“There have long been rumors that Apple would port the macOS to its ARM-based ‘A’ series processors, replacing Intel CPUs on some Macs. These rumors keep surfacing year after year, without any real evidence,” Kevin Krewell writes for Forbes. “While I’m not going predict that Apple will unveil A10-based Macs this Thursday, there’s evidence that Apple is moving towards that goal. One of the most fundamental challenges for Apple will be the performance of Apple’s in-house A series processors compared with Intel’s Core processors. According to respected newsletter Microprocessor Report, Apple’s own processors are now hitting that goal.”
Apple’s investment in custom CPU design continues to pay off, as the new iPhone 7 delivers better performance than any other flagship smartphone and outscores even some low-end PCs. The phone uses a new processor chip, the A10 Fusion, that contains not one but two custom CPU designs, representing Apple’s first foray into the Big.Little approach that many other mobile processors employ. The massive Hurricane CPU improves performance by 35% over the previous-generation Twister, boosting both the clock speed and the per-clock performance. The smaller Zephyr CPU helps the iPhone 7 extend battery life compared with its predecessor. — Linley Gwennap, Linley on Mobile newsletter, October 20, 2016
“Intel’s Core M products run at only 1.3 GHz in order to sneak under the 5 Watts limit for fanless operation. Only under-clocked Intel Core M processors can fit into thin and fanless MacBooks, but it is possible to use Hurricane at clock speed over 2GHz in fan-less designs like the Apple iPhones,” Krewell writes. “In addition, Hurricane could lower Apple’s costs, make for thinner MacBooks, and give longer battery life, while still offering competitive performance for ported applications.”
“Apple’s relationship with Intel has not always been smooth. Intel took what it the learned from Apple’s MacBook Air products and helped to create the UltraBook category for Windows PCs,” Krewell writes. “Tthe dependence on Intel probably makes Apple uncomfortable.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple owning the primary technologies is, as always, crucial.
I’ve always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do. – Steve Jobs, October 12, 2004
[Apple’s] reason for being is the same as it’s always been — to make the world’s best products that really enrich people’s lives. That hasn’t changed. And we do that through owning the primary technologies. — Apple CEO Tim Cook, August 9, 2016
SEE ALSO:
‘Hello Again’ means Apple ‘A’ series-powered Macs – October 24, 2016
Three new Mac laptops appear in Russian regulatory database ahead of Thursday’s ‘hello again’ event – October 24, 2016
Apple’s A10 Fusion chip ‘blows away the competition,’ could easily power MacBook Air – Linley Group – October 21, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple to unveil new 13-inch MacBook, 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros at ‘hello again’ special event – October 22, 2016
What to expect from Apple’s ‘hello again’ special Mac event – October 21, 2016
What Apple’s new MacBook Pro might have learned from iPhones and iPads – October 21, 2016
It’s official: Apple sends invitations for ‘hello again’ event on October 27th – October 19, 2016
Get ready, Apple’s new Macs are finally set to arrive! – October 19, 2016
All-new MacBook Pro, refreshed MacBook Air and iMac, and more coming at Apple’s October 27th special event – October 19, 2016
Apple plans to launch new Macs at special event on October 27th – October 18, 2016
Apple’s A10 Fusion chip miracle – September 20, 2016
The iPhone’s new A10 Fusion chip should worry Intel – September 16, 2016
Apple’s remarkable new A10, S2, W1 chips alter the semiconductor landscape – September 15, 2016