Following the recent launch of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro (13-inch) and Mac mini with custom M1 chip to glowing reviews, Apple is reportedly working on more next-gen Mac processors that could debut as early as 2021. Building on the success of the M1 chip, the next series of chips will arrive starting Spring 2021 and will make their debut in new versions of the MacBook Pro, iMac desktops (low-end and high-end), and new Mac Pro workstation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Bloomberg, chip engineers at Apple are testing as up to 20 core CPUs (16 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) for the next MacBook Pro and iMac models expected in 2021. Before these hit the market, the company could test waters with either 8 or 12 high-performance cores initially enabled in some of these devices.
The company is targeting as high as 32 high-performance cores in its higher-end desktop computers by late 2021 and new half-sized professional Mac in 2022. Just like the M1, the next-gen Mac processors will be designed by Apple and manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). The company is banking on its own engineering to deliver better performing computers, distinguish itself from the rest of the PC market, and transition out of Intel components in 2022. Ultimately, the goal is to add to its steadily growing PC market share.
In terms of GPU, Apple used custom 7- or 8-core GPU in the M1 chip but is expected to test 16-core and 32-core graphics parts in high-end laptops and mid-range desktops. By late 2021 or potentially early 2022, there are plans for top-tier 64 and 128 dedicated graphics cores in its more powerful computers. These GPU are not only powerful, but they are also expected to replace graphics processors from AMD and NVIDIA used in Intel-powered Apple hardware.