Apple looks set to launch first ARM-based MacBooks next week

Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a new range of MacBooks that will feature the company’s own processors for the first time in the 36-year history of the Mac.

The company on Monday announced that it will hold a special event on 10 November, with an invitation that features Apple's famous "one more thing" tagline.

While Apple didn't reveal any further details, it looks likely that we can expect the announcement of new MacBooks, which will feature ARM-based processors designed by Apple, following the company’s decision to abandon the Intel chips it had used since 2006.

In June, Apple announced that it would be abandoning Intel in favour of custom ARM-based Mac processors. At the time, the company said the first ARM-based Mac would ship by the end of 2020, which coincides with the 10 November launch date.

The custom 'Apple Silicon" will equip Macs with "industry-leading" performance-per-watt, higher-performance GPUs and improved power efficiency, according to Apple, as well as open up technologies such as its Neural Engine to third-party developers.

According to Bloomberg, the lineup revealed next week will feature new 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and a new 13-inch MacBook Air.

The publication reports that the two smaller MacBooks are being assembled by Foxconn, while the larger MacBook Pro is being built by Quanta Computer.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, both manufacturers are said to be “ramping up production”, with the two smaller MacBooks reportedly further ahead in production and likely to debut at the 10 November event. According to the sources, the devices are not expected to have any major design changes apart from the change in processor.

The 10 November event comes almost a month after Apple unveiled four new iPhone models: the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. All four models had been fitted with Apple’s A14 Bionic chip and 5G support.

Last week, it was reported that the decision to delay the launch of Apple’s iPhone 12 lineup by a month temporarily cost the company $100 billion in stock market value.