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Apple takes its Mac computers into a new era: the iPhone company unveiled the first three models with chips from its own development in place of Intel processors. Apple promises that computers will run much faster and more energy efficient. With the switch, the group can also use its Macs on the same software platform as its iPhones and iPads for the first time.
The internal chip with the designation M1 combines a main processor with eight cores and the graphics chip in one system. Apps launch much faster than before, and even the most demanding programs run more smoothly, said Craig Federighi, head of software. As with the iPhone, a special area is supposed to improve image processing with machine learning, for example.
Tailored for the Mac environment
With the M1 chip, Apple has equipped the most popular Mac model, among others, the Macbook Air. Now it works without a fan. Thanks to the cheaper chip, the battery can withstand 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video playback. Macbook Air is the most popular Apple computer.
In addition, the more powerful Macbook Pro with 13-inch display and the Mac Mini desktop calculator also have the new Apple processor. With the Macbook Pro, Apple talks about 17 hours of browsing and 20 hours of video playback. With Mac Mini and Macbook Pro, Apple initially also offers models with Intel chips – the Macbook Air is only available from the group with M1. Externally, the devices look the same as before.
Internal chip architecture
With the move, Apple is moving away from the usual track of the PC industry, which was previously dominated by Intel processors. The M1 chips are based on the architecture of the ARM chip designer, which iPhone and iPad also work with. With this, developers can also bring iPhone apps to Macs.
Mac programs that were originally adapted to Intel processors and have not yet been adapted to Apple chips must now be “translated” in real time. There are no performance limitations, Apple points out.
A lot of power in a small format
The move had long been announced. On iPhones and iPads, Apple has been able to pack a lot of power into a small format through internal chip development. With the Mac, however, the company has repeatedly had to wait for new Intel processors. When the move was announced in June, it was said it should cover all models within two years.
For Macs, this is the third change in the chip platform since the move from Motorola to IBM’s PowerPC in the early 1990s and to Intel in 2005.
The example could be an example
The question now is whether Apple’s example could set an industry precedent if the M1 Macs can offer their users a noticeable advantage over other manufacturers’ computers with Intel chips. Microsoft and Samsung, among others, already have laptops with chips based on the ARM architecture on offer, but so far they have remained more of a niche model.
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