Apple and Intel just reached a preliminary agreement for Intel to make chips for Apple devices again. This comes as a huge surprise since Apple famously ditched Intel chips just a few years ago to make their own processors.
The news is interesting because Apple’s move away from Intel was one of the biggest tech breakups in recent history. Apple’s own chips made their computers faster and gave them better battery life. So why go back to Intel now?
The Chip Wars Get Complicated
Apple’s decision to dump Intel in 2020 was a massive win for the company. Their new M1 and M2 chips made MacBooks incredibly fast while staying cool and quiet. Intel, meanwhile, struggled to keep up and lost one of their biggest customers.
But the chip business has gotten much more complicated. Making advanced chips is incredibly expensive and difficult. Even Apple, with all their money, can’t make every type of chip they need. Intel has been investing heavily in new chip-making facilities in the US, which could be exactly what Apple needs for certain products.
The deal likely covers specific types of chips rather than the main processors that power iPhones and Macs. Think chips for accessories, smart home devices, or other Apple gadgets that don’t need the most powerful processors.
What’s Next
This doesn’t mean Apple is giving up on making their own chips. Instead, they’re probably planning to use Intel for specific products while keeping their own processors for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It’s a smart move that gives Apple more options and reduces their dependence on other chip makers in Asia.
