When it comes to Apple’s next-generation silicon chip, there have been rumors about the M2 being more powerful than any other previous iterations. Apple may not have given us a release date but there are signs that point us to what the new Apple M2 chip is all about.
The M2 is rumored to be shipping later in the year and could be the proper replacement for the M1. I must say that the M1 chip has truly impressed me and many of its upgraded versions have blown me away for a couple of months now.
The new M2 chip might still be months away from release but we have all the necessary information that will help you decide if it is worth it. If you want to know more about what the new Apple M2 chip is all about, check out more details in my article down below.
- Expectations for the New Apple M2 Chip
- Better Performance with the N4P Processing Node
- Hopes of Having Better RAM Capabilities
- A New Challenger Arrives
- My Thoughts on the M2 Chip
Expectations for the New Apple M2 Chip
Last October, Apple decided to unveil the M1 Pro and M1 Max as the upgraded version of the all-powerful M1 chip.
All three had their strengths and made Apple products such as the MacBook Pro models look even more powerful than ever. The introduction of the M2 chip as the next-generation version is a true game-changer.
It is expected to mark the start of a new era of Apple silicon processors. As such, there are a lot of expectations that this will help improve performance.
The very first piece of information that we all want to know is if the M2 chip will ever surpass the M1.
What the M2 Chip Brings to the Table
As of this moment, the M2 chip will not surpass the M1 despite its higher number. The M2 chip is rumored to have 12 CPU cores but evidence points to the chip having the same amount of cores as the M1 chip.
Neither the M1 Pro nor the M1 Max has that many cores but the M2 chip is bound to boost a little bit of the overall performance of the device. The original M1 chip has four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores.
Meanwhile, the M1 Pro has eight high-performance cores and two high-efficiency cores. The M2 chip retains the original setup with four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores but promises to improve on performance.
Better Performance with the N4P Processing Node
There are a lot of rumors that the new Apple M2 chip will be using the new N5 processing node. This could mean more speed and top performance for the new chip. However, it was debunked a while ago since such a processing node is slated for production next year.
This news simply confirmed that the M2 chip will be using the N4P processing node instead. While many users might find this underwhelming, I want to express that this is a great move by Apple.
The N4P processing node is already the third generation. This helps increase performance by up to 11 percent. The node also helps improve the power efficiency by up to 22 percent and transistor density improvement by up to six percent.
This alone makes the chip far more superior than the M1 and its many variations.
Why You Should Get the M2 Chip if You’re an Ordinary User
We keep on talking about CPUs and processing nodes but how about the GPU cores? The M2 chip might retain the usual eight CPU cores but it is known that Apple may add more GPU cores to improve the capabilities of the chip.
Apple is rumored to expand the GPU core from eight to either nine or even ten cores. This is in stark contrast to the M1 Pro and M1 Max which have double the amount of cores. Having more cores means it’s a lot pricier than the average user can afford.
For those who need a better-performing Mac computer, I suggest you go for the M1 Pro and M1 Max chip rather than the M2. The M2 chip is aimed at customers who want to watch Netflix or simply surf the web with a little bit of improved performance instead of professionals who crave top-notch performance.
Hopes of Having Better RAM Capabilities
When we talk about specs, it’s hard to leave RAM out of the discussion. People are hoping that the new Apple M2 chip will have better support when it comes to RAM.
The M1 chip has a maximum of 16GB RAM while the M1 Pro and M1 Max can reach up to 64GB RAM. Considering that the M2 chip lies in between the M1 chip and the other two, it is safe to say that it will most likely have the same RAM capacity as the M1 version.
It is also unnecessary for the M2 chip to have higher RAM considering its target audience is mainly the ordinary user and not the professionals in terms of its specs.
Still, there is hope that the M2 chip will have upgraded RAM over its M1 counterpart.
When Is the Release Date?
There is still a lot of speculation with regards to the release date of the new Apple M2 chip. However, there are hints to its release based on previous product launches by the company. I’ve noticed many times that Apple likes to launch its chips alongside new products or models.
This time, it’s no exemption. Apple will most likely launch its new M2 chip together with the 13-inch MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air.
While these were announced in March this year, avid users will have to wait until later this year probably by fall to get their hands on the new M2 chip and the laptop. Apple also tends to unveil and release their most anticipated products such as laptops usually around October or November.
A New Challenger Arrives
While many of us are waiting for the M2 chip to be unveiled, a new challenger has arrived in the form of the M1 Ultra chip. This marks the third chip from the M1 line that debuted in the market earlier this year. How does the M2 chip compare to the M1 Ultra?
The M1 Ultra is by far the best out of the group with 20 CPU cores and up to 64 GPU cores. It also has 128GB memory which pales in comparison to our speculations regarding the M2 chip.
However, there should be no doubt about the pricing for both chips. The M2 chip will always be a more affordable chip than the M1 Ultra based on the specs alone.
Users should breathe a sigh of relief if they opt to have the M2 chip instead.
Will There Be an M2 Pro, Max, and Ultra Variants
Readers and avid users of Apple products will want to know if there are possible variations of the M2 chip.
With the release of the M1 Pro, M1 Max, and the M1 Ultra, signs are pointing that Apple might also release the same variations for the M2 chip considering this has been the norm.
The first iteration of the chip will always have more room for improvement and this is why there are upgrades to be made alongside many additions to ensure different needs and requirements are met for each type of consumer.
My Thoughts on the M2 Chip
Here are my thoughts on the new Apple M2 chip and how it’s going to fare in the market.
While the M2 chip might not be as powerful as the M1 Ultra, it is safe to say that Apple won’t be marketing the new chip as such. It will most likely be similar to the release of the M1 chip.
The new M2 chip alongside the new Apple MacBook products will have better performance than their previous counterparts but don’t expect it to beat the M1 Ultra.
The Outlook for the New Apple M2 Chip
Based on the most recent rumors, the outlook for the new Apple M2 chip should be a bit timider than the latest M1 Ultra release. Don’t expect too much on this new chip if you’re looking for high-standard performance.
If this year’s MacBook Pro release is an indication, users should settle for slightly better performance when compared to the 2020 M1 chip.
Consumers who want a powerful device should go for the 2021 models instead and wait for a better version of the M2 chip to come out in the future.
Conclusion
While Apple has not yet confirmed all of these details, it is still worth noting that there are a lot of shreds of evidence that point out that the new M2 chip will be the next big thing for users of Apple products.
Keep following us for more details once Apple finally makes an official announcement on the new Apple M2 chip.