GPU

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on GPU:

Mac Pro gets even faster graphics with AMD’s new Radeon Pro GPUs

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Mac Pro gets even faster graphics with AMD's new Radeon Pro GPUs
The AMD Radeon PRO W6000X series graphics cards are engineered to a wide variety of demanding professional graphics applications.
Photo: AMD

AMD launched new Radeon Pro W6000X series GPUs for Mac Pro on Tuesday. These add-on graphics processing units for Apple’s most powerful macOS desktop are designed for demanding professional applications, including 3D rendering, 8K video compositing, color correction and more.

ARM iMac with custom Apple GPU could arrive in second half of 2021

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This iMac concept reflects what a lot of people want.
Could it look something like this?
Photo: Daniel Bautista

A brand-new iMac, powered by Apple Silicon combined with a custom Apple GPU, will land during the second half of 2021, according to a new report.

Codenamed “Lifuka,” the all-in-one is expected to use 5-nanometer chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — like those destined for iPhone 12 and other Apple Silicon machines later this year.

Big macOS leak hints at future switch to AMD chips

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Apple iMac 2019
The modern iMac is a stunner... and last on our list.
Photo: Apple

Could Apple be preparing to make a surprise switch to AMD processors in a future Mac? References to a number of new AMD microprocessors have been spotted in the latest macOS 10.15.4 beta, which rolled out to developers Wednesday.

The clues hidden in Mac code suggest Apple’s lengthy relationship with Intel could be on the rocks.

Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination built GPUs for Apple since the iPod before the two companies fell out.
Photo: Apple

UK chip company Imagination Technologies has agreed to a new licensing deal with Apple. The British company designed Apple’s mobile graphics processors for years. However, it fell out with Cupertino three years ago. Apple instead focused on developing its own mobile GPUs in-house.

Recently Imagination launched a new generation of its mobile GPU architecture which it calls the most important upgrade in 15 years. The new multi-year agreement between Apple and Imagination is good news for both companies.

Blackmagic GPU turns your MacBook into a powerhouse

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Blackmagic
Ready and waiting to supercharge your MacBook.
Photo: Apple

Alongside its fancy new MacBook Pros, Apple is new selling a fancy new external GPU for anyone who needs extra graphics processing power for their MacBook.

Created in partnership with film and broadcast company Blackmagic, the Blackmagic eGPU is a $699 powerhouse standalone unit that comprises an MD Radeon Pro 580 graphics card with 8GB of DDR5 RAM.

Intel speeds up chips by offloading virus scans

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Intel-Kaby-Lake
Intel will task GPUs with antivirus scanning.
Photo: Intel

Intel plans to offload virus scanning to improve the performance of its processors.

It will allow antivirus programs to use its integrated graphics chipsets when scanning for attacks, which will reduce processor and power consumption on some machines. It could mean that you’ll get more use out of your MacBook in between charges.

No, Apple is not slowing down your iPhone to force upgrades

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5 tips to fix an unresponsive iPhone screen
Is your iPhone slower with iOS 11? It's all in your head.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Every major iOS update slows down older devices to force users to upgrade. At least that’s what recent reports have suggested.

The truth is, Apple is doing no such thing. Benchmark data proves that iPhone performance drops over time are just a myth. The 4-year-old iPhone 5s is about as fast with iOS 11 today as it was with iOS 7 when it made its debut in 2013.

Apple’s new GPU lab rubs salt into Imagination’s wound

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination first started building GPUs for Apple with the iPod.
Photo: Apple

Apple is upping the ante in its battle with British iOS chipmaker Imagination Technologies by opening a new office “a stone’s throw” from Imagination’s headquarters in St Albans, in the U.K.

This comes days after Apple attacked Imagination for its “inaccurate and misleading” claims. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Apple will be ditching Imagination to develop its own mobile GPUs in-house. Imagination has made clear its belief that Apple can’t design its own GPUs without copying Imagination’s technologies.

Apple speaks out about Imagination’s ‘misleading’ claims

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Apple isn't happy with Imagination Technologies.
Apple isn't happy with Imagination Technologies.
Photo: Apple

Apple has finally hit back at British chipmaker Imagination Technologies for its “inaccurate and misleading” claims.

