Apple Inc (AAPL.O) may be on the cusp of using its own chips in Mac computers while replacing Intel Core processors, as reported by Bloomberg this week. This is not the first time this report has been projected, but it is the first time such sources have attached a project name (Kalamata) and a timeline, i.e., as early as 2020.
As Apple has made a lot of progress with its “A series” processor for iPad and iPhone, this is believed to be a well-thought plan. The question that arises among many others is why Apple has suddenly decided to shift to its own processor and if it will be at once or in Phase, and also what will be the impact?
Apple has used Intel chips in its computers since 2005, and the computer chipmaker both did not comment. Intel shares closed down 6.1 percent at $48.92, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq.IXIC ended with 2.7 percent.
As soon as the report surfaced, advisers blamed Intel for failing to deliver enough performance with successive generations of its Core processor. Apple is not happy with Intel’s service and Intel’s inability to deliver 10 nm products in a timely fashion; a good portion of the reason must be Apple’s tendency to prefer to control critical components.
Apple will become more fully integrated than any other consumer computer company by building the entire system, including its own processor, hardware, and software. The AMD Ryzen processors are only one real alternative to the Intel Core processors if Apple wants to stay with the x86 instruction set. This is also a great opportunity for Apple to further blend its two major operating systems, iOS and macOS by moving to Arm for the Mac product line.
It is expected that Apple will first use its Arm-based processor in the MacBook Air laptop product lines.
