Apple Developing ARM-Based Mac Chip to Handle Low-Power Functions Alongside Intel Processors

[code-m]

MBPro 2016 = Transitional Product
MBPro 20xx = Fusion Product with x86 and ARM
MBPro 20xx = ARM Product

This is just the transition occurring. Introduce the ARM chip for auxiliary functions as the TouchBar then offload more functions and feature until its takes over completely. It will assist developers to transition as well. I would not be surprised if there was an iOS mode available and this will be Apples answer to the SurfaceBook.

 

[dlewis23]

A ARM coprocessor would rule, specially to simulate iOS apps in Xcode.

A ARM Processor would not be needed at all to run iOS apps on a Mac. You don't have to simulate iOS apps on OS X when developers are building iOS apps run natively. But with Bitcode all apps can be recompiled on Apple's end to run on a OS X on x86.

 

[coolbreeze]

Inb4 "wait, waite, weight, watie on teh future revisions"

Wait forever and never buy seems to be the mantra here.

 

[GFLPraxis]

MacOS doesn't have as large of a software ecosystem as, say, Windows so Apple can afford to risk switching CPU architecture away from x86-64 to ARM. Wouldn't be surprised if Apple follow Google Chromebook that's architecture agnostic and can run on x86-64 or ARM.

Apple can't duplicate the Chromebook's agnosticism because Android apps run on Java (which runs on a VM) and Chrome apps run on HTML5/JavaScript.

Mac apps are natively compiled.

The closest Apple can do is return to the "Universal Binary" days- make XCode compile an ARM and x86-64 version of every binary, and run an emulator like Rosetta for apps that haven't been recompiled.

They could auto-recompile everything on the Mac App Store that has been uploaded with Bitcode to make it faster.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

No one can say the writing is on the wall for a switch.

 

[thadoggfather]

Maybe they'll stage ARM on macs with a 2017 12" ARM edition, getting rid of M/M3, etc

 

[Carlanga]

Makes more sense than switch to ARM from Intel CPUs.

this would be the first step for that and when they do is goodbye apple laptops for me.

 

[Delgibbons]

Meanwhile Microsoft has a new Windows 10 update in the works that runs x86 code on ARM processors with no code changes. NOT RT but the full Windows 10.. Here is full Adobe Photoshop running on Windows 10 FULL VERSION on a Snapdragon ARM 835;

 

[jksu]

Why not just use a MBA?

mba has a crappy screen and relatively underpowered. love my 13" mbp non-touch but i liked the mba form factor just fine, just wanted a nicer screen (and updated ssd, processor, ports)

 

[atikalz]

What is the deal of a closed computer that receives emails and calendar? When I open it, i loads emails and calendar also. I use Gmail and g calendar so there is nothing to load. Don't get it.

Apple is developing a new ARM-based chip for its Mac lineup that would "take on more of the functionality" handled by Intel processors, reports Bloomberg.

In development since last year, the chip, codenamed T310, is said to be similar to the chip used to power the Touch Bar in the new 2016 Macbook Pro. It's built using ARM technology and will work with the standard Intel processor, handling "Power Nap" low-power mode functionality.

Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro uses an independent ARM-based chip called the T1 to power the Touch Bar, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Touch Bar, and the secure enclave that stores payment and biometric data.

According to Bloomberg's report, the upcoming ARM-based chip will "go further," connecting to storage and wireless components to take on additional power management capabilities.

Apple could begin using the new chip in an upgraded version of the MacBook Pro set to launch later this year, but it could be introduced as a quiet update with little fanfare as the chip that powers the Touch Bar was not promoted by Apple.

Despite Apple's plans to offload some tasks to a new ARM chip, Apple is said to have no intention of abandoning Intel chips in its laptop and desktop computers.

Article Link: Apple Developing ARM-Based Mac Chip to Handle Low-Power Functions Alongside Intel Processors

 

[Crzyrio]

There are likely already half a dozen ARM chips inside a MacBook (disk or SSD controller, wifi controller, trackpad controller, &etc.)

Those are very different than the T1 and its future iterations.

