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Apple's Path to Arm-Based Macs Could Start With a New 12-Inch MacBook

Scottsdale said:
I think a much better approach than just a switch is to have dual processors. An ARM and an Intel CPU over the next five years. That way, tasks that only run on Intel allow the Mac to use more power and turn on the Intel processor. In all other cases, it would use a much lower power state of a twelve-core A-Series ARM SoC. This, if implemented well, could allow Apple and developers a path to ensure customers get the best of both worlds. Apple can show its prowess and SoC capabilities without leaving out Intel/x86/Windows and etc.

This scenario has never been offered but it seems to me to allow the best of both worlds. Apple could run its own graphics which would probably destroy anything AMD has available. The SoC can do certain things much faster and better than Intel. But for those Intel-only apps that are power hungry not alienate them.
It’s truly the best of both worlds. It requires some advanced code and a rosette model to emulate all possible for running as much as possible on ARM CPUs. At the same time, when it just isn’t feasible like with Adobe Premiere Pro or other intensive apps, allow Intel to shine.
This strategy would allow a win-win for Apple, customers, developers and etc. as Customer will not be left out in the cold and developers will have time to implement a new instruction set.

anyone want to give their thoughts?
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This would probably just drag out the transition period longer, since application developers wouldn’t have nearly as much pressure to get Apple native apps out. The most important thing with this transition is to get native apps available as quickly as possible. They’ll need Microsoft Office immediately, so I’d expect a joint announcement with Microsoft.
 
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Scottsdale said:
I think a much better approach than just a switch is to have dual processors. An ARM and an Intel CPU over the next five years. That way, tasks that only run on Intel allow the Mac to use more power and turn on the Intel processor. In all other cases, it would use a much lower power state of a twelve-core A-Series ARM SoC. This, if implemented well, could allow Apple and developers a path to ensure customers get the best of both worlds. Apple can show its prowess and SoC capabilities without leaving out Intel/x86/Windows and etc.

This scenario has never been offered but it seems to me to allow the best of both worlds. Apple could run its own graphics which would probably destroy anything AMD has available. The SoC can do certain things much faster and better than Intel. But for those Intel-only apps that are power hungry not alienate them.
It’s truly the best of both worlds. It requires some advanced code and a rosette model to emulate all possible for running as much as possible on ARM CPUs. At the same time, when it just isn’t feasible like with Adobe Premiere Pro or other intensive apps, allow Intel to shine.
This strategy would allow a win-win for Apple, customers, developers and etc. as Customer will not be left out in the cold and developers will have time to implement a new instruction set.

anyone want to give their thoughts?
Click to expand...
This was my solution as well that quickly got shot down a few months ago as 'too complicated' and 'too expensive' etc. It is the best of all worlds IMO - most importantly for me is running Windows VMs.
 
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miniroll32 said:
No chance this being in a pro machine or desktop. Dedicated GPUs required x86 instruction sets, so how would an ARM play with an AMD GPU?
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Maybe no chance June, 2020. But $200 billion in cash says that Apple can develop a dedicated (e.g. high caliber) desktop GPU just for Metal if they want (I mean, I'm sure they already have such things in their labs). There are already SBCs like nvidia's Jetson that pair "pared down" desktop architecture GPUs with ARM CPUs. Pretty sure Apple can and will do something similar eventually.
 
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NickName99 said:
The only good use case for boot camp is gaming, and you’d be better off just putting together a gaming box for that.
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This is hardly the only use case for multi-booting.

cmaier said:
I just don't get why people feel the need to advertise what they won't buy. Who cares?
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Someone complained they hadn't seen that comment. So, I put my opinion out there.
 
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PBG4 Dude said:
AMD’s x86 license becomes invalid if they are acquired. It’s non-transferable.
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You sure? I worked there and was never clear on how the license worked (other than I know we renegotiated it at least once while i was there).

And does IBM still have a fab license?
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gleepskip said:
This is hardly the only use case for multi-booting.



Someone complained they hadn't seen that comment. So, I put my opinion out there.
Click to expand...
Ah, I see. I apologize then.
 
cmaier said:
There will be design changes.

But the purpose will be much higher performance, much more security, and longer battery life, as well as new functionality achievable by incorporating all sorts of special-function blocks on the SoC or in the MCM.
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With macOS going to ARM, it'll be interesting to see if Apple creates their answer to MS Surface Book.
 
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smulji said:
With macOS going to ARM, it'll be interesting to see if Apple creates their answer to MS Surface Book.
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It seems likely, more likely with a move to Mac ARM.

Whether they'll stick with bigger screens = mouse and keyboard.

I'd be quite happy with a 23 inch 'iMac' ARM 'touch' and Apple Pencil.

Azrael.
 
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Art Mark said:
Wait, if NO design changes, what's the point of changing architecture? I thought it was to gain smaller sizes...I mean, fan, no fan? If it doesn't look different I see it a big opportunity to make statement about the change missed.
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What if this is the same size as the first 12 inch, but with 13 inch display now? Like the expected 14" MBP that will be the same size as the current 13", but with smaller bezels.
 
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cmaier said:
Nope. First one will be a new 16"-ish MBP. New architecture won't be adopted other than by early adopters (developers, etc.). Those people don't want a low-end 12" machine.
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I’d be surprised if Apple is fully ready to ship a high end ARM Mac. Starting with something like the MacBook to show it’s possible and where the company is headed makes sense to me. People who were buying the MacBook probably didn’t know the first thing about chips or system architecture. Someone who just wants a thin and light laptop with all day battery life aren’t going to care if it’s intel or arm inside.
 
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They have a mbAir at $999 that drops to $899 with the edu discount. That is the same price I paid for my macbook in 2006.

The only reason I see for a macbook would be a bare bones mac for entry level use cases.

But why have a line with 1 product? Just add it to the air line.
 
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