you can't compare two different architectures like that.

1. So, ( im not saying this is the case but ) each stage in the apple pipeline might take three times as long as a stage in the Intel pipeline meaning that although one has 7 and one has 20 then they take around the same time to complete.
2. Somebody said that apple is similar to a RISC ( i dont know this to be true ) and intel a CISC so apple would have to execute MORE instructions to do the equivalent of a PC.
3. With more stages in the Intel pipeline then there would be less of a chance for a structural pipleine hazard..

I know that each of those points have their downsides ( for intel ) but Im just saying yours is not a valid argument.

This thread seems to be ( subtley ) an x86 bashing thread. While apple outpeform most other computers when it comes to audio production they are not leaders in performance when it comes to other areas of computation.
Because of this it makes it bloody hard to argue the x86 case on a sound production board.
I cannot think of another industry where the apple/PC debate would be as heated as this one.

Plus intel and athlon are working on new architectures ( itanium and sledgehammer i think ) so who knows what will happen in the future.