MacBook Pro With 3nm Chip Reportedly Launching Later This Year

[nelmur]

I am in the market for a 13" MacBook Air and am planning to wait for an M3 model, since I dragged my feet on getting into an M2 when it first launched.

Given now recently the 15" M2 Air was introduced, I do wonder if Apple will hold the Air line until early next year before giving it an M3 chip across both sizes. The 13" M2 machine is by no means long-in-the-tooth at this point, with it's new design, display, and camera.

Anyone else think that the M2 Air's will have a little longer than normal life span so that Apple can give the 15" some more room to sell before updating the full line?

 

[Pinkyyy 💜🍎]

For me, I would have loved the Touch Bar if it hadn’t replaced the function keys. It should have been a bar above the Fkeys. At least on the 15” Pro.

I think the issue is not with the touchbar istelf, it's that the function keys got replaced. I wonder what a Macbook would look like with both the function keys and the Touch Bar?

You can actually make the Function keys visible on the TouchBar in case you didn't know.

By going to System Settings (If you're on Ventura) > Keyboard > Touch Bar Settings



And then you can either make it always show the Function keys



Or you can make them show up when you press and hold the fn key

And now it shows the Function Keys on my TouchBar.

 

[lJoSquaredl]

Was considering an upgrade to a 14" from my Air, but with the battery life being rather weak on that model I'm definitely considering a short wait till the next M3 update on them. I'm sure the M2's battery life is at least more decent with the 4 efficiency cores and turning off any extras like 120fps or using low power mode/low brightness/SDR/etc but I'm sure the M3 will be that much better. If they manage to shave off a little of the thickness due to the cooler (slightly I assume) chips that's also a welcome addition.

 

[macduke]

The 13" MBP is stupid and I hate it and I don't understand why it exists and I want it to die.

There, I said it. Now I feel better.

I think the M Pro chip is a stupid name too. Well, all of them are, but that one especially because it's in the Mac mini and also because I think it will eventually be an option in MacBook Airs once the thermals are good.

Apple needs this, I don't know about names, but it needs to be like this:

• M3 Level 1
• M3 Level 2 (currently Pro)
• M3 Level 3 (currently Max)
• M3 Level 4 (currently Ultra)
• M3 Level 5 (currently doesn't exist, was rumored for Mac Pro but problems on 5nm)

Separate it out like this and replace the 13" MacBook Pro with an entry level 13" MacBook, maybe even an 11"?

• MacBook 11" (budget low-end $999, worse screen, webcam, ports): M3 Tier 1
• MacBook Air 13" M3 Level 1 with M3 Level 2 option ($1099)
• MacBook Air 15" M3 Level 1 with M3 Level 2 option ($1299)
• Mac mini: M3 Level 1 with M3 Level 2 option ($599)
• MacBook Studio 14": M3 Level 2 with M3 Level 3 option ($1999)
• MacBook Studio 16" M3 Level 3 with M3 Level 4 option ($2999, higher starting but you get the better chip as a baseline for less, they make up for it on the higher ASP)
• Mac Studio: M3 Level 3 with M3 Level 4 option ($1999)
• Mac Ultra: M3 Level 4 with M3 Level 5 option ($5999, should at least be $1000 lower than it is Mac Pro now when compared to Mac Studio and they need to figure out a higher speed interconnect to add GPUs, even if they are Apple ones, or some kind of AI cards, and probably redesign to make the footprint of the machine smaller if they want to charge $6999)

Then have:

• iPad 11" A17 from iPhone Pro ($449)
• iPad Air 11/13" M3 Level 1 ($599/799)
• iPad Studio 12/14" M3 Level 2 ($1099/1299, can also run macOS in a more restrictive, "sandboxed" form when connected to mouse and keyboard, uses universal app binaries)

 

[Pinkyyy 💜🍎]

Agreed, I would like Apple to offer the Touch Bar on all MacBooks, particularly all the pro models as an option, I would also like all the knockers, to actually use it for more than a review and learn, why it's actually so useful to a lot of people, other than the so called "Techie pro's"

Exactly !! I’m not even sure why Apple ditched it from the larger MacBook Pro models and only kept it on the 13-inch model. I really don’t understand that decision

And I totally agree. I do find the TouchBar very useful, it makes it easier to get to emojis, some app shortcuts, changing the font and the color of the text, controlling sound and brightness levels, etc. And not to mention how it can be used to skip YouTube ads, which is probably the coolest thing about it for me lol.

