Apple Reportedly Shifting Away From Intel, Will Make Its Own Mac Chips

After Microsoft Corporation MSFT ditched Intel Corporation INTC in favor of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD for its Surface laptops, Apple Inc. AAPL is reportedly making a similar move. 

Apple's Processor Plan 

Apple is contemplating the use in-house chips for one or more of its Mac computers, moving away from its longtime supplier Intel, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple is developing three Mac processors, aka systems-on-chips, based on the A14 processor, which will debut with the impending iPhone 12 models, the report said. 

Apple is gearing up for the release of at least one Mac with its own chips in 2021, according to Bloomberg. 

With the Cupertino, California-based tech giant working on multiple processors under the Kalamata project, it is believed the company is intent on moving away from Intel in a big way for its Mac devices.

The chips are likely to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. TSM, its foundry partner for iPhone and iPad processors, the report said. 

Performance Is Apple's Focus

Apple's quest to have greater control over the performance of its devices seems to have swayed the company toward this path.

Apple's new in-house processors will double or quadruple the number of cores Intel's processors provide, Bloomberg said.

The report also said the first Mac processors will have eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores.

The future processors could have more than 12 cores, the report said. 

AAPL, INTC Price Action

Apple shares were trading 1.51% higher at $280.27 at the time of publication Thursday, while Intel shares were down 0.27% at $59.94. 

Related Links:

Apple Analyst Projects 'Multi-Quarter Impact' On iPhone Shipments From COVID-19 Pandemic

Apple Gets Another Price Target Hike, Analyst Predicts Strong Services Trends