Apple M3 Pro chip is being tested with these specs

On Sunday there was the new "Power On" newsletter from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. He went into various things in it, but what was most interesting was the info, which appears to have come straight from Apple's testing labs. Gurman is well networked and therefore always gives good forecasts before the release of new Apple devices and systems. So it's worth taking a look at what he has to say about the entry-level M3 Pro and possible max and ultra upgrades. The M3 Pro is said to be coming from Apple with third-partyApps tested to assess performance.

M1 Pro, M2 Pro and (supposed) M3 Pro in comparison

In his newsletter, Gurman shows a comparison of the already known Pro versions of the "Apple Silicon" on the Mac with the presumed values ​​of the new generation. This comparison allows a direct comparison of the rough technical data and thus an estimation of the increase in performance. Note that only the entry-level models are considered, e.g. For example, with the M2 Pro, the configuration that is installed in the cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro. The comparison looks like this:

What does this mean for the Max and Ultra models of the M3 chip?

As noted above, the comparative values ​​are for the entry-level models of the Pro version - i.e. the chips that are installed in the cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro. However, there will be other configurations. The M2 Pro is currently available with 12 CPU cores, 19 graphics cores and 32 GB shared memory in the 16 inch MacBook Pro. There will also be corresponding increases in the M3 Pro. These then exceed those from the above overview.

For even more performance on the Mac, there will also be the M3 Max and the M3 Ultra. If you here with a similar increase as from Max M1 If you add up to the M2 Max, then according to Gurman you could have up to 14 CPU cores and over 40 GPU cores. Because the Ultra version of the Apple silicon a merger of two Max models, that would mean 3 CPU cores and over 28 graphics cores for the M80 Ultra. For comparison: the M2 Ultra currently offers a maximum of 20 CPU cores and 64 GPU cores. 

Incidentally, the increase in the number of cores with similar chip dimensions should result from the 3-nanometer architecture, to which Apple is supposed to switch from the M3 onwards. The M2 models will according to Apple "with 5 nanometer technology of the second generation". The M1 chips were previously manufactured using the first generation "5 nanometer process technology", as is also known official information can be obtained from Apple. With even smaller transistors, even more of them fit on a small chip area and thus in the MacBook, the Mac mini, the Mac Studio and so on.

For whom is the hardware upgrade worthwhile?

If Apple relies on bringing a new chip generation with correspondingly revised Macs onto the market every year or every year and a half, there are certainly different target groups for it. With the step-by-step increases in the entry-level models - as shown above - a new purchase is certainly only worthwhile after two or three years; depending on the area of ​​application, probably much later. In the studio area, where more and more complex software and larger raw material is used and you may already reach the limits with a one or two year old Max or Ultra chip, a more frequent rotation could be worthwhile.

With regard to the basic models, Apple has to hope every year that people with outdated Macs, those switching from PCs and technology freaks will buy a new Mac. For these people, buying a new car will only become attractive again in a few years. Nevertheless, supplies will soon have to come again - for those who have been waiting for a little more performance or are now planning to buy a new one. It can be similar in the professional field, since the latest, most powerful technology is not always required for certain types of work. However, more frequent new purchases are conceivable in the high-end sector. But then with far fewer individual units.

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.