The 2020 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) begins online on Monday, June 22 until Friday, June 26.

Apple will announce their plan to switch to 12-core ARM-based processors for Mac in 2021. This switch, named “Kalamata”, is being announced to allow developers time to adjust before new Macs are released.

The new processors will be based on the same technology used in iPhone and iPad chips, however, future Macs will still run the macOS operating system rather than the iOS software used on mobile. This change means that more attention will be spent on newer products, bringing significant updates, and may leave older models with less support. Apple will also have tighter control over their PCs. However, this doesn’t signify that people should wait until next year to buy the newer models, as it may take time to iron out all bugs/problems.

Developers will have to rewrite their software for ARM processors, which will take time, and therefore is why Apple is announcing this one year in advance. Hardware manufacturers will also need to develop support and drivers for ARM-based computers. This may cause future problems as older hardware may be deemed too old to support.

Previously software applications have been changed from 32-bit to 64-bit, inline with newer modern processors. Now just about every Windows PC and laptop is based on a 64-bit CPU, and even some 2020 MacBooks. This change for Mac will be significant. Software that is designed to work on ARM processors runs well and efficiently. However, software designed for 64-bit processors is not directly supported, therefore has to be run on emulation, which is far less efficient than it normally would be.

A similar situation happened previously, when Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro X, running on ARM processor. Windows, with all its myriad applications from many companies and developers worldwide, on ARM has not been an immediate success. But it appears Apple is putting in more effort to get everyone on board and prepared for their new ARM-based Macs.