Mac transition to Apple silicon

File:MacBook Pro.png

The first Mac, introduced in 1984, was the original Macintosh which was based on the Motorola 68000 architecture. Apple evaluated several possibilities for different processors in the early 1990s, switching in 1994 to the PowerPC family that was co-developed by Apple, IBM, and Motorola. In 2005, it switched again to Intel 32-bit and 64-bit x86. In 2011, Mac OS X Lion dropped support for Macs with 32-bit processors; in 2019, macOS Catalina dropped support for 32-bit Intel apps. Supported 64-bit Intel systems can still boot the latest versions of macOS {{as of|2025|January|lc=y}}.

The genesis of the third switch began in 1985, when Acorn's ARM architecture was spotted by Apple's Advanced Technology Group (ATG), an internal research laboratory. The ATG thought it might replace the MOS 6502 of the Apple II range or the 68000 of the original Macintosh, or become the basis of a tablet device, under Paul Gavarini and Tom Pittard, in a project labelled Möbius.{{Cite web|last=Pittard|first=Tom|title=CONSULTANT|url=https://tompittard.com/media|access-date=2021-10-29|website=Tom Pittard|language=en-US|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029025648/https://tompittard.com/media|url-status=live}} A partnership was established with Acorn Computers, and VLSI in 1990, and work began on a chip for small devices. The first Apple products with an ARM system on a chip were the 1993 Newton personal digital assistant, the 2001 iPod, and the 2007 iPhone. Apple has designed its own custom ARM chips since 2009, which it has since used in its iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch, AirPods, Beats, AirPort Time Capsule and HomePod products. Between October 2016 and August 2020, Intel-based Macs with Apple-designed ARM co-processors were released.

In the 2010s, media reports documented Apple's frustrations and challenges with the pace and quality of Intel's technology development.{{cite news|last1=Hardwick|first1=Tim|date=June 25, 2020|title=Former Intel Engineer Claims Buggy Skylake Chips Hastened Apple's Switch to Custom Silicon|publisher=MacRumors|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2020/06/25/buggy-skylake-chips-hastened-apple-silicon/|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219192854/https://www.macrumors.com/2020/06/25/buggy-skylake-chips-hastened-apple-silicon/|url-status=live}} Apple reportedly had trouble with Intel modems for iPhones in 2017 due to technical issues and missed deadlines.{{cite news|last1=Potuck|first1=Michael|date=May 15, 2019|title=Report: Apple's custom 5G modems may not arrive until 2025 after 'long and painful divorce' with Intel|work=9to5Mac|url=https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/15/apple-intel-divorce/|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224130/https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/15/apple-intel-divorce/|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, a 2018 report suggested that Intel chip issues prompted a redesign of the MacBook.{{cite news|last1=Horwitz|first1=Jeremy|date=August 17, 2018|title=Apple reportedly redesigned basic MacBook after Intel chip issues|work=VentureBeat|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/17/apple-reportedly-redesigned-basic-macbook-after-intel-chip-issues/|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131152824/https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/17/apple-reportedly-redesigned-basic-macbook-after-intel-chip-issues/|url-status=live}} In 2019, Apple blamed Intel processor shortages for a decline in Mac sales.{{cite news|last1=Allan|first1=Darren|date=May 3, 2019|title=Apple blames Intel's processor shortage for slump in Mac sales|work=TechRadar|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-blames-intels-processor-shortage-for-slump-in-mac-sales|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034322/https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-blames-intels-processor-shortage-for-slump-in-mac-sales|url-status=live}} In June 2020, former Intel principal engineer François Piednoël said Intel's "abnormally bad" quality assurance in its Skylake processors, making Apple "the number one filer of problems in the architecture", helped Apple decide to migrate. Intel CTO Mike Mayberry countered that quality assurance problems may arise at large scale from any CPU vendor.{{cite news|last=James|first=Dave|date=June 24, 2020|title=Intel insider claims it finally lost Apple because Skylake QA 'was abnormally bad'|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-skylake-why-apple-left/|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131215404/https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-skylake-why-apple-left/|url-status=live}}

