There’s overwhelming evidence that Apple is about to reveal the M2 Pro and M2 Max, a fresh generation of high-performance processors for notebooks. These are expected to go into the next generation of 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Here’s what to expect in new macOS laptops before the end of 2022.
Apple October event: Yes or No?
The late-2022 MacBook Pro models are widely expected to be unveiled at a Apple October event.
However, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman recently predicted there’ll be no second fall 2022 Apple event. He said that the company is instead “likely to release its remaining 2022 products via press releases, updates to its website and briefings with select members of the press.” But that’s his opinion, not a leak based on insider information.
If true, it would mean that Apple considers the products it has coming up soon to be relatively unimportant. That would be a surprising judgement, as the stars of the event would be the M2 Pro and M2 Max processors. These will bring significant speed jumps to Apple’s top-tier MacBooks.
Cupertino is also expected to unveil a moderately redesigned iPad Pro and an M2 Mac mini at the same event.
More speed from the M2 Pro and M2 Max
The M1 Max and M1 Pro processors from 2021 have blazing fast performance. But time marches on and numerous leaks point to improved versions on the way. The M2 Pro and M2 Max will be enhanced versions of the M2 chip that debuted in July in the 2022 MacBook Air.
These will apparently be made with the same 5nm process as the M2 itself, not a better 3nm one. Still, the M2 is at least 18% faster than the M1 so it’s a safe assumption that the upcoming Pro and Max versions will be at least 18% faster than their 2021 equivalents if they stick with the 5nm process.
The Apple M3 family in 2023 will apparently be the first to use the 3nm process.
Late 2022 MacBook Pro is not a redesign
Apple’s next macOS notebook is expected to get a performance boost, but that’ll reportedly be the biggest change. Tipsters say the late 2022 model will use the same designs as the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro introduced in 2021.
The original received plenty of praise for its slim casings and mini-LED screen plus MagSafe and HDMI ports. But further enhancements aren’t on the docket this year.
Despite the question whether Apple plans a second fall 2022 event for October, there’s there’s little room for doubt that 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max will hit store shelves in the next month or so.
