MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips to enter mass production in late 2022

Another report suggests that Apple will release refreshed MacBook Pro models with more powerful processors. It remains to be seen when these devices will be unveiled, but they should at least enter mass production later this year.

Recent reports indicate that Apple could be just two weeks away from revealing the iPhone 14 series. And the tech giant is expected to announce another lineup of hardware products in October, which will likely include new Mac devices.

Several Mac products would be in preparation. But a recent note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros could be included in Apple’s October announcements.

The analyst said on Twitter that the new MacBook Pro models will likely enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2022. If accurate, the laptops could also hit stores during the same period.

Both laptops are expected to be powered by high-end versions of the M2 chip, which could be named M2 Pro and M2 Max. These devices will be different from the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro released by Apple earlier this year, which is powered by the usual M2 chip.

Earlier reports claimed that the M2 Pro would be the first SoC to be produced using TSMC’s 3nm process. But Kuo thinks that might not be the case. “Given TSMC’s indications that 3nm will bring revenue starting in 1H23, processors in 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro models may still adopt the 5nm Advanced Node,” the analyst said.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are expected to have the same design as their predecessors. While the M2 Pro and M2 Max will likely bring CPU performance improvements, Apple is said to be more focused on delivering GPU upgrades.

There are other Apple devices that could be unveiled in October. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in the Aug. 21 edition of the Power On newsletter that he also expects to see a “revamped iPad Pro” with the usual M2 chip. Apple could also announce a new entry-level iPad powered by the A14 Bionic.

New Mac minis and Mac Pros with M2-based processors are also said to be in the works. The reporter said Apple could launch “at least a pair of these machines” in two months.

picture by Thai Nguyen on Unsplash