Apple Inc.’s decision on breaking a 15-year partnership with Intel Corporation on its Mac has paid off this year.
The move allowed the iPhone maker to redesign its MacBook completely. The line previously grappled with aging design and iterative upgrades.
Notably, after its divorce to the semiconductor company, it offered far more compelling units with its in-house chips.
Moreover, Apple’s Mac business soared as the ongoing pandemic has forced people to work and learn remotely.
In 2020, the business unveiled its first M1 chip in a MacBook Air laptop.
Experts noted that it was more powerful than Intel’s chip, with longer battery life. It also enabled a fanless design, keeping the new MacBook Air even quieter.
In its Q2 FY21 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook cited that the M1 chip bolstered a 70.1% increase in Mac revenue.
Eventually, the uptrend further continued in the third quarter. Mac sales edged up to 16.00% from the same period last year.
At the same time, Apple also launched the all-new iMac in that quarter. The new model offered a redesigned super-thin metal body, slimmer than the prior Intel units.
It also provided a better webcam, great speakers, and a sharper display.
At the same time, the firm launched a more exciting line by offering a variety of colors for the iMac. This move is the first time since it shipped the 1999 iMac.
Apple Faced Slowdown in Fiscal Q4
Apple’s fourth-quarter earnings call reflected the slowdown from the burst of sales driven by the onset of the pandemic.
Additionally, the persisting global chip shortage took a toll on its production, placing the Mac revenue with only a 1.6% increase.
Still, the company successfully served the most demanding customers as it brought the 14-inch MacBook Pro last October.
The unit runs on Apple’s latest M1 Pro and M1 Max processors. These chips enabled the laptop to handle intensive tasks like editing multiple high-resolution video files simultaneously.
Apple’s fiscal first-quarter earnings in January will indicate the rate of sales of the new laptop.
