Is an A-series chip destined for a future mannequin of the 12-inch MacBook Air?
A KGI report predicts that Apple will start utilizing its personal processors for Macs “within the subsequent 1-2 years,” with a particular prediction of a Samsung-fabbed A10X chip powering not less than one Mac made in 2016. The wording seems to recommend an entry-level machine–probably a future mannequin of the 12-inch MacBook Air.
Apple could launch Mac merchandise that use personal AP [Application Processor] in subsequent 1-2 years. This prediction relies on the idea that Apple’s self-developed AP performs at a degree between Intel’s Atom and Core i3 and is sweet sufficient for Mac. Utilizing self developed AP can assist Apple higher management the timing of Mac launches and Mac product options.
With efficiency between an Atom and Core i3, the chip wouldn’t be appropriate for mid- to high-end Macs.
An accompanying desk (beneath) reveals an A10X chip made with a 10-nanometer course of to be made by Samsung sooner or later throughout 2016 …
The report additionally means that Apple shall be mixing-and-matching its chip suppliers as a part of its drive towards a extra diversified supply-chain, with International Foundry and Intel added into the combination as new suppliers.
The suggestion, then, is that orders for the A9 chip for what’s prone to be the iPhone 6s shall be break up between Samsung and new provider International Foundry, with Samsung selecting up the majority of the enterprise. It had earlier been suggested that Samsung can be making the entire A9 chips. The A9X for the subsequent iPad mannequin can be made by Taiwanese TSMC, whereas Samsung would make the entire S1 chips for this yr’s Apple Watch.
Subsequent yr, KGI predicts that Apple will make vital modifications. The A10 chip for the nominal iPhone 7, along with the S2 chip for the Apple Watch 2, can be made by TSMC–whereas Samsung makes the A10X for the iPad and new ARM-powered Mac.
Lastly, Apple is proven as diversifying its baseband chip suppliers–the chipset that handles LTE, WiFi and Bluetooth–by including Intel into the combination, initially as a minority provider.
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