5 years of Apple silicon

The first M-series chip was a game-changer when it arrived in 2020. Here, we reveal its surprising evolution and find out what's next...

- WRITTEN BY DAVID CROOKES

WHEN APPLE ACQUIRED PA Semi for $278 million in April 2008, few imagined the true impact the purchase would have. At the time, it was suggested that Apple was more interested in the PowerPC chip design company talent and that they would, in all likelihood, primarily work toward the creation of an Apple-owned chip for the iPhone.

No one really thought that it would eventually lead to Apple creating super-powerful chips that would outstrip those of established manufacturers. But that is exactly what happened.

Apple did indeed mainly concentrate on the mobile market at first. The A4 chip made its debut in the first generation iPad in 2010, and since then, Apple has scaled up and branched out. Drawing on the expertise of a growing number of engineers across the world, it has sought fresh avenues for its technology, namely the S-series of chips for Apple Watch, and the H and W chips for AirPods.

Then, on June 22 2020, as the world was still coming to terms with the widespread effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Apple's CEO Tim Cook hosted the first online-only Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

Millions watched the live stream from Apple Park and heard Cook talk of a long-rumored change: Apple's transition to Apple silicon. “With its powerful features and industry-leading performance, Apple silicon will make the Mac stronger and more capable than ever,” Cook declared. He wasn't wrong.

Cook's words heralded the most significant shift in Mac architecture since Apple's switch from PowerPC processors to Intel in 2005. It was also on a par with Apple's move from the Motorola 68000 series to PowerPC in 1994.

POWER UP