According to a report by Bloomberg Business Week, Apple is looking to transition away from using Intel chips in their iMacs and Macbooks. This is no secret and has been a buzz for a long time, especially since Apple doesn’t use any Intel chips in their current mobile devices. The goal is to further differentiate their PC lineup from others who use Windows OS as well as Intel chip sets.
“Such a shift would be difficult and isn’t imminent, though it would allow Apple to further distinguish its laptops and desktops from competitors that run Intel’s chips and Microsoft’s Windows software.”
In 2010, Apple was in talks with Intel’s direct competitor AMD, but it looks like Apple is looking to just develop their own chips. The chips they have designed for the iPad and iPhone, are arguably industry-leading for tablets and smart phones. Apple had used IBM chips in the past, but since 2006 their computer lineup has utilized Intel chips. Recent reports point to Apple looking to use their own ARM processors in upcoming iterations of the MacBook, especially in power-critical applications like the thin-and-light MacBook Air.
Keep in mind implementing this change would not happen any time soon. If Apple chooses to move away from Intel they would need to then start the production and design phases on their own chip sets. There is no news pointing to that process having been started as of now.
When you go to your local Apple store or see a commercial for their computer lineup, do you think of what chip is under the hood? The sleek design and OS that boasts being virus-free is what Apple focuses its advertising on.
