New MacBook Pros With M2 Pro and M2 Max Chips Now 'Well Into Development'

[treehuggerpro]

My guess is a 3nm Pro/Max would be able to fit into the current Mini form factory. The rumors seem to suggest Apple plans to make the Mini even smaller though, in a future redesign. If they reduce cooling capacity from the current design (which was created for hotter Intel chips after all), I am not so sure.

I'm not speculating on the future of this in any way, I just looked out of curiosity, and putting the current M1 Max into the existing Mini isn't outside the realm of possibility. The maximum temp of M1 Max in the Studio is a little cooler than the 2018 (intel) version:

Mini - https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201897
Studio - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213100

I suspect the main reasoning behind the Studio Max, was prioritising quiet running under load.

 

[coherence]

My 16'' MBP M1 Max is so fast that I can easily wait for a substantial upgrade. Running AI software for a particular task on my 2017 MBP took 5 minutes, with the M1 it takes 12 seconds.

Which software and task?

 

[transpo1]

I hated the notch, now I don’t even notice it’s there.

I almost never notice it on my 16" MBP. The only time it's an issue is with Davinci Resolve, which has drop down menus for miles...

 

[DeepIn2U]

M3 3nm is going to have a major difference.
It's probably going to be the first with the new ARMv9 architecture. Major leap.

Before that I'd rather we get:

HDMI 2.1 first with this upcoming iteration.

BTW, how come we've not heard anything about Thunderbolt 5 or USB-C 4/5 bumping up the bandwidth from 40Gbps to 80Gbps?! it's been a while we're at 40Gbps right?

 

[Tagbert]

I was thinking about whether the features that set the Mac Studio apart from the Mac mini may fit into the Mac mini form factor with the 3nm chips, although the fan seems to be the "big" factor (figuratively). I do really like the Mac Studio as well.

I think that they could put the M2 Pro into the Mini as long as the fan system is equivalent to what is in the 14” MBP. the Mini case should accommodate that. The Mac Studio has that crazy heat sync mainly for the Ultra chips. The MBP shows that the Pro chips don’t put off that much heat.

 

[Rradcircless]

Apple's next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are "well into development and testing," and there is still a chance the notebooks will be released later this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his "Power On" newsletter today, Gurman said Apple plans to release the new MacBook Pro models "as early as this fall," but as usual, he said there is a chance the timeframe is pushed back due to supply chain disruptions or other factors. Mass production of the notebooks will begin in the fourth quarter, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

While some reports suggested that the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips may be Apple's first 3nm chips, it looks increasingly likely that the chips will remain 5nm. The chips would still have performance improvements over the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in the current 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, as Apple is expected to move from TSMC's standard 5nm process "N5" to its more advanced 5nm process known as "N5P."

Like the standard M2 chip, the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips would likely also have increased GPU core counts and RAM compared to their M1 equivalents.

No major design changes have been rumored for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is unsurprising given that the notebooks launched with an all-new design in October 2021. The redesigned included the return of ports like MagSafe and HDMI, while a notch was added to the display for an upgraded 1080p camera and thinner bezels.

Rumors suggest a new Mac mini with an M2 Pro chip might be released this year as well, along with a new Mac Pro tower with M2 Ultra and "M2 Extreme" chips.

Article Link: New MacBook Pros With M2 Pro and M2 Max Chips Now 'Well Into Development'

It is so twisted to me how thus far, the 2021 MacBook Pro has been hampered by supply shortages and customers have to wait weeks to get theirs, and Apple are out here trying to throw another baby into the foster system to be delayed weeks with the same problem. if there’s one reason I’m happy with it, it could hopefully reduce the price of the M1 MacBook Pro so I can upgrade my storage and ram for less.

 

[Rradcircless]

I like how now all these prognosticators can cover themselves if they get a release time wrong by saying “it was a supply chain issue”.

Thanks for teaching me a shiny new word!

 

[coherence]

Why redesign? Because M1 MBPs reduced i/o competence by reducing Thunderbolt ports from 4 to 3.

What are you using yours for?

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I have a feeling VR will be the first device to utilize 3nm. I think M2 Pro/Max at 5nm could come next year and still make sense.

 

[entropys]

UHS-III is dead in the water, there still isn't a single card or device that uses it. There just doesn't seem to be a market for faster but not SDexpress faster. While I wish that weren't the case, that's unfortunately where we are.

Chicken and egg.

