I disagree - at least from a performance perspective. With the M1 Ultra, Apple introduced a new, super high speed chip interconnect, UltraConnect(sp?), that will allow them to scale performance as desired/needed. As a matter of fact, I think when Apple introduces its Mx based Power Macs, it'll probably have multiple such interconnects.
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Apple Replaces Last Remaining Intel-Made Component in M2 MacBook Air
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I was thinking of this yesterday. As far as I know, Apple still uses crappy 3rd party SSDs from companies like Samsung. If they can create a custom one that works with macOS and M-series, could be a game changer with speeds.
Their [sic] ain't no going back.... until Apple starts putting modems into their products using Intel's IP that Apple bought. 🤣
Apple now uses custom SSD controllers with commodity flash modules - these are custom Apple SSDs with major speed gains over the older third-party SSDs.
I guess you've not seen the SSD speeds on the fastest Mx Macs. They can make a copy of a 4K feature film in about the same time it's taken you to read these two sentences.
As others have already pointed out, Apple started transitioning to their own custom SSD controller with the 12-inch MacBook back in 2015.
And FWIW, Samsung was absolutely dominating the high-end SSD market for quite some time. Many of their SSDs, especially the ones Apple used in Macs, were anything but crappy. Mac SSDs were originally multi-sourced from Sandisk, Toshiba, and Samsung, but Samsung legged out over the other two so much in terms of performance that Apple was forced to go 100% Samsung for both the controller and NAND on higher end Macs.
The Thunderbolt/USB4 controller is currently integrated into the M1/M2 SoC, but it is based on third-party IP licensed from Synopsys. The chip described in the article is a retimer, which is basically a repeater that receives the Thunderbolt 3, USB4, USB3, or DisplayPort signals output by the SoC and retransmits them. It is located on the logic board right next to the USB Type-C port, so the signal is at full strength before it reaches any attached cables. I'm not sure whose IP the new retimer is based on or who is making it.
You really only need a retimer for the crazy-high 20 Gbit/s transfer rates. I'm guessing the iPhone will switch to a USB Type-C connector, but it is unlikely that transfer rates would exceed 10 Gbit/s. That would avoid the requirement for a retimer and help the device stay within its ultra-low power requirements.
I feel icky knowing my M1Pro still has some Intel in it....maybe time to upgrade.
In general I agree with you but Apple can be a grudge-holder (cf NVIDIA)
Well done Apple, it is a great achievement and I think a great future investment.
Other than clickbait videos and articles, even simple M2 is a great improvement in a single generation. Seeing a finless MacBook Air M2 destroying a top of the line Dell XPS which cost more is quite incredible.
First. World. Problem.
Perhaps in-house by Apple makes sense if they need for some reason put a Thunderbolt/USB4 in let's say, an iPhone or prepare for better retimers on the future for their specific needs. I'm just googling about it, but the PCI 6.0 and CEI-112G standards are on the work and perhaps Apple wants to be an early adopter? Retimers after all are necessary for higher speeds.
This is what Apple wishes they could've done to Samsung and Qualcomm years ago.
I don't think the issue is a 10-20% increase with each generation, with future M-series, or other chip designs. The problem with Intel is that they were stuck on 14nm++++++ and each new "generation" was the old architecture, just with higher clocks, occasionally more cores, and vastly higher power consumption because they kept having to push old designs to the limit. If Intel had continued to properly iterate, then Apple may still be using Intel in the Mac. Sure, there were other reasons for the switch, but Intel constantly putting a new mustache on its previous design was a major factor.
In hindsight, I think it's clear that the switch to Apple Silicon was the right choice, and there's little reason to think that the Mac won't continue to have the performance/watt advantage for the foreseeable future.
Yes, they never ordered again nvidia chips but apple was already headed towards apple silicon transition. And we don’t really know what happened, maybe apple was holding a grudge, maybe there was no middle ground that could benefit both companies so they parted ways.
The sooner we can rid ourselves of Intel in all areas, the better off we will be.
PC WORLD: What’s wrong with Intel, and how to fix it: Former principal engineer unloads
PC WORLD: What’s wrong with Intel, and how to fix it: Former principal engineer unloads
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They will work with Intel when they deliver something that Apple needs. These companies are in it to be profitable and will welcome a purchase. In the extreme case Apple uses their only real competitor, Samsung, for iPhone components.
Apple bringing anything in house is good so long as their components are the best choices for Apple products.
I think you are correct. The Mx chip was a new direction in thinking, thus the giant leap. Now, that being said, I'm sure Apple realizes this also and is looking into the next big change in thinking. Hopefully, so is Intel, AMD, Samsung, etc. Apple has solidified themselves as an innovative chip designer and it's good for the industry all around to have another party pushing the envelope and the competition.
ssd from samsung ain't crap, their 980 pro is blazing fast, it's not samsung's fault if apple wants to buy tlc or qlc to save money instead of mlc.
Agreed. All these people saying 'good riddance Intel!" are odd to me. It's like they're emotional about it for some reason.
How about Samsung stuff? Good thing macbook doesn’t have built in modem.
Am I the only one who would have liked to have seen Apple try AMD instead of going ARM?