What If Apple Puts A-Series Processors in MacBooks?

Apple Insider posted a bit of news around the rumor that someday Apple may use its own A-Series chips in products like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. When Apple made the move to design their own ARM processor by acquiring P.A Semi and Intrinsity it became clear that using their own processors in all their products made perfect sense.

Apple wants to control all the critical elements of the value chain. For smart phones and tablets it’s clear that Apple wants to control the semiconductor in those products so it can highly optimize iOS for a proprietary SOC. The interesting question is if they want to do the same for OSX in the future.

Apple has no control over the architecture decisions that Intel makes, nor do they control the timeline of those decisions. One could see how future MacBook products could benefit if Apple specifically designed A-Series chips to run OSX. The optimizations they could make for efficiently running OSX could make the OS that much better and that much harder to compete with.

In this scenario Apple unlike Intel doesn’t need to try and make a processor that can run any and all software and operating systems. In fact they don’t even really need to follow Moore’s law in their designs like Intel and AMD. All Apple needs to do is design the most effective piece of silicon to run OSX.

You may think they could never do something like this because of all the software for OSX now running on Intel silicon. That is true but if you remember they made the move from the G5 to Intel and it was fairly smooth. Their developer toolkits and their virtualization software Rosetta could be key pieces in making a smooth transition to their own silicon.

The real question in all of this however is where would that leave Intel if Apple ever stopped using them as a supplier?

Published by

Ben Bajarin

Ben Bajarin is a Principal Analyst and the head of primary research at Creative Strategies, Inc - An industry analysis, market intelligence and research firm located in Silicon Valley. His primary focus is consumer technology and market trend research and he is responsible for studying over 30 countries. Full Bio

423 thoughts on “What If Apple Puts A-Series Processors in MacBooks?”

  1. Keeping up with Intel in the category of processors that have lots of available space/power/cooling is a really difficult thing to do (speaking from experience, I’ve been there twice, both attempts failed) Intel can leverage the very high investment to deliver performance on hundreds of millions of PCs, everyone else has to plan on multiple dollars per unit. The technology sector is littered with people who tried to compete with Intel in the desktop area. MIPS, Alpha, PA-RISC, SPARC, etc. In the end, no one was able to keep up. (and all of the above once held the performance and even price/performance title)

    However, that said, if anyone can do it I would put my money on Apple.

    Reply

  2. The fact that I can run both OS X and Windows is important to me. Personally, I’d use OS X exclusively, but the reality is I need Windows for my contracting business (my clients use Windows). Most likely the A6 won’t support this (unless Apple is also working on some killer virtualization software).

    Reply

  3. Apple has moved from Mostek to Motorola to AIM to Intel to be continued? There can be no question whether Apple knows how.

    In the Mostek to Motorola case (Apple II to Macintosh), Apple continued to sell the Apple for almost ten years after the introduction of the Macintosh. They also made a successful side trip, using the Western Design Center’s 65C816 as the basis for the Apple IIgs.

    Apple even made some forays into compatibility cards. Who is to say that won’t happen again? (Me, actually)

    There are rumors that Apple will introduce a new computer line this fall. If so, my bet is that it will not directly compete with the Macintosh; rather, it will take Apple in a new direction. I can think of a number of possibilities. At this point, rather than speculate, I prefer to engage in wishful thinking (that’s what many anal-ists do anyway, when they claim to be predicting). I wish that the “Next Big Thing” will be wearable computers. Apple’s Augmented Reality patents suggest that this is more than a remote possibility.

    Reply

  5. Howdy! I realize this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask. Does operating a well-established blog like yours require a lot of work? I’m brand new to blogging but I do write in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

    Reply

  6. Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks, I appreciate it!

    Reply

  7. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!

    Reply

  11. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a
    little research on this. And he actually bought me
    lunch simply because I discovered it for him…

    lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this issue here on your web site.

    Reply

  15. Attractive component of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital
    to say that I get actually enjoyed account your blog
    posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your augment and even I achievement you get entry to persistently fast.

    Reply

  18. Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity to your put up
    is just excellent and that i can suppose you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine together with your permission let me to snatch your feed to stay updated
    with approaching post. Thanks a million and please
    carry on the gratifying work.

    Reply

  21. Good ? I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

    Reply

  22. One thing I would like to touch upon is that fat burning plan fast can be carried out by the perfect diet and exercise. Ones size not merely affects appearance, but also the complete quality of life. Self-esteem, depressive disorders, health risks, and physical ability are damaged in extra weight. It is possible to just make everything right and at the same time having a gain. If this happens, a condition may be the primary cause. While a lot of food and never enough exercising are usually responsible, common health concerns and widely used prescriptions can greatly enhance size. Thx for your post right here.

    Reply

  23. Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

    Reply

  25. Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity on your submit is simply excellent and that i can assume you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to stay updated with forthcoming post. Thank you one million and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Reply

  33. Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same information you
    discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information.
    I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

    Reply

  34. whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like reading your articles. Keep up the great paintings! You realize, a lot of people are hunting round for this info, you could help them greatly.

    Reply

  38. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided
    to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look
    when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your
    blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, excellent site!

    Reply

  42. Together with every little thing that seems to be developing inside this particular area, a significant percentage of perspectives tend to be fairly refreshing. Even so, I appologize, because I can not subscribe to your whole plan, all be it exciting none the less. It looks to everybody that your comments are actually not totally rationalized and in reality you are your self not thoroughly certain of your assertion. In any event I did enjoy reading it.

    Reply

  47. Wow, this blog is an unbelievable treasure chest of knowledge! I could not stop perusing from beginning to end. Each word is like a captivating charm that keeps me enchanted. Can’t wait for additional mind-boggling posts! #AmazingBlog #OutstandingInformation

    Reply

  72. Wow, this blog is like a fantastic adventure soaring into the galaxy of excitement! The captivating content here is a captivating for the imagination, sparking excitement at every turn. Whether it’s lifestyle, this blog is a goldmine of exciting insights! #InfinitePossibilities Embark into this thrilling experience of knowledge and let your mind soar! ✨ Don’t just explore, immerse yourself in the excitement! will thank you for this thrilling joyride through the realms of discovery!

    Reply

  171. Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.

    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get advice from someone with
    experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

    Reply

  189. One thing is the fact one of the most popular incentives for using your credit cards is a cash-back or rebate provision. Generally, you will get 1-5 back on various acquisitions. Depending on the credit card, you may get 1 in return on most acquisitions, and 5 back on expenses made using convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores plus ‘member merchants’.

    Reply

  197. It is indeed my belief that mesothelioma is definitely the most dangerous cancer. It contains unusual traits. The more I actually look at it a lot more I am convinced it does not work like a real solid human cancer. When mesothelioma is really a rogue virus-like infection, then there is the chance for developing a vaccine and also offering vaccination for asbestos exposed people who are really at high risk of developing future asbestos associated malignancies. Thanks for revealing your ideas for this important ailment.

    Reply

  207. Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot

    Reply

  254. Thanks for the different tips contributed on this site. I have noticed that many insurance carriers offer consumers generous special discounts if they decide to insure a couple of cars with them. A significant volume of households have several vehicles these days, particularly those with old teenage kids still dwelling at home, along with the savings with policies can soon mount up. So it is good to look for a good deal.

    Reply

  309. This web site is mostly a stroll-by way of for all the info you wished about this and didn?t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you?ll undoubtedly uncover it.

    Reply

  382. I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve offered to your post.
    They are very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for newbies.
    Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks
    for the post.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *