A new report indicates that Intel may serve as a foundry for Apple's M-series chips, though not fully returning to the x86 architecture. What’s happening? Although Apple and Intel severed their partnership some time ago, the situation might change soon. A recent leak from Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Intel could re-enter the Apple ecosystem, not as a CPU designer, but as a manufacturer for Apple’s lower-end M-series chips. This doesn’t imply a return of Intel-powered MacBooks; rather, Intel would manufacture chips designed by Apple. If all goes well, Intel might begin supplying these chips by mid-2027. The plan involves utilizing Intel’s 18AP process node to produce Apple’s entry-level M-series chips, likely intended for MacBook Air and base iPads. Apple will retain control over the design and architecture of the chips; only the manufacturing will change. Intel is anticipated to provide initial sample batches after Apple receives the 18AP design kit, expected in the first quarter of 2026, with mass shipments possibly starting in mid-to-late 2027. Existing high-end Apple chips (Pro / Max / Ultra) will likely continue to be produced by TSMC, meaning the change will only impact the entry-level segment. Intel might start shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processor as early as 2027. There have been persistent market whispers about Intel becoming an advanced-node foundry supplier for Apple, but clarity on this topic has been limited. My latest industry research, however, suggests that…— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) November 28, 2025 Why this matters: This rumor could indicate a meaningful shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy, impacting anyone concerned about availability, pricing, and regional production. Should Apple truly collaborate with Intel as an additional chip manufacturer, it could lessen its reliance on TSMC and Taiwan. For those waiting for entry-level MacBook Airs or base iPads, this might result in more reliable stock, fewer unexpected delays, and potentially U.S.-focused production runs that keep store shelves well-stocked. Additionally, there’s the “Made in the USA” consideration. Intel manufactures chips domestically, and Apple utilizing this resource could influence everything from taxes to shipping schedules. For consumers, this might result in subtle but significant changes: pricing variations, different launch timelines based on region, and potentially two versions of the same MacBook (one produced by TSMC and the other by Intel). In short, come 2027, checking which foundry produced the chip in your laptop might become as routine as checking storage or RAM today. Why should you care? If you've been hesitant to buy an entry-level MacBook or waiting for better deals, this news might prompt you to keep an eye out. Two potential outcomes could arise: stock stabilization or slight price adjustments, depending on Apple's manufacturing decisions. If long-term support, regional availability, or a U.S.-built Mac is important to you, this could mark the beginning of a new chapter. However, if you’re a developer or concerned about consistent performance, dual-sourced chips might be significant—potentially affecting build-to-order variations, shipping times, and subtle distinctions. Still, if you appreciate the advantages of Apple Silicon and want a Mac soon, there's no need to delay. As the rumor indicates, this may only influence lower-end models, with substantial changes likely not occurring until 2027. So, what’s next? For now, it’s a matter of waiting. Intel’s design kit for Apple is not expected until early 2026, so don’t anticipate immediate changes to the current Mac lineup. If you plan to purchase a Mac soon, there’s no reason to wait, as these changes won’t arrive until at least 2027. However, if you're interested in a U.S.-made chip or want to observe how dual sourcing affects prices, it may be wise to monitor developments over the next year. Varun is a knowledgeable technology journalist and editor with over eight years of experience in consumer tech media. His work encompasses... Don’t worry; your holiday shopping stress will now be managed by AI. Your AI will know your purchasing preferences before you do. If you’ve ever felt your blood pressure rise at the thought of holiday shopping, you are not alone. The frantic search for the perfect gift at the lowest price typically involves numerous browser tabs and hoping not to overlook a coupon code. Just in time for the Black Friday rush, two major tech entities—Microsoft and Perplexity AI—are stepping in to alleviate the stress for you. Read more Laptop deals I won’t be keeping to myself this Black Friday Save on an ASUS ROG gaming laptop, the latest Apple MacBook Pro, a 32-inch LG gaming monitor, a Razer cooling pad, and an Anker docking station. If you’re considering upgrading your laptop this year, it’s advisable
The background-preloading technique fails to surpass the performance of Windows 10's Explorer, highlighting that some old habits are difficult to change.
Microsoft has released a background-preloading update for File Explorer in Windows 11 Insider builds with the intention of increasing its opening speed and overall smoothness. The concept was to keep certain components of Explorer loaded in memory, allowing it to launch immediately when clicked. However, testing by Windows Latest shows that the reality is quite different; Explorer still shows lag compared to Windows 10, and preloading actually consumes more system RAM.
In comparative tests, the "preloaded" File Explorer on Windows 11 opened more slowly than the standard Explorer on Windows 10, even on less powerful hardware.
The updated version uses additional memory in the background, which can result in sluggish performance on systems with limited RAM (such as 4-8 GB) while multitasking.
The context menu and folder navigation are noticeably slower, despite the new updates.
Even though preloading is enabled by default in the Insider build, Microsoft has not yet made a commitment to a widespread rollout.
This issue is significant because File Explorer is a fundamental application; it is essential for file browsing, folder management, document access, download handling, and more. If it does not perform responsively, it can make the entire PC feel slow. Even worse, when the "solution" consumes RAM yet still underperforms, it feels like a step backward. For users with lower-spec machines (like budget laptops, tablets, or older desktops), this could diminish the available RAM for web browsers, development tools, or other applications. Power users managing intensive workloads might find the extra resource demands contribute to enough lag to hinder responsiveness.
Additionally, because this update merges fundamental UI components (mixing older Win32 elements with newer WinUI), it indicates that Windows 11's core design choices may still impact performance negatively. If one of the most basic tools in Windows—File Explorer—cannot operate smoothly, it raises concerns for other UI-dependent tasks as well.
