Apple Testing at Least Nine New Macs With Four Different M2 Chip Variants

[pierce1979]

Will they be lighter? My M1 Pro 16” for work is heavy compared to previous 16” 2019 MBP feels like a tank

 

[theorist9]

Will they be lighter? My M1 Pro 16” for work is heavy compared to previous 16” 2019 MBP feels like a tank

I expect it's no for the MacBook Pros, but yes for the Air(s).

With the new Apple Silicon MBP's, Apple decided to move the pendulum away from thin and light to get better performance and battery life. It seems unlikely they'd abandon that for the next gen.

For the Air(s) (we don't yet know if there will be one screen size or two*), OTOH, the expectation is that Apple will leverage the low power consumption of their new chips to create something even thinner and lighter than the current model, whose case was designed for the more power-hungry Intel chips.

*According to this rumor by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the 2022 Air will retain the same 13.3" screen, but will have smaller bezels. Thus, in addition to being thinner and lighter, it should also have a smaller footprint:

MacBook Air M2 review: On the cusp of perfection

The MacBook Air M2 is a tantalizing mix of power, portability and endurance

www.laptopmag.com

 

[fourthtunz]

Really?
I moved from a 2016 MacBook Pro 13 inch with touchbar, to an M1 Air.
I was always impressed with that MacBook Pro, it always felt super light yet extremely solid.
With the MacBook Air, when it came to its design I was actually slightly disappointed when I first got it.
At it’s thickest point it’s thicker than my 2016 MacBook Pro was, and it’s weight never seem to be proportional to its thickness. Just holding it in the hands, it felt like it could be lighter, whereas my MacBook Pro always felt perfect.
Just for reference, the M1 MacBook Air is 2.8 pounds, and goes from 4.06 to 16.0 MM.
The current 13 inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro is 3.0 pounds and 15.4 MM.
The 12 inch MacBook was 2.03 pounds, and goes from 3.56 to 13.21 MM.
Given that the MacBook Pro has a better battery, a fan, a Touch Bar, a brighter display, and really isn’t that much heavier or thicker yet the same processor currently in the MacBook Air can fit in an iPad less than half of its thickness really tells me something.
Even if Apple couldn’t exactly match The old 12 inch MacBook, having a MacBook Air somewhere around 14 mm thick and around 2.3 to 2.5 pounds would be absolutely fantastic.
They removed the fan and put a much cooler more power efficient CPU in the last MacBook Air without barely changing the design, so it’s clear that there is a lot of room for it to get more thin and light.
Especially if they get rid of the useless wedge design. Sure it was cool… in 2008, but I’d rather have a lighter and thinner laptop all around than just one that has the bragging rights of saying “look, it’s so thin… if you look at it from the front and literally nowhere else.”
These days that’s a gimmick, it provides no actual benefit if at its thickest point the computer it’s thicker than ones without the wedge shape

I understand, it all in what works for you. I like the wedge design, makes it nice you you are
typing with it on your lap, makes it easy on the hands. Point taken though, if they bring back
the 12" I'd try it out. I'm just not sure if I'd like a display smaller than 13".

 

[EugW]

I understand, it all in what works for you. I like the wedge design, makes it nice you you are
typing with it on your lap, makes it easy on the hands. Point taken though, if they bring back
the 12" I'd try it out. I'm just not sure if I'd like a display smaller than 13".

They could fit say a 12.5" screen in the previous 12" form factor.

 

[ric22]

I understand, it all in what works for you. I like the wedge design, makes it nice you you are
typing with it on your lap, makes it easy on the hands.

I agree with this. The wedge shape stops the laptop digging into your wrists at certain angles on your lap and when you use desks of certain heights.

I fear Apple might try to gimp the MacBook Air in its next iteration, though- no wedge shape, white bezel, white notch, white keyboard with no backlight. That would categorically ruin it for me, so I'd have to start tolerating the less comfortable lump that is the MBP 13- unless of course that gets canned, and we're given the choice of a crappy Air or a MBP 14 at twice the price. ?

 

[fourthtunz]

They could fit say a 12.5" screen in the previous 12" form factor.

Interesting...Can't wait to see what they do with the M2...I love the M1 air but wouldn't mind a larger
SSD and more ram.

