Apple is preparing to launch new Macs with the first M3 chips in late 2023, according to a new report.
The new M3 chips will “More powerful” upgrades to existing M2 chips, the report says. The same report calls these M2 chips a “tentative” offering while Apple prepares its updated chips.
Apple first M3 Chips Detailed Overview:
These improved chips, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports, will be built on a new 3nm manufacturing process, likely that of Apple’s longtime chipmaker TSMC. While that doesn’t necessarily mean the new chips are inherently faster than chips like the M2 series, which are based on a 5nm process, there are advantages. These advantages could also result in faster chips.
Upgrading to a new, smaller manufacturing process allows Apple to create chips that run cooler and use less power than previous models. It can also mean that the chips will run faster as a result.
Gurman reports that the new M3 chips will be introduced in updated MacBook Air and iMac hardware. The iMac news is particularly interesting as we haven’t seen any M2 updates. The current iMac supports the older M1 chip, which is functional but would definitely benefit from an update.
In addition to the new M3 chips, we can expect Apple to also announce updated M3 Pro, M3 Max, and possibly M3 Ultra chips later on, although the timing is unclear at the moment. Apple’s recent release of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros M2 Pro and M2 Max came later than expected, potentially signaling a slight change in Apple’s usual annual mandate. Whether or not this is the new normal, time will tell.
Apple’s transition to its own chips is almost complete, but a remarkable Mac remains firmly in Intel’s domain. The Mac Pro has not yet been upgraded to the Apple chip and should be available in 2023.
