First M2 Macs Expected to Launch Later This Year Using TSMC's 4nm Chip Process
Apple plans to launch a series of Macs with M2 chips based on TSMC's 4nm process later this year, according to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes. This advancement should allow for continued performance and power efficiency improvements.
"TSMC's 4nm process will also build Apple's M2 chip that will power the new Mac series slated for launch in the second half of this year," the report claims.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Tuesday tweeted that Apple has M2 versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 24-inch iMac, and Mac mini in development. In his newsletter last weekend, Gurman said Apple plans to launch at least some of those Macs around May to June of this year, while DigiTimes gave a second half of 2022 timeframe.
The standard M1 chip is built on TSMC's 5nm process and has an 8-core CPU, along with a 7-core or 8-core GPU depending on the configuration. The first M2 chip will also have an 8-core CPU, but with faster 9-core or 10-core GPU options, according to Gurman.
Curiously, oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Tuesday tweeted that a 2022 version of the MacBook Air will still use the M1 chip, although he suggested it could be a modified version of the chip without elaborating further. Kuo said the new MacBook Air will feature a redesign with more color options and said that mass production of the notebook would begin in the late second quarter or the third quarter of this year.
The only Intel-based Macs remaining in Apple's lineup are high-end Mac mini configurations and the Mac Pro tower. During its "Peek Performance" event this week, Apple teased that an Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro is in the pipeline.
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Top Rated Comments
The new Mac studio that Apple announced the other day looks incredible and I’m really happy that Apple continues to lead the industry with their new silicon chips
I just spent more for a single Mac than I've ever spent for any Mac before... and this one doesn't come with a screen, keyboard or mouse. But I don't care that a number painted on the chip inside mine will be lower than a number painted on a chip in some future Mac that might cost a fraction of what I just spent. Odds are very high, I'll never see either number with my own eyes. And if I was the type that worried about friends noticing (or not) if I have "latest & greatest," odds are they would never see the number painted on the SoC either.
Bring 'em on! And then the M3 (or whatever Apple calls that line) ASAP after that. And M4. And M5. Progress! Progress! Progress!