In October 2021, Apple launched 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg predicts that the tech giant will update the MacBook Pro lineup with the next generation M2 Pro and M2 Max chips between the fall 2022 and spring 2023 timeframe.
When Apple introduced the M1 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio, the company said that it was the last build of the M1 series that includes M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips. Thus, after the launch of the M2 chip at the WWDC 2022 event, the next expected builds of the chip are M2 Pro and M2 Max.
Previously, Gurman claimed that four new M2 Macs could arrive in the next few months:
- M2 Mac mini
- M2 Pro Mac mini
- M2 Pro and M2 Max 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros
- M2 Ultra and M2 Extreme Mac Pro
Apple to update MacBook Pro models with faster M2 processor to deliver improved graphics but without any design changes
In the Q&A session of his latest newsletter, the Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is already working on next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips and it has aimed to launch them by this Fall.
However, he did acknowledge that supply constraints have created uncertainty regarding the launch time of the new devices. He said that “given the continued supply-chain challenges, it’s hard to predict exactly when these will hit store shelves.”
Recently, the Cupertino tech company launched the second generation M2 Apple Silicon in the latest 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (base model). Built on the second generation of the 5nm process, Apple claims that the M2 chip has an 18% faster CPU, 35% more powerful GPU, and 40% faster Neural Engine than the M1 chip. It delivers “new levels of power-efficient performance and capabilities.”
Benchmarks of the M2 chip revealed that it is indeed 20% better performance than the M1 chip. It was also reported by DigiTimes that the new M2 Pro chip will be built on TSMC’s 3nm process. Thus, it can be assumed that the new M2 Pro and M2 Max would be faster and more power efficient than the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
Furthermore, with respect to the new notebook’s design, the journalist said that it will similar to the current models because the notebooks received a major design uphaul in 2021. Instead, the company’s primary focus is on delivering improved graphics; ” look for much of the focus to be on the graphics side, just like with the standard M2.”
As an owner of a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro, I believe Apple will be introducing upgrades to very expensive notebooks very early, only after a year or year and a half.
via 9to5Mac
