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Rhode Island in the USA is a State; not an island . You can drive/walk into/from various parts of Connecticut or Massachusetts to RI without crossing any significant body of water. There are islands inside the State’s boundaries. Originally those ( and the large bay) were key to the State’s economy.
It’s also an island, now known as Aquidneck, but its official map name is still Rhode. The original name of the state (and the colony before that) was “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” …
 
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Process nodes N2 and A14 are not likely design rule compatible . Pretty likely there will be a N2-suffix ( b , e , p , etc something besides ‘X’ ) . Very likely Apple iterates on another cycle with more optimized design tools they already worked with before they drift off to the lunatic fringe again.

There is a A16 before A14 . A16 may be closer to N2 rules ( derived from N2P ) there may be a non- hyper optimized path from N2P to A16 that is cheaper to do .


It is pretty likely some other chip designers get to A16 before Apple does. ( someone skipping ahead for relatively expensive product. )
TSMC has clarified that A16 is N2P with Super Power Rail (SPR, back side power delivery) — they are both scheduled for volume production in 2027 (starting in late 2026). It’s possible Apple will use both. @name99 schooled me up thread. [Tom’s Hardware]

A14 in 2028 won’t have SPR. The second-generation 1.4nm will have it, but not until 2029. That’s all we know at his point. [Tom’s Hardware]

I’ll guess @Antony Newman meant A16, not A14 — it’s either that or he believes M7 Pro/Max/Ultra won’t launch until 2029?

[PS: I think it’s possible A14 will be structured like N2, with a split second generation—maybe named A14P (without SPR) and A14S (with SPR) or something like that.]
 
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TSMC has clarified that A16 is N2P with Super Power Rail (SPR, back side power delivery) — they are both scheduled for volume production in 2027 (starting in late 2026). It’s possible Apple will use both. @name99 schooled me up thread. [Tom’s Hardware]

A14 in 2028 won’t have SPR. The second-generation 1.4nm will have it, but not until 2029. That’s all we know at his point. [Tom’s Hardware]

I’ll guess @Antony Newman meant A16, not A14 — it’s either that or he believes M7 Pro/Max/Ultra won’t launch until 2029?

[Edit : TSMC A14P - The 2nd gen A14 node is due to go into HVM in 2029. I used a quote on Gemini ... which, as it turns out, was not accurate]

- -

A16 is expected at the end of 2026 or beginning 2027.

I expect Apple will be on an N2 variation in 2027; With plenty of room for optimisations to design and packaging.

A14 gen 2 was expected to be in mass production (HVM) in 2028; It is currently ahead of schedule and yielding better than expected.

If chip design costs are considerably greater on A14 gen 2 vs A16 - it would not surprise me if TSMC work hand & glove with Apple to fully utilise their A14 gen 2 production capacity in 2028.

TLDR : If TSMC A14 gen 2 enters HVM in 2028 Q1 - and TSMC sweetens the deal to get Apple on board, it would not surprise me if Apple remain on an N2 variation in 2027 and jump to A14 gen 2 in 2028 for leading edge products.
 
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A16 is expected at the end of 2026 or beginning 2027.

I expect Apple will be on an N2 variation in 2027; With plenty of room for optimisations to design and packaging.

A14 gen 2 was expected to be in mass production (HVM) in 2028; It is currently ahead of schedule and yielding better than expected.

If chip design costs are considerably greater on A14 gen 2 vs A16 - it would not surprise me if TSMC work hand & glove with Apple to fully utilise their A14 gen 2 production capacity in 2028.

TLDR : If TSMC A14 gen 2 enters HVM in 2028 Q1 - and TSMC sweetens the deal to get Apple on board, it would not surprise me if Apple remain on an N2 variation in 2027 and jump to A14 gen 2 in 2028 for leading edge products.
A14 is the second generation of GAA "Nanosheet" transistors (N2 being the first generation, which includes N2P and A16).

