Although supply shortages have affected computer shipments, Apple has not forgotten to lay out the next generation of MacBook. According to media reports, Apple has booked the initial production capacity of TSMC's 4nm chip for the next generation of MacBook. Mass production of the chips is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, earlier than the previously set 2022.
In addition, the two sides also signed an agreement that TSMC will use the second-generation 5nm process, also known as N5 Plus or N5 P), to produce A15 biomimetic chips, which are expected to start mass shipments at the end of May and will be available in this year's iPhone 13.
Just today, it was reported that Apple delayed production of MacBook and iPad products due to supply shortages. Chip shortages have delayed a key step in MacBook production, installing components on printed circuit boards before final assembly, according to people familiar with the matter. At the same time, some iPad assemblies have been delayed due to the lack of monitors and display components. Because of the delay, Apple has postponed orders for some parts of the two devices from the first half of this year to the second half of this year.
At present, the latest MacBook series core chip M1 is based on the 5nm process to manufacture, iPad Air and the iPhone 12 A14 bionic chip is also based on the 5nm process.
In addition to Apple's enhanced 5nm and pre-production 4nm capacity orders, TSMC also holds urgent orders for Qualcomm's high-end 5G chips, coupled with orders from Ultra Micro, MediaTek, and Intel 5nm cooperation rumors.
The strong demand for advanced processes by global giants such as Apple has boosted the willingness of leading semiconductor contract manufacturers such as TSMC to expand production on such products.
TSMC expects to invest US $100 billion over the next three years to increase production capacity and support the manufacture and research and development of advanced semiconductor technologies, TSMC said in a statement in response to local media reports. The target production capacity of TSMC 5nm chip Q2 to the end of 2021 has recently been raised to 140000-150000 chips, approaching 7nm chip production capacity.
