Apple-designed computer chips coming to Mac, in split from Intel

Once the leader in making processors faster and more efficient, Intel now trails Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the producer of all Apple-designed chips

While the Mac laptop line is no longer the key revenue driver for Apple that it once was, it safely sells about 20 million units a year, delivering about US$25 billion in revenue

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Apple chief executive Tim Cook delivers the keynote address during the 2020 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California, on June 22. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:16am, 23 Jun 2020Updated: 7:16am, 23 Jun 2020

Apple said it plans to sell Mac computers using processors designed in-house, signalling an end to its 15-year alliance with Intel Corp.

The first Macs with the Apple-designed chips will debut by the end of the year, chief executive Tim Cook said on Monday at the company’s virtual conference for software makers. Apple is also working on models with Intel processors, Cook said.

“When we make bold changes, it’s for one simple yet powerful reason: so we can make much better products,” Cook said. “The Mac is transitioning to our own Apple silicon.”

The new chips will enable Apple to build computers with improved security and battery life, said Johny Srouji, Apple’s silicon chief. Developers will need to compile versions of their apps compatible with the new products for the software to run smoothly. Apple, however, will provide a fallback to make old apps run on the new system. Microsoft Corp and Adobe have already begun updating Office and Photoshop, Apple said.

The homepage for the 2020 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference is seen on a laptop computer in Arlington, Virginia, on June 22. The event, in its 31st year, is being held virtually for the first time and runs through June 26. Photo: Bloomberg

Apple introduced an array of software enhancements to its products at the event on Monday. It will make the most drastic changes to the iPhone home screen since the product’s release in 2007, bringing the software more in line with Google’s Android mobile operating system. Users will be able to place widgets that sit between the typical grid of apps, can be set to varying sizes and present information, such as the weather or a calendar, that updates throughout the day. The Apple Watch will get sleep tracking and handwashing detection tools.

The changes to the Mac are the most significant, though. Apple will release a major new version of the Mac operating system, called Big Sur, with support for the new chips. The design looks similar to the iPhone and iPad, with curved app icons, translucency, notification bubbles and the new widgets feature from iOS 14.