MacBook move: Apple hires key Arm chip designer, pointing to shift from Intel

Apple is planning major changes for Mac, should buyers wait?
Rumors that Apple is planning an architecture switch away from Intel chips to its own silicon have been circulating for some time now, but recent reports suggest that Apple’s revamping will be widespread, and bring even tighter integration between iPhone, iPad, and the Mac. Read more: https://zd.net/2EViugP

Apple has nabbed top chip designer Mike Filippo, who’s worked for Intel, AMD, and most recently UK-headquartered mobile chip designer Arm. The hire could further Apple’s plans to move its Mac lineup from Intel chips to ones it makes itself, based on Arm chip designs. 

The hire of Filippo suggests Apple is serious about decoupling Mac systems from Intel with its own take on Microsoft’s Windows 10 move on Arm chips, which haven’t yet become a hit with consumers because of the trade-off between longer battery life and slower performance. 

Filippo’s move to Apple from Arm comes amid speculation that Apple plans to ditch Intel CPUs for Arm-based chips on Mac systems. The shift…