Apple’s M3 Max including the long-awaited M3 MacBook Air is just around the corner and in this video I have five new very important updates to share with you guys that you need to know especially if you decide to hold off on a Mac purchase right now.
1. Launch of M3
Let’s dive right into the first update, which originates from a highly reliable Apple insider named Mark German. He has just shared a fresh edition of his Power On newsletter, providing a comprehensive overview of what we can anticipate this upcoming fall.
According to Mark’s well-informed sources, Apple has plans for a special event in October. During this event, they are set to unveil a range of new products.
Drawing from his extensive experience, Mark speculates that these releases will likely include updates to the MacBook Max lineup. Impressively, he has even provided specific details about the models that are expected to receive enhancements, all of which will feature the new M3 chip.
The models in question are the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 24-inch iMac, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. However, for those hoping for the more advanced M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros, it appears patience will be necessary.
Mark suggests that it’s premature for these models and they might not make an appearance until the latter part of the following year.
Focusing back on the imminent launch of the M3 Max, it’s quite intriguing to note that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is still on the radar. Given the passage of time, some might have expected this model to be phased out or at least undergo a redesign.
However, uncertainties abound in this area. Shifting our attention to the iMac, my personal estimate is that its release might occur around six months after the introduction of the 13-inch MacBook Air. This projection is based on the precedent set by the M1 model launch.
In that instance, the M1 Air, Pro, and Mac Mini were introduced in the autumn of 2020, while the M1 iMac made its appearance in the spring of 2021. If history repeats itself and the M3 is launched this fall, we can likely expect a similar timeline to unfold.
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2. Performance of M3
Shifting our focus to the second update, we have received some new information regarding performance figures, and it appears that the outlook is not as promising as we initially anticipated.
To provide some background, I created a video where I projected the performance of the M3 chip and the A17 Bionic based on leaks that showcased remarkable capabilities.
As demonstrated, the single-core performance was estimated at approximately 3500 points in Geekbench 6, boasting a remarkable 32 percent improvement over the M2 Chip. Equally impressive, the multi-core test yielded around 13600 points in Geekbench 6, marking a substantial 41.5 percent enhancement over the M2.
Despite the positive initial impression, subsequent developments have brought about unexpected and rather disheartening news.
Twitter’s Tech Reeve, the same source responsible for leaking the initial performance metrics of the A17 Bionic chip, has suggested that the new A17 and M3 chips might not deliver the performance levels seen previously.
Rather than being underpinned by an entirely new architecture, there could be refinements in the manufacturing process to achieve the transition to three nanometers. Consequently, the anticipated performance figures that I previously estimated may not be attainable.
In a more practical scenario, we could potentially anticipate an approximate 20 percent increase in single-core performance, and perhaps a 25 to 30 percent improvement in multi-core performance.
These adjustments are made to temper expectations slightly. Naturally, any outcome surpassing these projections would be a delightful surprise.
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3. Three Mac Models
In the context of the third update, I’d like to share details about the latest developments. While we’re already thrilled with the performance of the 15-inch MacBook Air, there’s intriguing information regarding an upcoming version equipped with the M3 chip.
Reports from Germany indicate that Apple has commenced work on the expansive 15-inch M3 MacBook Air. Notably, this report dates back to June, addressing both the 13-inch and 15-inch models concurrently.
However, a recent newsletter update paints a different picture. In this edition of the Power On newsletter, the author envisions an October event where the first M3 Max could make its debut. Surprisingly, the 15-inch iteration was omitted from this list, which exclusively featured the 13-inch Air, the 24-inch iMac, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
In my estimation, the timing seems rather abrupt for a 15-inch update if the 13-inch M3 Air is indeed poised for an October release.
Considering the historical precedent set by the release of the current 15-inch model – which followed a full year after the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air – there’s a logical argument for delaying the release of the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air. This delay could enable Apple to offer users a strategic choice: the 15-inch Air equipped with the older M2 Chip or the cutting-edge M3, albeit limited to the 13-inch size.
