Apple is focusing on AI for its M4-powered MacBooks

0
28

[ad_1]

The recent addition of artificial intelligence into Windows PCs along with the relatively efficient Meteor Lake series chips has captured significant attention. On the other side, Apple’s Mac machines are seeing a lower-than-expected sales figure, with Tim Cook noting the PC market as “challenging” for Apple. As per reports from Bloomberg, Mac sales fell 27% in the last fiscal year, which ended in September.

Apple’s Mac business is reportedly having a tough time without any groundbreaking addition

Apple initially expected a considerable improvement in sales towards the end of last year with the M3-powered MacBooks. However, there wasn’t a big performance improvement compared to the M2-powered ones. As a result, the refresh didn’t help much in increasing the revenue.

Apple is lacking AI products and services as compared to many other giants including Microsoft and Google. Now the news is that Apple is trying to focus on AI for the upcoming M4-powered MacBooks. As Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted, a big focus is on the upgraded neural engine of the M4 chip which will allow more cores and computational capabilities related to AI models that will run on new MacBooks and other Mac machines.

The company is likely to talk about its approach and achievement in AI in the upcoming World Wide Developer Conference in June. Nonetheless, the software side implementation of AI features may take time, potentially being pushed to as far as 2026.

Apple is looking forward to enriching Mac machines with AI-powered M4 chips

According to people associated with the development of AI-enabled M4 chips for upcoming MacBooks, Apple is already nearing production. The release of the updated computers may begin late this year. There will be new iMacs, a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and Mac Minis, all with M4 chips. Going forward, the company will reportedly upgrade every Mac model with the new chips.

As Bloomberg mentioned, the new chip will reportedly come in at least three different versions – an entry-level M4 chip codenamed Donan, a mid-tear version codenamed Brava, and the top-tear one codenamed Hydra. The entry-level MacBook Pro, lower-end Mac Mini, and MacBook Air machines are likely to use Donan (the entry-level chip). The higher-specced MacBook Pros, Mac Minis, and the Mac Studio may use the mid-tear Brava. The top-tear Hidra chip will power the Mac Pro.

[ad_2]

Source link