Apple’s M1 successor chip (M2/ M1X) goes into mass production. That means, new Macs with the next generation Apple Silicon are in an advanced development phase, among them is the mighty Mac Pro, which is expected to be half the size compared to its Intel-based predecessor.

Apple Silicone M2 enters mass production

Nikkei Asia has reported that the next generation of Mac processors designed by Apple, entered mass production this month. Shipments of the new chipset — tentatively known as the M2 (or M1X), after Apple’s current M1 processor — could begin as early as July for use in MacBooks that are scheduled to go on sale in the second half of this year. The new chipset is produced by key Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, using the latest semiconductor production technology, known as 5-nanometer plus, or N5P. Producing such advanced chipsets takes at least three months. The start of mass production came as Apple introduced new iMac and iPad Pro models using the M1.

Shipments of the new chipset — tentatively known as the M2 (or M1X), after Apple’s current M1 processor — could begin as early as July for use in MacBooks that are scheduled to go on sale in the second half of this year.

Nikkei Asia

Apple Silicon Mac Pro

Furthermore, sources said to Nikkei Asia, that the M1 successors (M2/ M1X) will eventually be implemented in other Mac and Apple devices beyond the MacBook, which means three models remained: MacBook Pro 16-inch, iMac Pro, and the mighty Mac Pro. Indeed, when the new M1 Macs have launched, Apple promised that the transition away from Intel chips will take two years. Apple stated that after updating its laptop line, Apple will still have until 2022 to update desktop computers — the iMac (updated recently), iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac mini which has already been updated with its own processors.

Half the size Mac Pro

The company is already full power on a redesigned Mac Pro model, Apple’s highest-end desktop. Sources confirmed to Bloomberg that Apple engineers are currently developing a new Mac Pro that looks like the current design at about half the size. It’s unclear if that Mac will replace the current Mac Pro or if it’s an additional model. It’s obvious that Apple’s chip architecture can help the company reduce the size of its computers due to increased power efficiency, but the current Mac Pro is large, in part, to fit components like additional storage drives and graphics chips. The new Intel-based Mac Pro was announced in June 2019 as a machine dedicated to professionals.

Apple engineers are currently developing a new Mac Pro that looks like the current design at about half the size. 

Final insights

It’s interesting to see how the new M2 (or M1X) Mac Pro performs compared to its Intel-based twin. Moreover, the new Apple Silicon Mac Pro is supposed to be another whole animal regarding upgrades, and thus prices. For instance, the Intel-based Mac Pro is capable of adding GPUs (including AfterBurner), which will be less relevant to the Apple Silicon chip architecture.