Apple's plan for ARM-based chip for MacBooks won't replace Intel

T130 ARM-based chip will power Touch bar and run alongside Intel CPU

Persistent rumours that Apple is planning a shift from Intel to ARM have been reignited follow a report on the Bloomberg newswire that the company is developing an ARM-based microprocessor for use in its MacBook line of laptops.

The ARM-based chip, codenamed T130, won't replace the Intel processors that currently power Apple's laptops, but will instead follow in the footsteps of Apple's T1 chip, which powers the Touch Bar feature on the company's new MacBook Pro laptops, according to the report.

Bloomberg's sources claim that the Apple-made processor will also be used to handle basic tasks, such as checking for email, installing updates and iCloud back-ups, while a MacBook is in sleep mode. Apple currently relies on the MacBook's main processor to handle these tasks, but by building a dedicated low-power processor, the company could reduce battery consumption even further.

This move could also be due to the number of complaints that Apple has received regarding the lacklustre battery life of its new laptops, which the company has "fixed" by dumping the 'time remaining' indicator.

The report claims that the new chip could make its debut in new MacBook Pro laptops expected later this year, although Apple, much like it has done in the past, "may choose to not highlight the advancement".

Previous rumours have pointed to Apple launching a Kaby Lake-powered MacBook Pro with 32GB RAM in the second-half of 2017, alongside an upgraded 12in MacBook, and upgraded versions of its standard 13in and 15in MacBooks.

While Apple doesn't plan to replace the Intel processor found inside every MacBook with its own ARM processor (at least, not yet), much like it has done with the iPhone since 2010, Bloomberg suggests that the shift could be the first step towards a move away from Intel processors entirely, albeit not in the near future.

Both Apple and Intel declined to comment on the speculation.