Apple for the first time showed a laboratory in which Apple Silicon processors for Mac are tested

CNBC shared detailed information about the production and testing of Apple Silicon processors. The channel’s employees visited one of the company’s laboratories.

The main type of chip produced by Apple is known as a system on a chip, or SoC. It selects the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and other components. Apple says the A17 Pro is the first 3nm chip to ship in high volume.

The reason we use the 3nm process is because it gives us the ability to pack more transistors in a given effect. This is important for the product and much better in terms of partial energy efficiency.

— Apple Vice President of Hardware Technology Joni Srugi

The transition to the 3nm process technology also occurred in M3 processors.

Intel processors are based on the x86 architecture, traditionally chosen by PC manufacturers, with a lot of software developed for it. Apple designs its processors with architectures that rival Arm’s, except they use less power and help laptop batteries last longer.

In special laboratories, the company looks for errors made during the production of chips. Processors are tested for temperature changes, stability and other factors.

Particular attention is paid to the connector, which is used for testing chips. Each laboratory employs more than 1,000 engineers, all of them located in different countries: Germany, Israel, France, the USA and others. They are involved in the development of all chips – from iPhone A-processors and W-chips for AirPods to M1/2/3 for Mac.

The company is also working on its own modem, but it is unknown when it will be released. The other day there was a rumor about the cancellation of the development of our own modem. [CNBC]