 

[Prof.]

I’m sure this is a great machine for college students who need the extra performance, but don’t need to spend $3000 on a 14” or 16” MacBook Pro.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

My life is ready for an M3 MBA!

I do hope they add some other upgrades over the M2, such as more base SSD or RAM, dual monitor support, lower price (Hah!) or slightly better battery. And perhaps a screaming orange color. 8)

Sorry but your comment just says give us more for free. M2 already has far more competence than Apple will put in its lowest end laptop, and the battery is already excellent. Waiting for M3 in the lowest end is a waste of time unless you expect Apple to not have the MBA be the low end anymore.

 

[Matt Leaf]

I purchased the M2 MacBook Air 13, and while great, it made me see the value of the 13" MBP. There's a fragility to the Air, and the Pro carries a little more heft to it. Plus, the fan and active cooling shouldn't be understated, on the Air it can be hard to cool the machine down if you're working at full load. The 13" is a great, portable option that can help you keep the machine cool during heavy tasks. More battery life is a win, too. Plus no notch if you're not into that. Be nice if Apple were bold enough to add MagSafe to the 13" Pro this time around, tho.

 

[Tnanman]

Apple plans to release a new MacBook Pro with an upgraded chip manufactured with TSMC's advanced 3nm process in the third quarter of 2023, according to a preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report shared today.

"Apple's next-generation MacBook Pro slated for launch in the third quarter will feature 3nm processors, according to industry sources," the preview says.

The report is likely referring to a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's next-generation M3 chip, which the company has yet to announce. The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

• 3nm Apple Silicon: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

In his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October, so a launch in the fourth quarter seems more likely than the third quarter. In any case, it is increasingly likely that Apple will announce the M3 chip later this year, and the first models with the chip will likely be the next-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac. It's unclear when the 15-inch MacBook Air released last month will be updated with the M3 chip.

Apple last updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip in June 2022, with pricing starting at $1,299 in the United States. The laptop has a seven-year-old overall design and is the only remaining Mac with a Touch Bar instead of physical function keys. It's unclear if the next model will have any major design changes.

Apple is expected to update the iPad Pro with the M3 chip and an OLED display in the first half of 2024, bringing 3nm technology to its high-end tablet. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are also expected to launch next year, and an M3 Ultra chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro is likely in the future.

Article Link: MacBook Pro With 3nm Chip Reportedly Launching Later This Year

I'll probably jump on the M3 Pro (12+ Core) whenever we expect that.

Starting to get limited by my M1 Pro, but never felt the M2 Pro justified the price for marginal gains at best.

 

[docbop]

Apple plans to release a new MacBook Pro with an upgraded chip manufactured with TSMC's advanced 3nm process in the third quarter of 2023, according to a preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report shared today.

"Apple's next-generation MacBook Pro slated for launch in the third quarter will feature 3nm processors, according to industry sources," the preview says.

The report is likely referring to a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's next-generation M3 chip, which the company has yet to announce. The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

• 3nm Apple Silicon: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

In his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October, so a launch in the fourth quarter seems more likely than the third quarter. In any case, it is increasingly likely that Apple will announce the M3 chip later this year, and the first models with the chip will likely be the next-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac. It's unclear when the 15-inch MacBook Air released last month will be updated with the M3 chip.

Apple last updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip in June 2022, with pricing starting at $1,299 in the United States. The laptop has a seven-year-old overall design and is the only remaining Mac with a Touch Bar instead of physical function keys. It's unclear if the next model will have any major design changes.

Apple is expected to update the iPad Pro with the M3 chip and an OLED display in the first half of 2024, bringing 3nm technology to its high-end tablet. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are also expected to launch next year, and an M3 Ultra chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro is likely in the future.

Article Link: MacBook Pro With 3nm Chip Reportedly Launching Later This Year

Why doesn't Apple put the Macbook Pro 13" out of its misery and kill it off. Now they making it the Crash Test Dummy for the M3.

 

[applesed]

should I cancel my m2 15 inch air order? If this is around the bend?

 

[Yebubbleman]

While I am in the minority camp that actually likes and prefers the Touch Bar and the current 13-inch MacBook Pro body style (and wouldn't hate if the M3 model kept it for one more go), Apple really ought to replace it with a variant of the 14-inch MacBook Pro that has the same chip. If they're still I/O limited on it for Thunderbolt ports, then fine, take away one of the three Thunderbolt ports. With MagSafe 3, HDMI, and SDXC, it's not like it still isn't a massive I/O improvement over what the 8thGenIntelU-series/M1/M2 versions of this model has always had.

