#intel

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple is poised to bring Intel back into its Mac ecosystem, this time not as a chip designer but as a manufacturing partner. According to the report, Intel could start producing Apple’s lowest-end M-series chips on its advanced 18A process as early as mid-2027, potentially for future MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad Pro models. Unlike the old Intel x86 processors used in Macs before 2020, these chips would still be Apple-designed Arm-based silicon, with Intel acting only as a foundry while TSMC continues to handle the bulk of M-series production. The move would support US manufacturing goals and help Apple diversify its supply chain, even as macOS Tahoe remains the last major release to support legacy Intel-based Macs. Ahead of its official review release, an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU has appeared on eBay UK. Listed by user "crywolfi," the CPU is priced at £450 (~₱31,000), significantly above Intel’s SRP of US$394 (~₱22,400). While the allure of owning Intel’s 3nm Arrow Lake processor before its launch may tempt some DIY PC enthusiasts, this premium price might be steep. Intel, once the undisputed leader in x86 processors, could be facing a significant acquisition by its fellow chip giant, Qualcomm. Read more in our articles including "Apple may tap Intel again to manufacture future M-series Mac chips" and "Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU Spotted for Sale on eBay UK".