Oliver Haslam on February 8, 2020, 6:15 pm

References To AMD Processors Spotted In macOS 10.15.4 Beta

It seems there are references to some AMD processors in the most recent test build of macOS 10.15.4, according to reports. And what’s more, they have been in previous builds as well. While this macOS 10.15.4 build includes them, so did macOS 10.5.2.

What makes this interesting is the fact that all Macs currently use Intel processors, and while we’ve been hearing rumors of ARM Macs for years, that wasn’t expected to change any time soon. And this is the first time we’ve heard suggestions that AMD could be brought into the mix, too.

The references found so far are all codenames for AMD APUs. APU stands for Accelerated Processing Unit and is the marketing term AMD uses for a chip that has both processing and GPU technology on a single chunk of silicon. The codenames found so far include RAVAN, CAN GOGH, and RENOIR, among others.

Of course, it’s impossible to know whether any of this means that Apple plans to release a Mac with an AMD processor. Apple no doubt tests tons of different configurations in its labs and while disconnecting itself from Intel’s often delayed roadmaps would surely be tempting, it’s difficult to imagine. At this point, ARM has to be a better bet, and why bother bringing AMD into the equation if ARM is also in the works?

AMD does already provide GPUs for some Macs, though. And if Apple announced AMD-powered Macs next week, let’s all agree to pretend this post never happened!