Apple’s range of Mac computing products could soon be powered by processors designed in Cupertino, according to a new report on Wednesday.
According to the analysts at KGI Research (via 9to5Mac) the company wants to upscale the A-series chips from the iPhone and iPad, in order to use them within MacBook and iMac models
Currently the company uses Intel Core i-series processors to power the laptops and desktops, but that may begin to change in the next year or so, according to the report.
In a KGI chart, it is claimed a 10nm FinFET chip called A10X chip will go into mass production in 2015/2016 and will sit within Mac computers. The chart also says the chip itself will be built by Samsung.
The analysts, who are wide of the mark as often as they hit it, say using chips designed in-house would enable Apple to take better control of its product release schedules.
Down the years there have been multiple instances of Apple’s Mac computers suffering delays due to the wait for Intel’s newest generation chips.
The report states: “Apple may launch Mac products that use own AP [Application Processor] in next 1-2 years. This prediction is based on the assumption that Apple’s self-developed AP performs at a level between Intel’s Atom and Core i3 and is good enough for Mac. Using self developed AP can help Apple better control the timing of Mac launches and Mac product features.”
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This suggests Apple wouldn’t be placing its in-house chips into its higher end machines, but base models. Perhaps an entry-level MacBook Air toting an A-series chip could be on the cards?
