Developer logs and sources: Apple is testing four different M2-based chips in at least nine new Macs, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro

Apple Inc. has started widespread internal testing of several new Mac models with next-generation M2 chips, according to developer logs …

Bloomberg 2022-04-15 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

Reports a month earlier had mapped M2 into a new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro while outlining Pro, Max and Ultra variants; this broader test footprint turns that early M2 product-and-chip roadmap into a coordinated refresh spanning Apple’s laptop, desktop and workstation lines.

Later testing of M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros and a Mac mini, alongside a higher-spec Mac Pro, shows the initial validation program was part of a staged rollout rather than a single-model update.

First-order effects

Apple is validating four M2-family chips across at least nine Macs, tying MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini and Mac Pro planning to a shared silicon transition.
The reported lineup gives Apple a path to differentiate mainstream and high-end Macs through the M2, Pro, Max and Ultra tiers already described in prior coverage.

Second-order effects

MacBook Pro, Mac mini and Mac Pro updates become interdependent with the readiness of their higher-end chip variants, as reflected in later testing of M2 Pro, M2 Max and a high-spec Mac Pro.
The breadth of the program concentrates Apple’s Mac refresh cycle around internally designed chip generations rather than isolated updates to individual product families.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues to validate multiple chip tiers across its full Mac range, Mac segmentation will increasingly be defined by silicon capability and configuration rather than by form factor alone.
The subsequent move to testing an M3 Max MacBook Pro indicates a recurring generation-by-generation validation cadence across Apple’s premium Mac line.

The trend: Apple is turning Mac refreshes into a coordinated, multi-tier silicon roadmap that spans consumer laptops, desktops and workstations.

Discussion

@patrickmoorhead Patrick Moorhead on x
@markgurman Love “A spokeswoman for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment on the plans.”
@lukemiani Luke Miani on x
I'm too lazy to find my tweet but I predicted Gurman's 10 core M2 GPU report from a while back would lead to scaling in clusters of 10. 20/40/80 cores on Pro/Max/Ultra, with binned variants ofc https://twitter.com/...
@lukemiani Luke Miani on x
Beyond pumped for this. Hoping M2 will bring some substantial upgrades to the foundational cores as well as including more of them. Multicore is only helpful to a certain extent! https://twitter.com/...
@mikebeas Mike Beasley on x
Won't be upgrading every year but very excited to see M2. More excited to see M7 Max or whatever it'll be at when I do finally upgrade. https://twitter.com/...
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
Apple has started widespread internal testing of several new Mac models with next-generation M2 chips https://www.bloomberg.com/... // Modern apple has been spectacular at regular update cycles, year after year relentlessly. Intel had tiktok but struggled from start w/schedule.
@vadimyuryev Vadim Yuryev on x
Also, a 38-core GPU on the M2 Max chip kind of sounds like it's getting 40 cores, but with two of them always turned off for better yields. Or Mark is just being extra safe with his prediction and there's a chance we'll see 40 cores on M2 Max. Expect lots of binning, too.
@vadimyuryev Vadim Yuryev on x
Holy WOW. The redesigned MacBook Air might actually get the M2 chip in this case, proving Ming-chi Kuo wrong. I also thought it would be possible for it to get the M1 chip due to all of the supply chain problems, but I guess not. I wonder what Apple will do. https://twitter.com/.…

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