What processors did Apple Computer use in their computers?
From the mid 1980's to mid 1990's the two largest personal computer manufacturers, IBM and Apple, had different approaches to their microprocessor suppliers, with IBM favoring Intel processors while Apple used Motorola processors.
CPU's used in early Apple Computers:
- Apple I MOS 6502 8-bit 1976
- Apple II MOS / Synertek 6502 8-bit 1977
- Apple III Synertek 6502A 8-bit 1980
- Apple Lisa Motorola 68000 32-bit 1983
- Apple IIc Motorola 65C02 8-bit 1984
- Apple Macintosh Motorola 68000 32-bit 1984
Evolution of processors used inside Apple Mac Computers:
(The new M1 processors were the first in Apple's transition from using Intel processors to their own in-house designed processors, initially offered in low-end Mac's: MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini)
Evolution of processors used inside Apple Mac Computers:
- Motorola 68x CISC series - 68000,68020, 68030 & 68040 processors 1984 to 1994
- Motorola 68LC040 processor + Intel 486SX processor 1993
- AIM - Apple / IBM / Motorola (Freescale) PowerPC RISC processors 1994 to 2006
- AIM / Intel PowerPC 601 RISC processor + Intel 486 DX2 x86 processor 1994
- Intel Core & XEON x86 processors 2006 to 2020
(The new M1 processors were the first in Apple's transition from using Intel processors to their own in-house designed processors, initially offered in low-end Mac's: MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini)
- Apple M1 PRO / M1 MAX / TSMC ARM SoC processor 2021 to now