Hold up...ARM-based 12” MacBook coming?

[Florida Gator]

According to this Chinese leaker on Twitter, it may be:

大致布局应该是这样的： airpods 3lite apple tv airtag iPhone9 A13 imac macbook 12 arm mac mini ipad pro 11 12.9 tof airpods X头戴式耳机 无线充电板 homepod lite ipad air4 全面屏11寸带指纹 ipad 2020 A12 游戏手柄 iPhone12 lite iPhone12 6.1 iPhone12 pro 6.1 iPhone12 pro 6.7

ARM-based MacBook, Apple game controller coming soon says leaker | Appleinsider

A series of tweets from an anonymous Twitter account has allegedly leaked details about future products that are still being worked on by Apple, including claims of an ARM-based 12-inch MacBook and an Apple game controller.

iphone.appleinsider.com

 

[deeddawg]

Sure, makes sense Apple would go in that direction.

Probably be pretty good once past the software transition.

 

[psymac]

One can only hope, but may have to try the iPad Pro 11" with Magic Keyboard in the meantime.

 

[HardBall]

According to this Chinese leaker on Twitter, it may be:

* ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** *： airpods 3lite apple tv airtag iPhone9 A13 imac macbook 12 arm mac mini ipad pro 11 12.9 tof airpods X* ** ** ** ** * * ** ** ** ** * homepod lite ipad air4 * ** ** *11* ** ** ** * ipad 2020 A12 * ** ** ** * iPhone12 lite iPhone12 6.1 iPhone12 pro 6.1 iPhone12 pro 6.7

ARM-based MacBook, Apple game controller coming soon says leaker | Appleinsider

A series of tweets from an anonymous Twitter account has allegedly leaked details about future products that are still being worked on by Apple, including claims of an ARM-based 12-inch MacBook and an Apple game controller.

iphone.appleinsider.com

This is from a pretty reliable poster. Although I would still have to see some more solid evidence to know it's coming soon.

I do think it eventually would happen, and that the smallest formfactor would very likely be the best platform to bring ARM ISA into the Mac. The expectations on performance of such a device would be pretty low, so even some amount of emulation for compatibility wouldn't put off most buyers. And 2lb or lighter formfactor would stand the. most to gain for the extension of battery life and fully connected Macs.

 

[leeuk321]

Ahh, this is what I've been hoping for for a while, the resurrection of the 12-inch Macbook. Would love it if this ends up a reality. Would be great if they updated the keyboard to magic, and if they managed to introduce a faster USB-C port and/or two of them, that would be perfect.

 

[5097842]

I'd call it "iBook".

 

[Dhonk]

multiple internet reports borrowing from each other, but saying the first Macbook ARM could be a 12-processor chip.

 

[bigtomato]

This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates. Secondly, this is nothing but a glorified iPad and at 12" that is pathetic. Lastly, this is an apple iPhone chip therefore they benefit from economies of scale, this is only about more margins for apple and not about users. Windows is becoming tempting so much more choice now and better UI.

 

[Dhonk]

This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates. Secondly, this is nothing but a glorified iPad and at 12" that is pathetic. Lastly, this is an apple iPhone chip therefore they benefit from economies of scale, this is only about more margins for apple and not about users. Windows is becoming tempting so much more choice now and better UI.

very negative. I would love the 12” form factor. I’ve had 11” and 13” and wouldn’t go any bigger. I like chilling on the couch with my laptop for reading news and whatnot. Apple is clearly upset with Intel’s chip struggled and lack of regular release schedule. iPads and Macs have different uses...so a MacBook ARM would not be a glorified iPad, but a potential better thin and light Mac experience

 

[bigtomato]

very negative. I would love the 12” form factor. I’ve had 11” and 13” and wouldn’t go any bigger. I like chilling on the couch with my laptop for reading news and whatnot. Apple is clearly upset with Intel’s chip struggled and lack of regular release schedule. iPads and Macs have different uses...so a MacBook ARM would not be a glorified iPad, but a potential better thin and light Mac experience

You can buy an iPad Pro for your purposes as it now supports keyboard and trackpad, no need to wait....Apple should adopt AMD !! Like I said just my two cents....

