The thing that makes this plausible is that both Apple and TSMC might want to move to N3E ASAP for reasons of cost/yields.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The device is amazing.
The OS is hot garbage.
I mean M4 is just a name so even if they use a M3 reference design performance and efficiency cores and just change the neural engine to a newer beefed up one and switch the fabrication process to N3E it will up the performance /efficiency core speeds just by the process switch as well and the neural engine ability with its new design and they could just call that marginally tweaked chip the M4. They want to get of N3B anyway so I don't think its an impossibility
The M3 is a halfway house using a shoehorned 3mn tech from TSMC, If they the moved to a redesigned true 3mn SOC in the M4 it will be a slam dunk especially if you have on M1 or M2 chips and have been hovering as M3 is not a great tech chip
With the added benefit of wiping memory that we won't REMEMBER we wanted MacOS to go...
N3B is not compatible from a design standpoint with the other N3 nodes. Both Apple and TSCM want to move on from it as fast as possible which is the only reason I could see M4 sooner than expected, but I really don’t expect its debut to be in an iPad 🤷♂️
I like both, but I’d say I prefer iPadOS to the iPad hardware. It takes everything which is good from the phone OS paradigm and scales it to a more capable device. Also, it’s very versatile, with pencil support, MK support, etc. It’s incredibly well designed. Sure, it’s not for everybody/every use case, but it’s a huge success in the market, so it seems like many people like it. The hardware is also great, but it starts to show its age (screen, cameras, etc).
Once they are drooling over it, if it’s taken away from them they’ll be mad. Even if it was never going to happen.
I predict we will see 2 chips on the N3E process in the next few weeks. One will be in the iPad Pro and one will be in the Mac Studio. Now comes the problem of naming them. In the Mac Studio can we have an M3 Max and an M4 Ultra? In the Mac Pro that will not be a problem. We could have an M4 Ultra and M4 Extrem (I hope finally) by the end of the year if they are able to "glue" two Ultra together.
It will have a new serial number in the iPad Pro, but the name?
It will have a new serial number in the iPad Pro, but the name?
I agree but the only thing is that have made such a song and dance about AI they might need to release it early to show something at wwdc to showcase the new AI stuff just to keep the investors / shareholders happy . As iPad sales are tanking that could be the strategy to revive it . It’s all conjecture but could make sense
of course Amd is saying that because they are more on AAA gaming for pc etc because mobile gaming provides the most profit since 2022you probably wont be gaming on your new iPad.
The world of gaming is very bad according to AMD who makes graphics chips for PC. PS5. Xbox.
And AMD says it's going to get WORSE in the coming quarters.
AMD: Gaming Demand Is Weak, Going to Get Worse
AMD, which makes chips for the PS5, Xbox, and Steam Deck, reports a 48% year-over-year drop in gaming revenue for Q1.www.pcmag.com
iPad Lightroom does and once LR gets the Denoise AI and yye other neural filters the iPad will take advantage of the M4.
if it does, here’s why:
-Apple’s about to announce significant AI at WWDC
-M4 is supposed to have significant Neural Engine and on device AI enhancements
-If Apple doesn’t plan to update this iPad for a couple of years, they sure as heck want their most expensive Pro iPad to support Al that’s coming over the next couple of years.
If it happens, that’s why.
-Apple’s about to announce significant AI at WWDC
-M4 is supposed to have significant Neural Engine and on device AI enhancements
-If Apple doesn’t plan to update this iPad for a couple of years, they sure as heck want their most expensive Pro iPad to support Al that’s coming over the next couple of years.
If it happens, that’s why.
Apple may not want one device to be the One, True Device.
What’s better than selling one device to a customer?
Selling two.
Many say the M1 iPad is more then powerful enough, some even say any of the iPad Pro’s with the current design are and I believe them. My M1 Pro is more then enough, it doesn’t need an M4 upgrade, it needs a serious upgrade in the OS department, please just make iPad OS a lot better and more powerful.
Last edited:
Big "if" I know. But indeed, you are right, they wouldn't show that before WWDC, good point. But, I can still keep hoping!
N3E is not compatible with current M3 family N3B...so if it will be 2 chips on N3E will be M4 and M4 Max/Ultra for the studio or mac mini M4 and M4 pro
2x M4 Ultra cannot be properly cooled in the Mac Studio but only into a Mac Pro
“Let Loose” your wallet … can’t imagine that pro IPad being the same price as the last model release.
Significance - such a squishy word.
I still think price matters more than about anything else.
The current Apple products, their software, and 2nd party software, barely make any use of the current NPU.
I also suspect that nearly all buyers will look at the new OLED screens and go Oh Wow and not even give a second thought to "AI".