According to reports, Apple will not be able to release the next generation of Mac computers with M2 chips in a few weeks, but this does not prevent it from preparing for the follow-up M3 processors.
The company has begun testing next-generation Mac with M3 chips and testing third-party applications to ensure that these devices are compatible with its software ecosystem. This is not the first time outsiders have been able to get a glimpse of the new processor through this process. Apple has previously disclosed the specifications of the upcoming 15-inch MacBook Air and its own processor-based Mac Pro, as well as a number of M2-based device configurations.
Apple needs new features to attract customers, and the M3 is expected to help. Apple's Mac business suffered a 31 per cent decline in sales last quarter, falling short of even downgraded analysts' expectations.
So, what exactly does M3 look like? At least one version has 12 CPU cores, 18 graphics cores, and 36GB memory. This data is collected by App Store developers. As the main processor of this chip, its CPU consists of six high-performance cores, which can handle the tasks with the largest amount of computation, and there are six energy-efficient cores that can handle tasks with less computation.
In this test, the chip runs on the new high-end MacBook Pro and runs on the upcoming macOS 14.0 system, possibly using a basic M3 Pro chip.
The following is the comparison of M1 Pro, M2 Pro and M3 Pro chips:
M1 Pro (released in October 2021):
-8 CPU cores (6 high performance cores / 2 energy efficiency cores)
-14 graphics cores
-32GB memory
M2 Pro (January 2023):
-10 CPU cores (6 high performance cores / 4 energy efficiency cores)
-16 graphics cores
-32GB memory
M3 Pro (under testing):
-12 CPU cores (6 high performance cores / 6 energy efficiency cores)
-18 graphics cores
-36GB memory
If the test is indeed based on the basic M3 Pro, it means that the number of cores will be the same as that of M2 Pro over M1 Pro, that is, two energy efficiency cores and two graphics cores. In addition, 4GB memory has been added.
If the upgrade of the M3 Max over the M2 Max is the same as that of the M2 Max over the M1 Max, that means Apple's next-generation high-end MacBook Pro chip will have up to 14 CPU cores and 40 graphics cores. According to this idea, it can be inferred that the CPU core of M3 Ultra chip can reach 28, the graphics core can reach more than 80, and the limit of M1 Ultra core is 64.
If the upgrade of the M3 Max over the M2 Max is the same as that of the M2 Max over the M1 Max, that means Apple's next-generation high-end MacBook Pro chip will have up to 14 CPU cores and 40 graphics cores. According to this idea, it can be inferred that the CPU core of M3 Ultra chip can reach 28, the graphics core can reach more than 80, and the limit of M1 Ultra core is 64.
The first Mac with M3 chips could be available by the end of this year or early next year. The first 15-inch MacBook Air with a M2 chip is likely to be released this summer, leading to news that the company has begun developing iMac, high-end and low-end MacBook Pro and MacBook Air based on M3 processors.
Responsible Editor: Zheng Zhuo
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