This web content discusses the four different eras of Apple CPU architectures and the challenges they faced during each migration. Apple has always been at the forefront of hardware optimization and has migrated its CPU architecture three times since the release of the Mac in 1984. The first migration in the 1980s involved choosing between different chip architectures, with Apple opting for the Motorola 68k. The second migration in the 1990s saw Apple joining forces with IBM and Motorola to introduce the PowerPC architecture. The third migration in the early 2000s involved a shift from PowerPC to Intel x86 due to the superior performance and power efficiency of Intel processors. These migrations allowed Apple to stay competitive and improve its products. The content explains CPU concepts such as registers, arithmetic-logic units, bit width, endian-ness, CISC vs. RISC, pipelining, and more. The author provides an insightful and informative overview of Apple’s CPU architecture transitions and the reasons behind them. No controversial information or surprising content is mentioned.
https://jacobbartlett.substack.com/p/through-the-ages-apple-cpu-architecture