 

[fourthtunz]

I agree with this. The wedge shape stops the laptop digging into your wrists at certain angles on your lap and when you use desks of certain heights.

I fear Apple might try to gimp the MacBook Air in its next iteration, though- no wedge shape, white bezel, white notch, white keyboard with no backlight. That would categorically ruin it for me, so I'd have to start tolerating the less comfortable lump that is the MBP 13- unless of course that gets canned, and we're given the choice of a crappy Air or a MBP 14 at twice the price. ?

Right, lets hope they don't gimp the new one!
The MBP14 looks really nice but is way beyond what I need.
Looking forward to the M2 iteration!

 

[cw75]

Ordered a new MBP 14" w/M1 Max 10 Core CPU 2 TB 32 GB ram April 7...scheduled for delivery May 26 which still seems like a long time. Would it be worth cancelling and ordering an M2 Max at this point when they become available? Opinions?

 

[EugW]

Ordered a new MBP 14" w/M1 Pro 10 Core CPU 2 TB 32 GB ram April 7...scheduled for delivery May 26 which still seems like a long time. Would it be worth cancelling and ordering an M2 Pro at this point when they become available? Opinions?

If you can wait 6 months to a year, then sure...

 

[zephonic]

I canceled my order for a 16"/M1Pro/32GB/4TB and bought a refurb 16"/M1Max/64GB/4TB instead. Received it two days later. Battery health still at 100%, I think I made the right choice.

Nobody knows when this shipping backlog will clear up. If you can wait, no problem, but if you need it quick, refurbs are a good alternative.

 

[Tagbert]

Ordered a new MBP 14" w/M1 Max 10 Core CPU 2 TB 32 GB ram April 7...scheduled for delivery May 26 which still seems like a long time. Would it be worth cancelling and ordering an M2 Max at this point when they become available? Opinions?

Apple is unlikely to launch and ship all of the devices with M2-series right away. We may see a couple in June and some more this fall with others not coming out until next spring. If your intent is to get one sooner, then keep your current order. If you can wait for 6-12 months then you might wait for what is essentially a spec bump machine.

At this point it has been about 18 months since the first M1s were released. It's only been about 6 months since the MBPs were launched. Not everything comes out at the same time. Even when the new versions are released, there will probably be supply constraints for a while on those too.

 

[chucker23n1]

If you can wait 6 months to a year, then sure...

Yup. There were 23 months between the 2019 Intel 16-inch and the 2021 M1 Pro 16-inch.

It’s been 6 months since, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the next release isn’t until the middle of 2023.

The consumer M2 likely has priority, and that apparently isn’t happening for several months.

 

[theorist9]

Ordered a new MBP 14" w/M1 Max 10 Core CPU 2 TB 32 GB ram April 7...scheduled for delivery May 26 which still seems like a long time. Would it be worth cancelling and ordering an M2 Max at this point when they become available? Opinions?

Current rumors are 2023 for the M2 MBP's.

MacBook Air revamp delayed to late 2022, 2023 for 14-inch, 16-inch MacBook Pro | AppleInsider

Apple's rumored redesign of the MacBook Air will arrive later in 2022, a report claims, with updates to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros also thought to arrive into 2023.

appleinsider.com

Not sure, but more info. might become available at the June 6, 2022 WWDC. Apple doesn't typically give release dates for its products, but sometimes they give release years, e.g:
https://qz.com/1245926/there-wont-be-a-new-apple-mac-pro-computer-until-2019/

 

[chucker23n1]

Current rumors are 2023 for the M2 MBP's.

MacBook Air revamp delayed to late 2022, 2023 for 14-inch, 16-inch MacBook Pro | AppleInsider

Apple's rumored redesign of the MacBook Air will arrive later in 2022, a report claims, with updates to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros also thought to arrive into 2023.

appleinsider.com

Not sure, but more info. might become available at the June 6, 2022 WWDC. Apple doesn't typically give release dates for its products, but sometimes they give release years, e.g:
https://qz.com/1245926/there-wont-be-a-new-apple-mac-pro-computer-until-2019/

I think that was a rare exception and was largely fueled by the reality that 1) their 2013 Mac Pro was getting old (and wasn't gonna get another update), and 2) even beyond that, it didn't satisfy everyone's needs. So then you go back to the 2012 model, which is generous because it wasn't that much of an upgrade over the 2012 model (the default 2012 CPU option was from 2009!).

