Apple is set to announce plans to ditch Intel processors for its Mac computers, including Macbook laptops, at its developers’ conference later this month.
The tech giant could shift to using its own processors as early as this month, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the plans.
Apple is set to make the announcement at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which will run online from June 22 -26.
Thousands of engineers and customers usually attend the WWDC, which is in its 31st year, but the show is going virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement would allow app developers – the main attendees of WWDC – time to adjust their apps accordingly before the new Macs roll out in 2021.
Last year’s MacBook Pro. Apple could move to its own processor chips for Mac devices – a decision that will be officially announced at the online developers’ conference this month, reports claim
It would be the first time in the 36-year history of the Mac – kicked off by the original Macintosh released in 1984 – that the line would be powered by Apple-designed processors.
Possible reasons for the switch include Intel’s slower revenue growth or previous major security flaws found in Intel processors.
Apple’s tests of new Macs with the ARM-based chips also show ‘sizeable improvements’ over the Intel powered versions in power efficiency, graphics and apps that use AI, Bloomberg’s source claims.
‘Apple Inc. is preparing to announce a shift to its own main processors in Mac computers, replacing chips from Intel Corp., as early as this month at its annual developer conference, according to people familiar with the plans,’ said Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Apple’s tests of new Macs with its own chips based on technology from ARM show ‘sizeable improvements’ over Intel’s chips, the report says
‘Unveiling the initiative, code-named Kalamata, at the event would give outside developers time to adjust before new Macs roll out in 2021.’
Since the hardware transition is still months away, the timing of the announcement could change, according to the people quoted by Bloomberg, who asked ‘not to be identified discussing private plans’.
Apple is yet to respond to MailOnline’s request for comment regarding the reports.
Apple creates its own processors for its iPhones and iPads, and the company has been considering doing the same for its Macs and Macbooks.
If it ends up doing so, the new Mac processors will be based on the same the same technology used in its flagship handheld devices.
Future Macs will still run the macOS operating system rather than the iOS software used for its mobile devices, Bloomberg said.
Apple is using technology licensed from ARM, a semiconductor company owned by the Japanese giant SoftBank and plans to transition the entire Mac line-up to these chips, including the high-end desktops.
Apple is planning to release ‘several’ ARM-based Macs in 2021 in both laptop and desktops, as reported earlier by MacRumors.
A major security flaw was found in Intel processors earlier in the year, which may have influenced Apple’s decision, as reported by Bloomberg
Rival computer manufacturers Microsoft, Samsung and Lenovo have all created laptops that run on Arm-based chips, and as Apple makes up 10 per cent of the PC market, the decision could mark worrying times for Intel.
As well as the possible announcement regarding chips and Mac software, Apple is expected to announce updates to iOS for iPhone and watchOS for its smartwatches at WWDC 2020.
The free online show will also host the tech giant’s Swift Student Challenge which gives student developers the opportunity to showcase their apps.
Usually at WWDC, developers spend five days at the conference hall, where they get hands-on labs, presentations and sessions with Apple engineers.
But Apple announced as far back as mid-May that this year’s event would be entirely online because of the virus, which had already put a stop to hundreds of conferences, including Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Apple promised WWDC 2020 will still connect millions of attendees around the world with keynote talks and virtual developers sessions.
‘WWDC20 will be our biggest yet, bringing together our global developer community of more than 23 million in an unprecedented way for a week in June to learn about the future of Apple platforms,’ said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing.
‘We can’t wait to meet online in June with the global developer community and share with them all of the new tools we’ve been working on to help them create even more incredible apps and services.’
Apple said it would give $1 million to organisations in San Jose, California, to help with the money they would lose from Apple cancelling the in-person event, which had been held in San Jose for the past three years.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
The company’s journey to the summit of the technology industry has been a rocky one, having seen Jobs (pictured right in 1976) leave the firm in the mid-1980s after his pet project, the first Macintosh computer, struggled and he attempted to oust then chief executive John Sculley. Wozniak is pictured left
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Job died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.