KGI: Apple is designing its own processors for Mac

9 years ago

“A KGI report predicts that Apple will begin using its own processors for Macs ‘in the next 1-2 years,’ with a specific prediction of a Samsung-fabbed A10X chip powering at least one Mac made in 2016,” Ben Lovejoy reports for 9to5Mac. “The wording appears to suggest an entry-level machine–possibly a future model of the 12-inch MacBook Air.”

Apple may launch Mac products that use own AP [Application Processor] in next 1-2 years. This prediction is based on the assumption that Apple’s self-developed AP performs at a level between Intel’s Atom and Core i3 and is good enough for Mac. Using self developed AP can help Apple better control the timing of Mac launches and Mac product features. – KGI Research

Lovejoy reports, “With performance between an Atom and Core i3, the chip would not be suitable for mid- to high-end Macs.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: iOS devices and OS X Macs inevitably are going to grow closer over time, not just in hardware, but in software, too:

Think code convergence (more so than today) with UI modifications per device. A unified underlying codebase for Intel, Apple A-series, and, in Apple’s labs, likely other chips, too (just in case). This would allow for a single App Store for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users that features a mix of apps: Some that are touch-only, some that are Mac-only, and some that are universal (can run on both traditional notebooks and desktops as well as on multi-touch computers like iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and – pretty please, Apple – Apple TV). Don’t be surprised to see Apple A-series-powered Macs, either. — MacDailyNews Take, January 9, 2014

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]