I think the first step is to produce a GPU that integrates well with Intel CPUs. The next Metal version will need to have even deeper hardware integration while external GPUs support will be a solution for those who need AMD or NVIDIA solutions.
Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
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Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#62Based on this article, it doesn't sound like Bloomberg has enough information to distinguish between Apple being committed to a transition, or Apple developing chips to improve their negotiating position with Intel. It's also very unlikely to happen on such a fast timetable; given the IP situation, it's unlikely Apple could make an x86_64 chip, and any move away from x86_64 is going to require significant work by thi…
The PPC -> Intel transition also happened, and yes devs had to do work to make it happen, but it doesn't mean it is unheard of or impossible.
as did 68k -> PPC a decade earlier.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#63Oh boy, more universal binaries. What are the odds that Apple will just internalize x86 production, as opposed to doing a A11-style ARM derivative?
> What are the odds that Apple will just internalize x86 production...
Zero, since it's wildly improbable that Intel would grant them a license to use the x86 architecture.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#64Based on this article, it doesn't sound like Bloomberg has enough information to distinguish between Apple being committed to a transition, or Apple developing chips to improve their negotiating position with Intel. It's also very unlikely to happen on such a fast timetable; given the IP situation, it's unlikely Apple could make an x86_64 chip, and any move away from x86_64 is going to require significant work by thi…
Apple did a pretty decent job when they transitioned from PPC to x86_64, it has Rosetta to translate PPC to x86. Microsoft and partners released ARM based Windows Laptops this year that can run Win32 apps in emulation.
What's stopping Apple from shipping Macbooks with a custom SoC that can run existing Apps in emulation until developers can recompile? I would argue that most Air and Macbook owners aren't developers and probably don't have many apps that didn't ship with their system.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#65Apple is fantastic with hardware, so this sounds like a great idea.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#66> "A decision to go with ARM technology in computers might lend it credibility where it has failed to gain a foothold so far." > "Apple is working on a new software platform, internally dubbed Marzipan, for release as early as this year that would allow users to run iPhone and iPad apps on Macs" Two things here: 1) I'm OK with breaking the Intel near-monopoly on x86. I'm not OK with moving to a walled garden where Ap…
Not having to emulate iOS apps on macOS will be a boon for Xcode developers.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#67> "A decision to go with ARM technology in computers might lend it credibility where it has failed to gain a foothold so far." > "Apple is working on a new software platform, internally dubbed Marzipan, for release as early as this year that would allow users to run iPhone and iPad apps on Macs" Two things here: 1) I'm OK with breaking the Intel near-monopoly on x86. I'm not OK with moving to a walled garden where Ap…
iOS Apps on MacOS is a good reason for Apple to incorporate touch screens. Today, they say the trackpad is superior because you aren't raising your hands up to the screen. Touch optimized iOS apps would be a compelling reason to include this feature and motivation for many people to upgrade their MacBooks.
Also, the Microsoft Surface Book Pro has a detachable screen that is a stand alone tablet. What if Apple is designing for an iPad to be the main screen with a base that houses external GPU, battery, keyboard, etc. iPad production ramps up, iPad users can "upgrade" to a full laptop, laptop users are automatically in the iOS eco-system.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#68Based on this article, it doesn't sound like Bloomberg has enough information to distinguish between Apple being committed to a transition, or Apple developing chips to improve their negotiating position with Intel. It's also very unlikely to happen on such a fast timetable; given the IP situation, it's unlikely Apple could make an x86_64 chip, and any move away from x86_64 is going to require significant work by thi…
Is the IP/licensing situation particularly onerous here to prevent making their own x86_64 chip?
Yeah. There are only three extant architectural license holders (Intel, AMD and VIA) and they're basically in a circular firing squad of patents.
To make their own chips, they'd need to either license from an existing holder (which wouldn't let them tinker unless it was a partnership or they acquired the license) or they'd need to make something so incredibly great the other three would trip over themselves to use it, and bind themselves in the process.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#69Tim Cook has repeatedly stated that the iPad is "the clearest expression of our vision of the future of personal computing" and Apple only sells around 4M Macs per quarter, while iOS devices dwarf this stat. If their plan is to continue moving users from desktop/laptop devices to their iOS ecosystem, and the software can be transformed to cross between both classes of devices, then it only makes sense to unify the processor architecture as-well. Especially considering the expertise they've brought in-house to accomplish this, and the success they've demonstrated with their "A" service of chips, complemented by some of the specialized co-processors which have begun popping up in their accessories.
I still expect that they'll offer devices in traditional form factors -- laptop-like devices and desktop devices, if the market demands this. But for most users, they don't care what's inside if it let's them accomplish what they're trying to accomplish.
Re: Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs from 2020, Replacing Intel
#70Based on this article, it doesn't sound like Bloomberg has enough information to distinguish between Apple being committed to a transition, or Apple developing chips to improve their negotiating position with Intel. It's also very unlikely to happen on such a fast timetable; given the IP situation, it's unlikely Apple could make an x86_64 chip, and any move away from x86_64 is going to require significant work by thi…
If apple uses its own chips, I would assume that they would be aarch64 and not x86_64. Also, Microsoft has some magics for executing x86_64 binaries on aarch64 with good performance, so Apple may have a similar technology. We could end up with another situation similar to the Power->x86 transition that happened back in 2006. Or it could be nothing. This is a pretty thin article.
> Also, Microsoft has some magics for executing x86_64 binaries on aarch64 with good performance, so Apple may have a similar technology.
I'm reminded of the patent-sharing agreement between the two. Or, given MS' diversification, they may be willing to directly license the tech. Making the x64 -> aarch64 translation as robust as possible has benefits for both companies, and they're not nearly the bitter enemies they used to be.