15-inch MacBook with M2 Pro might launch in spring 2023

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13-inch MacBook Air with M2
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 might be joined by a larger version.
Photo: Apple

A 15-inch MacBook will debut in less than a year that offers either an M2 or an M2 Pro processor, according to a reliable Apple analyst. That could make it one of the first with the upgraded version of the M2.

Note that the notebook might not be branded as a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air. It could be a “MacBook.”

15-inch MacBook continues transition to the M2 processor

The move from Intel to Apple’s own M-series chips in 2020 was a seismic shift, bringing top-notch performance and battery life. The next phase is beginning, with the original M1 being replaced with a faster M2. The M1 family includes upgraded Pro, Max and Ultra versions, and these are also expected for the M2.

One of the first models with the M2 Pro will be a 15-inch Mac, according to a prediction made Wednesday by Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities. He said via Twitter, “New 15 (-inch) MacBook may offer two CPU options, M2 (with 35W adapter) & M2 Pro (with 67W adapter).”

Kuo also said the macOS notebook will go into production in the first half of 2023, and might debut in the April-through-June quarter, though he says the launch also might be later.

There’s no word yet on price.

A MacBook Air? Maybe.

It’s not clear yet what the exact name of this notebook will be. Kuo always refers to it as simply a MacBook, though he raised the possibility that it might be part of the Air product line when he leaked the first details on this model in March.

Bloomberg reported recently that it’ll definitely be a MacBook Air. If so, it will join the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 that was was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in early June.

No hints of a 12-inch MacBook

Kuo also used Wednesday’s tweet to note that, “I haven’t heard of any plans for rumored 12″ MacBook yet.”

Bloomberg recently predicted this smaller mobile Mac would launch in late 2023 or early 2024. But another report threw cold water on the idea that Apple would make another 12-inch MacBook.

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