Mac 2021 will be equipped with Apple mobile processor chip like the iPhone, with 12 cores

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple will launch the first Mac computer equipped with an ARM processor chip in 2021. Currently, Apple is testing 3 mobile processor chips for Macs, which are part of the Kalamata project. . All are based on the A14 processor chip, used by Apple in the newly launched iPhones.

Bloomberg said that the first Mac mobile processor will have 12 cores, based on the 5nm process. Among them, there are 8 high-performance “Firestorm” cores and four energy-saving “Icestorm” cores.

Since 2012, there have been rumors of Apple making its own processing chips for Mac computers, to replace the Intel chips that are still in use. Recent reports revealed that Apple’s Mac-based processor will be based on the ARM mobile architecture, rather than a conventional computer chip.

This change will help Apple’s Mac computer follow the path of iPhone and iPad. That is, Apple will have more control and optimize the hardware with its macOS software.

In addition, switching to ARM mobile processors could help Apple reduce production costs by 40-60%. ARM chips also save more battery, and can integrate mobile modem chips to connect 4G or 5G. However, the performance of ARM chips may be lower than that of Intel computer chips.

The Bloomberg report also revealed some specifications of mobile processor chips for Apple Mac computers:

There are three processors (SoCs) for Mac computers, designed based on the A14 chip currently found in iPhones 11 and 11 Pro. Besides, there are also new processors developed based on the chips of the next generation iPhone. Bloomberg speculates that Apple may keep both the Mac and iPhone processors together in an annual development cycle.

The processor chip for Mac computers is manufactured by TSMC, based on the 5nm process.

The processor (SoC) will also be similar to the computer’s CPU, integrated with GPU graphics processing chip.

Mac computers are equipped with mobile processors like iPhones, but will still run macOS. It is quite similar to Windows laptops equipped with Qualcomm’s ARM mobile chips currently on the market.

Bloomberg speculates that because the performance of ARM mobile chips is lower than Intel’s CPUs, Apple may still use Intel chips in high-end computers and need strong performance such as MacBook Pro or Mac. Pro.

There was a big problem after Apple decided to launch an ARM-powered Mac computer, which is the compatibility of 3rd party software. When Windows laptops using Qualcomm’s ARM chips were launch, this is also a huge challenge for developers.

Reference: theverge