Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce its custom chip for the upcoming MacBook Pro laptop, seeking to reduce its reliance on processors from Intel Corp. According to Bloomberg and cited by AppleInsider, the chip, or Apple Silicon or ARM-based processors, would replace Intel’s current generation of processors.
ARM-based chips are already used in Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad, often called A-series chips. However, with the switch to a custom ARM-based processor in its laptops and desktops, Apple would be better positioned to optimise performance while giving developers more control over how their apps work on macOS.
The move could present a significant challenge to Intel’s dominance of the PC market, though it is unclear when Apple plans to make the switch. Nonetheless, it would mark a major shift from Intel’s long hold over processing technology powering Mac products.
What We Know So Far
Rumour has it that Apple’s upcoming New 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro will enter production this year. Reports suggest that these devices will be powered by their own 5nm chips, an upgrade from the current 10nm chips found in the current models.
Here’s what we know so far about these upcoming Apple products.
New 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro to Enter Production This Year and Might Still Have 5 nm Chips
Apple reportedly plans to launch two new MacBook Pro models, both featuring ARM-based Apple Silicon chipsets. According to a reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo report, the two models will be available in 13.3 and 16 inches with Touch Bar controls and may arrive as soon as late 2020 or early 2021. This could mark the first time Apple has used its chips inside a laptop device, potentially improving performance and power efficiency over Intel-based laptop chipsets.
The new computers are expected to feature upgraded GPUs based on ARM’s latest top-of-the-line Cortex A76 architecture and six or eight cores with up to 32GB of RAM. The upgrade could bring drastic performance gains compared to existing 13″ and 15″ Intel machines as ARM cores offer lower clock speeds but far better efficiency than Intel’s Core series processors, meaning more power for all sorts of applications without sacrificing battery life.
Rumours have also suggested that Apple is preparing a more budget-friendly 14″ model powered by AMD Ryzen 4000 CPUs rather than their Silicone chipset for people who need something more affordable but still powerful enough for everyday tasks — such as students and average consumers — which is something we haven’t seen from them since 2012 when they launched the MacBook Air with an Ivy Bridge Intel processor.
The devices are expected to have a 14-inch and 16-inch display
Recent reports indicate that Apple might introduce a new MacBook Pro lineup with custom-made chips inside. According to rumours, the upcoming devices are expected to have a 14-inch and 16-inch display, higher-end graphics, faster storage and more ports than previous models.
What has yet to be confirmed is whether the laptop will include a version of Apple’s ARM-based processors. However, as some speculations suggest, the company could use its in-house developed A14X Silicon processor, making it the first Mac device to use an ARM processor. The outcome of such powerful technology could drastically change both performance and cost structure in an advantageous way for the customer.
Additionally, there’s also a good chance for these MacBook laptops to incorporate faster RAM speeds (up to 32GB), less reliance on Intel processors, and improved battery life due to its integrated 5G radio. This architecture change also promises extremely fast GPU performance compared with current laptop CPUs from Intel and AMD whose integrated GPUs are significantly slower according to recent tests on Microsoft Surface laptops powered by Intel CPUs with 9th Gen iGPUs integrated GPUs.
Suppose we know any indication of what is yet to come. In that case, it’s safe to assume that Apple’s upcoming laptops will bring reliable performance and power without compromising price or battery capacity. Still, until further confirmation, we can only speculate on what these new machines might offer when they eventually arrive at our doorsteps.
The devices are said to enter production this year
Rumours have been swirling for months that Apple might be looking to use its chips in the upcoming MacBook Pro models. According to reports, the devices are said to enter production sometime during the fourth quarter of 2020.
That timeline means Apple fans could have an updated version of its popular laptop this holiday season. It is said that the company is looking to use ARM-based processors—which are very small and power efficient—in the new laptops. Such a move would make the device better tailored for powering mobile devices. However, it’s still unclear if Apple will extend switching to ARM-based processors across its entire MacBook lineup or just for certain devices like the Pro model.
Furthermore, Apple has also been rumoured to replace Intel with its processor tech as early as 2021. Assembling an in-house design team late last year often led to speculation that they were working on this project specifically, which was later confirmed by a Bloomberg source report earlier this year. We expect an update on these rumours come WWDC 2020 in June, which may offer more insight into when and how these chips will be used by OEMs other than just Apple itself.
The devices might still have 5 nm chips
Rumours have been circulating that Apple might be switching to an in-house processor for some of their devices. This would be a major shift away from Intel which has been used for the past few years. Recently, it has been suggested that the company might be planning to use 5 nm chips in the new MacBook Pro devices, however nothing is certain now.
