Apple has taken a decisive move away from Intel when it comes to processors. Apple uses ARM processors to create its A4 and A5 lineup of System-on-Chip that allows for extremely efficient power consumptions. If you were wondering where this comes into play, A5 is PoP that powers the all-new iPad 2.
Intel has faced a loss here as Apple takes a walk away from Intel, and rumor is, the transition from Intel to ARM will be completed by the end of 2013. At the end of this transition, Apple will have its laptops running on ARM and is a blow to Intel. The blow will not be as much of a financial blow as it will be a blow to the entire low-power CPU lineup from Intel.
Want to know who designs the gadgets at Apple? See this coverage on Jonathan Ive we did a month ago.
Apple forms a small fraction of Intel’s CPU businesses but when Apple shuts its doors to the low-power CPU lineup of Intel, it is a double loss for Apple as ARM gains from this fiasco. Apple has started showing up strongly on the global sales charts when it comes to Mac vs. PC and this might be a future loss for Intel. The quarterly reports have already shown us how Apple has gained a highly competitive position. Intel would not like this move from a market-mover.
The future of computing is mobile (as many say, though I think it is the cloud) and mobile needs low power CPUs. Intel has tried to jump into this field but ARM is a much smarter show-stealer. In the latest competition charts, it clearly is Snapdragon vs. ARM Cortex A8 vs. Apple A4 and Intel is nowhere in play.
Chinmoy Kanjilal is the geek behind Techarraz. This is where he rants about his adventures with technology. Get to know him better, and connect with him on social networks.
The ARM architecture and instruction set itself is more suited to embedded applications. Thumb instructions and three oprand instructions, thats a winning combination. Plus I don’t think Intel is really investing any serious effort in the market anyway. They are too happy dominating the desktop computing market.
BTW: Did you see this? – http://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a/cortex-a9.php
I totally agree with you in that. Intel still has some years of fame left with the Desktop but the way it is (not) moving in the mobile processor field is annoying.
And, Cortex A9 is superhot!