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Apple planning to release Mac with ARM chip in 2021

Apple is ready to shift from Intel chips to its own 5 nanometer or 5nm processors for Mac computers after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed the company’s plans to release a device with the new CPU in H1 2021.

Apple laptops and desktops have been powered by Intel for some time, but the ARM-based tech used in iPhones and iPad is now set to make its way into a new line of Mac computers.

Apple generally favours its own internally designed chips as they offer greater control over release schedules and can be tailored to offer improvements over off-the-shelf parts, such as longer battery.

There is one potential problem though as many apps for Mac have been built from the ground up using Intel processors, which could cause issues with compatibility and performance.

Kuo revealed earlier this week that Apple is looking to use 5nm tech in the new processors and that they will form the basis of internals in a range of upcoming products.

This means that 5nm is likely to feature in the hotly anticipated 5G iPhone, which is expected to launch some time next year, and a new generation of iPads.

Kuo, who keeps a close eye on Apple’s supply chain throughout the year, has a stellar track record, having predicted many developments in Apple’s product pipeline in the past.

In the note, he said: “We expect that Apple’s new products in 12-18 months will adopt processors made by 5nm process, including the new 2H20 5G iPhone, new 2H20 iPad equipped with mini LED, and new 1H21 Mac equipped with the own-design processor.”

While Apple has been hit by the spread of the coronavirus during the first two months of 2020, Kuo said that the potential epidemic would not knock the company off course as it moves forward with the production of 5nm chips.

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About the author

Chris

I've been a passionate evangelist for Apple and the Macintosh throughout my working life, my first love was a Quadra 605 working with a small creative agency in the south of Norfolk UK in the mid 1990's, I later progressed to other roles in other Macintosh dominated industries, first as a Senior graphic designer at a small printing company and then a production manager at Guardian Media Group. As the publishing and printing sector wained I moved into Internet Marketing and in 2006 co-founded blurtit.com which grew to become one the top 200 visited sites in the US (according to Quantcast), at its peak receiving over 15 million visits per month. For the last ten years I have worked as an Affiliate and Consultant to many different business and start ups, my key skill set being online marketing, on page monetisation, landing page optimisation and traffic generation, if you would like to hire me or discuss your current project please reach out to me here.

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