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Apple silicon - page 3

Apple loses head of Mac chip design to Intel

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Apple M1 chip
Someone who lead the switch to the M series of processors jumped ship to Intel.
Photo: Apple

The person responsible for overseeing the transition from Intel to Apple silicon left the company. Jeff Wilcox was Director, Mac System Architecture before his departure.

He summed up his previous role by saying he “led the transition for all Macs to Apple Silicon beginning with M1 chip.” That was one of the most important projects at Apple in recent years, though it’s one that’s wrapping up.

How to get the Microsoft OneDrive preview that runs natively on M1 Macs

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Get OneDrive for M1 Macs
The preview release is available to anyone.
Image: Microsoft

Microsoft is now testing a new version of OneDrive for Mac that runs natively on Apple M1 chipsets. The update enables faster syncing and better performance — particularly for larger files — with no need for emulation anymore.

Although this release is only a preview build for now, anyone who uses OneDrive on macOS can get their hands on it. We’ll show you how.

Windows could come to M1 Macs with Qualcomm exclusivity ending ‘soon’

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Apple MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon running Windows
Apple would likely be open to the idea.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A version of Windows built to run on Arm processors could eventually come to M1 Mac models, with Qualcomm’s current exclusivity deal with Microsoft “set to expire soon,” according to a new report.

The deal, which wasn’t public knowledge until this week, could explain why there are only a limited number of Windows devices powered by Arm chips — all made by Qualcomm — on the market today. But that’s set to change.

Early benchmarks show crazy performance gains for Apple M1 Max

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2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips
Up to 181% faster graphics than the last 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Photo: Apple

Buying a new MacBook Pro with a high-end M1 Max chip? You can expect crazy gains in both processing and graphics performance — no matter which Apple notebook you’re upgrading from, according to early benchmarks.

The M1 Max blows all the MacBook chips that came before it — not just those made by Intel, but even Apple’s own M1 — right out of the water, with up to 181% faster graphics than the previous 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple unveils next-gen Apple Silicon: M1 Pro and M1 Max

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M1 Max chip
Apple's M1 Max is the biggest Apple has made with 57 billion transistors.
Photo: Apple

Apple Unleashed event bug At Apple’s “Unleashed” event Monday, the company unveiled a pair of new “pro” Apple Silicon chips: the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors.

The two new chips were described by Apple executives as “breakthrough” and “groundbreaking.” The M1 Max “is by far the most powerful chip we’ve ever built,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, during the “Unleashed” presentation.

At first glance, they appear to be a pair of wicked-fast but battery-sipping beasts that blow Intel out of the water.

MacBook Pro gets insane M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, gorgeous new design

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2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, M1 Max
Order yours today.
Photo: Apple

Apple Unleashed event bug The lengthy wait for a major MacBook Pro refresh is over, and boy, was it worth it. Apple’s newest flagship notebook, unveiled Monday during the company’s big “Unleashed” event, features edge-to-edge Liquid Retina displays, insane M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets, and all-new designs that bring back some important ports and features — including MagSafe charging.

The 2021 MacBook Pro lineup also bids farewell to the controversial Touch Bar, replacing it with a slightly revamped Magic Keyboard that goes back to physical keys (now full-size) for the function row. You can order yours today, with prices starting at $1,999.

Apple ‘M1 Max’ and ‘M1 Pro’ chips appear ahead of today’s Mac event

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Apple M1 Max and M1 Pro chips
We'll know more by the end of today.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple Unleashed event bug New Apple “M1 Max” and “M1 Pro” chips have appeared for the first time ahead of today’s big “Unleashed” event, which is expected to bring big Mac upgrades. It’s not yet clear if these will be their final names, however.

Recent rumors suggested at least one of Apple’s next-generation chips, expected to debut inside a new MacBook Pro and possibly other machines that Apple will announce later today, will go by the name “M1X.”

Parallels 17.1 brings better Windows 11 support for Intel and M1 Macs

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Parallels Desktop with Windows 11
Grab the newest update today.
Photo: Parallels

Parallels Desktop 17.1 is now available for Mac, bringing improved Windows 11 support for those looking to run Microsoft’s latest operating system on their Mac, whether it’s powered by an Intel or Apple Silicon chip.

The update introduces Virtual Trusted Platform Modules (vTPM) for all future and past Windows 11 virtual machines — complying with Windows 11’s system requirements that call for a vTPM chip.

Microsoft says Windows 11 on Apple Silicon is ‘not a supported scenario’

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Windows 11 not supported on Apple Silicon. It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
It's not surprising, but it is a shame.
Photo: Dwayne/Flickr CC

Microsoft has dashed hopes that Windows 11 might one day be available on Apple Silicon machines. The company says running its newest operating system on an M1 Mac is “not a supported scenario.”

The statement comes after Parallels Desktop 17 users ran into hardware compatibility errors when running Windows 11 on newer Apple devices.

Next-gen MacBook Pro with mini-LED screen takes big step toward release

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Apple_macbookpro-13-inch_screen_05042020
Apple could be making 800,000 units a month by late November.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro models, which are expected to be the first Mac units with mini-LED displays, have entered mass production ahead of their official debut, according to a new report.

The new 14- and 16-inch machines, which could also ship with revamped designs and even faster Apple Silicon chips, are scheduled to arrive before the end of the year.

Think Apple Silicon is exciting now? Just wait and see what’s to come

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Amazing Mac Pro concept shrinks the casing but keeps the cheese grater
A smaller, more powerful Mac Pro is expected in 2022.
Concept: Róbert Hallon.svetapple.sk

Apple just reported a hugely successful quarter for the Mac — one of its best ever — and it looks like it’s only going to get better. A new report detailing the company’s Apple Silicon roadmap says the best is yet to come.

In addition to new MacBook Pro models powered by faster Apple Silicon chips, which are still on track for this year, Apple is expected to roll out a high-end Mac mini before the year is out. Then, in 2022, we could see a “revamped, smaller Mac Pro” featuring custom Apple chips — and more.

Apple chipmaker suffers gas contamination on iPhone and Mac production lines

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Apple Silicon
TSMC makes Apple Silicon chips for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple chipmaker TSMC, which makes both Apple’s A-series and Apple Silicon chips, says that its production lines have been hit by a gas leak. This has affected some of its chip production — including the advanced chip fab used for upcoming iPhones and Macs.

“To ensure that there will be no issues with production quality, TSMC is currently carrying out stringent follow-up operations,” TSMC said. It told Reuters that it doesn’t expect this to he a “significant impact” on operations.

Larger iMac ‘en route’ and could bring even faster ‘M2X’ chip

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M1 iMac
Could it be Apple's fastest desktop to date?
Photo: Apple

A larger iMac powered by Apple Silicon is “en route” and could feature an even faster “M2X” chip, according to reliable reporter Mark Gurman.

The next-generation all-in-one is expected to replace the 27-inch iMac with an even larger screen — perhaps around 30 inches — and could well be Apple’s fastest desktop to date.

Apple’s next-gen M2 chips could roll out in early 2022

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Apple silicon will power future Mac desktops and laptops
Apple leaker has news on Apple Silicon.
Screenshot: Apple

The M2 chip, sequel to the inaugural Apple Silicon processor, will debut in the first half of 2022, says a leaker who previously nailed details about the company’s proprietary chips.

The tipster, known as Dylandkt, has an 81.3% accuracy rating according to Apple Track based on 16 previous rumors. Dylandkt said the M2 chip will be released alongside “the upcoming colorful MacBook Air.”

