Wouldn’t this years silicon not be called M2 and M2x?

[Boil]

Mx (M1 / M2 / etc.) = entry-level Macs (MacBook Air / Mac mini / 24" iMac)

MxX (M1X / M2X / etc.) = mid-level "prosumer" Macs (14" & 16" MacBook Pro laptops / Mac mini / 27" iMac)

MxZ (M1Z / M2Z / etc.) = high-end "Pro" Macs (Cheesegrater 2.0 Mac Pro / Mac Pro Cube / 30+" iMac Pro)

 

[Dwalls90]

The naming scheme of the A-series processors goes like this: A#bionic/fusion/whatever for the regular, iPhone processor; A#X for the first generation of the same processor with boosted GPU+CPU+RAM; A#Z for the second generation of the same processor with boosted GPU+CPU+RAM.

For example: A12 Bionic in the Xs, Xs Max, and Xr; the A12X in the iPad Pro released that year; the A12Z in the next generation of iPad Pro.

I’m assuming that the chip in the new MacBook Air (if one gets released) will be the A12 Bionic of the Apple silicon macs, the M2. The boosted version would be called the M2X (again, just speculation). This processor might be in a new Mac Mini or 13”/14” MacBook Pro. If they did a later release, or a super powerful chip release, with a double boosted version, I’d assume that it would be called the M2Z. This would be in a 16”/17” MacBook Pro (or maybe a new iMac Pro or Mac Pro?!).

Please correct me if I’m wrong about the naming, but this is what I think it is. M2<M2X<M2Z

Mx (M1 / M2 / etc.) = entry-level Macs (MacBook Air / Mac mini / 24" iMac)

MxX (M1X / M2X / etc.) = mid-level "prosumer" Macs (14" & 16" MacBook Pro laptops / Mac mini / 27" iMac)

MxZ (M1Z / M2Z / etc.) = high-end "Pro" Macs (Cheesegrater 2.0 Mac Pro / Mac Pro Cube / 30+" iMac Pro)

But the A12Z was essentially the A12X but with an extra core unlocked (think 7 core GPU M1 vs 8 core GPU). I don’t think the Z was that much more of a performance increase over the X.

 

[H-B0mb]

Potentially M1 Pro and M1 Max according to a Mark Gurman report on Bloomberg citing an anonymous developer

 

[Jorbanead]

But the A12Z was essentially the A12X but with an extra core unlocked (think 7 core GPU M1 vs 8 core GPU). I don’t think the Z was that much more of a performance increase over the X.

Right but it’s more the naming conventions that they’re getting at - not exactly the specific level of performance increase. It’s just saying M1 - low level // M1X - mid level // M1Z - high level etc.

There’s also this too:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1449727821576736774

 

[Dwalls90]

Potentially M1 Pro and M1 Max according to a Mark Gurman report on Bloomberg citing an anonymous developer

Right but it’s more the naming conventions that they’re getting at - not exactly the specific level of performance increase. It’s just saying M1 - low level // M1X - mid level // M1Z - high level etc.

There’s also this too:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1449727821576736774

So it's looking like M1 will stick around for another year. Apple wouldn't introduce these M1 Pro and M1 Max chips while introducing an M2 for the "entry level" Macs. Unless these leaks are wrong, but considering they were found in Apple's own code...

I am curious as to why Apple took a year to finalize the Pro and Max variants of the M1 chip introduced a year ago. They release a new iPhone A chip annually. I'm hoping Macs get on a faster refresh cycle than every 2 years.

 

[Jorbanead]

So it's looking like M1 will stick around for another year. Apple wouldn't introduce these M1 Pro and M1 Max chips while introducing an M2 for the "entry level" Macs. Unless these leaks are wrong, but considering they were found in Apple's own code...

I am curious as to why Apple took a year to finalize the Pro and Max variants of the M1 chip introduced a year ago. They release a new iPhone A chip annually. I'm hoping Macs get on a faster refresh cycle than every 2 years.

Rumors indicated M2 could come next spring. They also suggested that these M1 Pro macs were originally intended for WWDC 2021 - around 6 months after the announcement of M1. This likely set the entire release timeline off by 6 months which is why M2 macs won’t be ready until sometime next year. I don’t think it’ll be a full 2 years though. I think the cadence going forward will be M2, M3, M4 all releasing in the spring, and M2 Pro, M3 Pro, M4 Pro releasing in the fall annually. Products like Mac Pro and iMac may only see updates every 2 years though.

 

[Apple_Robert]

it is amazing to me so many here are obsessed with the name. Who cares as long as the device works as it should.

 

[Dwalls90]

it is amazing to me so many here are obsessed with the name. Who cares as long as the device works as it should.

For me, the possibility of an M2 line of chips vs M1 “Pro” or “Max” may mean a fall refresh of the Apple Silicon Macs released a year ago.

 

[Dwalls90]

Rumors indicated M2 could come next spring. They also suggested that these M1 Pro macs were originally intended for WWDC 2021 - around 6 months after the announcement of M1. This likely set the entire release timeline off by 6 months which is why M2 macs won’t be ready until sometime next year. I don’t think it’ll be a full 2 years though. I think the cadence going forward will be M2, M3, M4 all releasing in the spring, and M2 Pro, M3 Pro, M4 Pro releasing in the fall annually. Products like Mac Pro and iMac may only see updates every 2 years though.

Good thoughts. But isn’t the MBA refresh due Q3 2022? I just worry if no M2 this fall, it will be a full year and not 18 months. Throw the chip shortage into the mix and it’s one big wildcard.

I also think the non Pro Macs will stick to the Fall timeline whereas the Pro Macs will stick closer to the Spring. The iPad Pro line has already adopted a spring cadence for a few years now. Professionals will buy the latest hardware regardless of when released, but iMacs and MBA models will benefit from a refresh around the holiday season. Just my two cents.

 

[Jorbanead]

Good thoughts. But isn’t the MBA refresh due Q3 2022? I just worry if no M2 this fall, it will be a full year and not 18 months. Throw the chip shortage into the mix and it’s one big wildcard.

Rumors have been a bit conflicting on timeline. Some said earlier in 2022, while Kuo I believe is the one to say they might come Q3 but as you said it’s one big wildcard.

 

[Serban55]

Considering M1 has been out for almost a year. Wouldn’t this years release be an M2 for the baseline macs and M2x for the higher end ones?

not exactly...they done it before with the ipad pro...A12 in the iphones and the other year, A12Z in the ipad pro
Naming is not important , yes it is somehow to not confuse the consumers, but eventually the SoC itself its the most important thing

 

[hovscorpion12]

In the last 72hrs there’s been a CRAZY amount of leaks. My brain hurts. Either way, I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be Apple‘s biggest event in company history.

 

[dogslobber]

Considering M1 has been out for almost a year. Wouldn’t this years release be an M2 for the baseline macs and M2x for the higher end ones?

These are all marketing terms and technically irrelevant.