A new report by Strategy Analytics estimates that by the end of 2021, Apple will lead the ARM-based Notebook processor market by 80%. ARM Limited develops ARM as a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) architecture which the company license to third-party manufacturers to build their custom processors.
Apple entered the ARM-based computers market with the launch of the M1 chip in 2020 as the first phase of its two-years transition plan to switch the entire Mac lineup from Intel processor to custom-built Apple Silicon. The M1 chip used in 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, M1 Mac mini, and 24-inch M1 iMac delivers faster performance and incredible battery life. The first-generation M1 chip easily beats Intel’s 11th generation Tiger Lake processor and the M1 MacBook Air outshines Intel-based MacBook Air, 16-inch MacBook Pro, Surface, LG Gram, and other laptops.
M1 chip’s performance and battery life will enable Apple to dominate the Arm-based notebook PC processor market in 2021
Researchers at Strategy Analytics predict that Apple will lead the Arm-based notebook PC processor market in 2021 because of the M1 chip. The Cupertino tech giant will capture as much as eighty percent share of the growing market segment which is estimated to be worth $949 million in 2021.
The Associate Director of Handset Component Technologies service at Strategy Analytics and author of the report Sravan Kundojjala says that with Apple on number spot, MediaTek will take the second position in the Arm-based Chromebook PC processor market. He also explained that Qualcomm will take the third spot because the manufacturer has not been able to capture a big share of the market despite Nuvia’s acquisition.
“Qualcomm, despite its close partnership with Microsoft on Windows OS, couldn’t make a dent in the notebook PC market so far. Qualcomm is investing heavily in the computing market with its Nuvia acquisition, and we will see results only in 2023. In the near term, Qualcomm can focus on Chromebooks to capture share from MediaTek. Strategy Analytics believes that Arm-based notebook PC processor vendors will need to step up software investment and branding efforts to compete effectively with x86-based vendors Intel and AMD.”
Apple’s significant advantage over its competitors is that it also developers software. With its own software and processor, the company is able to offer new features and capabilities unlike before like Live Text on M1 Macs. Intel and Qualcomm are working to develop processors to beat Apple Silicon but until they do, the Cupertino tech giant will dominate the Arm-based notebook PC processor market.
At the upcoming ‘Unleased’ event on October 18, Apple is expected to launch next-generation M1X MacBook Pro and Mac mini models which might deliver even faster performance than the M1 chip.