As much as I thought it was needless originally (and I still sort of do), Apple having two distinctly different models of 13-inch/14-inch MacBook Pros made a whole lot more sense than them having a 13-inch that is too similar to the MacBook Air and priced too closely to the lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pros really makes no sense. Despite this, the current 13-inch MacBook Pro is probably my sweet spot (standard M-series SoC with a fan).

Still though, throwing what I like aside for a second, I think Apple ought to rethink both the 13-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pros such that the lineup looks like this (give or take updated with whatever M3 does to change this up naturally):

13-inch MacBook Air - M2 with 8 or 10 GPU cores

15-inch MacBook Air - M2 with 10 GPU cores

14-inch MacBook Pro - M2 with 10 GPU cores, M2 Pro with 10 CPU Cores and 16 CPU Cores; M2 Pro with 12 CPU Cores and 19 GPU Cores

16-inch MacBook Pro - M2 with 12 CPU Cores and 19 GPU Cores; All M2 Max flavors

 

[eifelbube]

If Touch Bar is here to stay. I want Apple to let customers customize the Touch Bar. It needs to be revamped!

Ha, ha … The Dynamic Shore

 

[Allen_Wentz]

While I am in the minority camp that actually likes and prefers the Touch Bar and the current 13-inch MacBook Pro body style (and wouldn't hate if the M3 model kept it for one more go), Apple really ought to replace it with a variant of the 14-inch MacBook Pro that has the same chip. If they're still I/O limited on it for Thunderbolt ports, then fine, take away one of the three Thunderbolt ports. With MagSafe 3, HDMI, and SDXC, it's not like it still isn't a massive I/O improvement over what the 8thGenIntelU-series/M1/M2 versions of this model has always had.

As much as I thought it was needless originally (and I still sort of do), Apple having two distinctly different models of 13-inch/14-inch MacBook Pros made a whole lot more sense than them having a 13-inch that is too similar to the MacBook Air and priced too closely to the lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pros really makes no sense. Despite this, the current 13-inch MacBook Pro is probably my sweet spot (standard M-series SoC with a fan).

Still though, throwing what I like aside for a second, I think Apple ought to rethink both the 13-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pros such that the lineup looks like this (give or take updated with whatever M3 does to change this up naturally):

13-inch MacBook Air - M2 with 8 or 10 GPU cores

15-inch MacBook Air - M2 with 10 GPU cores

14-inch MacBook Pro - M2 with 10 GPU cores, M2 Pro with 10 CPU Cores and 16 CPU Cores; M2 Pro with 12 CPU Cores and 19 GPU Cores

16-inch MacBook Pro - M2 with 12 CPU Cores and 19 GPU Cores; All M2 Max flavors

Even though I am a >15" MBP buyer only, I strongly disagree with any suggestion that the 14" MBP should have its power curtailed (no Max chip) versus the 16".

 

[Allen_Wentz]

should I cancel my m2 15 inch air order? If this is around the bend?

No upgrade to MBA 15" is around the bend. If you need additional competence buy a MBP.

 

[McWetty]

You can actually make the Function keys visible on the TouchBar in case you didn't know.

By going to System Settings (If you're on Ventura) > Keyboard > Touch Bar Settings

View attachment 2233913

And then you can either make it always show the Function keys

View attachment 2233914

Or you can make them show up when you press and hold the fn key

View attachment 2233915

And now it shows the Function Keys on my TouchBar.

View attachment 2233918

But that doesn’t bring back the tactile feel. I don’t look at the keys, I just know where they are by feel. Touch Bar removed that.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Even though I am a >15" MBP buyer only, I strongly disagree with any suggestion that the 14" MBP should have its power curtailed (no Max chip) versus the 16".

I know it improved somewhat with the 2023 models, but M1 Max in a 14-inch seems like too much sacrifice in battery life and thermals to be at all sensible. Plus the coolers they had kind of sucked. Similarly, even with improved coolers, the Max chips were clearly more intended for the Mac Studio and 16-inch MacBook Pro first and foremost, with the 14-inch being an afterthought. Had Apple designed for the 14-inch form factor first and foremost (with the added thermal headroom of the Studio and 16-inch being gravy on top), I'd completely agree with you. But the chips being what they are, and I think Max on a 14-inch kind of silly. Plus, we're talking about graphics performance and anything that would actually make use of a Max chip over a Pro chip would be way better to do on a larger display anyway. I'm not convinced that it's a pragmatic combo.

