I suspect the big motivation for Apple is less about squeezing a few dollars more profit per system and more about shipping systems which just aren't possible on Intel's roadmap. Just putting the A12Z into the previous 12" MacBook would be a massively better computer with better battery life, better performance, and significantly less expensive. All while Apple maintains their margins.
This isn't a zero sum game. Being able to ship less expensive computers which perform better is a win for consumers and Apple shareholders at the some time.
> Just putting the A12Z into the previous 12" MacBook would be a massively better computer with better battery life, better performance, and significantly less expensive. All while Apple maintains their margins.
Microsoft doesn't control the hardware very much and definitely doesn't control the software developers whereas Apple completely controls the former and has a lot of leverage with the latter.
You can see that with the latest MacBook Pro 13", if you buy one of the cheaper devices it comes with last years processors. Intel are clearly having problems meeting customer demand.
This isn't a zero sum game. Being able to ship less expensive computers which perform better is a win for consumers and Apple shareholders at the some time.
The only loser here is Intel.