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New References to AMD Processors Discovered in macOS 10.15.4 Beta

Friday February 7, 2020 8:34 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Over the last few months, an increasing number of references to AMD processors have been uncovered in macOS Catalina code, starting with the 10.15.2 beta in November and now continuing in the 10.15.4 beta.

Given that Macs currently use Intel processors, the references are naturally prompting speculation that perhaps Apple plans to release Macs with AMD processors, but this is unconfirmed as of yet. Apple does rely on AMD for graphics in select MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac Pro models.

Many of the references contain codenames of AMD APUs such as Picasso, Raven, Renoir, and Van Gogh. APU or Accelerated Processing Unit is AMD's marketing term for a CPU and GPU on a single chip.

MacOS 10.15.4 Beta 1 NAVI12_A0
NAVI21_A0
PICASSO_A0
RAVEN2_A0
RAVEN_A0
RENOIR_A0
VANGOGH_A0 😳 pic.twitter.com/qFBHg5L0q0 — _rogame (@_rogame) February 6, 2020

A few months ago, an unsubstantiated report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News claimed that Apple plans to announce a high-end gaming Mac at WWDC 2020. If there is any truth to the rumor, then it is certainly possible that the Mac could be powered by an AMD APU, but many gamers are skeptical.

It's worth noting that we haven't heard any rumors about AMD-based Macs specifically, and it is also possible the references are for internal testing only, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Related Roundup: macOS Catalina

Tag: AMD

Top Rated Comments

Bandaman

11 months ago

wouldn't it be better to go ARM chips instead?

No.

Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Andres Cantu

Apple should have bought AMD a couple of years ago when they were at $2 per share. Would have given them even more control over the Macs graphics and now (possibly) processors.

Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)

benshive

I think this would be great for competition. AMD has been killing it in the CPU market recently, offering comparable performance to Intel chips for way less. If Apple made this move it would really force Intel to improve the price to performance of their chips.

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

lkrupp

Apple dumped Motorola and IBM 68000 CPUs like a hot potato when they couldn't keep up with Intel. There's no reason to think Apple wouldn't do the same to Intel if they can't keep up.

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Jack Burton

A 16-core Ryzen iMac with a new design and speakers by the team that worked on the MBP16 hardware would be just what the doctor ordered.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

scottwxx

If high end means starting at $2k and having user-replaceable components, shut up and take my money! If high end means $6k (like the new Mac Pro) or the $1k monitor stand, I have no choice but to look elsewhere.

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