Apple is creating an updated version of the M1 Apple silicon chip, and it will be known as the "M2." It is expected that the Apple M2 processor will be shipped in 2022. However, according to a few people, it may be a replacement for M1 , destined for next-generation MacBook Air models.
This company unveiled the M1 Pro and the M1 Max in October 2021. These are the most updated Apple silicon chips used in the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. This M1 Pro comes with up to 10 CPU and 16 GPU cores. When it comes to the M1 Max, you can find up to 10-core CPU and up to 32 GPU cores.
The M2 is Apple silicon's next-generation version. Although it is not as strong as the M1 Max and the M1 Pro, it will be stronger than the M1. It is the chip that is designed to replace.
Apple M2 processor Price:
Till now, there is no information regarding the cost of the M2-equipped MacBook Air. However, it is expected that this new version will replace the existing MacBook Air M1. If something like this happens, it will start from the £999 starting price, and apple may launch the MacBook Air M2 as a stronger alternative instead of a replacement.
Apple M2 processor Expectations:
These are things that people expect to see from Apple's Mac lineup.
It may happen that Apple will hold its Spring event in March also. According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, we get to know that the spring event of Apple is going to happen on March 8. Then, they will launch all the updated iPhone SE 3, iPad Air 5, new processors, and Mac computers. If it won't happen in March, it is expected to launch the new Mac lineup at WWDC, which happens in June.
Apple M2 processor:
It is expected that the lineup to the M1 processor will be available in 2022. This M2 processor of Apple chip is the successor to the M1 processor. As per reports, the Apple M2 processor comes with eight cores, four performances, and four efficiencies. Besides, it offers RAM support for 8GB or 16GB and a slight bump in performance.
The M1 came to the market in 2020 as the first processor used for Apple's chip design. After that, both M1 Pro and M1 Max were introduced in 2021. The last two ARM chips come with extra cores than the M1 chip and are stronger.
MacBook Air 2022:
The new MacBook Air is going to be the most anticipated Apple product of 2022. In 2020, the first Mac was released and came with the M1 processor. It was equipped with awesome processing capabilities and insane battery life. However, there was no update from Apple regarding the design we expect to have from the MacBook Air. It is changed with the recent MBA, hopefully.
The new MacBook Air has come with a massive redesign for the very first time. According to the YouTuber Jon Prosser, this MacBook Air will have features such as iMac-like colors, white bezels, a new squared-off design, many USB ports, a MagSafe charger, a notched display, etc. People also say that the revamped MacBook Air may not be called the Air going forward.
13-inch MacBook Pro:
The 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro came on the market in 2020. But if you compare it with the 14-inch MacBook Pro, you will find this underpowered. This 14-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with an M1 Pro processor.
According to the reports, the 13-inch MacBook Pro version will be announced very quickly than expected with the M2 processor. It will have a healthy selection of ports like the newer MacBook Pros.
High-end Mac Mini:
It is the next Mac mini that will be a different beast. The high-end Mac mini features the M2 processor and a major redesign. It will have features like a thinner overall profile, a Plexiglas-like top panel, etc., and be available in many color options similar to the iMac M1.
According to the reports, the revamped design may come with 4 Thunderbolt connections, dual USB ports, wired Ethernet and HDMI output, and a new magnetic power connector. However, this new Mac mini cannot replace the M1 Mac mini, and the reason is that the M1 Mac mini is the most affordable Mac of Apple.
27-inch iMac:
The 27-inch iMac is expected to come with the M1 Pro/M1 Max processors. However, multiple theories are available that circulate around the 27-inch iMac. According to a few people, this new Mac will be capable of imitating the design language of the 24-inch M1 iMac. Other people say that it has a screen size of 30-inches that looks like an iPad Pro.
Some reports say that the upcoming iMac Pro and 27-inch iMac are the same. According to Ross Young, the high-end new iMac Pro may feature mini LED backlight technology for the display. He is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. The device is used mainly by professional users and creative people.
Conclusion:
Apple may beef up the manufacturing process, due to which it is expected to see M2 processor of Apple after the Autumn. The manufacturing procedure will remain at 5 nanometers. Apple will use the A14 and A15 as a base. It will use TSMC's next-generation N4P procedure, and it is an upgraded version of the 5-nanometer process. The conventional 5-nanometer process is used for A15 and M1, M1 Pro, and Max. However, compared to this, the new method can offer ~ 11% points more performance, and ~ 22 % points more efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How powerful is the M2 chip?
According to the recently leaked information, the M2 chip comes with a 4nm node, 16 power cores, and four efficiency cores in its CPU. As per the report from Bloomberg about GPU, the top-quality laptops or mid-range PCs can have 16-or-32-cores.
- Will there be an M2 chip?
The MacBook Pro 2022 will become the first Mac equipped with the next-gen M2 processor. It comes with a more efficient architecture that helps to enhance the performance without boosting the CPU cores numbers.
- Will M2 be better than M1?
The M2 may outperform the M1, but the vice-versa might not happen. When the Geekbench single-core tests are performed, it is seen that the M2 chip has outperformed the M1 Max chip slightly, with all CPUs receiving the same scores.