 

[supertiffany]

the Macbook 12" is one of the best form factors Apple has ever released, even the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard is heavier

with being said on leaks that ARM will allow Apple to release cheaper Macbooks because they can bring down the cost of their chips

they can start with the Macbook 12" which will lack touchscreen and other advancements of the iPad Pro expensive features

what was making the Macbook 12" not a bestseller is the ratio of price and performance

if they can provide a Macbook or call it an iBook targeted for always on the go professionals that just needs standard office apps and basic photo/video editing tools and internet browsers without shelling out the price for iPad Pros with Magic Keyboard or the old expensive Macbook 12" that would be a hit


$799 or $899 for a Macbook 12" with the ARM chip having better performance than the 2017 will be another new market for Apple especially those who doesnt want to spend $999 for intel macbooks.

 

[Dhonk]

the Macbook 12" is one of the best form factors Apple has ever released, even the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard is heavier

with being said on leaks that ARM will allow Apple to release cheaper Macbooks because they can bring down the cost of their chips

they can start with the Macbook 12" which will lack touchscreen and other advancements of the iPad Pro expensive features

what was making the Macbook 12" not a bestseller is the ratio of price and performance

if they can provide a Macbook or call it an iBook targeted for always on the go professionals that just needs standard office apps and basic photo/video editing tools and internet browsers without shelling out the price for iPad Pros with Magic Keyboard or the old expensive Macbook 12" that would be a hit


$799 or $899 for a Macbook 12" with the ARM chip having better performance than the 2017 will be another new market for Apple especially those who doesnt want to spend $999 for intel macbooks.

well said. And bigtomato, I don't want an iPad pro as a computer. I don't want a touchscreen computer...I hate it when people point something out and touch my screen. An iPad and a laptop are different devices with compromises. I compare this to a set of wedges for a golfer....each golfer has a different configuration that fits their needs. I like a smaller iPhone (X or the new 5.4" potentially), an iPad mini for on the go, and a MacBook pro (or air or new 12"), but I don't desire a 16" laptop or 30" iMac. If I got an iPad pro, it would be because it's replacing the mini, not the computer. I also wouldn't buy the dock magic keyboard.

 

[leeuk321]

Definitely, I agree on all the last comments about the 12" being a great size Macbook. And yes, as others have said, an iPad isn't a replacement for an actual computer running a proper operating system. Maybe for some, but that's only for people who were previously only using a computer to the limits of an iPad in the first place. It does my head in when you hear someone say - as if it hasn't been said before - that they've replaced their computer for an iPad and it does "everything they need", but they say it in such a way that implies "So why haven't you neanderthals figured this out yet?".

An iPad can be a great mobile, lightweight replacement computer for some, just like a moped can be a great car replacement for others. But it doesn't make it the standard. It's quite ironic, because so many iPad lovers out there (and not knocking them, the iPad is a great device) shout from the rooftops about how they have no need for a computer because of it; and on the other hand, because of my Macbook I have no need for a tablet, and I imagine that a lot of others are of the same mindset. They don't want the full computer experience, and I don't want the full tablet experience. But please, don't tell me that I might as well be using an iPad.

 

[sixtydashone]

Yeah, no. I love my iPad Pro but it is not by any stretch of the imagination a replacement for a proper laptop. At least not for people who actually need to get work done.
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This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates.

Really? They create their own chip for the iPhone and year over year they best themselves and continue to leave all other mobile processors in the dust. They’ve been years ahead of the competition for, well, years, yet they’ve continued to outdo themselves with their processors. I don’t at all agree with your comment that it would “stall innovation”.

