Apple is going to lesser performing chips to be able to compete on price.
Apple Computer -Less quality - LessPower = Smaller Price;
Intel obviously wants to not be so dependent on Microsoft. I would look for Microsoft, Dell, Gateway, and the other PC Players to tell Intel that if Apple gets the chips the same time they do, they will hedge their business by working closely with AMD.
Gates, if Intel gives Apple equal access might very well optimize windows to run on AMD chips and make Intel wait until the AMD chips are out sotheir designs will to be able to run MS operating systems as fast as AMD based PCs.
I think INTEL is getting into a bunch of crap they don't understand. I would not be surprised to find that MS is behind the AMD suit against INTEL. You can bet MS people will be witnesses.
INTEL bought off the Clintons to escape the last time and the Justice Department went after Gates because he did not pony up. This time GATES put lots of MS and Gates money in the game.
Look for Intel and Apple to come out on the short end of ENDIAN wars.