Imagination, which has been manufacturing graphics chips for iOS devices for the past decade, has been taking stabs at Apple since it revealed the company will be developing its own mobile GPUs. Now Apple is setting the record straight.

iPhone chipmaker no closer to ending dispute with Apple

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination has been building GPUs for Apple since the iPod.
Photo: Apple

Imagination Technologies, the company that has been making graphics chips for Apple’s mobile devices for well over a decade, says it has made no progress in its ongoing dispute with the iPhone maker.

Imagination is still in talks with potential buyers after putting itself up for sale, but it is adamant that it will continue its fight with Apple after the company’s “unsubstantiated claim.”

Beleaguered Apple GPU maker puts itself up for sale

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Imagination
Imagination has developed chips for almost all of Apple's devices.
Photo: Apple

Imagination Technologies, the British company that has been designing Apple’s mobile GPUs for years, has put itself up for sale.

Earlier this year, Imagination confirmed that Apple would be dropping its graphics chips within two years as part of its “insourcing” program to develop its own chips. Since then, Imagination has lost a massive 70 percent of its value.

iMac Pro’s insane price tag is actually a great deal

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Apple
Is the iMac Pro really worth $5,000?
Photo: Apple

When Apple unveiled the new iMac Pro at WWDC this week, not only was it the most powerful Mac ever made, it was also one of the most pricey ever.

At $5,000 for the baseline model, the iMac Pro is aimed at the most professional of Pro users, but according to a new price analysis on competing super-powered PC, the iMac Pro might actually be a killer deal.

Imagination Technologies files formal dispute with Apple

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Apple isn't happy with Imagination Technologies.
Apple isn't happy with Imagination Technologies.
Photo: Apple

Imagination Technologies, the British company that has been designing Apple’s mobile GPUs for years, has started a “dispute resolution procedure” with the Cupertino company over a licensing standoff.

Imagination has already confirmed that Apple will be dropping its graphics chips within two years and adopting its own instead. But the company suspects Apple has stolen its intellectual property.

Awesome Mac Pro concept packs expansion slots pros want

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Apple should steal ideas from this Mac Pro concept.
Apple should steal ideas from this Mac Pro concept.
Photo: Curved

Professional Mac users will have to wait until 2018 for a glimpse at the new Mac Pro Apple is working on, but if the next-gen computer looks anything like this new concept, it might be worth the wait.

German site Curved created a Mac Pro concept that shows how Apple could add modular features, allowing professionals to swap out pretty much every component. The concept artists even dreamed up a Cinema Display that packs plenty of ports for expansion.

Take a closer look:

Apple hiring spree confirms iOS GPU development

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
Imagination suspects Apple has been stealing its ideas.
Photo: Apple

An Apple hiring spree in the United Kingdom shows just how serious the company is about building its own graphics technology. Apple recently parted ways with British company Imagination Technologies, which previously provided the graphics processing units for iOS devices.

Advertisements posted by Apple include positions in graphics unit design at the company’s U.K. Design Centre. Jobs listed include engineering program manager, design verification lead, emulation engineer and other roles described as requiring GPU knowledge.

Safari update will boost battery life on MacBook Pro

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Safari will be kinder to MacBook Pro battery life.
Safari will be kinder to MacBook Pro battery life.
Photo: Apple

A Safari Technology Preview rolled out this week brings changes that make battery life even better on the MacBook Pro.

Release 23 of Apple’s web browser is better at switching between GPUs for WebGL content, which means your MacBook’s dedicated graphics chip carries out less work.

Video glitches plague new MacBook Pro

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Apple's new MacBook Pros with Touch Bar should be hitting store shelves by the end of the week.
You might want to hold off on buying the new MacBook Pro.
Photo: Apple

The new MacBook Pro may not have been worth the long wait for many customers that preordered.

Early owners of Apple’s new machine are reportedly encountering problems with the GPU that cause the display to glitch so bad the MacBook Pro becomes unusable at times.