Yet another Apple Silicon SoC/Mac prediction based on where things are at the end of June

[pshufd]

In certain benchmarks. There are still some areas where the 16" MBP still outperforms M1. Notably, the M1 GPU still can't touch the 5500M or 5600M in graphics performance. Plus, you can get more RAM.

I can live with the 16GB RAM limit, but I want something that can match or exceed the dGPU performance, and preferably a 14+" display.

I was thinking of getting an M1X Mini with support for two monitors, 8 performance cores, 16 GPU cores, 32 GB of RAM. The approach would be to buy 2 M1 Mini's and tie them together with Synergy (or the new Monterey feature that does the same thing). That should be just enough RAM to run my workload.

 

[Fomalhaut]

In certain benchmarks. There are still some areas where the 16" MBP still outperforms M1. Notably, the M1 GPU still can't touch the 5500M or 5600M in graphics performance. Plus, you can get more RAM.

I can live with the 16GB RAM limit, but I want something that can match or exceed the dGPU performance, and preferably a 14+" display.

Exactly what I'm after too. I have a MBP16 with 5500M, and the next laptop needs to significantly better, particularly in the GPU performance (at least 5600M levels) and support 32GB RAM (in a 13-14" model).

 

[transpo1]

They already launched a 2-port version of the 13" MacBook Pro with the M1 that already gives the 4-port Intel 13" and the 16" MacBook Pros a run for their money. It wouldn't be that crazy to delay longer. Though, I will agree that this wouldn't be ideal for Apple. I'm more of the mind that Apple will use two different SoCs for the different sizes of MBP rather than it merely being the same computer with two different choices of screen size. And more of the mind that will be the case than I am of the mind that there will be a staggered launch. My predicting a staggered launch is solely from what I've read in terms of rumors as to delays specific to the 16" model (which, of course are counter to what Apple would prefer to have happen).

They launched the 2 port M1 13” MBP/MBA in the old chassis to get them into the wild and begin the transition. It was never the endgame. The new MBPs were definitely both meant to launch at WWDC but mini-LED may have delayed at least the 16”. We shall see!

 

[trip1ex]

The Mac mini needs to be updated as even Apple realizes that the current M1 mini isn't a complete substitute for the higher-end versions of the 2018 Mac mini.

Good pt. They might put the ~M2X (ie same cpu and/or gpu in the upcoming 16" MBP) in a Mini Pro.

Possibly they could make that even smaller for server farms if that's a big enough market for them.

 

[Bug-Creator]

To those concerned bout timing:

- M1 Macs getting upgraded to M2 after just a few months
-> that last G5 iMac had 3 months till the 1st Intel made it obsolete
-> lots of "early 200x" Macs got replaced with "late 200x" models lasting for 1/2 year

- Can't keep the 16" not updated for long
-> plenty "important" Mac have been stagnant for years at some point in time, either because Apple didn't have anything to replace them with or just didn't care

--> if they had all parts for M1x Macs in old shells (MBP/Mini) they would have released them months ago
--> if they had all parts for M1x Macs in old shells (MBP/Mini) today they might just release them
--> if they don't have the parts and won't get them soon they may have fast tracked redesigned models that would have been 2022 other wise to late 2021

 

[nquinn]

To those concerned bout timing:

- Can't keep the 16" not updated for long
-> plenty "important" Mac have been stagnant for years at some point in time, either because Apple didn't have anything to replace them with or just didn't care

Ya unfortunately this is true. The 16" in particular is a more niche machine than the air or 13/14" pro models. Took them like 5 years to upgrade the mac pro (though that is super niche).

Would be interesting to see a breakdown of what most people own.

 

[PsykX]

M1 machines were only released back in Novemeber 2020 and in less than 1 year Apple are supposedly bringing out the much better M2. Not exactly treating it's customers with respect are they. They release the much hyped M1 machines and in less than a year the M2 is being rolled out, which will make the M1 machines obsolete. At least many manufacturers give their customers 1-3 years before they release the next best model. Apple will not have given their customers a year!!!.

To sum it up, to respect customers, they should halt innovation?

Treating customers with respect is actually the opposite. They have to do everything's that's possible to bring us innovation.

 

[transpo1]

I was thinking in my original post that we'd get those first updates (to the mini and the redesigned 14" MacBook Pros) in November of this year, making it one full year, which wouldn't be bad. If anything, it's still longer than the 8-10 month cycles that MacBook Pros used to have before Intel started staggering chip releases like they did with Broadwell and then again with 9th Generation.