In 1983, Acorn Computers started working on a project to design its own CPU architecture and instructions set, called the Acorn RISC Machine (ARM).{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2020/04/27/arm_35_year_anniversary/|title=Happy birthday, ARM1. It is 35 years since Britain's Acorn RISC Machine chip sipped power for the first time|date=27 April 2020|last=Speed|first=Richard|publisher=The Register|access-date=28 June 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629110639/https://www.theregister.com/2020/04/27/arm_35_year_anniversary/|url-status=live}} In 1985, Apple's Advanced Technology Group worked with Acorn to create an experimental prototype, code-named Mobius, to replace the Apple II, using a modified ARM processor. The project was cancelled but Apple again partnered with Acorn when it needed a low-power, efficient processor for its future Newton PDA.{{cite book |title=Mobile Unleashed: The Origin and Evolution of ARM Processors in our Devices|last1=Dingee|first1=Don|last2=Nenni|first2=Daniel|date=21 December 2015|asin=B019OUQP8W}}{{cite web|title=Tom Pittard - Technologies|url=https://tompittard.com/technologies|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629110640/https://tompittard.com/technologies|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.advanced-risc.com/art1stor.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220220232/http://www.advanced-risc.com/art1stor.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2017|last=Sobel|first=Art|title=The ARM Processor or The RISC for the Rest of Us|access-date=29 June 2021|website=advanced-risc.com}} In 1990, a new joint-venture was created between Acorn, Apple and VLSI Technology with the goal of pursuing the development of the ARM processor. The company was named Advanced RISC Machines Ltd, becoming the new meaning of the ARM acronym.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-28-fi-4993-story.html|title=Apple to Join Acorn, VLSI in Chip-Making Venture|website=Los Angeles Times|last=Weber|first=Jonathan|access-date=29 June 2021|date=28 November 1990|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325060916/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-28-fi-4993-story.html|url-status=live}} One of the first designs of the new company would be the ARM610 SoC, initially for Apple, that allowed the Endianness to be swapped, increased the address space from 26 bit (64 MB) to 32 bit (4 GB), and modified the memory management unit.{{Cite journal|last=Harker|first=Tony|date=Summer 2009|title=ARM Gets Serious About IP|journal=IEEE Solid-State Circuits Magazine|volume=1|issue=3|pages=8–69|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5191430|doi=10.1109/MSSC.2009.933674 |s2cid=36567166 |access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221255/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/ielx5/4563670/5191422/05191430.pdf?tp=&arnumber=5191430&isnumber=5191422&ref=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw==|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Apple held a 43% stake in the company, which was reduced to 14.8% in 1999.{{cite web|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/09/how-arm-has-already-saved-apple---twice|title=How ARM has already saved Apple - twice|website=AppleInsider|last=Gallagher|first=William|access-date=29 June 2021|date=9 June 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629110639/https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/09/how-arm-has-already-saved-apple---twice|url-status=live}}

{{main|Mac transition to Intel processors}}

In 2005 and 2006, Apple moved its Macintosh computers from IBM's PowerPC CPUs to Intel's x86 CPU architecture. At his 2005 WWDC keynote address, Steve Jobs said that continuing to use PowerPC processors, which consumed more energy than Intel chips, would prevent Apple from making better workstation computers and laptops. "As we look ahead, we can envision some amazing products we want to build...And we don't know how to build them with the future PowerPC roadmap", Jobs said.{{cite news |last1=McCracken |first1=Harry |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Apple's 2005 and 2020 WWDC keynotes: Eerily similar—and worlds apart |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90519918/apples-2005-and-2020-wwdc-keynotes-eerily-similar-and-worlds-apart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109155206/https://www.fastcompany.com/90519918/apples-2005-and-2020-wwdc-keynotes-eerily-similar-and-worlds-apart |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |publisher=Fast Company}}{{cite web |date=January 16, 2006 |title="Macintel" Q&A |url=https://everymac.com/mac-answers/macintel-faq/why-did-apple-switch-to-intel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930190830/https://everymac.com/mac-answers/macintel-faq/why-did-apple-switch-to-intel.html |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |publisher=EveryMac}} In addition, he admitted that Mac OS X was being ported to the Intel architecture since as early as 2001.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

