Apple Could Launch First Macs Powered by Its Own Processors in 2020, Says Kuo
Chi Kuo says that Apple could kick off its switch from Intel to ARM-based processors in Mac computers as early as 2020 or 2021. That target echoes a report from Bloomberg in April that also cited 2020 as the year we’re likely to begin seeing MacBooks running on Apple’s own ARM-based chips. Kuo says the changeover will come with the obvious upside of Apple being freed from relying on Intel’s processor roadmap and the delays that can disrupt it. 9to5Mac reported on Kuo’s latest note.
The transition is almost certain to start with Apple’s laptops, as it might take some time before Apple’s chips can match those from Intel in terms of performance for the company’s high-end Mac products.
Kuo says that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Apple’s chip manufacturer, stands to benefit enormously from Apple’s plans. TSMC has the exclusive supplier of A-series chips since 2016 and will maintain that arrangement going forward. Kuo also anticipates that TSMC will manufacture chips intended for Apple’s car efforts, saying “we believe that Apple Car’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will support either Level 4 (high automation) or Level 5 (full automation).”
2020年蘋果將會采用自家處理器
據(jù)消息人士郭怡廣表示，蘋果最早可能在2020年或2021年在Mac電腦上使用自家ARM處理器，取代英特爾處理器。這一目標與彭博社今年4月份的報告不謀而合，此前彭博社稱蘋果計劃從2020年起開始使用自產(chǎn)的ARM芯片。外媒網(wǎng)站9to5Mac引用郭怡廣的消息稱，擺脫對英特爾處理器的依賴以及可能造成的交付延遲，將為蘋果帶來顯著的好處。
處理器切換首先會從蘋果的膝上筆記本電腦開始，因為蘋果芯片在高端Mac產(chǎn)品的性能需要一段時間才能追趕上英特爾。
郭怡廣說，作為蘋果的芯片制造商，臺灣半導體制造公司臺積電，將從蘋果的計劃中獲益。臺積電自2016年起成為蘋果A系列芯片的獨 家供應商，并將繼續(xù)擔任。郭怡廣還預計，臺積電將生產(chǎn)用于蘋果汽車的芯片。他表示：“我們相信，蘋果汽車的先進駕駛輔助系統(tǒng)將支持4級自動化(高自動化)或5級自動化(全自動化)�！�
