ARM-based Apple Mac processors to be produced by TSMC
Apple recently announced the transfer of its Mac computers from Intel x86 processors to its own ARM architecture chips – this process will begin this year and will be completed in 2022 (that is, the entire family of computers of the company, including Mac Pro, will be transferred to its own processors). The question remains: who will make Apple’s Mac ARM processors?
Rumors about Apple’s U-turn have been heard for many years, but the task of changing architectures cannot be considered easy: you need to not only create sufficiently powerful analogs but also prepare for this ecosystem. At WWDC, the company said that a number of major software developers are ready to release versions of their applications for working on ARM chips, and the rest of the programs will have to be executed through a rather effective Rosetta 2 emulator (the former, Rosetta 1, was created when switching from IBM PowerPC processors to Intel x86 ). Of course, a new operating system will also be required – it will be macOS 11.0 Big Sur, which will end the era of OS X.
According to Taiwanese Digitimes resource, TSMC will be engaged in production – this was quite expected, given the fact that the company today remains the main chip factory for Apple. Yes, and TSMC is today a leader in advanced silicon manufacturing standards. But for now, another question remains: will the company use the worked out 7nm standards, or will it immediately turn to the latest 5nm process technology?
The source reports that TSMC expects strong growth in orders from Apple for the production of chips for Mac in the second half of 2021 – the Cupertino company may well become TSMC’s largest customer.
Along the way, the Digitimes resource reported that Apple will use the ASMedia USB controller on an ARM-based Mac.