This decision could potentially create a dilemma for consumers, ensuring that the 15-inch Air maintains its appeal due to its size-to-value ratio. Subsequently, Apple could introduce the new 15-inch M3 MacBook Air a few months later, resulting in a substantial surge in sales.
This approach mirrors Apple’s strategy of introducing new iPhone colors in the spring or launching the iPhone SE during tax refund season to stimulate sales.
However, should the launch of the M3 Max experience delays and extend into the following year, an alternative scenario emerges. In this case, Apple might consider releasing both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models simultaneously, catering to different user preferences and accommodating various market dynamics.
4. Reason for delayed
And the reasons behind potential delays bring us to update number four. If you’re not already aware, both the a17 and M3 chips are set to be manufactured using TSMC’s cutting-edge three-nanometer chip process.
Regrettably, reports have surfaced indicating that the chip yields from this process are turning out to be lower than initially anticipated.
This, in turn, is resulting in a reduced supply of three-nanometer chips. As a consequence, concerns have emerged regarding the availability of sufficient three-nanometer chips for the M3, potentially leading to a postponement of its launch until next year.
Notably, Tech Reeve on Twitter, the individual who recently disclosed performance benchmarks, has expressed worry about the impact of TSMC’s N3 process having such dismal yields that it might hinder the production of the a17 chip. However, it seems this predicament has been somewhat resolved by pushing the M3 launch to the following year.
The situation got to the point where they had to transition from the original M3 process to the n3e variant, which boasts better yields but sacrifices transistor density and performance.
Nonetheless, this move appears strategic on Apple’s part, as evidenced by a chart shared by Tech Reeve indicating that n3e’s transistor density outperforms Samsung’s freshly introduced three-nanometer process.
This strategic maneuver positions Apple ahead of its competitors, potentially enabling a more substantial performance leap with N3 in the future.
However, even with this adjustment, recent reports suggest that TSMC’s three-nanometer yields for the a17 and M3 chips remain disappointingly low, hovering around a mere 55 percent.
Such a yield rate is far from satisfactory, and it might lead to a delay extending into the spring of 2024. Adding to the delay speculation is a new leak from The Information, suggesting that iPhone 15 Pro Models are grappling with production issues tied to their exceptionally thin bezels. Nevertheless, this issue is not anticipated to result in a delay.
Counter to this, a prominent source has come forth asserting that the iPhone 15’s launch will indeed be postponed until October. It’s worth noting that this analyst accurately predicted the iPhone 12’s delay years ago.
Should this delay occur, it could potentially further push back the initial launch of the M3 Mac, especially if the iPhone delays are compounded by challenges in chip yields along with display-related concerns.
5. Big News Of M3
Shifting our focus once again, update number five presents an intriguing development. Recently, a report surfaced from Digit Times detailing Apple’s plans for the upcoming 13-inch MacBook Pro, featuring a cutting-edge three-nanometer chip.
The report suggests a launch during this year’s third quarter, which initially seems perplexing as we are currently within that timeframe.
However, considering the third quarter concludes before October, it hints at a potential September release. A crucial nugget of information is the mention of the M3 chip, utilizing the advanced three-nanometer technology. This aligns seamlessly with insights shared by Mark German, who hinted at a probable October launch.
In my personal viewpoint, discontinuing the 13-inch MacBook Pro would make sense, given its outdated status and questionable fit within the product lineup.
Nevertheless, Apple likely perceives it as a profitable venture, capitalizing on its professional branding and relatively affordable pricing. Despite my inclinations, the market apparently continues to embrace this model, possibly due to its “Pro” designation at a budget-friendly cost.
Overall, my inclination leans towards a potential delay for the M3 Max launch, possibly extending into the next year due to challenges in achieving satisfactory yields for the three-nanometer chips. However, both Mark German and Digit Times assert that chip production is proceeding smoothly, anticipating a release this fall.
While my predictions might eventually prove inaccurate, I appreciate your engagement with this video. If you found the updates on the M3 MacBook Air insightful, consider clicking the subscription icon above to stay connected for more content like this. Feel free to explore my channel’s other offerings. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you in the next video, take care.