Apple’s MacOS is behind the massive change in Windows 10

Update from July 15 below, post originally posted on July 14.

Announced by Tim Cook and his team at last month’s World Developer Conference, Apple’s move to ARM-based processors for its Mac computers is now public. In “about two years,” the transition will be complete, which probably means that any new MacOS machine will have an ARM processor. Intel will continue to support older machines, but Apple has redefined what it means to be a desktop Mac.

Update from July 14. As Apple moves away from Intel, look at the supply and sales of Intel-powered Mac machines, especially the world’s MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros. Not only because of increased orders for the new ARM-powered MacBook (due for release later this year), but also because of reduced inventory on Intel-based machines. Darren Allen reports at the first signs of both.

“… according to DigiTimes, Apple will ‘significantly increase’ the number of MacBook Pros it will order in the third quarter of 2020, and total MacBook shipments are expected to increase 20% compared to the second quarter (according to sources at the component supply chain)) “.

This will be offset by higher than projected sales of Mac machines in the first half of the year; something that can be attributed to the acceleration of the COVID-19 pandemic of the “work from home” culture.

There is a growing consensus that Apple is not only redefining its own product line, but that it will drag the Windows 10 ecosystem with it.

Apple’s first commercial MacOS in ARM product is expected to be a MacBook Pro that will launch later this year (developers already have access to a Mac mini with the iPad Pro’s A12Z Arm processor for testing). This will solidify Apple’s new experience with geekerati, and Apple’s hope will be that the ‘average’ consumer who buys the new hardware will still be able to run all of their favorite and mission-critical applications, while also seeing the longest battery life. , lower temperatures and improved connectivity

Anyone who pays attention will realize that this clearly radical first MacBook Pro with ARM technology will be at the forefront, have some initial issues, and the promise of 100 percent compatibility may not be there right away. But the response to the Mac mini-based ‘Developer Transition Kit’ suggests that this MacBook will be much closer than expected than many expect.

Unless there’s an unusual stramash that takes down the entire project, this MacBook Pro will make a simple statement. Intel belongs to yesterday, the future belongs to ARM.

Where does that leave Windows 10? That’s where it gets interesting. Jean-Lous Gassée for Monday Note:

“[Microsoft will either] Forget Windows on ARM and cede modern PCs to Apple, or go ahead, troubleshoot app compatibility issues, and offer an ARM-based alternative to new Apple Macs. It is a false dilemma, of course. Microsoft will move on … with repercussions for the rest of the Windows PC industry. Specifically, what will Dell, HP, Asus, and others do if Apple offers much better laptops and desktops, and Microsoft continues to improve Windows on ARM Surface devices? “

I don’t think anyone reading this assumes that Apple’s competition won’t react. They may not go ‘all-in’ and make a complete switch to ARM-based machines, but it’s a safe bet that there will be a number of similar ‘exploratory’ Windows 10 on ARM laptops for sale during 2021 by various manufacturers, With an increased volume of ARM entry and mid-range machines available during 2022.

Where the ARM chips will come from, and whether any existing manufacturers will want to have their own ARM chips ready, is a question for another time.

Microsoft has been working on a version of Windows 10 for ARM, which can be found on the Surface Pro X released late last year, possibly outperforming Apple with a modern ARM machine. That is the advantage of the first engine in terms of the buying public. If we look behind the scenes, both companies have been working with ARM hardware and software for many years, Apple with the iOS platform, and Microsoft with Windows Phone and Windows CE and Pocket PC, but the time is up for small projects and pilots.

Apple has made its intention to make it clear that everyone pay attention. ARM is the future, and Apple is forcing that future to come a little earlier. That future will dominate future industry discussions and plans. There has to be a backlash, a backlash that has been forced on the rest of the industry by Apple’s dominant movement, because the alternative would mean defeat in the ARM tech race.

(… I know, I know, but I’m a dad and I’m proud of that pun, okay?)

Now read more about Apple’s ARM plans and how players are left out …