Nearly every Mac rumored to see an update in 2022
Apple will be bringing out a minimum of seven Mac models with Apple Silicon, with a large-screened iMac Pro and a revamp of the Mac Pro among the inbound updates.
Apple is on a self-imposed two-year transition from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon, by the end of 2022. In a bid to complete the shift, Apple has to make a few more changes to its product range, alongside its normal upgrades to existing models.
For 2022, Apple could launch at least seven new Mac models across its range, according to Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg. Along with items that could surface during a spring event, Gurman lists Mac models that should appear across the entire year.
Gurman's list chiefly includes models using the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, as well as the anticipated new generation M2 chip. An upgraded M1 Max is also tipped for use in 2022.
The Mac mini is anticipated to have a redesigned case with a plexiglass-like top cover and more Thunderbolt ports on the back.
The list of models includes a Mac mini updated with the M1 Pro chip, accompanied by a second with an M2 chip. They will be joined by a 13-inch MacBook Pro and a redesigned MacBook Air with the M2 chip.
Gurman also speculates an updated 24-inch iMac is on the way with an M2 chip, as well as the rumored enlarged iMac Pro, packing M1 Pro and M1 Max chip variants. Lastly, the rumored Mac Pro refresh with Apple Silicon and a smaller enclosure is set to include chips that will offer the equivalent power of two or four M1 Max chips.
There probably won't be a version of the larger iMac with entry-level specifications, Gurman offers, reasoning that Apple could've offered just that around the time of its 24-inch refresh as an alternate size option.
It is reckoned the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac mini are the best candidates for an update in the spring, as they are "two of the oldest Apple Silicon Macs in the lineup today," writes Gurman.
Read on AppleInsider
Apple is on a self-imposed two-year transition from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon, by the end of 2022. In a bid to complete the shift, Apple has to make a few more changes to its product range, alongside its normal upgrades to existing models.
For 2022, Apple could launch at least seven new Mac models across its range, according to Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg. Along with items that could surface during a spring event, Gurman lists Mac models that should appear across the entire year.
Gurman's list chiefly includes models using the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, as well as the anticipated new generation M2 chip. An upgraded M1 Max is also tipped for use in 2022.
The Mac mini is anticipated to have a redesigned case with a plexiglass-like top cover and more Thunderbolt ports on the back.
The list of models includes a Mac mini updated with the M1 Pro chip, accompanied by a second with an M2 chip. They will be joined by a 13-inch MacBook Pro and a redesigned MacBook Air with the M2 chip.
Gurman also speculates an updated 24-inch iMac is on the way with an M2 chip, as well as the rumored enlarged iMac Pro, packing M1 Pro and M1 Max chip variants. Lastly, the rumored Mac Pro refresh with Apple Silicon and a smaller enclosure is set to include chips that will offer the equivalent power of two or four M1 Max chips.
There probably won't be a version of the larger iMac with entry-level specifications, Gurman offers, reasoning that Apple could've offered just that around the time of its 24-inch refresh as an alternate size option.
It is reckoned the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac mini are the best candidates for an update in the spring, as they are "two of the oldest Apple Silicon Macs in the lineup today," writes Gurman.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
I'm also hoping that the larger iMac is not limited to a pricy “pro” version. I don’t mind the nomenclature, but I want this form factor with a solid edge over M1 24” and under $3k. I suspect there are many with me.
Although the development time from M1 intro to the pro/max was significant, I expect this release time for the expanded versions of M base will be closer in the future, and keep generational developments and model lineups cleaner moving forward.
iPhone : iPhone Pro : iPhone Pro Max
iPad : iPad Air : iPad Pro (2)
MacBook : MacBook Air : MacBook Pro (2)
Mac Mini : Mac Mini Pro : Mac Pro
Hey not knocking it sounds like a winner to me.
I do wonder if we'll see M2 with M2 Pro and M2 Max at the first event in the iMacs but not in the MacbookPros till later in the year give them a chance to build up a supply of units that test well for the smaller power and heat envelop or even move to better process.
It won’t be confusing. People don’t buy M1 Pro or an M2, they buy a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro… to a consumer the product will define the performance not the SoC.
The M1 is the “transitional” SoC. I don’t think we’ll see an M2 until all M1 variants have at least been announced. M1 Ultra this Summer in the iMac Pro. M1 Extreme announced this Summer and released in the Mac Pro in the Fall.
The “normal” 27” iMac will use the M1 Pro and Max. It will not be a “Pro” system.
