In January this year, HP released the first Windows 10 PC that is powered by an ARM-based processor, Qualcomm’s snapdragon 835 chip costing $999.99. The HP Envy x2. Rumours surrounding Apple suggest that they are working hard on getting a piece of the action.
Apple is rumoured to be working on making hybrid laptop powered by an ARM processor. Digitimes gave a report though it was declined to be confirmed by any company official, stated that Pegatron is likely to get orders from the Cupertino giant to produce an ARM-based MacBook device. The new model is said to be codenamed “Star” and is believed to have a series number of N84.
Although the details are not yet out, it has been mentioned that the rumoured Apple device will be a mix of IOS software and macOS-based hardware. The device would likely be based off the 12-inch MacBook.
Benefits of an ARM processor
If Apple comes through with this project which i am very optimistic would happen, it would probably be worth it to get one( w’ll see when it releases). The benefits of using an ARM processor like in a laptop like HP tried to show are very fetching.
The battery performance of the 12 inch macbook is already pretty amazing. It went more than 10hrs in a test streaming video at 1080p. It is worth adding that Apple Macs have been using Intel chips ever since 2006 which as you know chunks down more power than ARM processors. HP claims the Envy x2 has up to 19 hours of life while playing full HD videos. We trust Apple’s ability to fine tune its devices and software so we expect more battery life from the rumoured MacBook.
Power
The downside to this venture would be power. The current MacBooks use the 7th Gen i5 and i7 processors from Intel which provide enough power for things like video editing with final cut. Though Apple’s optimizes their software and hardware for efficiency, am not so sure how an ARM processor would fair with video editing except its target market for those particular product would change. Note that more Apple products like the latest IPad has been targeted to students now more that ever, this might too. These machines would be build for efficiency rather than brute force.
Some other features of the device is said to include a touchscreen, a SIM card slot, GPS compass and will be water resistant. It will also have EFI. EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), which is the boot system used by Mac machines.
The device sounds like a completely new device from Apple but nothing is concrete for now so everything should be taken with a pinch of salt. The product is said to hit the shelves some time in 2020.