So, really, they had to say something as they were losing customer confidence (and perhaps lost some customers for good, or for a long time).

I'm not sure any Apple product has this (mildly embarrassing) problem right now. They even threw the "don't worry about the Mac Pro; it's coming" line at the Mac Studio introduction, to avoid people thinking the Mac Studio was going to replace the Pro altogether.

I know some people think the 2021 MacBook Pro is a bit of a step backwards, what with HDMI and all, but I really think this is the best workhorse laptop Apple has offered in quite a while, and I don't think there's any need for Apple to go on an apology tour the way they did with the Mac Pro between 2017 and '19.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I understand, it all in what works for you. I like the wedge design, makes it nice you you are
typing with it on your lap, makes it easy on the hands. Point taken though, if they bring back
the 12" I'd try it out. I'm just not sure if I'd like a display smaller than 13".

The rumor is at the next MacBook Air will be getting an even bigger screen, likely due to the notch.
The rumor is it’ll be going from 13.3 to 13.6 inches.
I was not talking about Apple going down to the 12 inch form factor, I was purely talking about in terms of thinness and weight.

 

[Boil]

I think Apple will kill the 13" M1 MacBook Air & the 13" M1 Macbook Pro, replacing both with a new 14" M2 MacBook...!

 

[Tagbert]

The rumor is at the next MacBook Air will be getting an even bigger screen, likely due to the notch.
The rumor is it’ll be going from 13.3 to 13.6 inches.
I was not talking about Apple going down to the 12 inch form factor, I was purely talking about in terms of thinness and weight.

And that is also part of the rumor for the next Air to get thinner and maybe lighter

 

[theorist9]

I think that was a rare exception and was largely fueled by the reality that 1) their 2013 Mac Pro was getting old (and wasn't gonna get another update), and 2) even beyond that, it didn't satisfy everyone's needs. So then you go back to the 2012 model, which is generous because it wasn't that much of an upgrade over the 2012 model (the default 2012 CPU option was from 2009!).

So, really, they had to say something as they were losing customer confidence (and perhaps lost some customers for good, or for a long time).

I'm not sure any Apple product has this (mildly embarrassing) problem right now. They even threw the "don't worry about the Mac Pro; it's coming" line at the Mac Studio introduction, to avoid people thinking the Mac Studio was going to replace the Pro altogether.

I know some people think the 2021 MacBook Pro is a bit of a step backwards, what with HDMI and all, but I really think this is the best workhorse laptop Apple has offered in quite a while, and I don't think there's any need for Apple to go on an apology tour the way they did with the Mac Pro between 2017 and '19.

I think you're focusing too specifically on that one example, since it was meant as just one illustration of my more general point that Apple sometimes does provide broad timeline info. For instance, in June 2020 they announced that the first AS products would be released in late 2020, and that the transition to AS chips would be completed for the entire Mac line within 2 years after that. And didn't Apple also say somewhere that the Mac Pro would be the last to transition?

Given this, it doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility that, at WWDC 2022, they might say, for instance, that the next gen of MBP's won't arrive until 2023. I agree it's unlikely to happen. But I still think the possibility is not vanishinly small.

Yes, you could argue that the transition to AS was extraordinary, and that it's thus the exception that proves the rule. But at the same time it's one more example showing that Apple sometimes does release broad timeline info. about new products.

Apple announces Mac transition to Apple silicon

Apple today announced it will transition the Mac to its custom silicon to deliver industry-leading performance and powerful new technologies.

www.apple.com

 

[zhuskers1]

Apple is internally testing several variants of the next-generation M2 chip and the updated Macs that will be equipped with them, reports Bloomberg, citing developer logs. There are "at least" nine new Macs in development that use four different M2 chips that are successors to the current M1 chips.

Apple is working on devices with standard M2 chips, the M2 Pro, the M2 Max, and a successor to the M1 Ultra, with the following machines in the works:

• A MacBook Air with an M2 chip that features an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU.
  
• A Mac mini with the M2 chip and a variant with the M2 Pro chip.
  
• An entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip.
  
• A 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The M2 Max chip features a 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU, along with 64GB Memory.
  
