Tag: MacBook Pro

  • Apple M5 Starts Mass Production at TSMC’s N3P Node

    Apple M5 Starts Mass Production at TSMC’s N3P Node

    Apple’s new chip for laptops and tablets, called the M5, has begun mass production. This means we can expect it to be available around mid to late 2025, probably with either an iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro. Unlike earlier reports suggested, it won’t utilize TSMC’s N2 node but will rely on the N3-based N3P instead. This choice should provide a 5% boost in performance and enhance power efficiency by up to 10%.

    Improvements in Design

    Even though it won’t feature TSMC’s cutting-edge N2 gate-all-around technology (Nanosheets), the Apple M5 will include several significant upgrades. Among these is the SoIC-mH (System-on-Integrated-Chips-holding-Horizontal) packaging, enabling a more compact design. Additionally, the new substrate design will permit more chips to be stacked vertically, making the architecture more efficient. The report also hints at the introduction of an Apple M5 Ultra chip.

    Future Production Plans

    Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted at the M5 Ultra’s production starting in 2026, signaling a comeback of the Ultra-branded chips from Apple after a two-generation gap. Kuo also mentioned that the Apple M5 will uniquely separate the unified CPU and GPU, which could be a strategic move to enhance AI performance—an area that has gained significant attention recently.

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  • M4 MacBook Air in Mass Production; M4 and M5 Macs Coming 2025

    M4 MacBook Air in Mass Production; M4 and M5 Macs Coming 2025

    After the Apple M4 was introduced in the iPad Pro earlier this year, it is now being used in the Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro. Based on recent updates from Bloomberg, the forthcoming MacBook Air will likely be available soon, with both the 13-inch and 15-inch models featuring the Apple M4 reportedly “deep in mass production.”

    Sales Timeline

    This indicates that sales should kick off in the first quarter, likely by the end of March. Additionally, a Mac Studio equipped with a more powerful Apple M4 is set to launch in the middle of next year, followed by an updated Mac Pro. Our tests of the Apple M4 in the iPad Pro reveal that the chip delivers up to 22% better CPU performance compared to the Apple M3 in the MacBook Air, all without requiring a fan. However, the upgrade is mostly beneficial for those using older Intel Macs or M1 MacBook Airs, since the new ARM chip is as much as 70% quicker.

    Future Upgrades

    According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the MacBook Pro is anticipated to receive an upgrade to the Apple M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max by late 2025, but this will not include the much-awaited redesign. The new aesthetic, which will feature a dual OLED display and a 2 nm ARM chip, is now pushed back to 2026, meaning that next year’s version will be focused solely on performance enhancements. It’s still unclear whether other models, like the iMac or Mac mini, will also see an upgrade to the Apple M5 in 2025.

    Source: Link

  • MacBook Pro 2026: OLED Display, Hole-Punch Camera, No Notch

    MacBook Pro 2026: OLED Display, Hole-Punch Camera, No Notch

    Apple is gearing up to introduce new MacBook Pro models equipped with OLED displays and an upgraded camera system in 2026, as revealed by a recent roadmap from Omdia. The upcoming models are likely to replace the current notch with a hole-punch camera design, and they might even feature the Dynamic Island that iPhone users have come to know.

    New Display Features

    These refreshed MacBook Pros will come with 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch Hybrid OLED screens that utilize RGB Tandem and Oxide TFT technology, along with support for Dynamic Frame Rate. The new dimensions are slightly larger than the existing 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch Mini LED displays.

    Benefits of OLED

    Transitioning to OLED is expected to provide several significant improvements, including brighter screens, enhanced contrast with richer blacks, and better battery life for extended usage. Such advancements might also allow future MacBooks to be slimmer overall.

    Design and Chip Updates

    However, before we see these changes, the MacBook Pro will maintain its current design, with models in 2025 getting an upgrade to the new M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips. Omdia indicates that OLED screens will remain exclusive to the MacBook Pro for a period of two years, with the MacBook Air receiving them only in 2028.

    The elimination of the notch could create more space for the macOS menu bar, resulting in a more integrated display experience. Yet, specifics regarding the functionality of the hole-punch camera and Dynamic Island remain uncertain.

    Source: Link

  • Apple’s Future MacBook Pros May Feature OLED Screens Again

    Apple’s Future MacBook Pros May Feature OLED Screens Again

    Apple’s move to upgrade its MacBook Pro lineup to OLED has been a topic of speculation among many analysts for quite some time. A latest report from TrendForce suggests that Apple is pushing its suppliers to increase investments in larger OLED panels suitable for laptops. As mentioned in earlier reports, the transition to OLED is anticipated to happen by 2026 at the earliest.

    Benefits of OLED Displays

    There’s no denying that OLED screens come with numerous advantages compared to traditional LED displays. With their per-pixel dimming feature, OLED panels deliver outstanding black levels, resulting in almost infinite contrast ratios and a fantastic HDR experience. Additionally, they offer rapid response times, which is especially appealing for gaming enthusiasts.