 

[sledgehammer89]

Really like my MBP 13" M2. I only miss a 120hz display like on my iPad Pro 2018. Since I know it's not coming, I don't need the M3 version.

I was late, my first device with TouchBar. Don use it for app features, but I'm happy to have my custom shortcuts.

A notch on a 13/14" would be a no-go.

 

[smirking]

Wow! I can't believe Macbook 13" is a seven-year-old body design. Having a Touch Bar is so nostalgic! sometimes I do find myself missing it.

I wonder why they won't just have both a Touch Bar AND a full row of function keys. I mostly had no use for the Touch Bar, but I also mostly have little use for the function keys. Once they put in the physical ESC key, I really had no issues one way or the other.

There are times when the Touch Bar is very handy like in scrubbing through a long video and I miss it in those moments.

 

[gaximus]

I think before ditching the Touch Bar. Apple needs to consider ditching the notch on MacBooks. It honestly serves no purpose. Not even Face ID. At least, Touch Bar is semi-functional.

In addition, we are also getting 13" iPad Pro models next year tho.

I love the Touch Bar, but never use it, 98% of the time my Mac is closed and I have external monitors connected.

That being said, the Touch Bar takes the place of the function keys, which many people would rather have, where the notch actually added screen real estate, because Apple just made the screen taller around the camera. You can actually disable the notch and bring the screen back to its original size and have larger bezels again if you wish.

 

[Yebubbleman]

A notch on a 13/14" would be a no-go.

Same. It's not a no-go, but rather only a go once they no longer make model newer than 2020 without a notch. The notch is ugly, but not something worth abandoning the platform for, at least, not for me.

Once they put in the physical ESC key, I really had no issues one way or the other.

Same. Them bringing back the physical escape key resolved all of the issues I had with the Touch Bar and it actually made it decent. Sadly, probably too little too late for most.

 

[arkmannj]

How about a 15” MBP that has a touch bar above the function keys. FaceID, and an M3 processor. I could go for that.

 

[DHagan4755]

As much as I thought it was needless originally (and I still sort of do), Apple having two distinctly different models of 13-inch/14-inch MacBook Pros made a whole lot more sense than them having a 13-inch that is too similar to the MacBook Air and priced too closely to the lower-end 14-inch MacBook Pros really makes no sense. Despite this, the current 13-inch MacBook Pro is probably my sweet spot (standard M-series SoC with a fan).

Well that's just it: the 13" MacBook Pro seems like a bad value because you're swapping MagSafe, a 1080p webcam, and a better display panel for a model that is lesser in those areas but it has a fan so it doesn't throttle. Again it's not a bad MacBook — it's just in need of a little more love than an SoC upgrade.

 

[Jeo_cz]

Apple's marketing team came with a revolutionary idea of putting the newest chip to the oldest product to make better sales. The next September event will be just about iPhone SE and Watch SE. And as "one more thing" we can expect the brand new iPod Touch with A17 inside! 🙂

 

[jwolf6589]

Apple plans to release a new MacBook Pro with an upgraded chip manufactured with TSMC's advanced 3nm process in the third quarter of 2023, according to a preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report shared today.

"Apple's next-generation MacBook Pro slated for launch in the third quarter will feature 3nm processors, according to industry sources," the preview says.

The report is likely referring to a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's next-generation M3 chip, which the company has yet to announce. The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.

• 3nm Apple Silicon: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

In his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October, so a launch in the fourth quarter seems more likely than the third quarter. In any case, it is increasingly likely that Apple will announce the M3 chip later this year, and the first models with the chip will likely be the next-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac. It's unclear when the 15-inch MacBook Air released last month will be updated with the M3 chip.

Apple last updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip in June 2022, with pricing starting at $1,299 in the United States. The laptop has a seven-year-old overall design and is the only remaining Mac with a Touch Bar instead of physical function keys. It's unclear if the next model will have any major design changes.

Apple is expected to update the iPad Pro with the M3 chip and an OLED display in the first half of 2024, bringing 3nm technology to its high-end tablet. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are also expected to launch next year, and an M3 Ultra chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro is likely in the future.

Article Link: MacBook Pro With 3nm Chip Reportedly Launching Later This Year

Cant wait.. My Touch Bar Intel 2020 MBP will eventually die and I will need a replacement. I love the Touch Bar and cannot live without it.