WWDC 2020 Rumors: Apple Set To Drop Ax On Intel Processors For Macbooks, iMacs

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference 2020 (WWDC2020) is set to commence on Monday and most are anticipating big announcements. But at the top of it all is the much-awaited revelation on the Cupertino company's ARM-based processors. There is the growing belief that Apple will finally reveal the MacBooks and iMacs that will run on the processors, something that will be bad news for Intel.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is likely to announce the Macbooks and iMacs that will run on their ARM-based processors, Apple Insider reported. Once this happens, the transition is not expected to be immediate. Apple is expected to slowly phase out that units running on Intel processors, something critics believe will not take that long.

Kuo went on to share some details on what to expect at WWDC 2020. He claims that the first MacBook to test the ARM-based chips will be the 13-inch variant that will be sporting a familiar design. Aside from that, a 24-inch iMac will also be another device sporting the company's chip. It will have an all-new form factor.

Once these two new models come out in the open, Kuo alleges that other models running on Intel will be discontinued. As far as the iMac is concerned, it could take a while. Kuo says that there is still one more iMac refresh coming, something that could come out before the third quarter.

The move is a big one for Apple with some bracing for the big change. Though it will be giving consumers a more energy-efficient machine, there remain concerns on how well MacBooks or iMac would perform under their new ARM chips.

If it does happen, it affirms the previous call of Kuo that Apple will start introducing machines running on the company's ARM chip. The idea of potential delays was up in the air back in March, the month when the COVID-19 outbreak began. Though the new SoCs looking promising, some concerns come with it.

Among the things raised in a previous post include software compatibility once the new SoC is in place. Aside from that, compatibility with other components was singled out as another concern. One example is USB 4 coming. The next USB version will combine the Thunderbolt 3 and USB to lessen the confusion that users and accessory makers may encounter. ASMedia Technology will exclusively supply the USB controllers.