Apple MacBook ARM could launch later this year

The MacBook ARM is expected to be revealed today during WWDC 2020, with rumours suggesting Apple is set to ditch Intel in favour of its own custom chip.

Renowned Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, has claimed the 13-inch MacBook Pro and redesigned iMac will be the first Macs to embrace the new Apple ARM chips. Kuo even suggests these devices could arrive during the fourth quarter of 2020 or early 2021.

It will then supposedly take Apple roughly 12 to 18 months to integrate its ARM processor into the rest of its Macs devices, including the MacBook Air, 16-inch MacBook Pro and iMac Pro.

But what advantages will Apple’s ARM chip actually bring to MacBooks? Judging from laptops who have made similar converts to ARM-based processors, such as the Galaxy Book S, the new MacBook models could be thinner, lighter and more battery efficient than the current offerings. But with Apple designing its own chips rather than using already released Qualcomm and Intel variations, there could well be significant differences.

Check back here from 6pm BST tonight as we will be updating all of our articles with the WWDC 2020 reveals.

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MacBook ARM release date – When will it launch?

The MacBook ARM could arrive as soon as Q4 2020 or Q1 2021.

This information was provided by Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, who also suggested many more Mac devices will be switching over to ARM-based processors during the 12 to 18 months.

A recent Bloomberg report claims Apple will officially announce the MacBook ARM on June 22 during the WWDC event.

A WWDC 2020 reveal may seem premature then, but Apple reportedly wants to let developers know about the move as early as possible so they’ve enough time to prepare for the switch to new hardware.

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MacBook ARM price – How much will it cost?

There is no price yet, and we won’t likely hear more until we approach the release day.

But since Ming-Chi Kuo claims the first MacBook Arm will be a replacement for the current 13-inch MacBook Pro, the starting price is likely to be around £1299.

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MacBook ARM specs – What is the ARM MacBook?

Apple is said to be working on its own ARM-based processor to fit inside the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Apple will then supposedly discontinue production for the current Intel models.

While Apple is yet to reveal what differences ARM-based processors could bring, other laptops such as the Galaxy Book S have given us an idea of what to expect, including increased battery life, ultra-portable designs and potential 4G support via SIM cards. 

However, Apple’s chip may have some notable differences. The company is rumoured to be designing a chip that features 12 cores made up of a combination of eight high-performance cores (code-named Firestorm) and four energy-efficient core (code-named Icestorm). 

Bloomberg reports that TSMC will manufacture a new 5-nanometer process on Apple’s behalf, following the same technique that the current iPhone and iPad devices use. Despite this, future Macs will continue to use the macOS operating system, so don’t expect a smartphone-esque software switch over.

Apple has apparently suggested its own ARM-based processors will be more battery efficient than the current Intel Core processors, which could potentially result in improved battery life.

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MacBook ARM design – What will it look like?

Reports are few and far between regarding a new MacBook design. However, ARM architecture allows for a thin and light chassis.

We expect the rumoured ARM-based 13-inch MacBook Pro to be thinner and lighter than the current Intel model, although we’ll have to wait and see whether that becomes a reality. We also expect Apple to stick to the new trend of shaving down the bezel for an almost edge-to-edge screen design.

Otherwise, we don’t think there will be many huge deviations from current MacBook Air laptops.

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