MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could launch this fall

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Some MacBook Pro wait times already stretch nearly to Christmas
Apple's next MacBook Pro refresh could be here sooner than usual.
Photo: Apple

MacBook Pros powered by upgraded Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max chips could debut as early as this fall. The new chips would focus on delivering improved GPU performance.

The upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro refresh is not expected to pack any other significant changes.

Apple has set an aggressive internal goal for the M2 Pro MacBook Pro launch

Apple overhauled the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in fall 2021 with a new design, additional ports like HDMI and MagSafe 3, and M1 Pro/Max chips. These new Macs arrived a year after the M1 chip debuted in 2020.

However, the company reportedly has a more aggressive timeline for adding to its M2 chip lineup.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says Apple hopes to launch the M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros as early as fall 2022 or by spring 2023 at the latest. The ongoing supply chain issues make it difficult to pinpoint the exact launch timeline.

Apple typically refreshes its MacBook Pro lineup every 1.5 years at the earliest. So, a spring 2023 release seems more plausible, but a more aggressive upgrade timeline could change that.

M2 Pro/Max chips will focus on delivering better GPU performance

Apple recently launched the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air after announcing them at WWDC22. The new chip brings an 18% and 35% uplift in CPU and GPU performance, respectively.

Gurman thinks the M2 Pro/Max chips will focus on improved GPU performance. They also could be more efficient, thanks to the 3nm fabrication node. Other changes are unknown, and the new Macs are unlikely to sport any major design changes.

Apple reportedly already has an M3-based MacBook Air under development for 2023. So, the company could launch the M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros earlier than usual this year to keep some gap between the releases.

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