[kux]

Intel has an effective monopoly on x86 high end mobile chips, and those chips are now provided graphics and require Intel motherboard(southbridge) chips as well. Intel is also in the SSD and wireless chip market. In short, Intel parts are an increasingly large percent of the cost of a laptop.

Apple's profits dependent on Apple's control over component costs, but their dependence on Intel threatens this. It is hard to negotiate prices down when there is no viable alternative supplier.

If Apple can control developers enough to switch to ARM and write efficient code for 'just good enough' ARM-based laptops, then Apple should switch as soon as possible.