For the first time, Apple has allowed cameras into one of its processor labs, offering a rare glimpse into the company’s secretive chip design process. The lab, located at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is home to hundreds of engineers who are responsible for developing the next generation of Apple chips, including the M3.
Key Highlights
- Apple has given a rare glimpse into one of its processor labs, where the company designs and tests chips like the M3.
- The lab is described as a “simple room” with hundreds of machines, blinking lights, and engineers in lab coats.
- Apple says its processor team is “very lean” and “very efficient” because it focuses on designing chips for specific products rather than selling them to outside customers.
- The company’s custom chip strategy has been a major success, giving Apple more control over its products and performance.
Apple’s Processor Lab: A Glimpse Inside
In a video shared by CNBC, Apple’s head of hardware engineering, Johny Srouji, gave a tour of the lab, describing it as a “simple room” with “a couple hundred machines, blinking lights, a handful of engineers and lab coats, and a bunch of postage stamp-sized chips being put through rigorous testing.”
Srouji also explained Apple’s approach to chip design, which is focused on creating chips that are specifically tailored for Apple products. This contrasts with other chipmakers, such as Intel and AMD, which sell their chips to a wide range of customers.
“We have thousands of engineers [now],” Srouji said. “But if you look at the portfolio of chips we do: very lean, actually. Very efficient.”
“Because we’re not really selling chips outside, we focus on the product,” he added. “That gives us freedom to optimize, and the scalable architecture lets us reuse pieces between different products.”
Apple’s Custom Chip Strategy: A Major Success
Apple‘s decision to design its own chips has been a major success for the company. The company’s custom chips, such as the A-series chips used in iPhones and iPads, are widely considered to be among the best in the industry. They offer superior performance and efficiency compared to chips from other companies.
Apple’s custom chip strategy has also given the company more control over its products. By designing its own chips, Apple can ensure that its products are optimized for each other. This has led to a number of innovations, such as the tight integration between iOS and the A-series chips.
Looking Ahead
Apple’s processor lab is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation. The company is investing heavily in chip design, and it is clear that this investment is paying off. Apple’s custom chips are a major competitive advantage, and they are likely to play an even more important role in the company’s future products.
