There was a time when Apple computers ran on Motorola and IBM powered CPUs called the Power PC. Then with the MacBook introduction nearly a decade ago Apple shifted to the more mainstream x86 based chips which are also used in a wide variety of Windows based PCs and desktops. Now reports are coming in that Apple is planning on shifting away from Intel as the chipset supplier for the Mac lineup.
Unnamed sources from within Apple have said that the company is confident enough that its current chips that power the iPad and iPhone will one day be powerful enough to run desktop and portable computers. This is part of a vision Apple has where all devices share a common platform for a more seamless experience between a laptop or a mobile phone.
It is also reported that Bob Mansfield‘s new group is responsible for the transition between Intel CPUs and future CPUs that Apple will use. The expected timeline for this is 2017 which is still a considerable amount of time away. It’s an ambitious project, but Apple has always been a trendsetter. What will be more interesting to see how Intel responds to this considering Apple is one of their biggest customers.