With the launch of the Mac Pro and M2 Ultra processor at WWDC, Apple officially rid its entire Mac line of Intel processors and completed the transition to Apple silicon. It also introduced the most powerful chip ever, which blows away any Intel chip ever made for a Mac.
As reported by The Verge, Intel responded by changing its own branding. Instead of the Core i3, i5 and i7 chips used for more than a decade, the next generation of processors will feature three tiers: Intel, Intel Core and Intel Core Ultra. We’re honestly a little surprised not to see a “Pro” or a “Max” in there.
Ironically, Intel says one of the reasons it is changing the name of its chips is to avoid confusion with Apple. As Intel’s product brand manager Christopher Hirsch told The Verge, the “I” wasn’t very clear to customers, with some wondering if the letter “stands for Apple with iPhone and iPod?” Was it just a stranger?
It makes sense, but it’s unclear how the Ultra brand will clear things up. In addition to the M2 Ultra chip, Apple also sells the Apple Watch Ultra and is rumored to bring the brand to the iPhone line as well.
Intel says the renamed chips will start shipping later this year when its Meteor Lake chips start appearing on PCs.