By June 2006, only Apple's high-end desktop computer and server products were still using PowerPC processors.{{cite news |last1=Dalrymple |first1=Jim |title=One year later: How Apple's Intel transition is going |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1051609/inteltransition.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=Macworld |date=June 28, 2006 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126215916/https://www.macworld.com/article/1051609/inteltransition.html |url-status=live }} The hardware transition was completed when Intel-based Mac Pros and Xserve computers were announced in August 2006 and shipped by the end of the year.{{cite web |title=Apple Introduces Xserve with Quad 64-bit Xeon Processors |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/08/07Apple-Introduces-Xserve-with-Quad-64-bit-Xeon-Processors/ |website=Apple Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2020 |date=August 7, 2006 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034347/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/08/07Apple-Introduces-Xserve-with-Quad-64-bit-Xeon-Processors/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Apple Unveils New Mac Pro Featuring Quad 64-bit Xeon Processors |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/08/07Apple-Unveils-New-Mac-Pro-Featuring-Quad-64-bit-Xeon-Processors/ |website=Apple Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2020 |date=August 7, 2006 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115200242/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2006/08/07Apple-Unveils-New-Mac-Pro-Featuring-Quad-64-bit-Xeon-Processors/ |url-status=live }}

Apple ceased support for booting on PowerPC as of Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard{{cite web |title=Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Installation and Setup Guide |url=https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1172/en_US/Snow_Leopard_Installation_Instructions.pdf |website=Apple Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2020 |date=2009 |quote=To upgrade to Snow Leopard or install Snow Leopard for the first time, you must have a Mac with: An Intel processor |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127111822/https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1172/en_US/Snow_Leopard_Installation_Instructions.pdf |url-status=live }} in August 2009,{{cite web |title=Apple to Ship Mac OS X Snow Leopard on August 28 |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2009/08/24Apple-to-Ship-Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-on-August-28/ |website=Apple Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2020 |date=August 24, 2009 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209130359/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2009/08/24Apple-to-Ship-Mac-OS-X-Snow-Leopard-on-August-28/ |url-status=live }} three years after the transition was complete. Support for PowerPC applications via Rosetta was dropped from macOS in 10.7 "Lion"{{cite news |title=Inside Mac OS X 10.7 Lion: Missing Front Row, Rosetta and Java runtime |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_drops_front_row_java_runtime_rosetta.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=AppleInsider |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127150940/https://appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_drops_front_row_java_runtime_rosetta.html |url-status=live }} in July 2011, five years after the transition was complete.{{cite web |title=Mac OS X Lion Available Today From the Mac App Store |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Mac-OS-X-Lion-Available-Today-From-the-Mac-App-Store/ |website=Apple Inc. |access-date=June 23, 2020 |date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710135400/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/07/20Mac-OS-X-Lion-Available-Today-From-the-Mac-App-Store/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Apple silicon}}

File:Apple A12Z.jpg processor]]

In 2008, Apple bought processor company P.A. Semi for {{US$|278}} million.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/apple-buys-pasemi-tech-ebiz-cz_eb_0422apple.html?sh=2debaee77257|title=Apple Buys Chip Designer|website=Forbes|date=23 April 2008|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629110644/https://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/apple-buys-pasemi-tech-ebiz-cz_eb_0422apple.html?sh=2debaee77257|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Krazit |first1=Tom |title=Apple acquires low-power chip designer PA Semi |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-acquires-low-power-chip-designer-pa-semi/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=CNet |date=September 18, 2009 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034344/https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-acquires-low-power-chip-designer-pa-semi/ |url-status=live }} At the time, it was reported that Apple bought P.A. Semi for its intellectual property and engineering talent.{{cite news |last1=Krazit |first1=Tom |title=Report: Apple wants PA Semi's engineers, not its chips |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/report-apple-wants-pa-semis-engineers-not-its-chips/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=CNet |date=September 18, 2009 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034336/https://www.cnet.com/news/report-apple-wants-pa-semis-engineers-not-its-chips/ |url-status=live }} CEO Steve Jobs later claimed that P.A. Semi would develop system-on-chips for Apple's iPods and iPhones.{{cite news |last1=Krazit |first1=Tom |title=Report: Apple's Jobs: PA Semi to design iPhone chips |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-jobs-pa-semi-to-design-iphone-chips/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=CNet |date=September 18, 2009 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034337/https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-jobs-pa-semi-to-design-iphone-chips/ |url-status=live }} Following the acquisition, Apple signed a rare "Architecture license" with ARM, allowing the company to design its own core, using the ARM instruction set.{{cite web|url=https://www.linleygroup.com/newsletters/newsletter_detail.php?num=4881|title=How Apple Designed Own CPU For A6|website=linleygroup.com|last=Gwennap|first=Linley|date=15 September 2012|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629110640/https://www.linleygroup.com/newsletters/newsletter_detail.php?num=4881|url-status=live}} The first Apple-designed chip was the A4, released in 2010, which debuted in the first-generation iPad, then in the iPhone 4. Apple subsequently released a number of products with its own processors.

