Apple's next-generation M3 chip is set to power the Mac mini and MacBook Pro, but not until 2024, according to reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, MacRumors, Apple Insider, and The Apple Post. This marks a departure from the tech giant's usual release cycle, with the Mac mini typically among the first to receive new-generation Apple Silicon chips.
The M3 chip is expected to debut with a new 24-inch iMac later this year. However, the M3-equipped Mac mini and upgraded 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are likely to arrive later than initially anticipated. Gurman suggests that the Mac mini may not be part of the fall launches and could be held back until late 2024.
This delay is attributed to Apple's belief that the Mac mini does not require annual or more frequent refreshes, unlike some other Mac models like the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The M2 Mac mini arrived over two years after the first M1 model, reinforcing this theory.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro, typically later-in-cycle releases, are also not expected to be part of the October releases. Given that these models will use the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, a mid-2024 launch is deemed more appropriate.
Despite these delays, Gurman anticipates that a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M3 will be part of the first wave, along with a 13-inch MacBook Air update and a 24-inch iMac.
While the exact timeline for the launch of the M3 Mac lineup remains uncertain, the introduction of the M3 chip marks a significant step forward in Apple's ongoing transition to its own silicon. The M3 chip is expected to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency, further solidifying Apple's position in the competitive tech market.
