When it comes to mobile device chips, Apple is well ahead of the competition in the industry in terms of performance. However, in order for the company to keep things that way, it has a lot of work to do. Taiwanese chip maker, TSMC is Apple’s close chipmaker and the company is already working on its new 3nm chip. According to recent reports, TSMC plans to start mass production of 3nm chips later this year. This chip will be used for the upcoming MacBook models and other products.
A report from DigiTimes partly reads
“Backend companies are optimistic about demand for the upcoming MacBook chips, which will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process technology, and which, according to industry sources, will be available later this year,”
Although TSMC is trying to take the lead in 3nm chip production, it will need to wait for revenues. The report claims that the chip maker is unlikely to make any significant revenue from 3nm chip production this year. Digitimes believes that any significant revenue from 3nm chip production will come in the first quarter of next year at the earliest.
The information is in line with a report last week in Taiwan’s Business Times. The report also claims that TSMC will start producing 3nm chips for Apple by the end of 2022. Apple’s first 3nm chip could be the M2 Pro chip for Macs, the report said. However, it also adds that the A17 Bionic chip in next year’s iPhone 15 Pro models will also be a 3nm chip.
Next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro to use M2 Pro chip
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects the M2 Pro chip to appear in the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. He also expects this chip to replace the current high-end Mac mini Intel chips. Gurman believes that Apple plans to unveil multiple new Macs at its October event. However, it is not entirely clear whether that will include the new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models. There is also another option for Apple, it could release its first 3nm-powered MacBook Air in 2023 Chip Mac. Both Apple’s M1 series chips and M2 chips use TSMC’s 5nm. The process as well as the transition to 3nm chips will improve the performance and energy efficiency of Macs and iPhones.
Apple announces self-repair service for M1 MacBook Air/Pro
While Apple is trying to improve the performance of its products with the new flagship 3nm chips, it is also improving its services. In April this year, Apple announced the launch of a self-service repair service. Customers can obtain repair manuals and original parts and tools through the Apple self-service repair shop. This will enable users with a certain level of experience to successfully complete repairs for the iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series and the iPhone SE (3rd generation). Today, Apple announced that it will offer self-repair services for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops with M1-series chips. The repair manual will be publicly available from tomorrow.
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According to the company, the self-repair program will extend to MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros with M1-series chips starting tomorrow. It will provide customers with repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools through Apple Self-Repair Stores. The iPhone Self Repair Program was launched earlier this year. The program will expand to more Mac models later this year and will roll out to other countries, starting in Europe.
The self-service repair plan for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro provides more than ten different repair types for each model. The self-repair services will include the display or screen, the upper case including the battery, and the touchpad. There are also more parts available for the self-repair service. Customers with experience in repairing complex electronic devices will have access to the same parts and tools available at Apple Retail Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers to perform repairs on these Mac notebooks themselves.
Employ caution before self-repairing your device
Of course, there is a need for users to employ caution before attempting the repair process. The first step is to visit Apple Support at support.apple.com/self-service-repair to review the repair manual for the product. They can then go to an Apple Self Repair Store and order the parts and tools they need. It is important to get the right tools for a smooth repair process.
All genuine Apple parts are designed and manufactured for specific products and rigorously tested to ensure the highest levels of quality, safety and reliability. Customers can return replaced parts to Apple for refurbishment and recycling. In many cases, customers who do so can take advantage of discounts on future Apple purchases.
Apple tools are designed to help make the most efficient repairs to Apple products and to withstand high-intensity professional repair operations where safety and reliability are paramount. Apple will offer rental service kits for repair kits for $49. Therefore, customers who only need one-time repairs and are reluctant to buy tools can obtain these professional repair tools. Customers can rent tool kits for a week without paying for shipping.
Over the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with genuine Apple parts, tools and training, including more than 3,500 independent repair service providers. A global network of more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers supports more than 100,000 working technicians. As a result, 8 out of 10 Apple customers in the United States can travel to a nearby authorized service provider in just 20 minutes.
