Why A Dual-processor Fusion Mac Makes A Lot Of Sense

One Intel processor for the heavy lifting, and another ARM chip to tackle low-power tasks to save battery life: It could work.

- Dan Moren

Why use one processor when two will do? Recently, Bloomberg reported that Apple has developed an ARM-based chip that it will integrate into future Macs (go.macworld.com/macchip) to handle some of the low-power responsibilities, thus taking pressure off the main, more power-hungry Intel processor.

Here’s the thing: This multi pronged approach is nothing new to Apple (go.macworld.com/2cams). And while I do believe that Apple is investigating building computers based solely on the same type of ARM architecture it uses in its iOS devices, this latest report doesn’t necessarily draw a straight line to that future. After all, the Touch Bar and Touch ID sensor in the new MacBook Pro already rely on an ARM chip dubbed the T1.

Mainly, it’s another example of Apple mixing and matching technologies where appropriate so that it always has the best tool for the job.

A SECOND CHIP FOR BETTER BATTERY LIFE

The putative purpose of this ARM chip, which Bloomberg reports is dubbed the T310, is to handle low-power activities, such as the Power Nap feature first introduced in Mountain Lion. Power Nap activates when your computer is put to sleep, allowing your Mac to continue carrying out certain tasks (go.macworld.com/204032) like fetching your mail, updating synced data like contacts and reminders, getting new pictures posted to Photo Stream, and keeping Find My Mac up to date. Basically, it ensures that when you wake up your Mac, it doesn’t have to spend several minutes updating every thing before you can see the latest content. It also attempts to perform certain housekeeping features while the computer is otherwise idle.