    Drawbacks of OLED Technology

    Nonetheless, there are some downsides to OLED technology. The ongoing risk of burn-in could be a worry for professionals who often deal with static images on their screens for long durations. Moreover, OLEDs generally have lower brightness levels compared to the current Mini LED panels that Apple uses. However, it seems that the company’s innovative tandem OLED technology might adequately address this issue.

    TrendForce’s report indicates that Apple is indeed serious about integrating OLED technology into its products.

    Source: Link

  • Nearly Invisible Edge Hardshell Case for MacBook Pro by Incase

    Nearly Invisible Edge Hardshell Case for MacBook Pro by Incase

    Incase has introduced a new case designed to enhance protection for the MacBook Pro while maintaining its sleek design and preserving the visibility of the Apple logo.

    Protective Design

    The upper portion of the case acts more like a bumper for the laptop’s lid, featuring a prominent raised lip that protects the corners, which are often susceptible to damage such as dents and scratches. This durability comes from the use of Incase’s Makrolon polycarbonate material.

    Functionality and Fit

    On the lower part, rubber feet are included to ensure that the MacBook remains stable on smooth surfaces. The case is designed to fit perfectly around the laptop’s buttons, ports, and status LED. Additionally, Incase assures that it will not obstruct the device’s ventilation or affect its lightweight design.

    Aesthetic and Availability

    Both sections of the case feature a matte finish, enhancing grip and scratch resistance. True to its minimalist approach, the only other option besides the clear design is a sleek black version.

    The Edge Hardshell Case is offered in sizes for 14-inch and 16-inch models, and it’s compatible with M1, M2, and M3 MacBook Pro versions, as well as the latest M4 models.

    Starting at a price of $49.99, the case is available for purchase through Incase or Best Buy, effective immediately.

  • Apple Analyst Reveals Timeline for 2nm Processors and MacBook Pro Updates

    Apple Analyst Reveals Timeline for 2nm Processors and MacBook Pro Updates

    Apple has yet to begin shipping the new Mac products that were announced last week. However, Mark Gurman is already looking ahead to what the company might reveal for future MacBook Pro devices as far ahead as 2026. Just to give some background, Apple updated the 24-inch iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro 14, and MacBook Pro 16 at the end of October, introducing the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets.

    Only One Redesigned Product

    Out of these updates, only the Mac mini (currently $799 – 512 GB on Amazon) received a complete redesign. Historically, Apple has refreshed the design of the MacBook Pro every four years. However, the last update was delayed by an additional year, which aligned with the launch of the Apple M1 chipsets.

    Future Designs and Delays

    Gurman indicates that Apple is likely to take a similar amount of time again before introducing new designs for the MacBook Pro lineup. This delay appears to be linked to production issues with the expected tandem OLED panels, which Apple aimed to have ready by next year. Consequently, the MacBook Pro models expected next year will primarily feature the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chipsets.

    What’s Coming in 2026

    In contrast, the next generation of MacBook Pros is anticipated to integrate a new design alongside tandem OLED displays for the very first time. Additionally, Gurman mentions that the Apple M6 chipsets will transition to a 2 nm manufacturing process, down from the 3 nm process used for the M4 and M5 series. Therefore, the MacBook Pros released in 2026 are expected to be much more efficient compared to the current models, while also providing a significant improvement in performance and maximum display brightness.

    Mark Gurman & Bloomberg via 9to5Mac

  • Apple M4 Max Launches on Geekbench with 31% Performance Boost

    Apple M4 Max Launches on Geekbench with 31% Performance Boost

    Earlier today, we witnessed the impressive performance of the Apple M4 Pro, showcased on a premium 16-inch MacBook Pro. In terms of CPU capabilities, it significantly outperformed last year’s Apple M3 Pro and even the M3 Max. Now, we are eager to see the Apple M4 Max, which is touted as Apple’s most powerful laptop CPU, in action.

    Performance Comparison

    When looking at the Apple M4 Max compared to the Apple M3 Max, it shows a remarkable increase in speed—31% faster in single-core tasks and 25% faster in multi-core operations. This is an incredible boost in performance, which can be largely credited to an updated architecture and probably a greater power allowance.

    Graphics Performance

    On the graphics front, the Apple M4 Max achieved an impressive score of 192,532 points in Geekbench’s Metal benchmark, outperforming the Apple M3 Max’s score of 155,214 by 24%. While the benchmark doesn’t clearly state that the GPU consists of 40 cores, the other specifications, including a 16-core CPU and 128 GB of RAM, strongly suggest that it does.

    Future Competitiveness

    The Apple M4 Max is quickly becoming one of the most formidable laptop CPUs released this generation. Currently, there’s nothing from Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm that can compete with it, though this may change once AMD’s Strix Halo CPUs are released next year.

    If Apple chooses to pair two M4 Max chips together and introduce an M4 Ultra, it could really spell doom for competitors. However, the M3 Ultra never materialized, and up until now, there haven’t been many rumors suggesting such a chip is in the works.


