Computers & Laptops | May 21, 2023
Rumors suggest that at the upcoming WWDC 2023, which will be held next month, we will see new Macs powered by Apple’s M2 chips. However, while these computers are presumably on their way, Cupertino is already working on the next evolution of its ambitious silicon project.
Mark Gurman has stated that Apple has started testing M3 chips on MacBook Pro prototypes with third-party applications to ensure their functionality. This is a significant stage in the development of new products, but involving external actors opens the door to possible leaks.
his information has come to light thanks to an anonymous developer from the App Store. Not only did they reveal the existence of the chip, but they also provided some technical details that lead Gurman to believe it could be an M3 Pro. Let’s take a look at them.
The chips being tested at Cupertino, according to the leaked information, have a 12-core CPU. Similar to previous generations, they feature a hybrid architecture. Six cores are focused on delivering maximum performance, while the other six prioritize efficiency.
| APPLE SILICON M1 PRO | APPLE SILICON M2 PRO | APPLE SILICON M3 PRO (IN TESTING) | |
| CPU | 8 cores | 10 cores | 12 cores |
| GPU | 14 cores | 16 cores | 18 cores |
| MEMORY | 32 GB | 32 GB | 36 GB |
On the graphics front, the chip boasts an 18-core GPU. As for RAM, this clearly professional-oriented offering would support a maximum of 36 GB of RAM. It’s worth noting that current Mac computers operate with Unified Memory Architecture (UMA), which is non-upgradable.
An important detail, based on rumors, is that Apple will make the leap to the enhanced 3nm process from TSMC for the M3 chips. On paper, this change could result in performance and power efficiency improvements for each of the cores compared to previous generations.
Gurman explains that Macs adopting these new chips could help improve Apple’s computer sales, which experienced a significant decline in the last quarter. For now, we have to wait for more updates and their possible official release scheduled for next year. It should be noted, however, that before that happens, the plain M3 chip should make its debut.
