According to a report by renowned tech analyst, Ming Chi Kuo, Apple is expected to announce its new A14 ARM chip at the WWDC online 2020 event. The customer designed processor will power the new Mac line-up which will result in faster performance and improved battery life.
Kuo claims that new 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and iMac will be the first models to be powered by Apple’s A14 ARM-based processing chips. Both of the new machines are speculated to be released by the end of 2020 or in Q1 of 2021.
He wrote that:
ARM13.3-inchMacBookPro:
The new model’s form factor design will be similar to that of the existing Intel 13.3-inch MacBook Pro. Apple will discontinue the Intel 13.3-inch MacBook Pro production after launching the ARM 13.3-inch MacBook Pro.ARMiMac:
ARM iMac will be equipped with the all-new form factor design and a 24- inch display. Apple will launch the refresh of existing Intel iMac in 3Q20 before launching the ARM iMac.
A report by Bloomberg, on the developers’ mood at the WWDC event, corroborates Kuo’s claim that Apple asked developers to begin development of applications as the company initiates the transition to its own custom-designed ARM-based chips from Intel processors across its Mac line-up.
The report details the expected resistance and “backlash” the company might experience at the developers’ conference due to recent App Store policy related conflicts and EU investigation.
New MacBook and iMac Design
Kuo states that Apple will not change the external design of the new ARM-based 13-inch MacBook Pro and it will be the same as the current variants. However, Kuo says that the new iMac will get an “all-new form factor design” with a larger 24-inch display. These new ARM-based Macs are expected to launch in Q4 2020, or Q1 2021.
The rumors go on to say that Apple will launch a new Intel-based iMac with the new design, later this year, before replacing its Intel processor with an A14 processor. Apple will also be launching a new ARM-based MacBook with an entirely new design and form factor in second-half of 2021, with a mini-LED based MacBook launching in the first half of 2021. It is possible that Apple might just release one MacBook with mini-LED and ARM processor, rather than two products in one year.
As per Kuo, the complete ARM transition for all Macs will take 12 – 18 months. He also expects Apple to gain a competitive edge in the industry with MacBooks featuring ARM-processors, scissor switch based keyboards and mini-LED.
via MacRumors
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