Explained: Why Apple has ditched Intel for ARM on Macs
Almost eight years on, Apple’s ambitions to be less reliant on companies like Intel and Qualcomm shows how it has progressed in the areas of chipset designing and development.
Apple says its custom-designed chips for Macs will deliver better performance, but consume less power. Image: Apple Inc
At its just-concluded Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), the first to be organised fully online, Apple announced it will soon have its own chipsets powering its Mac range of computers. Now, these run on Intel’s X86 architecture processors. Over the next couple of years, Apple will switch its Macs also to ARM architecture-based A-series processors, which now power iPhones and iPads.
Apple’s move to its own ARM-based, custom-designed chips for its Mac computers was long anticipated. The simple reason behind the shift is Cupertino’s obsession with end-to-end control over its hardware and software — it has achieved the same with almost all its other products, including iPhones and iPads.
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Apple says its custom-designed chips for Macs will deliver better performance, but consume less power. The tech giant further said that its “Apple Silicon” will also make it easier for developers to write apps for the entire ecosystem. By using its own chipsets, Apple can also improve the security of its Mac computers, making then more difficult for hackers to break in. Also, full control will mean Apple can push the envelope on what a Mac can achieve — maybe 24-hour battery life and built-in 5G connectivity.
Once Apple has Macs running on its silicon, it will be able to run iOS apps natively on Mac OS without any alteration. To make sure apps work on any device running an Apple chip, Apple has built a new Universal engine for developers. For those apps that don’t yet work on the new silicon, Apple has announced Rosetta 2 in macOS Big Sur — a sort of converter that makes non-compatible apps run on the new chips.
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Apple has been making mobile processors since the days of iPhone 4 and the first iPad, both of which featured the Apple A4 SoC. The first chipset made by Apple came under the supervision of Johny Srouji, now senior vice president of Hardware Technologies at Apple, one of the most important posts within the company. (Here are 10 interesting facts about Srouji)
Almost eight years on, Apple’s ambitions to be less reliant on companies like Intel and Qualcomm shows how it has progressed in the areas of chipset designing and development. It is now confident enough to pitch its latest A-series mobile processors against Intel computer chips. Revealing the iPad Pro in 2018, Apple claimed its A12X processor was faster than 92 per cent of portable PCs sold in the market.
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Intel still continues to dominate the PC market with its chipsets, but has over the past few years been struggling to show big improvements in performance. It also struggled to deliver on time, which for a control-obsessed company like Apple is more than a worry.
There are also questions being raised about whether Apple’s ARM chips can actually replace processors from Intel and AMD. Apple just says its custom-designed chips are powerful, without going into the details.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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