A14 is the first generation of 1.4nm. The second generation of 1.4nm is not yet named, but it would be A14P using TSMC's usual convention (see the "PS" aside I added later to my post above about this). I haven't been able to find where you're getting Q1 2028 for it. As far as I know, the only thing TSMC has said about second-generation A14 is that it will have SPR and it's coming in 2029, as reported by Anton Shilov in Tom's Hardware. So that means a late 2028 start at best, aimed at 2029 product launches, not 2028.
 
A14 is the second generation of GAA "Nanosheet" transistors (N2 being the first generation, which includes N2P and A16).

A14 is the first generation of 1.4nm. The second generation of 1.4nm is not yet named, but it would be A14P using TSMC's usual convention (see the "PS" aside I added later to my post above about this). I haven't been able to find where you're getting Q1 2028 for it. As far as I know, the only thing TSMC has said about second-generation A14 is that it will have SPR and it's coming in 2029, as reported by Anton Shilov in Tom's Hardware. So that means a late 2028 start at best, aimed at 2029 product launches, not 2028.

Apologies I thought Gemini was giving me a direct quote when it stated "TSMC plans to introduce its A14P (1.4nm) process technology in 2028"- and give me a link. The actual text stated "TSMC plans to introduce its A14 (1.4nm) process technology in 2028" - I should have double checked the source material.

The following article gives an up-to-date position on TSMCs A14 roadmap:

If TSMC are ahead of schedule for A14, A14P could be brought forward from 2029, but definitely not to 2028 Q1.
 
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Mac17,1 appears to be MacBook with A18 Pro. Mac17,2 may also be a ultra-low-end MacBook with A-series chip.

Maybe Mac17,2 is a premium version with A19 Pro in it?

If we're right about Mac17,1 and Mac17,2 launching with Sequoia in them, then the launch could come in September (that is, before Tahoe is released), during the iPhone 17 event, or some kind of back-to-school thing in late Summer?

Still, it throws off the neatly unified Apple silicon-generational aspect of the Mac identifiers, but until we know more about A19/M5, it's hard to say.
 
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The first number in the identifier indicates the chip generation. If Mac17,1 is A18 Pro, pretty sure Mac17,2 will use the same chip. I don't think Apple will put the A18 non-Pro on Macs...
Then the M5 generation will be Mac18 and the Mac17 generation will only have two Macs in it? Then what happens with A19 Pro, and so on? Do they also get their own Mac generations?

Sure, it seems possible, but it's also possible MacRumors has misinterpreted whatever it is/was in the Apple Intelligence code and this rumored eMacBook with A18 Pro will get a Mac16 family identifier, and the mystery of Mac17,1 and Mac17,2 continues...

It's also possible Kuo is wrong and the eMacBook has A19 Pro in it, not A18 Pro. Then the Mac17,1 identifier would make perfect sense.
 
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Then the M5 generation will be Mac18 and the Mac17 generation will only have two Macs in it? Then what happens with A19 Pro, and so on? Do they also get their own Mac generations?

Sure, it seems possible, but it's also possible MacRumors has misinterpreted whatever it is/was in the Apple Intelligence code and this rumored eMacBook with A18 Pro will get a Mac16 family identifier, and the mystery of Mac17,1 and Mac17,2 continues...

It's also possible Kuo is wrong and the eMacBook has A19 Pro in it, not A18 Pro. Then the Mac17,1 identifier would make perfect sense.
Sure they are all possibilities.

My point was simply that if Mac17,1 is A18 Pro, then Mac17,2 cannot be A19 as historically Macs with the same identifier use the same generation chips.
 
Sure they are all possibilities.

My point was simply that if Mac17,1 is A18 Pro, then Mac17,2 cannot be A19 as historically Macs with the same identifier use the same generation chips.
My thought (not articulated) was that maybe they just allow an exception to the rule in this case.

But in reality there’s no way they would put the current flagship iPhone chip into anything but the current iPhone Pro line, just like I doubt the M-series Max will ever debut outside of the MacBook Pro.

So, yes, more likely Mac17,2 has same chip but more ports, like the iMac.
 