Rumors of Apple shifting Macintosh to custom-designed ARM processors began circulating in 2011, when SemiAccurate predicted it would happen by mid-2013.{{cite web |last1=Demerjian |first1=Charlie |title=Apple dumps Intel from laptop lines |url=https://www.semiaccurate.com/2011/05/05/apple-dumps-intel-from-laptop-lines/ |website=SemiAccurate |publisher=Stone Arch Networking Services, Inc. |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=May 5, 2011}} In 2014, MacRumors reported that Apple was testing an ARM-based Mac prototype with a large Magic Trackpad.{{Cite web|title=Apple Testing ARM Based Mac Prototypes with Large Magic Trackpad?|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/25/arm-mac-magic-trackpad/|access-date=June 22, 2020|website=MacRumors|date=May 25, 2014 |language=en|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203014634/https://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/25/arm-mac-magic-trackpad/|url-status=live}} In 2018, Bloomberg reported that Apple was planning to use its own chips based on the ARM architecture beginning in 2020.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ian |last2=Gurman |first2=Mark |title=Apple Plans to Use Its Own Chips in Macs From 2020, Replacing Intel |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-02/apple-is-said-to-plan-move-from-intel-to-own-mac-chips-from-2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=Bloomberg |date=April 2, 2018 |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128125747/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-02/apple-is-said-to-plan-move-from-intel-to-own-mac-chips-from-2020 |url-status=live }}

The Apple A12X Bionic processor used in the iPad Pro (3rd generation) reportedly roughly matched the performance of Intel's Core i7 processor used in the MacBook Pro at the time.{{cite news |last1=Horwitz |first1=Jeremy |title=Apple confirms Mac transition to ARM CPUs, Rosetta 2 Intel emulation |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/22/apple-confirms-mac-transition-to-arm-cpus/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=VentureBeat |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126235858/https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/22/apple-confirms-mac-transition-to-arm-cpus/ |url-status=live }}

In the months and weeks leading up to Apple's 2020 WWDC, multiple media reports anticipated an official announcement of the transition during the event.{{cite web |last1=Gurman |first1=Mark |last2=Wu |first2=Debby |last3=King |first3=Ian |title=Apple Aims to Sell Macs With Its Own Chips Starting in 2021 |website=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/apple-aims-to-sell-macs-with-its-own-chips-starting-in-2021 |access-date=June 21, 2020 |date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903194931/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/apple-aims-to-sell-macs-with-its-own-chips-starting-in-2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Haselton |first1=Todd |title=Apple will stop using Intel chips in all Macs by 2021, top analyst says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/22/new-macbook-pro-and-imac-coming-with-arm-chips-instead-of-intel---kuo.html |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601092329/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/22/new-macbook-pro-and-imac-coming-with-arm-chips-instead-of-intel---kuo.html |url-status=live }}

Apple announced its plans to shift the Macintosh platform to Apple silicon at WWDC in June 2020.{{cite news |last1=Warren |first1=Tom |title=Apple announces it will switch to its own processors for future Macs |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/22/21295475/apple-mac-processors-arm-silicon-chips-wwdc-2020 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=The Verge |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117014341/https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/22/21295475/apple-mac-processors-arm-silicon-chips-wwdc-2020 |url-status=live }} The entire transition of the Macintosh product line was expected to take "about two years", with the first ARM-based Macs released by the end of 2020. Similar language was used during Apple's 2005–2006 transition to Intel, which actually took about one year.

