Apple is already testing the next generation of chips ahead of the presentation of the new Macs. Although rumors suggest that we will see three computers powered by the M3 during October, a report ensures that it is not the only thing that Cupertino is preparing. In accordance with Bloomberg, Apple would already be testing the M3 Max chip.
Mark Gurman had access to the logs of a Mac application developer and discovered that the processor is part of a model with code J514, presumably a high-end MacBook Pro which will debut in early 2023.
Among the features of the M3 Max is a processor with 16 cores (12 high performance and 4 efficiency) accompanied by a 40-core GPU and 48 GB of RAM. When compared to the M2 Max, the next generation of the chip will add 4 processing cores and 2 cores to its graphics unit.
Because this is a test kit, it’s hard to know how many MacBook Pro configurations will be released with the new chip. At the moment, the M2 Max is offered in two variants for the 14-inch model, one of them with fewer cores in the GPU. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has the most powerful version and supports up to 96 GB of unified memory.
Another point to consider is that the M3 Max will be announced in early 2024. Apple has no plans to upgrade its most powerful processor this year, so it would only introduce new iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro models with M3 chip in October. This makes sense when we consider that the M2 Pro and M2 Max debuted in January 2023.
Apple prepares the arrival of the M3
With the rollout of the M2 chips and their Max and Ultra variants, all Macs said goodbye to Intel. The next generation of Apple Silicon has been in testing for a few months and could debut in October.
Rumors mention that the M3 chips will be manufactured using the TSMC’s 3nm process. This means that we will see considerable advances in power and autonomy, compared to its predecessor. An estimate of Macworld place the M3 at the same level as a 13th generation Intel CPU, while GPU performance would be comparable to a mid-range card.
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13-inch they will be the first to upgrade to the M3 chip. According to Mark Gurman, Apple prepares the details for its launch in October, along with a new iMac. By 2024, those from Cupertino would announce a Mac mini with M3 and a variant with M3 Pro, accompanied by the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M3 Pro and M3 Max SoCs.
At the moment there is no specific date on the launch of these teams. It is also not known if Apple will dedicate a special event or simply announce the updates through a press release.