Which one? And do you have a link to an article? I'd be very curious to see more about this!



I think that's what every rumor that has come out thus far has implied, but I've also heard that the 16" model may see delays into next year. Similarly, it seems as though Apple is okay treating the two sizes of MacBook Pros as different classes of computer, even heading into the Apple Silicon era. But I don't know. I could totally see it going either way at this point.



The Mac mini needs to be updated as even Apple realizes that the current M1 mini isn't a complete substitute for the higher-end versions of the 2018 Mac mini.




No. Sorry if what I wrote made it seem like I did. I'm thinking that Apple will totally replace the 27" iMac with a 30" Apple Silicon model. Likely with an M2X type of SoC to put it in parity with the Apple Silicon 16" MacBook Pro.



It kind of seems like they're trying to ditch X and Z marketing for their beefier SoCs and just separate out by classes such that:

A series - iPhones, iPad mini/Air/standard, iPod touch, Apple TV

M series - iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, 13/14" MacBook Pro

? series - 16" MacBook Pro, 27"/30" iMac

?? series - Mac Pro (unless it was simply that the Mac Pro used the same SoCs that the 16" MacBook Pro and larger iMac used except with the ability to have two of them operating in tandem [or at least double the core counts for the same overall effect])


June/July for M2 seemed early. I'd have believed it for M1X given that the X typically denotes a superset of the same overall series. But for M2, it definitely seemed early for the exact same reasons you give here.


My prediction was that the M2 24" iMac would be launching between February and April of next year, along with the M2 MacBook Air. That seems appropriate and, especially given that it seems as though Apple wants to restore the unity between those two that originally existed between the iMac and the iBook of old had. I could easily see it being the same media event for both.

I think that's the idea. That and the display technology they want to use seems to be delayed until 2022 (whereas it sounds like it'll be ready for the 14" MacBook Pro a bit sooner, hence my prediction of the two being staggered as well as using different classes of SoCs).

So, with the new MR post on the Digitimes report, it seems both the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pros will be unveiled in Sept or October and ship this year.

Now everyone from this thread should jump on that thread and begin the action and endless speculation about M1X vs. M2 chips all over again ?

See you all over there!

 

[JMacHack]

Ya unfortunately this is true. The 16" in particular is a more niche machine than the air or 13/14" pro models. Took them like 5 years to upgrade the mac pro (though that is super niche).

Would be interesting to see a breakdown of what most people own.

I don’t think this is directly comparable since the MacBook Pro series is Apple’s second most popular models

 

[Hexley]

Just joking but it's 2 July already. Where are the new Macs?

I want to replace my 2012 iMac 27" to it's Apple Silicon equivalent!

 

[nquinn]

I don’t think this is directly comparable since the MacBook Pro series is Apple’s second most popular models

True, though I suspect the old 13.3" pro models outsold the 16" models by maybe 2:1

 

[pshufd]

Just joking but it's 2 July already. Where are the new Macs?

I want to replace my 2012 iMac 27" to it's Apple Silicon equivalent!

Buy a Mac Mini, 27 inch 5k monitor, speakers, microphone and webcam and you're good to go.

 

[Admiral]

M1 machines were only released back in Novemeber 2020 and in less than 1 year Apple are supposedly bringing out the much better M2. Not exactly treating it's customers with respect are they. They release the much hyped M1 machines and in less than a year the M2 is being rolled out, which will make the M1 machines obsolete. At least many manufacturers give their customers 1-3 years before they release the next best model. Apple will not have given their customers a year!!!.

Improving performance each year! Those bastards!

 

[pshufd]

Improving performance each year! Those bastards!

Remember Tick-Tock from Intel? New process every other year and IPC improvement in-between.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I'd say whether or not the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros release together is much more of a minor point, especially since they could easily be announced at the same time and released at differing times (as was done the last time both sizes of iMac saw a redesign [back in 2012]). I'm more wondering if Apple is going to give the two sizes similar performance (and therefore similar computing innards) or if they're going to keep the larger MacBook Pro more performance geared while catering the smaller one to the masses that don't need that degree of performance. They really could do it either way.

