alt Hacker NewsI’m confused. The iOS device line gradually shifts towards the M chips. Why does Apple make a laptop with the A chips? Isn’t the M line is more performant and energy efficient comparing to the A chip?
Replies
zamadatix • today at 6:35 PM
I don't think the M line is more energy efficient (at equivalent performance), just more performant overall and with more advanced features (more maximum display outputs, more maximum USB interfaces, more maximum memory channels, etc).
fckgw • today at 6:13 PM
Why is that confusing? The A chip is cheaper, hence is goes into their cheaper laptop. The more expensive laptops get the more expensive M chips.
> The iOS device line gradually shifts towards the M chips
No it doesn't - no iOS device has ever shipped with an M series chip...
> Isn’t the M line is more performant and energy efficient comparing to the A chip?
Yes to A, no to B.
Also, you're completely leaving out scale and cost. Apple has already made (ok, had TSMC make) hundreds of millions of A18 chips, so throwing an A18 pro in their least expensive laptop ever makes a lot of sense.