Select Page
Apple to Launch M3-Powered Macs Featuring 3nm Chips

Apple to Launch M3-Powered Macs Featuring 3nm Chips

In the latest Power On Newsletter by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it is reported that Apple is expected to introduce the first Macs powered by the next-generation M3 Apple Silicon, possibly towards the end of this year or early 2024. Gurman shares insights from developer logs, revealing some details about the M3 lineup. According to a reliable source, the base M3 Pro chip is expected to feature 12 CPU cores, 18 GPU cores, and 36 GB of RAM. This would represent an improvement of 2 CPU cores, 2 GPU cores, and slightly higher maximum RAM compared to the baseline M2 Pro chip. Similar enhancements are anticipated for the base M2, Max, and Ultra chips.

The current base model MacBook Pro equipped with the M2 Pro chip consists of six high-performance cores and four efficiency cores. In contrast, the M3 Pro chip is rumored to have six high-performance cores and six efficiency cores, totaling 12 cores. This follows a similar pattern seen in the transition from the M1 to M2 chips, where the increase in core count was driven by a higher number of efficiency cores while maintaining the same number of high-performance cores.

The M3 chip series will be manufactured using a 3-nanometer fabrication process, allowing for higher core density. In addition to the increased density, this advanced fabrication process typically implies improved performance for each core. Consequently, the six M3 cores are expected to be faster than their M2 counterparts, highlighting that the comparison goes beyond just the number of cores.

During the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple is expected to unveil a 15-inch MacBook Air running on the M2 chip. However, the debut of the first M3 Macs is not anticipated until the fall of 2023 or early 2024. Apple is reported to be actively developing M3 versions of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac.

Although Apple is currently introducing more Macs powered by the M2 chips, the focus is expected to shift to the M3 generation in the near future. Testing of the M3 chips is already underway, with plans to succeed the M2 series, potentially by the end of 2023. Gurman suggests that the M3 Pro chip, which is likely the base variant, could be incorporated into the next updates of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro, possibly released in early 2024.

While there were early rumors speculating that the M3 could arrive as early as April 2023 in the 15-inch MacBook Air, those predictions did not materialize. Gurman reiterates that the earliest expected timeline for the release of M3 Macs is in the fall, and development of M3 versions for the MacBook Air and iMac is ongoing.

MacBook Pro Battery Life

MacBook Pro Battery Life

It appears that Apple’s estimates for battery life for the new MacBook Pros were overstated. Instead of the claimed 10-hour battery life, it appears that the true battery life is closer to 5 hours.

Many new MacBook Pro owners are now unhappy.

In an earlier post, I expressed how unimpressed I was with the TouchBar in terms of functionality and usefulness. It turns out that the TouchBar is also partially responsible for the reduced battery life in terms of power consumption and displaced space for a larger battery.

Apple must become more transparent about it’s shortcomings if they are to keep their customer-base. I think they must also better understand value. The $2,800 entry-point for the 15″ MacBook Pro is a pricey proposition for a laptop that will hold a charge for only 5 hours.

Let’s hope Apple can quickly relearn how to be more in sync with the fans.

New MacBook Pro: A Whole Lot of Finger Dragging

New MacBook Pro: A Whole Lot of Finger Dragging

Apple just introduced a new line of MacBook Pros with more power, a Touch Bar, and some hefty prices.

I am not impressed.

I’ve never much liked the whole concept of a touch pad. I’ve always found them unintuitive and inconvenient. If I want to use my fingers on a surface, I want that surface to be the display itself. Dragging my fingers across a metal plate is not a confidence-inspiring experience. And now, dragging my fingers across a narrow bar, awkwardly placed at the top of a keyboard, is even less desirable.

Since the introduction of the Apple Watch, I began to lose confidence in Apple’s design team. The dismal sales of the Apple Watch should’ve been a clue that their design team has lost it’s way. Has Jony Ive run out of good ideas?

Unfortunately, the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pros looks to be another gimmick, much like the Apple Watch. There is some indication that Apple may subconsciously know this since they are offering one model without the Touch Bar.

I appreciate the smaller size and more powerful architecture, but that is about all I can appreciate about this new lineup of MacBook Pros.