I don't think an M2 chip would make much difference to overall size weight, size, and performance for all the 14 and 16 MacBook pro models (with pro and max) It makes sense to make tests but not risk a complete line for such a thing. I don't even think they could reduce their battery size.
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:
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.
- 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 GPU 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.
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
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Apple Testing at Least Nine New Macs With Four Different M2 Chip Variants
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I just checked Intel’s roadmap and I’m not sure if Apple can compete with their 13th Gen chips. The current 12th gen Alder Lake chips are already 15-20% faster in single core than the M1 and the 13th gen is going further the lead even more (15% faster than Alder Lake). The M2 will be based on the A15 and that chip was only 10% faster than the A14.
I know, Intel chips use way more power but Apple needs to keep up in single core. Most of the tasks day to day is still single core, like browsing the web.
I know, Intel chips use way more power but Apple needs to keep up in single core. Most of the tasks day to day is still single core, like browsing the web.
Intel's products and Intel's roadmap haven't always been the same thing.
Single core performance is important, but I wouldn't say "most tasks day to day" are still single core. Even refreshing a web page is going to fire up multiple threads which will run on more than one core. That said, things that can only take advantage of a "few" cores will still start to lag behind...
IMO, single-core speed hasn't really mattered that much for web browsing for a few years now.
If we were to use Geekbench 5 single-core as a general indicator, IMO anything over about 1000 single-core is already pretty fast for the vast majority of the population, and anything over about 1500 is screaming fast for even most forum geeks. The two year-old M1 is already 1750. M2 will likely be close to 2000.
And as @blackcrayon mentioned, modern browsing is more than just single-core. For example, embedded multimedia would spawn additional separate threads, and stuff like video playback is usually hardware accelerated anyway.
That's why the surfing experience on a 4 year-old 2018 iPad Pro still is still excellent.
That too.
Which is less than the difference in clock speeds between M1 and Intel cores going full turbo.
So does Apple just not want to run the M1s faster for power/cooling reasons, or can't they run faster for timing reasons.
And how many of those single core tasks really use the entire core (meaning the CPU is truly the bottleneck)? The bottleneck in many simple applications often lies elsewhere -- like internet speed.
That said...
I have to beat the crap out of my M1 Max to light up even half of its cores/RAM. I've done it - I even heard the fan once. But man, I was abusing that thing (2 external monitors, 20 open apps, color correcting a 90 minute video, and browsing the internet).
If Apple produced a CPU with twice the single core speed tomorrow, I'm not sure how often I'd be able to tell the difference in real world use. However, I couldn't say that with the 2019 Intel MacBook Pro - constant beachballs and fan noise. So the leap to M1 (regardless of variety) was just huge.
My friend is a web creative pro. He says for his work on his M1 Max Mac Studio, his CPU utilization never goes above 20%. However, he is using most of his 32 GB RAM, at least when he opens a couple of his 1.5 GB project files and running a VM at the same time. Photoshop alone was using over 10 GB.
Not surprisingly, even a significantly lighter workload would bring his 2014 i7 iMac with 24 GB to its knees.
Two entirely pointless fans, though. Even the iPad doesn't get hot with the M1...
If it's the Touch Bar you love, I think you're in trouble and will be sad ? Generally, it won't be missed.
Minus the Touch Bar it's basically the same computer. Screen a smidgen brighter and speakers almost imperceptibly better... I'm sorry for your loss, buddy.
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No, it's not the same thing. Single-core score of iPhone 11 is roughly 1330. Single-core score of iPhone 13 is roughly 1750.
The iPhone 13 is roughly 30% faster, and that 1750 is well beyond the ~1500 threshold I mentioned in my previous post. With a single-core score of 1750, surfing experience is already outstanding. Going faster for single-core isn't going to help you very much for surfing, at least in the near term. Diminishing returns.
The other fact is that iPhone 13 has 50% more RAM than iPhone 11.
Anyhow, most of us would rather have a silent machine with outstanding surfing experience, than a hot and loud machine with an outstanding+1 surfing experience.
The various MacBook Pro models have been refreshed every year since 2008, sometimes twice a year. The first time they did not refresh a model was 2020 for the 15/16” and 2021 for the 13” - both due to the Apple silicon transition. The iMac, especially the larger model, has been updated every year except 2018 (and technically 2016, but it had a mid-2015 refresh and a late 2015 refresh).
I like the idea of upgrade options, but I must admit the smaller form-factor and higher performance of on-chip outweighs my basic desire to go in low and "maybe" upgrade components down the road.
Graphics cards have a fair argument where you truly can reshape the outcomes. Even still, having killer performance out of the gate still beats the model of upgraded and Frankenstein for me. My last experience with that option was an old G5 tower that I never really upgraded.
Technically, in June 2020, they added the 5600m as an option so it too is a refreshed model.
I never buy the first gen of any new product (ie new body style of a car, first generation mirrorless camera).
The M1 implementation was flawless, however, even on the software side, which surprised me.
The transition was far easier than the Motorola and PowerPC eras.
That said, while Apple was concentrating on the processor in the M1 devices, they will have more time to devote to other components (ports, redesigning the body, removing touchbar, better camera, better screen) in the M2 models. I can't wait to replace my 2015 MBP with an M2 15" (Air hopefully, but if not then Pro).
I think there are a lot of users like me that don't *need* a new machine but the M line is really attractive and we held off on M1 but will pull the trigger on an M2.
Anyone hoping for an M2 Pro/Max 14/16 this year is going to be very disappointed.
I certainly hope so, very much looking forward to a more capable Mac Air, that little machine is nearly perfect.
That is what you are hoping for because you just shelled out money for the M1 Pro/Max
Right?!!Mini M2 Pro....yes please
And in Soace Grey or Soace Black please Apple. Please.
Also a Mac mini variant with the M2 Pro chip, this is HUGE! Means lower power consumption leading to less heat than the M1 Pro which never made it to the Mac Mini.
Although that Mac Studio looks the kit now, 8-12mths now (m1 Max) it may not hold up against an M2 Pro.
Still happy with my 2013 Xeon Mac Pro. No plans to ever buy an M chip Mac
That would be slower and more power hungry than the equivalent A-series chip.
The M-series are not going to help iOS and phones. They use the same cores as the A-series chips, but with more cores for multi-threaded performance. That isn't much help on iPhone apps. The M2 most likely uses the same core as last year's A15 from the iPhone 13. That would be slower than an A16 expected in the next iPhones.
Then Apple wouldn't be foolish enough to release that in June in California. You'd expect a release like that to be in November or February!
Or else perhaps they could have the WWDC keynote broadcast from Inuvik.
Very excited to see the new M2 chips when they come out.
This has me very excited.