All Apple apps included with macOS Big Sur are compatible with x86-64 and ARM architectures. Many third-party apps are similarly being made dual-platform, including prominent software packages such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word.{{cite news |last1=Axon |first1=Samuel |last2=Amadeo |first2=Ron |title=This is Apple's roadmap for moving the first Macs away from Intel |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/this-is-apples-roadmap-for-moving-the-first-macs-away-from-intel/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=ArsTechnica |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623082629/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/this-is-apples-roadmap-for-moving-the-first-macs-away-from-intel/ |url-status=live }}

To enable x86-native software to run on new ARM-based Macs, Apple embedded Rosetta 2 dynamic binary translation software in Big Sur. Universal binary 2 enabled application developers to support both x86-64 and ARM64.{{Cite web|last=Axon|first=Samuel|date=June 22, 2020|title=This is Apple's roadmap for moving the first Macs away from Intel|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/this-is-apples-roadmap-for-moving-the-first-macs-away-from-intel/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623082629/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/this-is-apples-roadmap-for-moving-the-first-macs-away-from-intel/|url-status=live}}

To enable developers to create software for ARM-based Macs before they went on sale, Apple introduced the Universal App Quick Start Program, which allowed developers to pay $500 to rent a Developer Transition Kit (DTK), a computer built around the A12Z chip originally used in the iPad Pro (4th generation) and housed in a Mac Mini case.{{cite news|last1=Gruber|first1=John|date=June 24, 2020|title=The Talk Show Remote from WWDC 2020, With Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak|publisher=Daring Fireball|url=http://www.daringfireball.net/2020/06/the_talk_show_wwdc_2020|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101083443/https://daringfireball.net/2020/06/the_talk_show_wwdc_2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Long|first1=Michael|date=June 25, 2020|title=Just How Fast Is Apple Silicon?|publisher=The Startup|url=https://medium.com/swlh/just-how-fast-is-apple-silicon-a6d3e1804ba6|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106120755/https://medium.com/swlh/just-how-fast-is-apple-silicon-a6d3e1804ba6|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Universal App Quick Start Program |url=https://developer.apple.com/programs/universal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204203044/https://developer.apple.com/programs/universal/ |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=4 February 2021 |website=Apple Developer}}{{cite web |date=2020-06-22 |title=Universal App Quick Start Program |url=https://developer.apple.com/terms/universal-app-quick-start-program/Developer-Universal-App-Quick-Start-Program.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204203018/https://developer.apple.com/terms/universal-app-quick-start-program/Developer-Universal-App-Quick-Start-Program.pdf |archive-date=2021-02-04 |access-date=2021-02-04}}

The "two-year transition" from Intel to Apple silicon Mac began on November 10, 2020 when Apple unveiled the Apple M1, the first system on a chip based on the ARM architecture, slated to be used in Macs. Apple then released the updated models of the Mac Mini, MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro based on the M1 chip, 7 days later.

In April 2021, Apple released the redesigned 24-inch iMac based on the M1 to replace the 21.5-inch Intel model.{{Cite web|last=Dignan|first=Larry|title=Apple pushes M1 competitive advantage with iPad Pro and iMac updates|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-pushes-m1-competitive-advantage-with-ipad-pro-imac-updates/|access-date=2021-04-24|website=ZDNet|language=en|archive-date=May 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526000801/https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-pushes-m1-competitive-advantage-with-ipad-pro-imac-updates/|url-status=live}}

In October 2021, Apple announced the M1 Pro and M1 Max, and the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models based on them. The M1 Pro and M1 Max uses an integrated Apple-designed GPUs to replace the integrated and discrete GPUs supplied by Intel and AMD;{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2021-10-26|title=Apple's MacBook Pro is a GPU-shaped warning to Nvidia and AMD|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22746371/macbook-pro-m1-max-apple-gpu-performance-nvidia-amd|access-date=2021-12-22|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221251/https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22746371/macbook-pro-m1-max-apple-gpu-performance-nvidia-amd|url-status=live}} the MacBook Pro models based on them lack support for external GPUs. Apple discontinued all of their Intel-based laptops following the announcement.{{Cite web|last=Villas-Boas|first=Antonio|title=Apple stopped selling Intel-based laptops just moments after it announced the new MacBook Pros|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-macbook-pro-discontinued|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010423/https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-macbook-pro-discontinued|url-status=live}}