 

[zhenya]

This totally makes sense they would begin the merge between MacOS and iPadOS at the base of the Mac line and the top of the iPad line.

 

[fokmik]

Probably the 12" Macbook will be the first to have 2 or 3 arm based cpu configs
1) 12" Macbook with 14-16h battery light usage
2) ARM all in all....the touchbar arm cpu, the T2 arm cpu will all be integrated in one 5nm ARM
3) By next year we will start to have a mac that supports macOS apps, windows apps and ipad apps
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This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates. Secondly, this is nothing but a glorified iPad and at 12" that is pathetic. Lastly, this is an apple iPhone chip therefore they benefit from economies of scale, this is only about more margins for apple and not about users. Windows is becoming tempting so much more choice now and better UI.

There are already ARM based windows....and, like in the past...when apple start a big major step...the rest will join...the last major was the true wireless airpods...that made a big impact...sure, there was some true wireless headphones...but after airpods...we are invaded with this kind of products
So, now we have some, windows based ARM laptops....but after Apple will start this...we will have competition....the only big different thing, that for me and for more others...is that the future of ARM macs...will support macOS apps...windows apps and ipad apps...

 

[leeuk321]

Probably the 12" Macbook will be the first to have 2 or 3 arm based cpu configs
1) 12" Macbook with 14-16h battery light usage
2) ARM all in all....the touchbar arm cpu, the T2 arm cpu will all be integrated in one 5nm ARM
3) By next year we will start to have a mac that supports macOS apps, windows apps and ipad apps
[automerge]1587885071[/automerge]

There are already ARM based windows....and, like in the past...when apple start a big major step...the rest will join...the last major was the true wireless airpods...that made a big impact...sure, there was some true wireless headphones...but after airpods...we are invaded with this kind of products
So, now we have some, windows based ARM laptops....but after Apple will start this...we will have competition....the only big different thing, that for me and for more others...is that the future of ARM macs...will support macOS apps...windows apps and ipad apps...

Because of all the “...” I read your comment like the narrator of a movie trailer. “This summer...an adventure beyond your imagination...” 😂

 

[Fat.tofu]

This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates. Secondly, this is nothing but a glorified iPad and at 12" that is pathetic. Lastly, this is an apple iPhone chip therefore they benefit from economies of scale, this is only about more margins for apple and not about users. Windows is becoming tempting so much more choice now and better UI.

Check this benchmark of iPad Pro A12z vs highest end mbp 13”.

2020 iPad Pro 12.9-inch versus 2019 MacBook Pro 13-inch

real world speed test results for performance minded Macintosh users

barefeats.com

A12z only have a 8-core cpu build on 7nm and already winning. If the rumored 12-core macbook is true and presumably build with 5nm (same like the future A14), then it will be even faster and more power efficient.
Why depends on other manufacturer when Apple can make a better chip and at their own pace.
Its just a matter of optimizing os X to run on arms and getting developers to optimize their apps, which Apple good at.
Yes there will be a transition, some/many current apps will need to run under emulation but given the capability of the current Apple arm chip, i don’t see how it runs slower than the current macbook 12”. If anything it will be at least on par or even faster running emulated apps.

Right now apple is pushing pointing device to their iPadOS. Developers is starting to / some already optimize their iPad app to support mouse/trackpad and great thing is it runs on arm too. There’s a huge possibility that future arm macbook will able to run iPad apps natively too. More apps for os X.

I think this is a great win-win situation for all the macbook 12” fans. It will be a great upgrade.

 

[adamfozzy]

It's now not a question of if, more a question of when? I loved my macbook 12 inch and the used it every day for 8-9 hours for work and personal use. It's battery was non existant at the end and then a key fell off so i traded it in for some apple store credit. Now, i could get a refurb macbook 12 inch for £1000 (basically the same device i just traded) or buy a 11 inch ipad pro and magic keyboard for similar price (and weight). I could do with ARM Macbook 12 inch or whatever it is now ideally.
If we are looking in the next 6 months then i could probably live on a chromebook we have in the house for that time - if it is next year then I will need something in the interim.

