Apple tests new external screen with A13 chip and Neural Engine
Apple is rumored to be testing a new external display. The screen gets its own chip and a Neural Engine, to make heavy graphic tasks run more smoothly.
Read on after the ad.
Successor Pro Display XDR on the way
Apple’s Pro Display XDR has been available since the end of 2019, but a successor has not yet been discussed. That is now changing. According to 9to5Mac Apple is working on a new external display with an A13 chip and Neural Engine. The display is being developed under the code name ‘J327’.
Information about the specifications of the screen is currently scarce. The source does report that the screen will be controlled by an A13 Bionic chip. This is the same chip we saw earlier in the iPhone 11 series and the iPhone SE. In addition to an A13 chip, the new external display features the Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks.
While previous rumors suggested that Apple might be working on a cheaper display, this new external display is likely the successor to the current Pro Display XDR. That means that you have to dig deep into your pocket again for this screen.
Future screen works with your Mac
Shortly after Apple canceled the Thunderbolt Display in 2016, rumors arose about a higher-resolution replacement display with a built-in GPU. Although the company did indeed come up with the Pro Display XDR in 2019, this screen does not have a GPU on board. It could just be that ideas for the screen that Apple is currently working on were already on the drawing board at the time.
By putting a separate chip in an external display, your Mac no longer has to use all the resources of the internal chip for heavy tasks. In short; Apple could potentially combine the power of the display chip with the chip in your Mac. That way, performing graphics-intensive tasks will run more smoothly.
Want to always be up to date with the latest Apple news? You can do this via the website and our free iPhoned app. You can also register for our newsletter.
