New Desktop Macs With M2 Ultra and M2 Max Chips Could See WWDC Debut

[MacRumors]

Apple is testing two desktop Macs that are equipped with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The M2 Max chip first came out in January with the launch of the 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, but the M2 Ultra chip is new and would succeed the M1 Ultra chip that Apple uses in the Mac Studio.

Gurman does not know which specific Macs will feature the chips, but the machines are labeled as "Mac 14,13" and "Mac 14,14" internally. Previous rumors have suggested that the revamped Apple silicon Mac Pro could include the M2 Ultra chip, the Mac Pro that Apple is developing is labeled as "14,8" internally, so the desktop machines in testing now are likely something else, perhaps new versions of the Mac Studio. Apple is also working on new iMacs, but these are expected to feature M3 chips.

Back in April, Gurman said that there were updated Mac Studio machines planned for a future launch, but he also said that it was unlikely that Apple would release a version of the Mac Studio with an M2 Ultra chip because it would be as powerful as the future Mac Pro, giving customers little reason to opt for a Mac Pro.

The first machine that Apple has been testing includes an M2 Max chip with eight high-performance cores, four efficiency cores, a 30-core GPU, and 96GB RAM. The chip is the same as the chip that's in the M2 Max version of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The second machine has an M2 Ultra chip with a 24-core CPU (16 high-performance cores and 8 efficiency cores) and a 60-core GPU, though prior information suggests that M2 Ultra chips could feature up to a 76-core GPU. Different configurations feature 64GB, 128GB, and 192GB RAM.

Apple is testing these new Macs just ahead of WWDC, and Gurman says that he expects multiple Macs to be introduced at the event. One of those will be the 15-inch MacBook Air, but we don't know which other Macs might appear. Gurman stops short of suggesting these new Macs with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips will be introduced at WWDC, but it seems like a distinct possibility.

Article Link: New Desktop Macs With M2 Ultra and M2 Max Chips Could See WWDC Debut

 

[GizmoDVD]

LOL to everyone saying the Studio was a one off

 

[Aluminum213]

I’ll just wait for the M3’s to drop…

 

[Kylo83]

M2 is a stop gap it’s not exciting we are waiting for m3

 

[Schizoid]

Mac Pro is dead and Apple are hoping everyone’s forgotten about it.

 

[dumastudetto]

I'd like to see desktop iPadOS devices introduced to continue the drive away from macOS. Now we have powerful tools and best-ever versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPadOS, it's time to go harder and faster in pursuit of the future.

 

[Art Mark]

They need some better priced monitor choices - like they used to have.

 

[Realityck]

We been suspecting an updated M2 Max/Ultra Mac Studio and new M2 Ultra Mac Pro for awhile would be released at WWDC.

 

[dumastudetto]

They need some better priced monitor choices - like they used to have.

Why? What Apple offers is already best-in-class.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Why? What Apple offers is already best-in-class.

Best-in-class doesn't mean people want it or will pay for it. Imagine if the only cars you could get in the world were super cars...

 

[smulji]

I'd like to see desktop iPadOS devices introduced to continue the drive away from macOS. Now we have powerful tools and best-ever versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPadOS, it's time to go harder and faster in pursuit of the future.

I read this blog post a few years back. I didn't agree with it back then but in hindsight I'm actually coming around to the idea. You may have a point

Above Avalon: The Mac Is Turning into Apple's Achilles' Heel

Apple's decision to change course and develop a new Mac Pro has received near-universal praise from the company's pro community. While developing a new Mac Pro is the right decision for Apple to make given the current situation, it has become clear that the Mac is a major vulnerability in Apple's br

www.aboveavalon.com

 

[Tymbo]

Pro chips for the soft refresh iMacs…
Max chips for the soft refresh MacBook Pros…
Ultras for the soft fresh Mac Studios…
Extremes for the soft fresh Mac Pros…
… rinse and repeat?

 

[lazyrighteye]

Mac Pro is dead and Apple are hoping everyone’s forgotten about it.

Considering my M2 MBA is more powerful than any MacPro I've owned (expansion is another topic), I can see where some may forget. 🤪

 

[Mr. Dee]

I suspect the Mac Pro has been delayed again. Like I concluded in a previous post, Apple started rebuilding the Apple Silicon Mac Pro to be expandable back in 2021 and it’s proving more difficult than they originally planned.

 

[JPack]

Bu…bu…but some people said M2 was too old. There was no doubt M3 would appear at WWDC.

 

[Cobra Kai]

I would take a 3nm M3 over an M2 Ultra any day. They seem like they'll be 4-6 months apart if this is true.

 

[cpnotebook80]

Wonder what the performance of these m2 pro and max chips would bring to the hardwares. I know they were scaling limitations on the m1pro and max so crossing fingers.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

I’m happy for people who were waiting for an updated studio…but does releasing these mean the m3 studios will be much further down the road vs had they skipped the m2 revamp?

- The guy waiting on m3 Studios

 

[jz0309]

so WWDC 2023 is turning into a HW show?
well, just a few more days and we all will KNOW more ...

 

[Cobra Kai]

LOL to everyone saying the Studio was a one off

LOL to everyone who bought a new M2 with a 10% difference in performance and a slower SSD compared to the M1.

 

[Kylo83]

im worried WWDC is becoming more of a hardware show and the software will have quick minor videos

 

[dragoon2745]

The Mac Pro is dead. Long live the Mac Pro.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

im worried WWDC is becoming more of a hardware show and the software will have quick minor videos

Maybe that’s the plan if rumors of a more bug focused “snow leopard” type year are true. Less to showcase outside of the watch os revamp ?

 

[sherwinzadeh]

Some Pros need an Intel Mac still. I need one just to use Docker to deploy to AWS Intel based instances. Virtualization doesn't work.

 

[smulji]

I suspect the Mac Pro has been delayed again. Like I concluded in a previous post, Apple started rebuilding the Apple Silicon Mac Pro to be expandable back in 2021 and it’s proving more difficult than they originally planned.

Or Apple could scrap it altogether