Apple is internally testing several variants of the M2 chip in combination with new Macs, Bloomberg reports, citing developer logs.
There are "at least" nine new Macs in development using four different M2 chips, which are the successors to the current M1 chips. Apple is working on devices with standard M2 chips, the M2 Pro, the M2 Max, and a successor to the M1 Ultra, with the following devices in the works:
- A MacBook Air with an M2 chip, which has an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU.
- A Mac mini with the M2 chip and a variant with the M2 Pro chip.
- An entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip.
- A 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max chip. The M2 Max chip has a 12-core GPU and a 38-core GPU and 64GB of memory.
- A Mac Pro that includes a successor to the M1 Ultra used in the Mac Studio.
Apple is also said to have tested an M1 Max version in the Mac mini. However, with the release of the Mac Studio, such a device could become obsolete, so Apple could stick with the M2 and M2 Pro chips in a possible update to the Mac mini.
First Macs with M2 chip expected to appear this year
Loud Bloomberg the internal tests are an "important step" in the development process and suggest that the devices could launch in the coming months. We've already read several rumors about a new MacBook Air, an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro, a Mac Pro, and a new Mac mini. But this is the first time we've heard of a possible refresh of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro this year. Other rumors say the MacBook Air, low-end MacBook Pro, and Mac mini will launch in 2022. Bloomberg has already reported that at least two Macs will launch mid-year, perhaps as part of WWDC. (Photo by Putilov Denis / Bigstockphoto)