Here’s what I think the release timeline might be…
Summer 2022, M1 Ultra
Fall 2022, M2, M1 Extreme
Spring 2023, M2 Pro/Max
Fall 2023, M3
Summer 2024 M2 Ultra/Extreme
Fall 2024, M4
Spring 2025, M4 Pro/Max
Fall 2025, M5
Summer 2026 M4 Ultra/Extreme
etc…
I also think Apple is going to do something interesting with graphics in the desktop SoCs.
And in future, I would see one release date each year and the lot get the equivalent gen update at once. It’s just a SOC.
tenthousandthings said: If they keep case sizing and expanded the screen to 29.5inch would a 32 inch model still have the market?
Still 24 :28 :32 is neat set of option.
I don't know when or if an entry-level MacBook will ever reappear, but I think there's a place for it in Apple's lineup, just like there's a place for the basic iPad, at nearly half the price of the iPad Air.
I also understand that whenever Apple makes changes to a product line there is always a subset of users who believe Apple is obligated to continue the design they like. If the ‘normal’ iMac is going to be gone I will not be outraged and disappointed. I will examine the options available to me.
And I will predict that no new iMac will be announced at the rumored March 8 event.
Yep.
- iPhone: SE, 13, 13 Pro - budget option in old shell, colours and light/thin design for mid-range, fewer colours with performance focus and promotion at top-end. Previous 1/2 year’s phones retained to hit more price points.
- iPad: iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro - budget option in old shell, colours and light/thin design for mid-range, fewer colours with performance focus and promotion at top-end
- MacBook: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro - budget option in old shell (new 13 inch MacBook in current 13 inch MacBook Pro shell), colours and light/thin design for mid-range (rumoured MacBook Air range), fewer colours with performance focus and promotion at top-end
- iMac (maybe): iMac 24, iMac 27/28, iMac Pro - colours and light/thin design for low & mid- consumer range, fewer colours with performance focus at top-end
- Mac: Mac Mini, Mac Mini Pro/Max, Mac Pro
Might be me focussing on line up and naming too much over pure sales but it would bring a nice clarity to the line which has been missing for a while.
I'm also really curious about the bigger iMac/iMac Pro, as I'd strongly consider that if it had video input (some rumors seem to show HDMI, and I can't think of another reason for it, if true). I'm OK with my current display, but more resolution/size would be nice. I just don't want it to be a single-use display, especially since my future likely includes a 2nd Mac and/or Windows box.
Maybe a bit confusing to people who don't understand specs, but then, those people won't be looking at that much anyway. They'll just buy the latest of whatever machine they buy. So long as the non-Pro/Max/whatever systems are more limited in things like RAM or GPU cores, it won't matter. Those with higher needs will be forced to the Pro/Max/etc. systems, even if the performance of the next-gen gets close or exceeds the previous gen one some spec here or there.
I sure hope so! That is the weak-spot right not, especially given the pricing (maybe the desktops will be enough cheaper w/o the fancy screens?). If you buy a 32-core Max, you're not quite at the performance of a 3080 (mobile) on a brand new, fairly expensive machine (you'll be hoping lasts several years). That's just kinda sorta OK, and isn't what I'd been hoping for. Now, if the 2x Max or 4x Max scales well in performance, then they'll have something interesting... but will also probably be $$$. Would would be really nice, is to see the eGPU come back, even if only Apple Silicon. Then you could just plug in some extra GPU power.
Agreed. Just make a MacBook ultra-portable with as big of screen as possible and ditch the Air, maybe two sizes if they decide to make one really small model. That said, the form-factor itself was a huge selling point for some. My wife finally gave it up when going to the new MBP 14" Pro (which she loves), but she does complain it isn't nearly as nice in form-factor as the Air (and I'd agree). I don't think the slightly smaller M1 MBP is a great replacement either. They probably have to bring the MacBook back and re-think the design a bit.
I just don't understand Apple's reluctance to just produce a nice but reasonably priced external display. I think a LOT of people would be really happy with a display like the 5k iMac had, and given all the missing computer guts, the price could be made reasonable as well (certainly under $1k). I hear a lot of Apple people complaining about the lack of one. Maybe that market isn't as big as I think?
I'm glad to see how it worked out, but Apple *did* abandon many people through those years. They could have done a lot more to either give people hope back then and/or better support keeping existing machines updated with what was available to them. They did neither. They sadly lost a lot of people. Will they be back? The software is still kind of a mess. Hopefully they'll get around to that one of these days, too.
Tim prioritized keeping secrets and stringent resource allocation over the responsibility to the customer base. I think it could have been done better.