Apple Silicon is driving down Intel’s computer market share

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Apple silicon will power future Mac desktops and laptops
Apple Silicon is good for Apple and its customers. Bad for Intel.
Screenshot: Apple

Intel will experience a big decline in market share in 2022 as Apple further shifts away from Intel processors to Apple Silicon, Digitimes reports. It suggests that Intel will lose close to half its Apple orders this year. This is en route to Apple ditching all its Intel orders in the near future.

You may be waiting a few more months for Apple’s new MacBook Pro

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Antonio takes rumors and makes them into renders. Not pie-in-sky dreams
It's on its way. But you'll have to wait for a bit longer.
Concept: Antonio De Rosa

Apple’s forthcoming MacBook Pros were erroneously expected by some to show up at this year’s WWDC. But according to a report from Digitimes, the next-gen Apple notebooks will not launch until the third quarter of 2021. This could be due to a lower-than-expected production yield for the mini LED screens for the computer.

The new 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro models are expected to be the biggest MacBook Pro redesign in quite a while. They are likely to sport a redesigned chassis, offer a returning built-in SD card reader and HDMI port and a restored MagSafe charger. They will also boast the next generation of Apple Silicon processor, and will supposedly ditch the controversial Touch Bar as well. The question is when exactly fans will be able to get their hands on them!

Redesigned MacBook Pro could arrive this summer, larger iMac in the works

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13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 boasts amazing speed and battery life.
The next MacBook Pro sounds like a winner.
Screenshot: Apple

A redesigned MacBook Pro could hit Apple Store shelves as early as this summer, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

It will come in 14- and 16-inch screen sizes, with a redesigned chassis, MagSafe charger, next-gen M-series chip and the return of the HDMI port and SD card reader. The last time Apple released a new MacBook Pro was November 2020.

Redesigned MacBook could arrive in July with next-gen M2 chip

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Apple silicon will power future Mac desktops and laptops
Apple Silicon: The Next Generation.
Screenshot: Apple

The M1 chip just made its way to the new iMac and iPad Pro, but Apple’s already hard at work on its successor. According to a new report from Nikkei Asia, mass production of the M2 chip is already underway.

It is expected to debut as soon as early July, initially for use in a redesigned MacBook arriving in the second half of the year. Like the M1 chip, the M2 is being made using the 5-nanometer process developed by TSMC, the company that makes Apple’s A-series chips.

M1 iMac is faster, thinner and more incredible than ever

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New M1 iMac
The new iMac goes on sale on April 30 in 7 new color options.
Photo: Apple

The world’s most popular all-in-one now runs on Apple Silicon. The all-new and beautifully colorful iMac, unveiled today at Apple’s Spring Loaded event, packs a blazing-fast M1 chip into an aluminum form factor that’s just 11.5mm thick.

The new 24-inch machine delivers significantly faster performance and more powerful graphics, but consumes less power than ever before. It’s also available with Touch ID — a first for a desktop Mac — and it goes on sale on April 30.

Why we might see first M1 iMacs at Apple’s April 20 event

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Apple plans the 2021 iMac redesign we’ve been dreaming of
The 2021 iMac could dump the huge screen bezels of the current version. And move to Apple Silicon.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Trusted tipster Mark Gurman says the 2021 iMac all-in-one desktop might be the next to get the M1 processor. The announcement could be only a few days away.

And that’s only the beginning. There’s plenty more evidence that an upgraded iMac will launch at Apple’s April 20 event.

Indie browser Opera runs twice as fast on M1 Macs

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Opera browser
Opera has been available on the Mac since the mid-1990s.
Photo: Opera

The indie Opera browser, one of the oldest browsers still operating today, has been updated with native support for Apple Silicon Macs. The update means that the Opera browser now runs 2x faster on M1 Macs.

Opera first debuted on Mac way back in 1996. That’s approaching a decade before Safari made its debut. One of Opera’s first big claims to fame was that it made it easier to browse several web pages at once. Today, its big appeal is its minimalist aesthetic, innovative sidebar design, and (now faster than ever) performance.