Apple Removes Last Remnants of Intel in M2 MacBook Air

Apple has replaced the last remaining Intel-made component in M2 MacBook Air, which was responsible for controlling the USB and Thunderbolt ports, with a custom-made controller, as confirmed by iFixit (via MacRumors).

A detailed teardown of the newly released M2 MacBook Air showed that the machine has been completely redesigned by Apple. Unlike previous Macs, the latest MacBook Air also introduces custom-made controllers for the USB and Thunderbolt ports.

The teardown experts found a “seemingly Apple-made Thunderbolt 3 driver, instead of the Intel chips we’re familiar with.” The new component was shared on Twitter earlier today as well.

No more Intel Inside!@iFixit reveals Apple finally replaced the last vestige of Intel in their M2 MacBooks. Gone are Intel’s JHL8040R USB4 retimers, replaced by a pair of custom U09PY3 retimers! pic.twitter.com/YwYet9YxDl

— SkyJuice (@SkyJuice60)

July 25, 2022

Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was planning to replace the last remaining Intel part with an in-house version, and this could be just that.