If you've ever noticed that clicking on File Explorer in Windows 11 feels awkward, you're not mistaken. The app has long been perceived as slower and heavier than it ought to be, and Microsoft's new "preloading" approach was intended to remedy that. Instead, testing by WindowsLatest indicates that it loads more slowly and consumes more RAM. What was supposed to enhance the user experience seems to be adding more burden to an already sluggish UI.
For daily users, this could result in an even more sporadic experience with Explorer: context menus might respond slower, folder navigation could lag longer than anticipated, and the redesigned interface struggles to manage its own modern visual elements. If your laptop doesn't have ample RAM to start with, preloading simply drains resources for a feature that isn't delivering improved speed. In essence, the part of Windows that you engage with frequently still lacks the enhancements it desperately needs.
Going forward, it will be important to monitor future Insider builds to see if Microsoft acknowledges the need to reconsider this preload strategy. File Explorer is too vital to remain this cumbersome, so we can expect ongoing adjustments, potential rollbacks, or entirely new design efforts in the months to come. Meanwhile, if you're experiencing slowdowns, consider disabling preloading or reducing visual effects. While it won't resolve all issues, it may help Windows 11 feel less sluggish as Microsoft works to refine its UI.
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A new report indicates that Intel may serve as a foundry for Apple's M-series chips, though not fully returning to the x86 architecture. What’s happening? Although Apple and Intel severed their partnership some time ago, the situation might change soon. A recent leak from Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Intel could re-enter the Apple ecosystem, not as a CPU designer, but as a manufacturer for Apple’s lower-end M-series chips. This doesn’t imply a return of Intel-powered MacBooks; rather, Intel would manufacture chips designed by Apple. If all goes well, Intel might begin supplying these chips by mid-2027. The plan involves utilizing Intel’s 18AP process node to produce Apple’s entry-level M-series chips, likely intended for MacBook Air and base iPads. Apple will retain control over the design and architecture of the chips; only the manufacturing will change. Intel is anticipated to provide initial sample batches after Apple receives the 18AP design kit, expected in the first quarter of 2026, with mass shipments possibly starting in mid-to-late 2027. Existing high-end Apple chips (Pro / Max / Ultra) will likely continue to be produced by TSMC, meaning the change will only impact the entry-level segment. Intel might start shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processor as early as 2027. There have been persistent market whispers about Intel becoming an advanced-node foundry supplier for Apple, but clarity on this topic has been limited. My latest industry research, however, suggests that…— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) November 28, 2025 Why this matters: This rumor could indicate a meaningful shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy, impacting anyone concerned about availability, pricing, and regional production. Should Apple truly collaborate with Intel as an additional chip manufacturer, it could lessen its reliance on TSMC and Taiwan. For those waiting for entry-level MacBook Airs or base iPads, this might result in more reliable stock, fewer unexpected delays, and potentially U.S.-focused production runs that keep store shelves well-stocked. Additionally, there’s the “Made in the USA” consideration. Intel manufactures chips domestically, and Apple utilizing this resource could influence everything from taxes to shipping schedules. For consumers, this might result in subtle but significant changes: pricing variations, different launch timelines based on region, and potentially two versions of the same MacBook (one produced by TSMC and the other by Intel). In short, come 2027, checking which foundry produced the chip in your laptop might become as routine as checking storage or RAM today. Why should you care? If you've been hesitant to buy an entry-level MacBook or waiting for better deals, this news might prompt you to keep an eye out. Two potential outcomes could arise: stock stabilization or slight price adjustments, depending on Apple's manufacturing decisions. If long-term support, regional availability, or a U.S.-built Mac is important to you, this could mark the beginning of a new chapter. However, if you’re a developer or concerned about consistent performance, dual-sourced chips might be significant—potentially affecting build-to-order variations, shipping times, and subtle distinctions. Still, if you appreciate the advantages of Apple Silicon and want a Mac soon, there's no need to delay. As the rumor indicates, this may only influence lower-end models, with substantial changes likely not occurring until 2027. So, what’s next? For now, it’s a matter of waiting. Intel’s design kit for Apple is not expected until early 2026, so don’t anticipate immediate changes to the current Mac lineup. If you plan to purchase a Mac soon, there’s no reason to wait, as these changes won’t arrive until at least 2027. However, if you're interested in a U.S.-made chip or want to observe how dual sourcing affects prices, it may be wise to monitor developments over the next year. Varun is a knowledgeable technology journalist and editor with over eight years of experience in consumer tech media. His work encompasses... Don’t worry; your holiday shopping stress will now be managed by AI. Your AI will know your purchasing preferences before you do. If you’ve ever felt your blood pressure rise at the thought of holiday shopping, you are not alone. The frantic search for the perfect gift at the lowest price typically involves numerous browser tabs and hoping not to overlook a coupon code. Just in time for the Black Friday rush, two major tech entities—Microsoft and Perplexity AI—are stepping in to alleviate the stress for you. Read more Laptop deals I won’t be keeping to myself this Black Friday Save on an ASUS ROG gaming laptop, the latest Apple MacBook Pro, a 32-inch LG gaming monitor, a Razer cooling pad, and an Anker docking station. If you’re considering upgrading your laptop this year, it’s advisable
A recent test from WindowsLatest reveals that the preloaded File Explorer in Windows 11 still starts up more slowly than that of Windows 10, and it also consumes more RAM in the process. This makes the upgrade significantly less attractive for many users.
