MacBook Pro With Next-Gen M2 Chip Coming Next Month, Supply Chain Report Claims

[MacRumors]

Apple will launch its first MacBook Pro featuring a second-generation M2 Apple silicon processor at its spring event next month, according to a new supply chain report today.

DigiTimes reports that Apple's supply chain partners kept production lines running during the Lunar New Year holiday for the new MacBook Pro, which is set to launch in "early March," according to the publication's industry sources:

Apple reportedly will release a spate of new devices in early March, including new MacBook Pro adopting the latest M2 processor, budget-level 5G iPhone SE and iPad, the sources said. Except for the processor, most other components used in the new MacBook Pro reportedly will feature almost the same specs as those for existing model featuring M1 chips, leading MacBook Pro supply chain partners to maintain production during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday to satisfy increasing demand for Mac series, the sources continued.

Although the report doesn't mention the exact size of MacBook Pro, the only "Pro" model with the original M1 chip is the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Apple is believed to be working on an updated version of this machine, which was positively received when it launched back in November 2020.

As recently as this past weekend, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said Apple's intention is to release an updated entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip in 2022, but it was generally assumed that the machine would appear later in the year, after Apple finishes releasing its final Macs with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

DigiTimes' sources often provide reliable information, but the site has a mixed track record when it comes to interpreting that information and accurately deciphering Apple's plans, especially with respect to product launch timing.

Nevertheless, whenever it arrives, the next-generation entry-level MacBook Pro should use the same ‌M2‌ chip that the next-generation ‌MacBook Air‌ is expected to adopt, featuring the same number of CPU cores as the M1 chip, up to 10 graphics cores, and improved performance. Gurman believes Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the new entry-level MacBook Pro, and he expects the notebook will lack a ProMotion display.

These details have yet to be corroborated, which is why there have been questions regarding how the new entry-level machine will take the middle ground between a new ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌, also expected this year, and the current high-end MacBook Pro models.

At its virtual event on Tuesday, March 8, Apple is also expected to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both believed to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Article Link: MacBook Pro With Next-Gen M2 Chip Coming Next Month, Supply Chain Report Claims

 

[MayaUser]

Its digitimes, so 0% chances that M2 Mbp or any M2 mac will come next month

 

[MayaUser]

When digitimes are original and not copying what Gurman or Kuo or others are saying...they are always WRONG

 

[contacos]

"Entry level Pro Model" a sentence that should not even exist. Either something is a "Pro" or it is not.

 

[Andy-V]

Decided to revert back to using photos of the old-gen MBP?

 

[kentzh]

At present, the supply of M1 PRO/ MAX is in short supply. Due to the shortage of chips, Apple will announce the emergence of M2 chips when many people do not get them. I think this possibility is 0. If the M2 is released, it will greatly affect the current sales of MacBook Pro. I don't think Apple will do this.

 

[contacos]

Decided to revert back to using photos of the old-gen MBP?

Did you not read the article? It is supposed to be an "entry Pro" 13 inch model without the new redesign of the 14 / 16 inch. Yes, they could have photoshopped away the TouchBar but it is just a rumor anyway

 

[certen]

Touchbar!

 

[DMG35]

They can barely get the M1 chips out the door and these guys think the M2 is coming next month? Yeah right.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

why MR reports on DigiTimes is beyond me. I’ve been on this site for over 15 years. DigiTimes is ridiculously unreliable and just annoying at this point. Bet my left whatever that there’s no M2 MBP next month. ?

 

[orbital~debris]

"Entry level Pro Model" a sentence that should not even exist. Either something is a "Pro" or it is not.

I'm not so sure. There's a difference for sure between a lower priced access to Pro features, and a 'fully-loaded' model that the no-expense-spared crowd buy (sometimes from a company's pocket).

 

[Aggedor]

Its digitimes, so 0% chances that M2 Mbp or any M2 mac will come next month

What, you mean you DON'T believe that Apple will release an M2 "entry-level" 13" MBP in March to instantly leapfrog the M1 Pro and Max systems that were only just introduced, thereby cannibalising sales of the more expensive/lesser-performing machines and introducing a lot of confusion to the their product matrix?

