Last year Apple saw the first steps to move its entire Mac lineup away from the Intel-based processors it has been using for more than a decade, to the world of ARM-based silicon. it was designed specifically by Apple for its own hardware and software.
With the release of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and macMini, all with the M1 chip, the new world of the Mac offers far more power, capability, and possibly a longer working lifespan as applications for computing desk-connected users are on the rise.
But I don’t see how Apple’s heroic new world will change the market in 2021.
One is working on an Apple Inc. laptop computer. MacBook Pro in a home living room as a clothed child … [+]
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Mac market is Mac market, and Windows market is Windows market. While both platforms vary greatly in terms of the core applications (and of course the flexibility of standards-compliant web browsers), there are still significant mental barriers for system users to switch. ‘Something a little better’ is rare, there have to be a number of substantial benefits to making the conversion.
One of the big selling points behind Apple’s new laptops was the lack of differentiation at the end of 2021 of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro devices compared to the previous MacBooks.
There’s no getting away from the raw criteria of Apple’s new hardware, but how do those translate into real-world use? For me this is one of the main things that an M1 device can sell – and with social distance restricting access to demo devices in the Apple Store, sticking to what you know – the computer in front of you – leads us to back to changing barriers.
Where Apple could benefit here are those who want to buy their first desktop computer, such as students who want a standalone device for themselves. This is where a clean decision can be made between two platforms. It may be a small part of the market right now, but once you have someone on stage there is a reluctance to jump – someone who comes with macOS now to be regarded as macOS for life.
Finally, Apple isn’t the only company that can improve its chipset. The advent of Apple Silicon has challenged PC chip makers, and the likes of Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm will be looking to deliver their own improved products – such as Intel’s EVO platform.
Apple has made great strides with its move to Apple Silicon, and has made every effort to make so much noise about the advances that have been made to platform To make a son better than ever. What has not changed is that the Mac platform is still for the Mac device, the Windows platform is still for the Windows device, and both sides are just as strong as ever. Even though the numbers are bigger and better.
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