 

[transpo1]

I have a feeling VR will be the first device to utilize 3nm. I think M2 Pro/Max at 5nm could come next year and still make sense.

Holy crap— you’re onto something! What if those 3nm chips are destined for the RealityOS headset and that’s why they seem to be ramping up for early next year. I‘m unaware if this has been discussed elsewhere but that would make total sense and connect all the dots. 3nm for headset, 5nm for MBPs.

 

[wagszilla]

Forgive my ignorance but can anyone explain the advantage of this new 3nm chip?

I'm in the market for a new Mac and have my eyes set on a MBP after Apple put a pastel-colored bullet into the iMac.

 

[contacos]

Well, except that I'd imagine you're noticing the insane battery life. I upgraded from the Intel i9 16" to a 16" M1 Pro MBP and the battery difference is just outrageous. I basically never think about battery/charge anymore, whereas with the i9 I just assumed I'd need my power adapter wherever I went.

I only really use it plugged in. My MBP from 2012 has less than 300 cycles and 94% battery health lol

 

[chucker23n1]

Yep, and a serious chunk of the M2 bump up was them cheating by increasing the clock speed => increasing power consumption => increasing heat => reducing battery life. We came to that clock speed road block many many years ago.

I wouldn't call it cheating, and keep in mind they do have a slightly improved process. But yes.

At the same clock, the Air is only 1.3% faster per thread. At multi-thread, 7.8%, which I presume is largely due to improvements in their e-cores (but it may be improvements in the scheduler, too).

A15/M2 brings better e-cores and better GPU (and some improvements from the M1 Pro, such as LPDDR5 and more accelerated video codecs). Rather minor update, which is why I'm still unsure they'll bother at all for the M2 Pro, where the e-cores barely matter. But, maybe the GPU improvements make it worth it for Apple's target markets.

 

[wanha]

I like how now all these prognosticators can cover themselves if they get a release time wrong by saying “it was a supply chain issue”.

Well at least they need to cover themselves a little.

Us folks here just spout opinions as fact and no one ever comes back to hold us accountable

 

[wanha]

i think if Apple postpone we could have 3nm by June 2023

Yeah but what about the 2nm M4 chip?

If Apple goes all in on the 3nm for June 2023, we'll have to wait longer for the 2nm!

 

[wanha]

Apple: ships the most advanced mobile computing chips on the planet.

People on MacRumors: it's not good enough!

 

[Rradcircless]

It is so twisted to me how thus far, the 2021 MacBook Pro has been hampered by supply shortages and customers have to wait weeks to get theirs, and Apple are out here trying to throw another baby into the foster system to be delayed weeks with the same problem. if there’s one reason I’m happy with it, it could hopefully reduce the price of the M1 MacBook Pro so I can upgrade my storage and ram for less.

 

[jamcgahey]

This will be when I upgrade my 2017 MBP with its nightmare of a keyboard. I have been patiently waiting, but my assumption is this won't be announced until probably the October event? Or is this still too far out for October?

 

[opeter]

You aren’t going to tape a studio to the back of a monitor like you might a mini.

Why not?

There are different options for that. But it depends, how strong your monitor is
Just one of the many:

Apple Mac Studio Wall and Vesa Mount Available in 3 Colors - Etsy

This Electronics Stands item by Trella3DPrints has 102 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Loveland, OH. Listed on Aug 26, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[opeter]

Well I was referring the rumor of mini m2 pro.. and am waiting for Mac mini m2, not the pro.

I know. Guys and gals! It seems your sarcasm detector is broken. Or should I mark it somehow the next time to be more understandable?

 

[vmistery]

I think 2023 could be the big year, new design iPhones, M3 probably on N3, potentially new MBP 13 model to replace that old design. Apple Watch with new design and a better chip. For now I might pick up an M1 air second hand to replace my 16” Intel MBP now I’m no longer WFH.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

What are you using yours for?

External displays (3); external SSD storage; CF Express card reader; multicard reader; printer; USB-A hub.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

This will be when I upgrade my 2017 MBP with its nightmare of a keyboard. I have been patiently waiting, but my assumption is this won't be announced until probably the October event? Or is this still too far out for October?

I too will upgrade my 2016 MBP with its nightmare of a keyboard after M2 MBPs are announced. I expect an October announcement.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Apple: ships the most advanced mobile computing chips on the planet.

People on MacRumors: it's not good enough!

Literally no one said it was not good enough. However a newer M2 version is out on the street now so it is time to upgrade the most advanced mobile computing chips on the planet to M2.