 

[hajime]

Does this mean they are going to replace MBP with iPad that can run Mac OS?

 

[jameslmoser]

I actually want a thinner MBP. Seriously.

You want a macbook... seriously.

 

[charlien]

Meanwhile Microsoft has a new Windows 10 update in the works that runs x86 code on ARM processors with no code changes. NOT RT but the full Windows 10.. Here is full Adobe Photoshop running on Windows 10 FULL VERSION on a Snapdragon ARM 835;

That's pretty impressive.

 

[meteoreos]

As soon as they announced the fusion chip for the iPhone 7, I had a feeling Apple would do something similar with their notebook lineup.

 

[DTphonehome]

Hopefully this will allow them to make future Mac laptops thinner by removing more battery.



(/s! …before I get murdered)

 

[oldmacs]

Good. Much rather then do this than bloody switch to arm instead of intel.

 

[Deemr]

What would be wrong with an intermediate switch?
Apple controls its ARM ecosystem, also they have proven with the iPhone 7 that they can deliver computing power.
Also given the fact that the dependency with Intel slows down the MacBook evolution I would say a switch is overdue.

 

[Coyote2006]

Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to buy Intel?

 

[Kaibelf]

Or you know, instead of devoting more resources to this project, they could just put a *GASP* normal-sized battery in their laptops (and make them slightly thicker) and use those resources to update the Mac Pro, Mini, etc...

Another day, another ridiculous comment implying that a company the size of Apple only works on one thing at a time.

 

[puckhead193]

I look forward to bringing in my 2016 MBP to an Apple Store to have one of these chips installed and get the battery life that was advertised.

/s

and 32 gigs of ram

 

[jasonklee]

Great news. Now just make it a bit thicker, allow us swap out ram and drives and put in a decent GPU.

Don't forget a Blu-Ray drive and ethernet port.

Fake innovation: Focus on low energy efficiency thus requiring smaller batteries thus reducing weight and thickness for greater mobility.

True innovation: Focus on bigger batteries at the cost of weight and thickness.

My MacBook Pro from 2006: 5.6 pounds, an inch thick, 4 hours battery.
MacBook Pro 2016: 3 pounds, 0.59 inches, about 10 hours battery.

Pathetic. 10 years later and still no Blu-Ray. I have a stupid iPod from 2004 that uses FireWire and I can't use it on the stupid new MacBooks. Pathetic. We should be getting 50 hours of charge at least.

Also this report from PC World: "Even with a battery that is 25 percent larger, the older 2013 MacBook Pro 15 can’t beat the efficiency of the new 2015 MacBook Pro 15 model."

So in other words, Apple made the battery smaller and improved power efficiency rather than improve power AND making the battery thicker. Okay.

Truth: We've hit a peak with thinness. No one needs a device as thin as Apple's iPad, MacBook, iMac, iPhone. Not to sound like a defeatist but Apple needs to stop working on making things thinner. It's thin enough. Look at history: some of the greatest achievements by our species has come from people saying "it's good enough."

"It's good enough" is the true path to innovation.

 

[RMo]

Unless they're emulating (which seems like it would be so wasteful that it negates any "low power" savings), this must mean they'll need macOS itself plus any of the "Power Nap"-supported apps (Mail, Calendar, and Software Update/App Store or whatever the process is that runs them, plus whatever else I'm forgetting) to be compiled for ARM--and some sort of ability to switch between the two architectures depending on how it's running.

Like others have said, this seems like a possible transitional step between x86 macOS and ARM macOS. There was a time when I couldn't imagine any of Apple's ARM chips being powerful enough for desktop computing, but between the fact that some manufacturers are experimenting with them on at least hybrid computers and when Apple is offering a 1.4 GHz i5 Mac mini as the base model in 2017, I guess anything is possible.

 

[Mascots]

If true, I rather like this approach in development

 

[Kaibelf]

this would be the first step for that and when they do is goodbye apple laptops for me.

Why? If MS and Apple go in that direction in the future on the OS level and still run x86 software in an emulator, and be independent of intel chips someday, what does it matter to you? Shareholder?