• A Mac Pro that will include a successor to the M1 Ultra used in the Mac Studio.

Apple has also tested an M1 Max version of the Mac mini, but the release of the Mac Studio may make such a machine redundant, so Apple could stick with M2 and M2 Pro chips when the Mac mini eventually sees a refresh.

According to Bloomberg, the internal testing is a "key step" in the development process, and it suggests that the machines could be released in the coming months. We have heard multiple rumors about a new MacBook Air, an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro, a Mac Pro, and a new Mac mini, but this is the first we are hearing of a possible 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro refresh this year.

Prior rumors have suggested that we can expect to see the MacBook Air, low-end MacBook Pro, and Mac mini come out in 2022, and Bloomberg has previously said that at least two Macs will launch mid-year, perhaps at WWDC.

Article Link: Apple Testing at Least Nine New Macs With Four Different M2 Chip Variants

Please just introduce a cost effective M2 based 27+ “ iMac replacement

 

[Captain_Mac]

You are contradicting yourself. Do you need more GPU than the M1 Pro or M1 Max offers? If so, then why are you talking about the 14” only offering the M1 Pro or better? The M2 isn’t going to be offered in the 14” Pro and it certainly won’t have more GPU oomph that the M1 Pro or M1 Max. The M2 Pro or M2 Max won’t be arriving until next year, so your choices are limited if you need something near term.

I think I’m not contradicting myself. I was responding to the question of why not wait for M3. As I said, I need more GPU power than what M2 and M3 will presumably have.
Not needing it near term but till the end of next year. That’s why (I said) I’m waiting for the M2 Pro MBP 14. The perfect laptop in my opinion, combining power and features. And with the next generation chips, namely M2 Pro, I’ll have a fantastic machine for years to come.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I bought an Intel MacBook Air when the new M1 equipped models were announced because there is one app in particular that’s Windows only that I need to do my job so having Boot Camp / Parallels for Windows was essential but it sure looks like Microsoft is heading in the direction of releasing Windows 11 on ARM x64 for licensing on any ARM processor now that their exclusive deal with Qualcomm has expired if Microsoft can make it work.

I finally heard from the devs that they’ve got a Mac version of that app coming in the next month or two and when that happens I’ll snap up a new Mac with an M2 chip.

I really like my MacBook Air and am thinking that my 27” Intel iMac from 2017 can be replaced by a Mac Mini. The 27” iMac is a great device but I need multiple monitors and don’t need them to be 27”. A couple of cheap 19” to 21” monitors would be fine for what I need on a desktop.

Is it possible to get a MacBook Air with a 512 GB SSD? My current system only has a 256 GB SSD and if I’ve got to go to a MacBook Pro for a 512 GB SSD that’s what I’ll do. 13” is fine for me on a laptop in terms of screen size. My wife’s a Covid-19 nurse. We don’t travel often these days. Outside of the SSD capacity the MacBook Air has been fantastic but I really look forward to the kind of extended battery life you can get with Apple’s SoC than you can get out of the remaining Intel. Charging the system every 3 - 5 hours feels like ancient technology when I think of my iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. I was nervous I’d have to go back to a Windows laptop. I work in IT and do some programming and it’s all Windows based. I don’t want to deal with that crap when I’m home. I want something that just works. I don’t want to deal with bad Windows Updates breaking things and zero day exploit solutions like “turn off the print spooler service”. Get real Microsoft and bring your QA team back. Apple isn’t perfect these days either but I’d take them over Microsoft every day that ends with a “y”.

You can get 256,512 1TB, 2TB right now, expect no change with a M2 Chip!

 

[chucker23n1]

I think you're focusing too specifically on that one example, since it was meant as just one illustration of my more general point that Apple sometimes does provide broad timeline info.

*nod*

They do indeed. But I think that will continue to be the exception rather than the norm. Their PR won't even acknowledge obvious things, like "yeah, the mainline iPhone is on an annual schedule; you get a new one each fall and sometimes an SE one in spring".

As John Gruber (who has been talking to Apple PR for a long time) says, they "don't like to explain themselves". There's maybe a little bit of Osborne Effect fear to it as well: if you know how soon a new model is coming, you might not bother getting the existing model. But if you don't, you're more likely to buy what's available today.

