Apple has been using Intel processors for 15 years, but on the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac Mini won’t use Intel, this laptop now uses Apple’s M1 chip.
Apple announced plans to use its own chip in Mac laptops in June 2020. This is because Apple wants to control all the devices and technology made by the company.
“Apple has a long-term strategy to own and control the main technology behind the products we make,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook, as quoted by CNBC International, Wednesday (11/11/2020).
Apple itself has invested heavily in making its own important technology. For example, spending US $ 1 billion for the modem business in 2019. Even Apple has made its own A-series chips for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watches.
Apple wants to control its own technology
Controlling its own technology helps Apple integrate its products. In order to integrate the same technology in laptops and desktops, all Apple computers must run on the same framework.
“Apple thinks they can innovate faster than the standard Intel or Qualcomm business model that does development on a chip and then they build it,” said CCS Insight research director Wayne Lam.
Intel also lags behind in manufacturing. Apple is proud to say the M1 chip in the new Mac uses a 5-nanometer transistor.
“Five nanometers is the leading process technology at the moment and there are only a few products on the market that use this technology,” said Gartner research director Jon Erensen. Currently, Intel uses chips with 10-nanometer transistors.
Intel is known for controlling its own factories, called “fabs,” around the world, compared to Apple, which contracts with companies in Asia to manufacture chips to specifications. But Apple’s chip manufacturing partner, TSMC, can make 5-nanometer chips while Intel can’t.
“Intel has had some challenges over the last few years on the manufacturing side. And I think these challenges have opened a window or opportunity for ARM to enter. Apple is one of the best ARM-based processor designers out there,” said Erensen.
Read now: Samsung Officially More Profitable than Apple
Follow and join us on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to be part of the trader community in Asia
