“Apple is planning to use its own chips in Mac computers beginning as early as 2020, replacing processors from Intel, according to people familiar with the plans,” Bloomberg News reports.
“The initiative, code named Kalamata, is still in the early developmental stages, but comes as part of a larger strategy to make all of Apple’s devices — including Macs, iPhones, and iPads — work more similarly and seamlessly together, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information,” Bloomberg News reports.
Brief article, marked “developing,” in full here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s reliance on Intel – a smaller company worth less than Apple’s cash on hand – to power their industry-leading Macs brings to mind these two quotes:
• I’ve always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do. — Steve Jobs, October 12, 2004
• In order to build the best products, you have to own the primary technologies. Steve felt that if Apple could do that — make great products and great tools for people — they in turn would do great things. He felt strongly that this would be his contribution to the world at large. We still very much believe that. That’s still the core of this company. — Apple CEO Tim Cook, March 18, 2015
—
Furthermore, as we wrote back in January 2015:
There is no reason why Apple could not offer both A-series-powered Macs and Intel-based Macs. The two are not mutually exclusive…
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
SEE ALSO:
Apple is working to unite iOS and macOS; will they standardize their chip platform next? – December 21, 2017
Why Apple would want to unify iOS and Mac apps in 2018 – December 20, 2017
Apple to provide tool for developers build cross-platform apps that run on iOS and macOS in 2018 – December 20, 2017
The once and future OS for Apple – December 8, 2017
Apple ships more microprocessors than Intel – October 2, 2017
Apple embarrasses Intel – June 14, 2017
Apple developing new chip for Macintosh in test of Intel independence – February 1, 2017
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
macOS Sierra code suggests Apple could dump Intel processors in Macs for Apple A-series chips – September 30, 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
LOL just release new Macs sometime in 2018, please!
If you can’t release new models, forget about the chip…
1- Should be the end of the Hackintosh.
2- Might well give Apple an advantage for security.
3- Can you say Fat Binaries, again?
I am guessing WWDC will be all over this.
SO! since knowing this, should I Spend my money on the upcoming Mac pro desktop or wait longer?
Osborne effect?
yep. Besides my current mac pro is 10 years old. waiting like everyone else for a new one, might as well wait instead of wasting $4k+….
Wait now the new desktop coming very soon in 2021
well today’s article about when the new Mac Pro will come out (2019) answers my question. Apple will probably release a intel Mac pro then release a ARM Mac Pro in 2021. Or Which Is possible they are in process of Transitioning code over now to support an ARM Desktop Product line and shock everyone like they did before in the Powerpc/Intel Switch. So Gotta save up more in mean time. and milk my 10 year old mac pro some more…..
Says someone looking to pick up some cheap Intel stock.
Altho this could easily be done for MacOS, for those in the real world who occasionally have to run Windows it would be a leap backwards.
The #1 selling Apple computer is the iPhone. Interaction is most important between iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and HomePod.
In terms of units sold Macs (which are mostly used by creative professionals and the enterprise) account for about 6% of total Apple devices sold. Moving away from Intel would be stupid unless Apple made a MAJOR leap in processor performance over Intel’s offerings. I don’t see that happening by 2020 or even 2030.
I think you’re underestimating the savings Apple will get through a unified codebase and architecture. A move like this could very well help Apple improve the performance of all its other A-powered devices. It’s not just about units sold.
“which are mostly used by creative professionals and the enterprise”
If we are really talking about most, most are bought by consumers. Of that 6%, I bet that 80% goes to Just plain old folks that want an easy computer.
Actually, I doubt professionals make up even 10% of that number. Especially since Apple has been trying to push professionals off the platform for years.
I like the idea of selling both intel based machines and a series machines. Some users will like the idea of the more than 24 hour battery life possible with a series processors. Apple doesn’t have a model to compete with surface pro yet. An a based Mac would fill that niche.
The Apple user base should be diverse enough to do both. Perhaps that is what Jony Ive really had in mind in the 12” MacBook design.
No Intel is history.
The Mac Pro will be a one-third sized G5-like super computer with slots for Apple branded A13 nano-blades.
Is is possible that there are more Apple A processors being produced right now than Intel Core plus Intel Xeon processors RIGHT NOW?
You’d think no way, but I wonder….
For the general user it may not matter to much what is “Inside” as long as it offers some advantage or a definitive one.
For workstation professionals relying on OSX Apple needs a very clear path. The advantage in an “all Apple” Mac needs to be unquestioned and the transition smooth. In my case I need all my professional software running fine
Adobe and Autodesk will bring up the rear like last time.
Is an adobe mostly on the cloud now? I would imagine updating very UI abstraction layer would be peanuts compared to rewriting all of their code for new processor. I’ve always thought that was the reason why Adobe went in that direction. They no longer had to rely on either Microsoft or Apple being “the same” over the long haul.
Apple will succeed if NSA has not already trapdoored the Apple A-series chips – as they have done with all Intel chips.
I knew this was coming, I just skipped the Intel transition. Still rocking the G4.