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  • Apple M4 Pro Debuts on Geekbench with Amazing Performance Boost

    Apple M4 Pro Debuts on Geekbench with Amazing Performance Boost

    The Apple M4 Pro has just appeared on Geekbench alongside what looks to be a 16-inch MacBook Pro. This version is the high-end model, featuring a 14-core CPU, a 20-core GPU, and 48 GB of RAM. It shows a remarkable improvement from the M3 Pro, enhancing both CPU and GPU performance.

    Performance Scores

    In Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests, the M4 Pro achieved scores of 3,925 and 22,669 points, respectively. This translates to a 25% increase in single-core performance and a 46% boost in multi-core performance compared to the Apple M3 Pro’s scores of 3,138 and 15,480. While the multi-core improvement was anticipated due to the additional CPU cores, the surge in single-core performance is truly impressive, likely because the M4 Pro can reach speeds of 4.51 GHz as opposed to the 4.06 GHz of the M3 Pro. Actually, the M4 Pro’s multi-core score surpasses that of last year’s 16-core M3 Max, which scored 21,253 points in the benchmarks.

    GPU Performance

    We also get a glimpse of the M4 Pro’s 20-core GPU performance through Geekbench’s OpenCL benchmark, where it scored 69,867 points. This marks a 38% enhancement over the Apple M3 Pro’s score of 50,373. Although it falls short of the M3 Max’s impressive 40-core GPU score of 91,413, it’s only 31% slower despite having half the cores, which is quite remarkable. With the M4 Pro performing so well, it will be fascinating to see what Apple’s top-tier M4 Max has to offer for MacBook users.


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  • Apple M4 Max SoC Confirmed in Leaked Official Media Assets

    Apple M4 Max SoC Confirmed in Leaked Official Media Assets

    Apple has rolled out its new Macs in a staggered manner, introducing a new model each day. Over the past couple of days, we’ve seen the launch of the M4-equipped iMac and the newly revamped Mac Mini, which comes with both the M4 and M4 Pro SoCs.

    Anticipation for the MacBook Pro

    Now, all eyes are on the MacBook Pro, which is expected to be revealed tomorrow, assuming everything goes smoothly. Mark Gurman has been largely spot-on with his predictions regarding Apple’s Macs, so it’s reasonable to anticipate the arrival of the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 models, equipped with the M4 Pro and M4 Max.

    Details on the M4 Pro and M4 Max

    Apple has already confirmed the M4 Pro chip. Additionally, we might have just received a hint about the M4 Max SoC, thanks to a media asset found by developer Charlie Joseph. This news isn’t shocking, as it’s quite likely that the MacBook Pro will feature both the Pro and Max versions of the M4, keeping in line with the company’s established patterns.

    Sadly, there isn’t any information available about the core counts for the M4 Max yet. The M4 Pro caught me off guard by packing 14 cores, including an impressive 10 performance cores, which is a jump from the six maximum performance cores seen in the previous M3. The M4 Max probably will have even more performance cores, possibly around 12 or 14, along with two or four efficiency cores, leading to a total of 16 or 18 CPU cores, based on past trends.

    GPU Core Specifications

    When it comes to GPU cores, things are a bit clearer. The standard M4 chip has up to 10 GPU cores, while the M4 Pro doubles that to 20. Therefore, it’s likely that the M4 Max will feature up to 40 GPU cores, matching its predecessor. With the M4 Pro and M4 Max-equipped MacBook Pro lineup set to launch as early as tomorrow, we won’t have to wait long to find out more.

    Charlie Joseph via Twitter.

  • New Mac Mini Leaks: Fresh Design, 64GB RAM, M4 Pro Chipset

    New Mac Mini Leaks: Fresh Design, 64GB RAM, M4 Pro Chipset

    Apple introduced its new 24-inch iMac on Monday, just a few days after refreshing the iPad mini with its seventh-generation version. While the iPad mini 7 is powered by last year’s A17 Pro chip, the new 24-inch iMac is the first Mac to feature the Apple M4 chipset (curr. $1,299 on Amazon). It seems Apple still has more Mac products to unveil in the near future.

    More Devices on the Horizon

    In conjunction with the announcement yesterday, Apple suggested that additional devices will be revealed later this week. Current predictions indicate that these products will include updated versions of the MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16, as well as a revamped Mac mini. Interestingly, MacRumors has found hints of the upcoming Mac mini in a comparison table on Amazon, which we have included below.

    Exciting Upgrades for the Mac Mini

    If the information is correct, the forthcoming Mac mini is set to not only include M4 and M4 Pro chipsets, but will also feature a complete redesign resembling a smaller Mac Studio. Additionally, Apple has trimmed down the front-facing ports to just a 3.5 mm jack and two USB Type-C ports. Moreover, the same comparison table seems to verify details about the yet-to-be-released M4 Pro chipset, which is said to have 14 CPU cores, 20 GPU cores, and support for up to 64 GB of unified memory. As it stands, Apple is anticipated to officially announce both the Mac mini and the M4 Pro chipset later today.

    Amazon via MacRumors, Peng Originals (Unsplash) – Image credit


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