In March 2022, Apple announced the Mac Studio, the new high-end compact desktop model that uses the M1 Ultra, a dual-SoC configuration of two M1 Max chips.{{Cite web |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=2022-03-08 |title=Apple announces new flagship M1 Ultra desktop processor for its most powerful computers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22958174/apple-silicon-m1-ultra-chip-soc-processor-cpu-gpu-update |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523010341/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22958174/apple-silicon-m1-ultra-chip-soc-processor-cpu-gpu-update |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Monica |date=2022-03-08 |title=Apple's Mac Studio is a new desktop for creative professionals |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22962081/apple-mac-studio-m1-max-ultra-price-specs-processor-release-date |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221258/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22962081/apple-mac-studio-m1-max-ultra-price-specs-processor-release-date |url-status=live }} Apple concurrently discontinued the 27-inch Intel-based iMac, leaving the Mac Pro and Core i5/i7 Mac Mini as the last Intel-based Macs.{{Cite web |last=Song |first=Victoria |date=2022-03-08 |title=The 27-inch iMac has been discontinued |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22967616/apple-27-inch-imac-studio-desktop |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530214301/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/8/22967616/apple-27-inch-imac-studio-desktop |url-status=live }} Senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus confirmed the development of the Apple Silicon-based Mac Pro.{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=2022-03-08 |title=Apple teases Apple Silicon Mac Pro at end of March event |url=https://9to5mac.com/2022/03/08/apple-teases-apple-silicon-mac-pro-at-end-of-march-event/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605123649/https://9to5mac.com/2022/03/08/apple-teases-apple-silicon-mac-pro-at-end-of-march-event/ |url-status=live }}

In January 2023, Apple announced updated Mac Mini models based on the M2 and M2 Pro, and discontinued the previous Intel Core i5/i7 model, leaving the Mac Pro as the last Intel-based Mac.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Chance |date=2023-01-17 |title=Apple finally kills Intel Mac mini, leaving one Intel machine left |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/17/intel-mac-mini-discontinued/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122002006/https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/17/intel-mac-mini-discontinued/ |url-status=live }}

On June 5, 2023, Apple announced the Apple silicon Mac Pro based on the M2 Ultra chip during the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. Apple discontinued the last Mac computer based on an Intel processor, the Xeon-W Mac Pro, marking the end of Intel-based Mac sales and completing the "two-year transition" to Apple silicon from Intel almost three years after Apple announced it, or two years and seven months between the release of the first Apple silicon Mac and the discontinuation of the last Intel Mac.{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Benjamin |date=2023-06-05 |title=Apple announces new Mac Pro powered by M2 Ultra: PCI expansion, starts at $6999 |url=https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/05/apple-announces-apple-silicon-mac-pro-powered-by-m2-ultra/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=9to5Mac |language=en-US |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606000823/https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/05/apple-announces-apple-silicon-mac-pro-powered-by-m2-ultra/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kamps |first=Haje Jan |date=2023-06-05 |title=Apple surprise-launches new Mac Pro with Apple Silicon |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/05/apple-mac-pro-apple-silicon/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718031440/https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/05/apple-mac-pro-apple-silicon/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2020, tech analyst Daniel Newman estimated that Apple accounted for $1.5 billion to $3.0 billion (about 2% to 4%) of Intel's annual revenue,{{Cite web|last=Newman|first=Daniel|title=Opinion: If Intel lost Apple as a customer, it would be good news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/in-this-case-losing-apple-as-a-customer-would-be-good-news-2020-06-15|access-date=2021-01-26|website=MarketWatch|date=June 22, 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202023515/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/in-this-case-losing-apple-as-a-customer-would-be-good-news-2020-06-15|url-status=live}} and only 6.9% to 12% of the PC market in the United States{{cite news|last1=Gurman|first1=Mark|date=June 9, 2020|title=In a first, Apple plans to shift to its own processors to power new Mac computers|work=Fortune|agency=Bloomberg|url=https://fortune.com/2020/06/09/in-a-first-apple-plans-to-shift-to-its-own-processors-to-power-new-mac-computers/|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207034336/https://fortune.com/2020/06/09/in-a-first-apple-plans-to-shift-to-its-own-processors-to-power-new-mac-computers/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Gassée |first1=Jean-Louis |title=ARM Mac Impact On Intel |url=https://mondaynote.com/arm-mac-impact-on-intel-9641a8e73dca |access-date=June 23, 2020 |publisher=Monday Note |date=June 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622054518/https://mondaynote.com/arm-mac-impact-on-intel-9641a8e73dca |url-status=live }} and 7% globally.{{cite news |url=https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-01-13-gartner-says-worldwide-pc-shipments-grew-2-point-3-percent-in-4q19-and-point-6-percent-for-the-year |title=Gartner Says Worldwide PC Shipments Grew 2.3% in 4Q19 and 0.6% for the Year |publisher=Gartner |date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224043234/https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-01-13-gartner-says-worldwide-pc-shipments-grew-2-point-3-percent-in-4q19-and-point-6-percent-for-the-year |url-status=live }} Some speculated that Apple's move away from Intel chips could prompt other customers to do the same. CNET speculated that the transition might reduce Apple's component costs.{{cite news |last1=Shankland |first1=Stephen |date=June 22, 2020 |title=Apple gives Macs a brain transplant with new Arm chips starting this year |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-gives-macs-a-brain-transplant-with-new-arm-chips/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217001241/https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-gives-macs-a-brain-transplant-with-new-arm-chips/ |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=CNet}}

