Tech giant Apple is currently working on a brand new ARM-based processor with a whopping 32 high-performance CPU cores that are set for launch late next year for their iMac line. Bloomberg has also reported that this development of the ARM-processor could also be integrated into the new “half-sized Mac Pro” line up in 2022. Together with this advancement, CPU designs are being developed with up to 16 high-performance cores and 4 low-power consumption cores for the newer designs of the highly coveted iMac and the MacBook Pro. These could potentially be ready by spring of next year.
This came after the news that Apple has released its first self-made chip – the M1. It comes with a balance of 8 CPU cores in total; 4 high-power cores and 4 low-power consumption cores and is integrated into the newer versions of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and the Mac mini. The only difference is, Apple still uses Intel chips to power the Mac Pro but it fully aims to progress and use its own chips in the near future.
Not only is the tech giant increasing CPU core counts but increasing GPU cores in its chips is also in the works. Depending on the model you’re getting, Apple is shipping two different GPU configurations for the M1. If you’re opting for the Mac Mini and MacBook Pro, you get chips with all 8 GPU cores enabled. Macbook Air has some variations so you can either get a basic model with 7 configurations or a higher tier with 8 cores. They are also working on more advanced variations with 16 and 32-cores and possibly as many as 128 to be released in the next year or two.
Although aiming for 16 high-speed CPU cores may be too far fetched so Apple may choose to release only 8 or 12 cores maximum depending on the status of production.
Bloomberg also reports that Apple was initially developing a CPU with 8 high-performance cores and 4 low-power consumption cores, but this is still to be confirmed.
All things considered, now that Apple has plans to go all-exclusive and move its entire Mac roster into its own silicon in the coming years, it is reasonable that they only start developing more powerful chips. The first ARM-based Macs may have generated a ton of positive reviews by tech gurus and the general public with the powerful mix of performance and efficiency but to match the capacity of the Intel-based Mac Pro is posing to be a greater complication. Only time will tell but surely this release will be an interesting change in the industry.