Unless there is some realistic rumor, all the desire for something not anticipated until late 2022 won’t happen only a month from now.
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Gurman: Apple Event on March 8, At Least Four M2 Macs to Launch Later This Year
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Hmmm, you may be on to something. "Pro" is useless. Apple should go with M1, M1 Better, M1 Better yet, M1 Almost Best, M1 Better than Almost Best, M1 penultimate Best, M1 Best, and M1 Ultimate Best. That's a granularity of 9. If you need more, there's always M1 Super-Double-Extra Best, right? ?
The most intersting takeaway when they eventually release the M2 will be the actual speed gain over M1. If it is not substantial, I’ll start to worry.
I expect them to reveal the classic music streaming service as well. And maybe they can finally start selling the HomePod along it in those countries that was rumoured the other week. At least I'm waiting for it...
Smart move. Even the base 14” MBP is pretty much a massive upgrade compared to what a equivalent configuration of MBA represents. The M2 might represent a few improvements but it’s not better then a M1 pro derived from all rumors.
I have a feeling they might be announcing something besides Macs. Everyone here is right— it’s can’t just be for spec updates. I wouldn’t be surprised if they announced the headset with shipping in fall. Although it seems way too early for all that, but…This could be a “one more thing” moment.
...but that was just one range of 13" MBPs, identical apart from the usual i5/i7 choices.
It was in 2016, that the 13" MBP got split into distinct "entry" and "high end" versions, with 2 vs 4 TB ports, and, initially, no touch bar on the entry level, and later using completely different ranges of Intel processors (i.e. the entry-level i5 wasn't even the same processor as the high-end i5).
It's the post-2016 entry-level 13" MBP that really didn't make sense as a MacBook Pro, and that I'm suggesting should have been called the MacBook if the 12" MB hadn't been around.
Whether the high-end 13" MBP deserved the "pro" name is moot - it's discontinued, and the new 14" MBP at least uses a M1 pro chip (...and has moved much closer spec-wise to the 16" MBP).
The M1 Pro and Max are the same chip with more cores as the M1 (with other important updates like memory addressing). You're waiting on a faster version of the base M1 based on a newer core design.
One persistent rumor is that the M-series chips will use the core design of even numbered A-series chips. The M1 is based on the A14 so a Q3 or Q4 lines up with the M2 being based on the cores of the A16. Don't expect more cores than the M1 as the M2 will be a consumer level chip. The M2 Pro and Max should follow along in 2023 sometime.
Thats very interesting on the even a-series, I like it!
in terms of waiting - I'm just saying chip delays aside, I'm sure Apple wanted the m1max and family out en entirety in 2021. If an m1max iMac isn't coming out till mid 2022, its way less impressive release in terms of competition. So at what point does cutting losses and focusing on the m2max make more sense?
A 7700k in released in 2017 vs had they released in 2019 would be very different received.
M2 MacBook Pro losing the Touch Bar makes it interesting but if you're not going to improve the screen past the 500 nits it is now all that Apple can do is either bump the base RAM or storage if they intend to keep the price point at $300 over the equivalent Air.
That said, you do wonder if Apple could add SD and a USB-A port to the Pro if the M2 offers additional PCIe lanes or the option to make them Thunderbolt 3 only.
That said, you do wonder if Apple could add SD and a USB-A port to the Pro if the M2 offers additional PCIe lanes or the option to make them Thunderbolt 3 only.
The Fall 2020 and 2021 events featured lengthy segments to simply spec update the base iPad with the latest two-year-old processor (complete with segments on how awesome the A12/A13 are). The Spring 2021 event had a lengthy segment to spec update the Apple TV and iPad Pro and a new color to the iPhone 12. Apple will take any opportunity to give itself a high five and play up the most incremental of updates to their products. The last time they did a press release product update to my knowledge was when they updated the Intel iMacs in summer 2020, and that was probably because they didn't want to steal the thunder out of the upcoming Apple Silicon transition.
