Apple Silicon-based MacBook Pro expected this Summer -- 64GB RAM and 10 cores

Posted on Wednesday, May 19 2021 @ 15:04 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
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Half a year ago, Apple launched its first Arm-based computers. The M1 SoC was an impressive debut, offering not only stunning performance but also very high energy efficiency. At the moment, Apple's in-house processor is exclusively used for the company's entry-level products. Faster versions of Apple Silicon are expected to hit the market sometime later this year.

Bloomberg: 10-core MacBook Pro with 64GB RAM coming this summer

A new report from Bloomberg indicates various new Mac computers are on the way. An anonymous source told the news agency that MacBook Pro laptops with a 14" and 16" form factor are on the way.

The Arm-based MacBook Pros will feature a redesigned chassis, more I/O ports, and a magnetic MagSafe charger. Bloomberg's source confirmed earlier rumors about Apple bringing back the HDMI port and the SD memory card slot on the new MacBook Pros.

Two Apple Silicon chips are planned for the MacBook Pro, each SoC has eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, resulting in a total of 10 cores. The "Jade C-Chop" chip will pack 16 graphics cores, while the more powerful "Jade C-Die" will get 32 graphics cores. For comparison, the current M1 SoC from Apple has four high-performance cores and four energy-efficient cores, in combination with a maximum of eight graphics cores.

More high-performance cores and a lot more GPU cores aren't the only difference versus the current MacBook Air systems. The MacBook Pro will also get a lot more memory. While the MacBook Air ships with a maximum of 16GB RAM -- the new MacBook Pro will reportedly offer up to 64GB. Furthermore, the device will also have an improved Neural Engine and more Thunderbolt ports.

Mac mini getting same chip as MacBook Pro

You can already get a Mac mini with the M1 SoC but Apple is also planning a more powerful version with the same chips as the MacBook Pros. Bloomberg notes it's not certain this device will be released -- it could still be delayed or cancelled. The higher-end Mac mini is expected to feature four ports, double as much as the current low-end model.

Mac Pro to get up to 40 cores

The next Mac Pro is expected to look like a smaller version of the current Mac Pro. These systems will allegedly get "Jade 2C-Die" and "Jade 4C-Die" SoCs -- with a total of 20 or 40 processor cores. Bloomberg talks about a model with 16 high-performance cores and four energy-efficient cores, and another variant with 32 high-performance cores and 8 energy-efficient cores. These SoCs would feature 64 or 128 graphics cores -- another big upgrade versus what's offered for the laptop market.

MacBook Air refresh coming late this year?

Apple is also working on a new MacBook Air, which would launch as early as the end of this year. The second-generation Arm-based MacBook Air would feature "Staten", a direct successor to the M1 SoC.

The next MacBook Air will reportedly get the same number of computing cores as the M1, but it will be a faster architecture. Furthermore, the number of graphics cores would rise from seven or eight to nine or ten. The same update is planned for the low-end 13.3" M1-based MacBook Pro.

Interestingly, Bloomberg also writes that as early as 2022, Apple plans to replace the last remaining Intel part with an in-house component. We're not talking about a processor here, but about a USB Retimer. This is a component that helps power the USB-C and Thunderbolt ports on Apple's computers. At the moment, Apple still buys this component from Intel.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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