Apple Could Launch First Macs Powered by Its Own Processors in 2020, Says Kuo
Chi Kuo says that Apple could kick off its switch from Intel to ARM-based processors in Mac computers as early as 2020 or 2021. That target echoes a report from Bloomberg in April that also cited 2020 as the year we’re likely to begin seeing MacBooks running on Apple’s own ARM-based chips. Kuo says the changeover will come with the obvious upside of Apple being freed from relying on Intel’s processor roadmap and the delays that can disrupt it. 9to5Mac reported on Kuo’s latest note.
The transition is almost certain to start with Apple’s laptops, as it might take some time before Apple’s chips can match those from Intel in terms of performance for the company’s high-end Mac products.
Kuo says that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Apple’s chip manufacturer, stands to benefit enormously from Apple’s plans. TSMC has the exclusive supplier of A-series chips since 2016 and will maintain that arrangement going forward. Kuo also anticipates that TSMC will manufacture chips intended for Apple’s car efforts, saying “we believe that Apple Car’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will support either Level 4 (high automation) or Level 5 (full automation).”
2020年苹果将会采用自家处理器
据消息人士郭怡广表示，苹果最早可能在2020年或2021年在Mac电脑上使用自家ARM处理器，取代英特尔处理器。这一目标与彭博社今年4月份的报告不谋而合，此前彭博社称苹果计划从2020年起开始使用自产的ARM芯片。外媒网站9to5Mac引用郭怡广的消息称，摆脱对英特尔处理器的依赖以及可能造成的交付延迟，将为苹果带来显著的好处。
处理器切换首先会从苹果的膝上笔记本电脑开始，因为苹果芯片在高端Mac产品的性能需要一段时间才能追赶上英特尔。
郭怡广说，作为苹果的芯片制造商，台湾半导体制造公司台积电，将从苹果的计划中获益。台积电自2016年起成为苹果A系列芯片的独 家供应商，并将继续担任。郭怡广还预计，台积电将生产用于苹果汽车的芯片。他表示：“我们相信，苹果汽车的先进驾驶辅助系统将支持4级自动化(高自动化)或5级自动化(全自动化)。”
