A new report show timelines for Apple’s next-generation of Apple Silicon M2 and M2 Pro destined for future Macs.
Particularly, the report notes that the M2 chip will debut in the second half of 2022 (codename Staten), and that higher-end M2 Pro / M2 Max variants will be coming in the first half of 2023 (codename Rhodes).
This chip is supposedly manufactured using TSMC’s 4 nanometer fabrication process. Lower fabrication feature size typically yields better performance with higher efficiency, as there is simply less space between transistors on the die. In comparison, the current M1/M1 Pro/M1 Max lineup uses 5 nanometer process.
This report slightly contradicts Apple’s stated timeline. Assuming that the Mac Pro and high-end iMac will feature M2 Pro/M2 Max CPUs, but that would go beyond the two-year transition period, if the reporters are correct, in that the chips won’t be ready until 2023.
It is possible that COVID-19 and ongoing global chip shortages have held up Apple’s plans, or that Apple will announce these products in late 2022 and available in small quantities, with a production ramp in 2023.
The report could simply be inaccurate, since the publication has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple rumors. Bloomberg recently claimed new high-end iMac and Mac Pro models will arrive in 2022.