Now that Microsoft’s exclusive ARM deal with Qualcomm is over have they announced Windows 11 on ARM available to all ARM chip makers yet? Any sense if that’s coming? That’s the only thing holding me back from getting a laptop / desktop with Apple Silicon. I want to know I can fall back on Windows if I have to for work related reasons.
The only plus side is that one of the two Windows apps I need has a Mac release coming out. The other is a C++ / C# with .NET hybrid app that upses UI controls from Infragistics. I doubt it’ll be ported anytime soon.
I can’t always rely on the ability to connect via VPN and then use RD to connect to my workstation at the office. Being able to run that app locally regardless of my ability to access the Internet, use the VPN and connect to my workstation is important. Think power outage at the office, vacationing in place where Internet access is spotty, etc.
That and I’m never a fan of generation one hardware unless it’s groundbreaking in a way that matters to me. Apple Silicon is groundbreaking, but not in a way that has any practical meaning for me at the moment. From a practical standpoint the inability to run Windows hurts Macs for me. Bootcamp and Parallels are the reason I switched.
The only plus side is that one of the two Windows apps I need has a Mac release coming out. The other is a C++ / C# with .NET hybrid app that upses UI controls from Infragistics. I doubt it’ll be ported anytime soon.
I can’t always rely on the ability to connect via VPN and then use RD to connect to my workstation at the office. Being able to run that app locally regardless of my ability to access the Internet, use the VPN and connect to my workstation is important. Think power outage at the office, vacationing in place where Internet access is spotty, etc.
That and I’m never a fan of generation one hardware unless it’s groundbreaking in a way that matters to me. Apple Silicon is groundbreaking, but not in a way that has any practical meaning for me at the moment. From a practical standpoint the inability to run Windows hurts Macs for me. Bootcamp and Parallels are the reason I switched.
Too soon for M2 in my opinion. These updates should be spaced out 2-3 years. The M1 is super fast for most tasks. Maybe an iMac Pro and Mac Pro run off an M2 desktop version, but MacBooks can wait. The M1 Pro is fast, it’ll get confusing (M2 vs. M1 max, etc.)
You really give people that little credit? That someone wouldn't be able to understand the difference between an m2 and an m1pro?
People sure did fine with the A12x and a13
At this point, I'm thinking it's a drinking game. "Gurman repeated himself *again* -- drink!"
I’m betting will see:
1. 27” M1 pro/max iMac. Available in 2 months.
2. M1 pro/max Mac mini (which will overlap the current Mac Pro market). Immediately released.
3. Replacement base level MacBook Pro with M2, no touchbar with old model discontinued. Immediately released.
4. M2 MacBook Air with old model discontinued. Immediately released.
I’m interested in (1). Big time. If that doesn’t materialise then (2).
1. 27” M1 pro/max iMac. Available in 2 months.
2. M1 pro/max Mac mini (which will overlap the current Mac Pro market). Immediately released.
3. Replacement base level MacBook Pro with M2, no touchbar with old model discontinued. Immediately released.
4. M2 MacBook Air with old model discontinued. Immediately released.
I’m interested in (1). Big time. If that doesn’t materialise then (2).
I’d take a Mac Mini Pro and an Apple Display over an iMac if there was an option for that and the differential pricing wasn’t abhorrent.
It won’t overlap the current Mac Pro in terms of expandability etc. but it may overlap it in real world functionality, particularly in the video editing and music production market.
It will be nice to see it in spring although for me personally I may just wait until summer anyway to take advantage of the education promotion.
I agree there will likely be new hardware but the “spec updates” isn’t a fair comparison, in the past it would have been other vendors specs ie intel chips. Now the “spec updates” will be apple silicon, I don’t see apple releasing M2 without an event to talk about what’s new.
Yes Apple clearly separates the IPad Air and iPad Pro, its the same with the MBA and MBP. As long as you keep your expectations to each laptop line that are selling very well, whats the incentive for them to overlap? Apple has no wish to create a larger more awkward to handle MBA. All they eventually need to do is increase the upper RAM limit with the successor of a M1 which is the most energy efficient ARM they currently utilize. The next ARM likely will have 15% better CPU, and 50% better GPU as a guess.