The speculation started earlier this month when a report from DigiTimes stated that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) was planning on making 5 nm chips for Apple in 2021. This suggests that Apple could potentially use these processors in their upcoming devices as they are expected to offer enhanced performance and improved efficiency compared to previous generations of Intel processors.
Another source suggested that Apple is already working on future chips which could mean that they may opt for 7nm or even 5nm chips instead of Intel’s 10nm processors which the current MacBook Pro models are equipped with. The 10nm chips offer less performance or power efficiency than the smaller 5nm and 7nm options. Hence, it makes sense for Apple to switch them up if they want their products to stay competitive with modern machines from other companies such as Microsoft or Google.
At this point there is no confirmation about whether or not the new MacBook Pro will have 5 nm chips. Still, given how close we are getting to its release date it should only be a matter of time before we find out more details about what kind of processor will power it.
Potential Implications
There are numerous potential implications of Apple using its own chips in the upcoming New 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro. If Apple does use its own 5 nm chips, it could give the new MacBook Pro the highest performance, speed, and memory capacity of any laptop currently on the market, as well as improved battery life.
In addition, it would also provide Apple with more control over the production process in terms of quality, design features, pricing, and more.
Apple could use its chips in the new MacBook Pro
Apple may use its chips in upcoming MacBook Pro devices as reported by Bloomberg on July 31st, 2020. This could signify a significant shift in Apple’s laptop strategy, with their processors competing against Intel and AMD. If this transition occurs, it could have some potential implications on Apple’s overall product lines, revenue streams, supply chain management and aspects of competition.
The biggest potential implication of supplier diversification is that the cost structure may change sharply if the switch to ARM architecture-based processors is successful. In particular, there might be a noticeable cost reduction since ARM processors generally require less power and can provide better performance at lower costs than Intel or AMD chips. Additionally, newly-designed models featuring ARM-based chips may be able to provide additional features such as extending battery life while improving user experience.
Furthermore, Apple could expect greater flexibility from ditching Intel or AMD chips in favour of its processor architecture. For example, the company could design custom hardware for specific applications and make them available for different product lines with minimal changes required due to platform incompatibility issues. Finally and possibly most importantly for long-term growth – using their chips may give Apple an effective way to distinguish itself from other PC manufacturers and thus build customer loyalty in fast-growing markets like Asia Pacific where Windows dominates despite declining demand globally.
Apple could benefit from the use of its chips
Apple stands to benefit from the switch to its chips in multiple ways. First, it allows the company to gain more control over the design and implementation of their products. By relying on their designs, Apple can focus on improving their devices. The team can also leverage their advancements in other areas with other products, such as enabling better graphical experiences and improving battery life.
The company can save money by investing in chip production instead of relying on a third-party supplier like Intel or AMD. This would eliminate the costs associated with licensing fees and external industry experts needed for product development. In addition, apple’s chip sales could potentially generate more revenue for the company due to a fixed cost per unit, allowing it to be more competitive than outsourcing chip production for each device iteration would follow Intel’s model of offering a discounted rate for large purchases at once versus charging individual pricing for each machine sold.
Using its silicon chips might also lead Apple down paths that rival Windows laptops cannot explore, giving them another advantage over competitors and establishing them as pioneers in this area. For example, with custom ARM processors under the hood, MacBooks could be designed with features not presently accessible with Intel-based computers — features such as lower power usage overall that could extend battery life even further than possible today.
The use of its chips could give Apple an edge over its competitors
Should Apple decide to use its chips in the new MacBook Pro, the technology giant will have an advantage over its competitors. Compared to other companies that rely on third-party chips, Apple’s use of its custom-designed silicon should provide superior performance boost and better battery life. In addition, Apple’s in-house chip design could help make the laptop more secure since their secure enclave technology will be built into the chip.
Moreover, by using its chips in the MacBook Pro, Apple can tightly integrate software and hardware for improved stability and reliability. Furthermore, it enables them to give their users a customised experience from basic functions like extensibility options to sophisticated power saving choices throughout intensive workloads or applications.
From a business standpoint, this move by Apple could potentially unify its macOS powered devices across all ecosystems – from phones to laptops and desktops – creating a stronger hardware and software connection between them all. This unified connection between hardware and software allows for easier access for developers as it protects users from malicious apps through better security – helping them keep their systems up to date with more control over their data privacy concerns.
Overall, this shift might not only give Apple an advantage against competitors but also provide users with an improved experience with better security features across all macOS powered devices while further establishing itself as a leader in innovation of cutting edge technologies.