Apps created for the iOS platform can run natively on ARM-powered Macs.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Nicole |title=iOS apps will run natively on ARM-powered Macs |url=https://www.engadget.com/ios-apps-arm-powered-macs-192046502.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=Engadget |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208172634/https://www.engadget.com/ios-apps-arm-powered-macs-192046502.html |url-status=live }}

The transition could restrict or even eliminate hobbyist "Hackintosh" computers, which use commodity PC hardware to run macOS, in violation of license restrictions.{{cite news |last1=Gewirtz |first1=David |title=Will Apple Silicon kill the Hackintosh? The odds against a self-built MacOS Arm computer |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/will-apple-silicon-kill-the-hackintosh/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=ZDNet |date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115131543/https://www.zdnet.com/article/will-apple-silicon-kill-the-hackintosh/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Fagioli |first1=Brian |title=Macs will use ARM-based Apple processors instead of Intel — is Hackintosh dead? |url=https://betanews.com/2020/06/22/apple-macos-intel-arm/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=BetaNews |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117172832/https://betanews.com/2020/06/22/apple-macos-intel-arm/ |url-status=live }}

The Boot Camp software, which enables Intel-based Macs to natively run Microsoft Windows in an Apple-supported dual booting environment, is not implemented on Apple silicon-based Macs. {{As of|2020|06|alt=As of late June 2020}}, Apple said it has "no plans to direct boot into Windows" on ARM-based Macintosh computers. Apple's senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi suggested that virtualization technology is a viable alternative: "Purely virtualization is the route... Hypervisors can be very efficient, so the need to direct boot shouldn't really be the concern."{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=June 24, 2020|title=Apple's new ARM-based Macs won't support Windows through Boot Camp|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/24/21302213/apple-silicon-mac-arm-windows-support-boot-camp|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207065245/https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/24/21302213/apple-silicon-mac-arm-windows-support-boot-camp|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Axon|first=Samuel|date=June 24, 2020|title=Here's what's happening to Boot Camp amid the Apple silicon transition|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/heres-whats-happening-to-boot-camp-amid-the-apple-silicon-transition/|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116195255/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/heres-whats-happening-to-boot-camp-amid-the-apple-silicon-transition/|url-status=live}}

As of 2022, Parallels Desktop for Mac preloads an ARM64 version of Windows 11 onto Apple Silicon-based Macs, and can also run ARM64 Windows 10 and Linux. Microsoft officially endorses the use of Parallels Desktop for Mac to run Windows 11.{{Cite web |title=Options for using Windows 11 with Mac® computers with Apple® M1® and M2™ chips |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/options-for-using-windows-11-with-mac-computers-with-apple-m1-and-m2-chips-cd15fd62-9b34-4b78-b0bc-121baa3c568c |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Microsoft Support }}

