The next Apple desktop device may be the first to sport a next-gen M-Series chip, but it’s unclear if the laptops will get the same treatment.
The M1-powered 24-inch iMac has been long in the tooth compared to Apple’s other mainline devices.
Great news for iMac enthusiasts eagerly waiting for another all-in-one device from Apple. An Apple analyst, who is often cited, has revealed that we might see the launch of another iMac later this year, much sooner than originally expected, and with the possibility of featuring an M3 chip.
According to a Bloomberg newsletter by Mark Gurman published on Sunday, the upcoming iMac is in development and although Apple is not expected to increase production for a few more months, the new iMac should be available for purchase in the latter half of this year. Gurman stated that the next iMac is already in an advanced stage of development and production tests are currently underway.
The upcoming Apple all-in-one desktop platform will retain its current size of 24 inches and feature a new M-series chip, replacing the M1 processor found in the 2021 model. Despite rumors about the M3-powered iMac since 2021, no concrete evidence of its existence has surfaced. Minor design tweaks are expected, but overall, the new version seems like a faster iteration of the current model, despite the significant time gap between releases.
Although Gurman has been proven right on several occasions, his latest prediction contradicts his previous report that the iMac would not be released until late 2023 or even 2024. Earlier reports had indicated that the M3 iMac would be released this year. If these reports are accurate, it could be the first device to feature the new chipset. However, it is uncertain whether Apple plans to use the latest M-Series processor in any of its other upcoming devices.
According to Gurman’s newsletter, Apple is planning to release several new laptop designs, which will include a MacBook Pro powered by their own M2 Ultra chip. This will complement the existing 2023 MacBook Pro lineup that features M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Additionally, Apple is reportedly working on a new 15-inch MacBook Air, as well as an updated 13-inch model. It is unclear if any changes will be made to the internal components of these ultra-light laptops, such as the addition of a heat sink or updated chipsets. Currently, the MacBook Airs use a base M2 chip, but Gurman suggests that Apple may introduce an M3 chip into this model.
Could 2023 be the year that the M3 makes a big impact? It’s difficult to predict, as many devices are still using the previous year’s M2 chip. Additionally, major upcoming releases, such as the highly anticipated mixed reality headset, are also expected to use the same chipset. According to reports, the M3 chip will be featured in the OLED iPad Pro, but it won’t be released until the first half of 2024, as per Gurman’s prediction. While some were hoping for a 2024 release of OLED MacBooks, they may not become available until 2025.