Apple has officially unveiled the first Mac computers powered by its own custom Arm-based processor at its ‘One More Thing’ event.
The new chip, called M1, features unified memory architecture, integrated GPU, neural engine and is the tech giant’s highest performing core to date.
M1 delivers two times the performance per watt compared to the PC chip.
This marks the first time in the Mac’s 36-year history that the line will be powered by an Apple-designed processor, which is said to offer better performance, higher bandwidth and consume less power than the Intel-based machines currently in use.
Apple is expected to start shipping the first Macs with the new M1 chip before the end of the year, with all of the devices boasting the new system within two years.
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Apple has officially unveiled the first Mac computers powered by its own custom Arm-based processor at its ‘One More Thing’ event. The new chip, called M1, features unified memory architecture, integrated GPU, neural engine and is the tech giant’s highest performing core to date
Apple has used Intel Chips in its Mac computer since 2005, making the transition to its own in-house chips a ‘historical’ change for the computer.
M1’s technology is based on the chips used in the iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad, which will allow Macs to run apps that were initially designed for Apple’s other devices.
Apple now on a path for producing all of its chips in-house, which is called Apple Silicon, but the M1 is designed specifically for the Mac.
Wayne Lam, Senior Director, Research, CCS Insight, said this move builds on the ‘huge investment’ Apple has already made in Arm-based designs.
‘The arrival of Apple Silicon for Mac allows Apple to extend the capability of its ‘A’ series of processors beyond iOS and cuts its dependence on Intel,’ he said.
‘This should provide advantages in performance, scale and cost. We believe Apple will gain a lot of flexibility and agility when it comes to future products.’
The tech giant first announced the Arm chip at its June Worldwide Developers Conference, calling it a ‘historical’ change to its Mac lineup. The new processor will also include a range of capabilities such as HDR display support, more storage, higher bandwidth and more
Apple is set to start shipping the first Arm Macs before the end of the year, with all of the devices boasting the new system within two years
Apple has long developed its own processors for its iPhones and iPads, but this will be the first time it has done so for its Macs and Macbooks.
And the new Mac processors is based on the same technology used in its flagship handheld devices.
‘By having its own silicon platform, Apple should be able to reduce the risk of being tied to Intel’s processor plans and its fabrication schedule,’ said Lam.
‘Although Apple will now be reliant on TSMC or Samsung for manufacturing, the sheer number of ‘A’ series chips already being made means that Apple is a key customer and will likely have priority access to leading-edge nodes such as the 5 nanonmeter process being used for the A14 chips in the iPhone 12 and iPad Pro.’
The November 10 event will be third launch of services and products Apple has held in the past three months.
Last month, the firm unveiled its highly-anticipated iPhone 12 line-up that also included its first 5G supported smartphone.
The handset also includes a ceramic shield that the firm says is ‘tougher than any smartphone glass.’
The new addition is ‘virtually impervious to heat and electricity’ and makes it more resistant if dropped.
Along with the iPhone 12, Apple announced three other smartphones including the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone Pro Max and its all-new iPhone mini with a price tag of $699.
The tech giant also unleashed its fastest camera into the new lineup.
The dual-lens camera system boasts a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and wide lenses, along with a seven-element lens that improves low-light performance by 27 percent.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
