Say hello to Apple’s next-gen M2 chip

Apple unveiled the next-generation of Apple silicon during the WWDC22 keynote Monday. This new M2 chip, which is launching in a redesigned MacBook Air and as an under-the-hood addition to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, offers even more power and efficiency than the previous-generation M1 processor.

“Today we begin our second generation of Apple silicon designed specifically for the Mac,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s SVP of hardware technologies, during the live-streamed keynote.

The new M2 chip “goes beyond the remarkable features of M1,” he said. “Unlike others in the industry who significantly increase power to gain performance, our approach is different. We continue to have a relentless focus on power-efficient performance. In other words, maximizing performance while minimizing power consumption.”

New Apple silicon: The M2 chip

Built using second-generation 5-nanometer technology, the M2 offers an 18% faster CPU, a 35% more powerful GPU and 40% faster Neural Engine (all compared with the M1).

The enhanced graphics performance is made possible by an additional two GPU cores, making 10 altogether. Customers also can expect 50% more memory bandwidth and up to 24GB of fast unified memory, both of which contribute to the M2’s enhanced performance.

The M2’s higher performance per watt also allows for low operating temperatures and exceptional battery life, even when engaging in graphics-intensive tasks, Apple said.

While we didn’t hear about an M2-equipped Mac mini, Apple did unveil its first M2-powered devices – a redesigned MacBook Air and a surprise update to its 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Both computers will begin reaching customers next month. They start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively.