2017 could be the year when Apple will finally release a MacBook Pro with an ARM processor, as has been rumored for several years. Apple has largely completed the development process of this new ARM processor for the MacBook Pro, which will work in tandem with Intel processors to provide improved battery life.
The decision of those from Apple to develop such processors is old and, apparently, is based on the fact that Intel has a difficult processor development process. In this idea, the Apple company wants to completely abandon Intel in terms of using their processors and use only ARM processors, but for now it will make a compromise.
These ARM processors integrated in the MacBook Pro, probably from 2017, will be used for tasks that do not require a lot of processing power and implicitly not a lot of energy. Things like file renaming, possible internet browsing and other insignificant tasks could run through the ARM processor, while others could run through the Intel processors.
MacBook Pro 2017 could be launched with ARM processor
By integrating this ARM chip into the MacBook Pro, separately from the one for the Touch Bar, the Apple company will definitely increase the selling price, although it is hard to say whether the increase in autonomy will be worth the investment. Despite this, Apple wants laptops with even greater autonomy, and if Intel cannot provide it, then alternative solutions are found.
"The updated part, internally codenamed T310, would handle some of the computer's low-power mode functionality, they said. […] Apple engineers are planning to offload the Mac's low-power mode, a feature marketed as “Power Nap,” to the next-generation ARM-based chip. The new chip may first become available in an upgraded version of the MacBook Pro laptop planned for later this year, the people said."
This year Apple will release new models of MacBook Pro that have Intel Kaby Lake processors, so the inclusion of ARM processors is perfectly possible. Whether this new ARM processor will also be included remains to be seen, but it is clear that Apple has very big plans for the MacBook Pro this year.