Before Apple released M1 Macs, Wired expressed skepticism that Apple's designers could use smartphone-related processors to drive a Mac Pro. It also questioned Apple's vague commitment to allow Intel binaries to run on ARM-based Macs "for years to come" and wondered which upcoming version of macOS would cease to support Intel Macs.{{cite magazine |last1=Barrett |first1=Brian |title=Apple's Intel Breakup Will Reshape Macs—and Beyond |url=https://www.wired.com/story/apple-will-put-its-own-chips-into-macs/ |access-date=June 23, 2020 |magazine=Wired |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118052138/https://www.wired.com/story/apple-will-put-its-own-chips-into-macs/ |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |author= |title=Apple announces Mac transition to Apple silicon |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-announces-mac-transition-to-apple-silicon/ |publisher=Apple |agency=Apple |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623221752/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-announces-mac-transition-to-apple-silicon/ |url-status=live }}

Laurent Giret remarked that Apple might "succeed where Microsoft has failed" due to Apple's "tight integration" of hardware and software, and a vast collection of applications that can already run on the new platform.{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2020|title=Opinion: Apple seems poised to succeed where Microsoft failed with Windows 10 on ARM|url=https://www.onmsft.com/editorial/opinion-apple-seems-poised-to-succeed-where-microsoft-failed-with-windows-10-on-arm|access-date=June 30, 2020|website=OnMSFT.com|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127061752/https://www.onmsft.com/editorial/opinion-apple-seems-poised-to-succeed-where-microsoft-failed-with-windows-10-on-arm|url-status=live}}

When systems containing M1 processors were released, they received near-universal acclaim for their high speed and low energy consumption.{{Cite web|last=Spoonauer|first=Mark|date=January 11, 2022|title=MacBook Pro with M1 review|url=https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/reviews/macbook-pro-m1|access-date=January 24, 2022|website=Tom's Guide|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124155421/https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/reviews/macbook-pro-m1|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Espósito|first=Filipe|date=November 10, 2021|title=Comment: 1 year after the M1 chip, Apple has really changed the computer industry once again|url=https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/10/comment-1-year-after-the-m1-chip-apple-has-really-changed-the-computer-industry-once-again/|access-date=January 24, 2022|website=9to5Mac|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124155420/https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/10/comment-1-year-after-the-m1-chip-apple-has-really-changed-the-computer-industry-once-again/|url-status=live}}

• June 22, 2020: Apple announced its plans to shift the Macintosh platform to Apple silicon at WWDC. Apple introduces the Universal App Quick Start Program, which allowed developers to pay $500 to rent a Developer Transition Kit (DTK), a computer built around the A12Z chip originally used in the iPad Pro (4th generation) and housed in a Mac Mini case.{{cite web |date=2020-06-22 |title=Universal App Quick Start Program |url=https://developer.apple.com/terms/universal-app-quick-start-program/Developer-Universal-App-Quick-Start-Program.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204203018/https://developer.apple.com/terms/universal-app-quick-start-program/Developer-Universal-App-Quick-Start-Program.pdf |archive-date=2021-02-04 |access-date=2021-02-04}}
• November 11, 2020, Apple announced the Apple M1, its first ARM-based system on a chip to be used in Macs. M1 versions of the Mac Mini, MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro are announced, replacing their Intel counterparts.
• April 24, 2021, Apple released a 24-inch iMac based on the M1, replacing the 21.5-inch Intel iMac.
• October 26, 2021, Apple announced the M1 Pro and M1 Max, and updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models based on them, replacing their Intel counterparts. Apple discontinued all of their Intel-based laptops following the announcement.
• March 8, 2022, Apple announced the Mac Studio, a new high-end desktop model that uses the M1 Ultra, replacing the 27-inch Intel iMac. Senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus confirmed the development of an Apple Silicon-based Mac Pro.
• January 17, 2023, Apple announced updated Mac Mini models based on the M2 and M2 Pro, replacing the Intel Core i5/i7 models.
• June 5, 2023: "Transition Complete" - Apple announced an Apple silicon Mac Pro based on the M2 Ultra chip during the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, replacing the Intel Mac Pro.
• June 5, 2028: Intel hardware will reach "vintage" status after having been discontinued five years prior, ending most of Apple's service and parts support for Intel hardware.
• June 5, 2030: Intel hardware will reach "obsolete" status after having been discontinued seven years prior, ending all of Apple's service and parts support for Intel hardware.

• Mac transition to Intel processors
• Apple silicon
• Fat binary

{{reflist}}

Category:Macintosh platform