Why did Apple put the full-powered 8-core CPU 8-core GPU M1 in the iPad Pro but a skimped 7-core GPU version in the MBA?

[Abazigal]

That's exactly what I'm getting at. These 7-core GPU products are disabled for marketing purposes rather than yield reasons.

Apple only sells two stock configurations of MacBook Air, one of which is 7-core. The cost structure only makes sense if the vast majority of M1 chips have 8-cores working. Otherwise, given how popular the MacBook Air is, Apple would be taking a hit every time someone buys a 7-core GPU.

What are you talking about? My example demonstrates the exact opposite. Cost wise, the 7-core and 8-core chips cost the same to make.

 

[dogslobber]

That's exactly what I'm getting at. These 7-core GPU products are disabled for marketing purposes rather than yield reasons.

We used to do the same in disk drive manufacturing where we “short stroked” high cap drives to much lower storage cap To sell at lower price point.

 

[JPack]

What are you talking about? My example demonstrates the exact opposite. Cost wise, the 7-core and 8-core chips cost the same to make.

They cost the same for Apple to make, but the selling price isn't the same.

If yield were the real reason behind the 7-core variant, we'd see it as an option in the Mac mini, iPad Pro, and MBP 13. Apple has limited 7-core GPU to the MBA and iMac, which suggests it's purely a marketing move and expensive, i.e. opportunity cost of disabling a GPU core on fully working chips.

 

[JPack]

We used to do the same in disk drive manufacturing where we “short stroked” high cap drives to much lower storage cap To sell at lower price point.

Intel and AMD have done this on occasion. E.g. AMD launched Phenom II X3 to fight Intel dual-core products. Owners were able to fully reactivate the fourth core.

For Apple's M1, it makes no sense that a single GPU-core would be defective. The M1 has an even smaller die size than A12Z.

 

[jdb8167]

They cost the same for Apple to make, but the selling price isn't the same.

If yield were the real reason behind the 7-core variant, we'd see it as an option in the Mac mini, iPad Pro, and MBP 13. Apple has limited 7-core GPU to the MBA and iMac, which suggests it's purely a marketing move and expensive, i.e. opportunity cost of disabling a GPU core on fully working chips.

Since we don’t know what yields Apple is getting on the M1, there really isn’t any way to know if there are enough binned M1s to use them in more products than just the MacBook Air and 24” iMac. The same goes for the M1 Pro and M1 Max.

You seem very sure but I can’t figure out why. It’s not like you have any inside information.

 

[JPack]

Since we don’t know what yields Apple is getting on the M1, there really isn’t any way to know if there are enough binned M1s to use them in more products than just the MacBook Air and 24” iMac. The same goes for the M1 Pro and M1 Max.

You seem very sure but I can’t figure out why. It’s not like you have any inside information.

The M1 MBA, Mac mini, and MBP were launched six months before iPad Pro and iMac. Yields improve over time. Yet, we see 7-core in MBA and iMac only. This goes against the theory of yields.

 

[jdb8167]

The M1 MBA, Mac mini, and MBP were launched six months before iPad Pro and iMac. Yields improve over time. Yet, we see 7-core in MBA and iMac only. This goes against the theory of yields.

Says who? (Besides you).

 

[Tagbert]

That's exactly what I'm getting at. These 7-core GPU products are disabled for marketing purposes rather than yield reasons.

Apple only sells two stock configurations of MacBook Air, one of which is 7-core. The cost structure only makes sense if the vast majority of M1 chips have 8-cores working. Otherwise, given how popular the MacBook Air is, Apple would be taking a hit every time someone buys a 7-core GPU.

It is likely that many SOCs fail testing due to an error (data error or excess power usage). if the error is in a GPU unit, they can disable that GPU unit and ship it as a lower count GPU. that is classic binning.

If the number of orders for the 7 GPU model exceed the number of failed units, they can disable a GPU unit and ship it as a 7 core GPU. This is the "marketing purposes" you mentioned and also not a surprise.

Not a big deal.

 

[throAU]

Is there a rationale behind doing this?

Binning. They had a bunch of defective SOCs that they could put in MacBook airs which are less sensitive to, and not advertised as having decent 3d capable performance. The 7 core GPUs are only in the baseline entry MBA, and that market is really aimed at people using one for school, internet consumption, ultraportable work, etc.

Also the MBA market is more tweak-able in terms of spec - if you want an 8 core GPU they are totally available.

 

[LonestarOne]

It is likely that many SOCs fail testing due to an error (data error or excess power usage). if the error is in a GPU unit, they can disable that GPU unit and ship it as a lower count GPU. that is classic binning.

It’s not just errors in the GPU. Some chips will fail because they overheat. Disabling one GPU will reduce the power/heat dissipation.

Apple is in a better position to predict yields and failure rates than anyone in this group. As difficult as that may be for some members to accept.

 

[UBS28]

With binned AMD chips, some people bought the binned version and then tried to unlock the binned cores. Sometimes they were able to get it fully working, saving alot of money in the end.

No idea how you unlock disable cores on a MAC though.