I’d like to see more graphics performance too. It's already really good for a chip that works without active cooling, though. And the base M4 seems to have about 20% better graphics performance than base M3 using the 10-GPU core versions of both (source:
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Apple Orders M5 Chips From TSMC Ahead of Late 2025 Production
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I’d like to see more graphics performance too. It's already really good for a chip that works without active cooling, though. And the base M4 seems to have about 20% better graphics performance than base M3 using the 10-GPU core versions of both (source:
for the people who only use their laptops for word processing and web browsing wy do you even care how fast the next chip is ggoing to be. You're set from now on. You can buy an M1 and you will be just fine. No need to post further. You're set. Now as for some us waiting who actually work the heck out of the machines getting beach balls and requiring Windows machines to help out every little bit helps. Always looking out what is coming down the ramp.
Also when folks complain about "too much power", hope you know that new technologies and faster chips every year is what has got us here. I have been hearing people tell me computers were good enough since I was a kid. Try using a 20 you computer today and see how much you like it. ...I mean unless all you do is spreadsheets and web browsing you have been set since windows 95.
Also when folks complain about "too much power", hope you know that new technologies and faster chips every year is what has got us here. I have been hearing people tell me computers were good enough since I was a kid. Try using a 20 you computer today and see how much you like it. ...I mean unless all you do is spreadsheets and web browsing you have been set since windows 95.
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I just hope that there is something really different that requires these processors. More CPUs, more GPUs, more neural processors etc. The scaling can only work if the software can use it effectively. What is it going to do that the current processors cannot (and don't say the same only faster)? Once we understand what these processors support, waiting for an M5 is pointless. It is a bit like waiting for a new nail or hammer. The problem becomes what does it do that I cannot do now. Just doing what I do today but faster is a zero sum game.
So what is the next idea in personal computing that requires these processors? 3D projectors, huge local LLMs, week long battery life etc. That is what I am looking for.
So what is the next idea in personal computing that requires these processors? 3D projectors, huge local LLMs, week long battery life etc. That is what I am looking for.
My belief system agrees with you - however I know that by Apple putting them in iPads, they can move more volume of the chips, order more chips, and get the price due to volume that they need - making new chips each year more feasible from a business standpoint - so frankly I really just don't mind what they do with their chips as long as we end up with good chips in Macs
I don’t like that the iPad getting the new chip first, but I understand the strategy of it with the benefit of making the simpler non-Pro chips first and the desire to avoid the cheaper MacBook Air cannibalizing sales of the over-priced non-Pro MacBook Pro. 1599$ for a MacBook non-Pro is a lot more money for them than 1099$ for a MacBook Air.
I think I can answer this without violating my friendship with my good pal in at Apple... however yes, Apple engineers and myriad people from all aspects of the company are involved in advancing the technologies. They look at what they want to achieve and/or focus on, and then they work within the confines of the technology/architecture that TSMC can provision for that fabrication node/step/variation. The chip is designed at large scale - literally giant sized ASIC-style transistors which is then scaled down via TSMC for test/fab, rinse repeat until all features are locked down and validated.
why is it a bit much? I think it's perfect. If you buy a computer and keep it for 5 years, when you finally do upgrade it'll be a proper upgrade. I have an M1 Pro with no plans to upgrade... when I finally do, the difference will be massive.
Is that the one with the touch pad, instead of physical keys?
This is nothing new since production at such large scale requires long term planning, however with the punitive tariffs coming in probably in Q3 2025, I wonder what is the pricing strategy by Apple to handle this new tax. Perhaps they’ll do nothing and just pass it all to consumers, since all computer manufacturers will be hit the same for years.
Like most companies, Apple will try to avoid massive tariffs as much as possible, and they will also want to avoid increasing prices for consumers too much. I think the CPUs and motherboards used by Apple come from Taiwan. I think Japan produces at least some of their displays. They are probably looking into ways to move everything produced for the Usa market out of China.
If they can’t avoid tariffs, I imagine the first thing to change would be dropping the cheaper entry-level models since these have slimmer margins. Apple probably won’t need to increase the prices of build-to-order upgrades since those have really high margins already.
If they can’t avoid tariffs, I imagine the first thing to change would be dropping the cheaper entry-level models since these have slimmer margins. Apple probably won’t need to increase the prices of build-to-order upgrades since those have really high margins already.
Yes, Apple has several patents for 3D chip stacking/packaging.
Patent Applications Reveal Apple's Research Into 3D Chip Packaging
Apple's persistent quest for better performance, longer battery life, and slimmer form factors appears to be driving its research into advanced...
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Intel is feeling the pressure of Qualcomm, not Apple. Apple's playing their own game.
….and Mac's don't care about emotions, so they'll be just fine
Personally I thinks it's great that Apple updates more often then I do my purchases. I don't have to buy every new release.
MacRumors editors: please stop using your local seasons to describe timetables, you’re forcing everyone in the southern hemisphere to translate everything all the time. Plus even for the northern hemisphere, “Fall” is only used in the USA.
Years and months are far more inclusive 🌎🌍🌏
Years and months are far more inclusive 🌎🌍🌏
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Hmmm - the way this post focuses on 3D stacking makes me think this is the node where Apple dips it's toes into hybrid bonding. This would make sense for an M5 "Ultra" - which is the foremost type of chip that needs 3D Stacking - maybe even a 'quad'?
I'm sure Apple could also spread the investment of hybrid bonding between M5 chips and efforts to build server chips.
So - M5 Ultra in the Mac Pro and Mac Studio at WWDC?
I'm sure Apple could also spread the investment of hybrid bonding between M5 chips and efforts to build server chips.
So - M5 Ultra in the Mac Pro and Mac Studio at WWDC?