 

[sracer]

This is a bad idea in my opinion. At least you have AMD and Intel competing currently which leads to better processors. Apple could adopt AMD but won't and there is nobody to blame but apple. Creating their own CPU/GPU will stall innovation, people will be begging for more power and will have to wait yearly for updates. Secondly, this is nothing but a glorified iPad and at 12" that is pathetic. Lastly, this is an apple iPhone chip therefore they benefit from economies of scale, this is only about more margins for apple and not about users. Windows is becoming tempting so much more choice now and better UI.

I generally agree with what you've said.

The competition between AMD and Intel is good and is leading to better processors. I believe that the primary reason for Apple switching to (in-house) ARM processors has everything to do with profit margins and future lock-in, and nothing to do with the state of x64 chips. Other than the general "faster is better" mindset, what processing needs are pushing for better performance at a faster development rate?

The long game for Apple here is to start to build a walled garden for the Mac OS platform. The pieces are in place and they've spent a lot of time and energy over the last 10+ years working toward this goal. It's the financially wise thing to do. I applaud them for their long-term thinking. They deserve to the reap the benefits of that work, and that comes by ecosystem lock-in.

But having said that, I choose not to be locked in. I continue to use Apple devices that offer good value for the money and that don't lock me in to Appleland. I won't be buying any ARM-based Mac OS devices.

 

[Dhonk]

I think something Apple wants control over is processors...not simply for the vertical integration. I think Apple is tired of having to release products on Intel's timeline. As we can see from phones and iPads, Apple would probably like to update computers annually.

 

[Jack Neill]

We survived the PPC to Intel transition, I am so excited to see a MacBook 100% powered by Apple.

 

[EugW]

I think something Apple wants control over is processors...not simply for the vertical integration. I think Apple is tired of having to release products on Intel's timeline. As we can see from phones and iPads, Apple would probably like to update computers annually.

Don’t forget cost. Apple can afford to put their own monster iPad Pro chips in Apple TV set top boxes. Could you imagine Roku putting a quad-core Core i7-8569U in a TV streaming box?

Note that Apple doesn’t update its iPad Pros annually.

 

[im_to_hyper]

Ahh, this is what I've been hoping for for a while, the resurrection of the 12-inch Macbook. Would love it if this ends up a reality. Would be great if they updated the keyboard to magic, and if they managed to introduce a faster USB-C port and/or two of them, that would be perfect.

In my dreamland this ARM thing is a ruse to get concessions from Intel. In said dreamland Apple has a 12" MacBook using an AMD Ryzen Embedded platform on 7nm lithography for low power consumption; low heat and decent integrated graphics. It has 2 Thunderbolt ports and works great with an eGPU and 3rd party cooling dock to be a potent workstation as well.

Alas, that is dreamlandia.

----

I just don't think that Apple's ARM CPUs are ready for full usage in every line of Mac. A Mac Pro running an A15X and quad Vega II 16GB GPU setup seems... unbalanced... unless... conspiracy theory time: Apple is pushing Metal heavily because it is what will allow ARM/x86 cross-platform compatibility.

Emulation of x86 software will be handled by the GPU in the 12" MacBook so that the processor cores do their processing and when needed, the GPU kicks in to assist with the x86 emulation. Vice versa once ARM Macs are more commonplace... older Metal-capable x86 Macs will be able to run native ARM software thanks to Metal-assisted emulation.

 

[filmbuff]

Seems like a 12" ARM laptop would undercut what they're trying to do with the iPad + magic keyboard. Yes I know that doesn't run OSX. I think Apple wants it that way. If anything they would be better off to put the ARM chip in a high end laptop and blow away all the competition on graphics performance vs. power consumption.