Certainly, the interesting element is the current 2-port 13" MacBook Pro. If rumors of a higher-tier of MacBook Air are to be believed, then this system's proper replacement may come in the form of said higher-tier MacBook Air, brining the saga of the 2-port 13" MacBook Pro full circle (seeing as that Mac is the direct successor of the 2011-2017 MacBook Air). If it goes that way, then there will likely be a brief period of

M1 Air
M1 2-port 13" MacBook Pro
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro

...until early 2022 when that lineup becomes

M2 Air
M2 Air (Higher-end)
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro


But again, I think the key mystery is whether or not the 14" and the 16" MacBook Pro will get the same SoC or if the 14" version will get a weaker one as has been done on smaller Mac portables in the past (in both the PowerPC and [especially] Intel eras).

 

[pshufd]

I'd say whether or not the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros release together is much more of a minor point, especially since they could easily be announced at the same time and released at differing times (as was done the last time both sizes of iMac saw a redesign [back in 2012]). I'm more wondering if Apple is going to give the two sizes similar performance (and therefore similar computing innards) or if they're going to keep the larger MacBook Pro more performance geared while catering the smaller one to the masses that don't need that degree of performance. They really could do it either way.

Certainly, the interesting element is the current 2-port 13" MacBook Pro. If rumors of a higher-tier of MacBook Air are to be believed, then this system's proper replacement may come in the form of said higher-tier MacBook Air, brining the saga of the 2-port 13" MacBook Pro full circle (seeing as that Mac is the direct successor of the 2011-2017 MacBook Air). If it goes that way, then there will likely be a brief period of

M1 Air
M1 2-port 13" MacBook Pro
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro

...until early 2022 when that lineup becomes

M2 Air
M2 Air (Higher-end)
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro


But again, I think the key mystery is whether or not the 14" and the 16" MacBook Pro will get the same SoC or if the 14" version will get a weaker one as has been done on smaller Mac portables in the past (in both the PowerPC and [especially] Intel eras).

Apple typically keeps the low-end model as the base for a release so they might do that.

The power of the M1X, though, could actually mean that the power of the MacBook Pros is actually "Pro" by differentiating it with the Air.

For me, I'd rather have a larger screen on the Air than the M2.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I'd say whether or not the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros release together is much more of a minor point, especially since they could easily be announced at the same time and released at differing times (as was done the last time both sizes of iMac saw a redesign [back in 2012]). I'm more wondering if Apple is going to give the two sizes similar performance (and therefore similar computing innards) or if they're going to keep the larger MacBook Pro more performance geared while catering the smaller one to the masses that don't need that degree of performance. They really could do it either way.

Certainly, the interesting element is the current 2-port 13" MacBook Pro. If rumors of a higher-tier of MacBook Air are to be believed, then this system's proper replacement may come in the form of said higher-tier MacBook Air, brining the saga of the 2-port 13" MacBook Pro full circle (seeing as that Mac is the direct successor of the 2011-2017 MacBook Air). If it goes that way, then there will likely be a brief period of

M1 Air
M1 2-port 13" MacBook Pro
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro

...until early 2022 when that lineup becomes

M2 Air
M2 Air (Higher-end)
M1X 14" MacBook Pro
M1X 16" MacBook Pro


But again, I think the key mystery is whether or not the 14" and the 16" MacBook Pro will get the same SoC or if the 14" version will get a weaker one as has been done on smaller Mac portables in the past (in both the PowerPC and [especially] Intel eras).

You're way over thinking it. Apple has updated 4 products so far, 4 very different products, with the exact same SoC package. They are keeping it very simple. The 14 and 16 MacBook Pro will have the exact same range of chips offered between them.

 

[leman]

You're way over thinking it. Apple has updated 4 products so far, 4 very different products, with the exact same SoC package. They are keeping it very simple. The 14 and 16 MacBook Pro will have the exact same range of chips offered between them.

Agreed. We will see the same SoC for the 14", 16" MBP, Mac Mini and possibly the large iMac. The difference is going to be that larger machines will have higher thermal ceiling (and thus higher sustained performance), and that the 16" and the iMac will get the larger GPU option (which is not practical for the 14" machine as the GPU alone will draw 40-50 watts).

 

[Lemon Olive]

Agreed. We will see the same SoC for the 14", 16" MBP, Mac Mini and possibly the large iMac. The difference is going to be that larger machines will have higher thermal ceiling (and thus higher sustained performance), and that the 16" and the iMac will get the larger GPU option (which is not practical for the 14" machine as the GPU alone will draw 40-50 watts).

Precisely.

There is zero evidence to the contrary at this point. The larger iMac is still vaporous at this point, but we do know an M1X Mac mini is further along in the pipeline.