Share of Intel and AMD x86 laptop CPUs worldwide 2012-2024, by quarter

Intel processors made up to over 70 percent of laptop central processing units (CPUs) test benchmark results in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from the higher share seen in previous quarters but lower compared to the first quarter of the same year. AMD processors accounted for about 22.5 percent of laptop CPUs detected via the tests. When looking more broadly at all computer CPUs, Intel’s share is slightly lower, accounting for 61.5 percent of computer CPU test benchmark results in the second quarter of 2024.

Apple Mac processors

The x86 processor is the predominant hardware platform for laptops, desktops and servers globally. Both Windows and Mac laptops use x86 chips; previously, Apple’s line of Mac products used PowerPC microprocessors, with the transition to Intel x86 architecture first acknowledged in 2005. The first generation of Intel-based Mac computers were released in January 2006, a partnership that continued through until 2020, where Apple announced it will begin switching the Mac line from Intel CPUs to ARM CPUs. The decision has been made to standardize on one CPU architecture for all iPhone, iPad, and Mac products, with the transition to Apple's custom Arm-based chips expected to take place over a two-year period.

Intel’s next-generation chips

Recently, Intel has faced problems manufacturing its chip designs, leading to the company having to issue a public apology. Intel both designs and manufactures computer chips, whereas most of its rivals only do one or the other. An example of this is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), who simply manufactures chips designed by other companies, such as AMD and Apple.