For instance, in June 2020 they announced that the first AS products would be released in late 2020, and that the transition to AS chips would be completed for the entire Mac line within 2 years after that. And didn't Apple also say somewhere that the Mac Pro would be the last to transition?

I don't know if they made another mention, but at the end of the Mac Studio transition, they clarified that the Mac Pro was still coming. Makes sense, since one might have gotten the impression "oh, the Studio replaces the iMac Pro and the Mac Pro", and, no, the Mac Pro is still planned.

Given this, it doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility that, at WWDC 2022, they might say, for instance, that the next gen of MBP's won't arrive until 2023. I agree it's unlikely to happen. But I still think the possibility is not vanishinly small.

Absolutely possible, but to what end? "There will eventually be a new high-end laptop, and we'll probably call it MacBook Pro again" isn't new information. Customers would like some reassurance, yes, and IT departments especially love it when they can plan ahead. But it puts Apple under constraints that they don't like. They like the flexibility of deciding, "you know what? we're now doing new iPhones not in June, but in October", as they did with the iPhone 4S.

They also probably love the buzz, just a little bit, that speculation generates. They don't like the leaks at all, but they do like that people care enough about the leaks that the media keeps talking about them. If Apple preannounces, there isn't as much to talk about.

Yes, you could argue that the transition to AS was extraordinary, and that it's thus the exception that proves the rule.

I would argue that, yep.

But at the same time it's one more example showing that Apple sometimes does release broad timeline info. about new products.

Indeed.

Let's say the 2021 MacBook Pro had still been Intel (Tiger Lake-H35, perhaps), and still the 2016 design. That could have led to a preemptive throwaway line at the end of that keynote saying "oh, and by the way: as you know, our entier Mac line-up is moving to Apple Silicon. That does include the MacBook Pro, eventually. Just not today".

Instead, I don't think there's much to be concerned about with current Macs. If you were to ask PR a generic "so, when are you updating x?" question, they'd give you a blanket "wait, why? We're very happy with our current line-up, and so are our customers!" answer, with the sole exception being the Mac Pro.

 

[CWallace]

For instance, in June 2020 they announced that the first AS products would be released in late 2020, and that the transition to AS chips would be completed for the entire Mac line within 2 years after that. And didn't Apple also say somewhere that the Mac Pro would be the last to transition?

Given this, it doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility that, at WWDC 2022, they might say, for instance, that the next gen of MBP's won't arrive until 2023. I agree it's unlikely to happen. But I still think the possibility is not vanishingly small.

IMO, I believe it is vanishingly small of a chance.

I do not believe Apple will pre-announce any of their Mac models going to a new generation of M series SoC just as they have never done so for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV or anything else.

As others have noted, Apple doesn't discount product during it's active lifecycle and part of how they are able to do that is because nobody knows when a new version of that product is coming out so people are not encouraged to wait to buy the new model or get the existing model on closeout discount.

So we'll know when Mac models formally transition to the M2 family (and details about the M2 family, itself) at best a week before it happens when Apple announces an event and the rumors line up. Though even then, plans can change as I am sure Apple intended to launch the MacBook Pro and M1 Pro / Max at WWDC, but supply chain issues pushed it back to the "traditional" October date for new Mac hardware reveals.

 

[Boil]

With the switch to Apple silicon, Apple should have the ability to put the Mac line-up on a more consistent schedule...

A two year schedule could work; each "class" of Mac released every six months...

Beginning of two-year cycle...
Mn = 14" MacBook / Mac mini / 24" iMac

Six months later...
Mn Pro/Max = 14" & 16" MacBook Pro / Mac mini (Mn Pro)

Six months later...
Mn Max/Ultra = Mac Studio

Six months later...
Mn Ultra/Extreme = Mac Pro

Six months later...
The cycle begins again...

 

[EugW]

Six months later...
Mn Ultra/Extreme = Mac Pro

As I've mentioned before, I am suspecting they will have a different architecture for the Mac Pro. However, what I didn't comment upon was what would be used in the entry level Mac Pro. Would they use Mn Ultra at the entry level?

I'm still thinking probably not. IOW, I'm thinking they could have 2-3 different Mac Pro chips, with none of them being in the Mn line. It's possible the entry level Mac Pro chip could be a binned variant of the mid-tier Mac Pro chip.

Just a random guess though, of course.