Two new Macs with M2 Max & M2 Ultra being tested ahead of WWDC
A last-minute rumor suggests Apple is testing the M2 Max and upcoming M2 Ultra processor in a pair of unannounced, high-end Macs before WWDC.
A Mac Studio update could be imminent
Just hours after rumors suggested "several" new Macs would launch at WWDC, more info has arrived to paint a clearer picture. If true, this Apple Event is set to be one of the most packed yet.
According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is testing two unannounced high-end Macs with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra processors. The proximity of this rumor to WWDC suggests we could hear about the products and new processors during the event.
The report says Apple has labeled these two Mac models as Mac 14,13 and Mac 14,14. Since they use the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chipsets, they are considered high-end computers.
The M2 Max version being tested is identical to the chip found in the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It has a 12-core CPU, a 30-core GPU, and supports up to 96GB of RAM.
The M2 Ultra allegedly has a 24-core CPU, a 60-core GPU, and up to 192GB of RAM. Essentially, double the M2 Max.
A Mac Studio refresh is overdue
Apple's Mac Studio is the only Mac that runs an "Ultra" processor, the M1 Ultra, currently. Apple hasn't announced this high-end chipset and could reveal it during WWDC or soon after for a summer release.
Some speculation suggests these Macs could be the long-awaited Mac Pro. However, that likely won't be the case since rumors have shifted away from that product reveal to the Apple VR Headset and other products like a New MacBook Air.
Trade-ins allegedly start for the original Mac Studio on Monday -- further driving speculation of a refresh.
The WWDC keynote will be shown on Monday, June 5. All will be revealed, and if no high-end Macs appear there, they could still arrive soon after.
Read on AppleInsider
A Mac Studio update could be imminent
Just hours after rumors suggested "several" new Macs would launch at WWDC, more info has arrived to paint a clearer picture. If true, this Apple Event is set to be one of the most packed yet.
According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is testing two unannounced high-end Macs with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra processors. The proximity of this rumor to WWDC suggests we could hear about the products and new processors during the event.
The report says Apple has labeled these two Mac models as Mac 14,13 and Mac 14,14. Since they use the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chipsets, they are considered high-end computers.
The M2 Max version being tested is identical to the chip found in the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It has a 12-core CPU, a 30-core GPU, and supports up to 96GB of RAM.
The M2 Ultra allegedly has a 24-core CPU, a 60-core GPU, and up to 192GB of RAM. Essentially, double the M2 Max.
A likely rumor
Mark Gurman has a strong history of accurate leaks, indicating his sources and his interpretations are usually close, if not spot on. This rumor coincides with many other rumors pointing to the inevitable M2 Ultra release, so we graded it a "Likely."A Mac Studio refresh is overdue
Apple's Mac Studio is the only Mac that runs an "Ultra" processor, the M1 Ultra, currently. Apple hasn't announced this high-end chipset and could reveal it during WWDC or soon after for a summer release.
Some speculation suggests these Macs could be the long-awaited Mac Pro. However, that likely won't be the case since rumors have shifted away from that product reveal to the Apple VR Headset and other products like a New MacBook Air.
Trade-ins allegedly start for the original Mac Studio on Monday -- further driving speculation of a refresh.
The WWDC keynote will be shown on Monday, June 5. All will be revealed, and if no high-end Macs appear there, they could still arrive soon after.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Discrete graphics.
Expandability.
The obvious stuff that Mac Pros have always been sold on, though often failed to live up to.
I for one hope the rumors are true and that M2-based Mac Studio models are only days away. Despite my really needing at least 1 TB of storage, I almost bought the Costco deal since the price is so good. Now it seems smart to wait at least a few more days — even though it means missing the Costco deal, which expires June 2.
That Costco was offering 25% savings on the M1 Max-based Mac Studio base model makes me think they have insider knowledge of Apple's plans. We don't usually see that kind of savings on older models until after new models are already on the market, right?
It's kind of unfortunate that the Studio Max and Ultra models tend to ship at the end of the processor model life cycle. Same thing happened with the M1 Studio that came out right before Apple announced the M2 processor generation, which makes it tempting to wait for the next gen (M3) instead before dropping $5 grand on a new computer.
The global pandemic caused the M1 launch to be spread out over a longer period, but that's still the goal, and we're a year since the M2 launch. So the Ultra comes a year after the launch, and well, we'll see if there's a Mac Pro announced, availability in the Fall.