 

[Aggedor]

why MR reports on DigiTimes is beyond me. I’ve been on this site for over 15 years. DigiTimes is ridiculously unreliable and just annoying at this point. Bet my left whatever that there’s no M2 MBP next month. ?

MR sure ain't what it used to be ?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

They can barely get the M1 chips out the door and these guys think the M2 is coming next month? Yeah right.

That is not right. You can get M1 Macs everywhere, and Apple themselves have 1-3 days of shipping time on them.

M1 Pro and Max, that's a completely different matter, but they are also much more complex, and newer, chips.

why MR reports on DigiTimes is beyond me. I’ve been on this site for over 15 years. DigiTimes is ridiculously unreliable and just annoying at this point. Bet my left whatever that there’s no M2 MBP next month. ?

Digitimes is 60,8% correct, according to Appletrack, which isn't too shabby IMHO.

 

[chucker23n1]

"Entry level Pro Model" a sentence that should not even exist. Either something is a "Pro" or it is not.

It's bizarre that Apple still can't think of better branding for this mid-range model than "Pro".

 

[DMG35]

That is not right. You can get M1 Macs everywhere, and Apple themselves have 1-3 days of shipping time on them.

M1 Pro and Max, that's a completely different matter, but they are also much more complex, and newer, chips.


Digitimes is 60,8% correct, according to Appletrack, which isn't too shabby IMHO.

That’s obviously what I meant in talking about MacBook Pros, but good job

 

[SirKeldon]

It's bizarre that Apple still can't think of better branding for this mid-range model than "Pro".

I think they should return to the origins and this model should be called "Macbook", "Macbook" for all the 13" versions (including Air) and "Macbook Pro" for 14" and 16"

 

[haydn!]

Do we expect Apple to eventually re-merge the 14 and 16 refresh timelines? Or is there not a risk the 14 could be offering better performance than the 16, at a lower price point for 6-12 months.

Even from a marketing perspective, there will some that would see M2 as “better” than M1(anything).

 

[diggy33]

I think they should return to the origins and this model should be called "Macbook", "Macbook" for all the 13" versions (including Air) and "Macbook Pro" for 14" and 16"

That makes too much sense.

 

[Bustycat]

I think they should return to the origins and this model should be called "Macbook", "Macbook" for all the 13" versions (including Air) and "Macbook Pro" for 14" and 16"

All the previous “MacBook” models were plagued with issues. I wouldn’t try again.

 

[Ifti]

With all the talk of M2, now I feel like I need to wait for the M2 Pro/Max before I jump aboard the Apple Silicon bandwagon!

 

[44267547]

Touchbar!

Careful with that. That’s a very touchy subject around this forum.

 

[chucker23n1]

Do we expect Apple to eventually re-merge the 14 and 16 refresh timelines? Or is there not a risk the 14 could be offering better performance than the 16, at a lower price point for 6-12 months.

Even from a marketing perspective, there will some that would see M2 as “better” than M1(anything).

I assume you mean 13 and 14/16 (the 14 and 16 were refreshed in sync).

And, yes, the 13 with M2 will be faster in some areas than the M1 Pro/Max are. I don't think they'll sync them to avoid that. The iPhone 14 will also be faster in some areas than the highest-end Mac. It's simply a fact of life.

 

[Tozovac]

"Entry level Pro Model" a sentence that should not even exist. Either something is a "Pro" or it is not.

Reminds me of trying to explain Audible memberships to my mother yesterday. The base membership appears to be “Audible Plus,” and the next tier up is “Audible Premium Plus.” Do you think Audible has a membership under the “Plus” membership?

Marketing can be so whacked, but what can we expect from Apple after how they name/number iPads and iPhones. Which iPad Air came after the iPad Air? Quick…differences between IPhone XS vs. XR… With an MB Pro and Pro Max available, isn’t the MB Pro already the entry level Pro (after the 13” entry level Pro goes away)?

 

[contacos]

I'm not so sure. There's a difference for sure between a lower priced access to Pro features, and a 'fully-loaded' model that the no-expense-spared crowd buy (sometimes from a company's pocket).

So a „MacBook“ then