But in reality there’s no way they would put the current flagship iPhone chip into anything but the current iPhone Pro line, just like I doubt the M-series Max will ever debut outside of the MacBook Pro.
I am confused. A17 Pro has already been put into iPad mini. M-series Max are in both MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.
 
I am confused. A17 Pro has already been put into iPad mini. M-series Max are in both MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.
The key word there was “current.” I meant that premium silicon will always be launched in the iPhone Pro and the MacBook Pro. I didn’t mean they would never use it later in another device.
 
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Mac17,1 appears to be MacBook with A18 Pro. Mac17,2 may also be a ultra-low-end MacBook with A-series chip.

Fascinating. I wonder what they used to confirm the iPhone chip? Probably an insider source given that they kept it under wraps. I have to admit the prospect of a 17,1/2 Mac Pro was starting to dim already, but this would appear to be the final nail in that particular coffin. Still, should be an interesting device.
 
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It cant be ...but it will be strange a mac with A18 pro being probably slower than an ipad air with M at that price point
 
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I don't believe about a Mac having a non-M series chip even for one second.
The rumors seem credible, and the market segment they're trying to fill makes sense as well. People said the same thing when rumors were swirling that apple was going to use the same ARM chip in their phones for their laptops - look how successful that is. I understand the M series is not the same as the A, but back then we jumped to conclusions.
 
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Fascinating. I wonder what they used to confirm the iPhone chip? Probably an insider source given that they kept it under wraps. I have to admit the prospect of a 17,1/2 Mac Pro was starting to dim already, but this would appear to be the final nail in that particular coffin. Still, should be an interesting device.
Here’s what @nicolas17 said about it in the news thread:

“There were Apple Intelligence files with an H17P variant (that's the A18 Pro) for devices Mac17,1 iPhone17,1 iPhone17,2 iPhone17,3 iPhone17,4.”

It’s strange because the last two are A18 devices (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus), so it’s not clear why they would be associated with the A18 Pro. Maybe from an Apple Intelligence testing standpoint, A18 and A18 Pro are the same?

I’m thinking a back-to-school launch for this eMacBook in late Summer?

If the rumored Mac Pro (Hidra) event is also still on, then I think we can now predict it will be an announcement, with the launch coming later, like maybe early 2026.
 
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I’m thinking a back-to-school launch for this eMacBook in late Summer?
Chomebooks have largely fallen off the face of the map, with one exception - schools. If apple who used to have a rich history of supporting education, could provide a class of machines that are inexpensive, and offer school systems incentives, it could be a huge win for them
 
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Chomebooks have largely fallen off the face of the map, with one exception - schools. If apple who used to have a rich history of supporting education, could provide a class of machines that are inexpensive, and offer school systems incentives, it could be a huge win for them
Yes, see this comment (in one of the news threads) from an NYC history teacher. The Chromebooks schools bought en masse as a result of Covid are nearing the end of a five-year warranty:

"In the wake of Covid, schools got tons of money for technology. My school, with an enrollment of about 3200 students, has something like 3000 Chromebooks. They aren't just used for daily classwork, but more importantly for testing. All SAT exams, AP exams, etc. are now digital. Schools must have this equipment. Most of the Chromebooks (which are awful) are nearing the end of their five year warranty. This is probably true for a lot of schools. This would be a great opportunity for Apple to step in with a better piece of hardware at a good price."
 
Apple should really put in some money to get Death Stranding 2 on Mac before on Windows. The game is so visually amazing, real art and real piece of great programming. It just looks stunning and this without ray-tracing. Ofc I am playing it on a PS5 Pro on a LG G5 where HDR just pops like crazy. But this should be a game that will run perfectly on Mac and a showcase for it will pop also on that MacBook Pro screen (but sucks in response times so time to introduce OLED screens).
 
Apple should really put in some money to get Death Stranding 2 on Mac before on Windows.

There’s a ton of discussions in the Mac gaming forum, the summation is even with apples more gaming friendly stance, they’re moves have done little to move the needle
 
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