Results for: M4 Chips

Apple plans a comprehensive refresh of its Mac lineup starting in late 2024, introducing updated M4 chips across the entire range, including a new M4 chip for the Mac Studio. The M4 chip lineup is expected to include standard, Pro, and Max versions, as well as a high-end chip codenamed “Hidra,” which could be an Ultra version or an even more powerful chip. The Mac Studio, which currently uses M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, is expected to be equipped with M4 Max and M4 Ultra (or its equivalent) chips. Apple is also focusing on boosting AI and machine learning performance in the M4 chips, with rumors suggesting an updated Neural Engine with more cores. The next Mac Studio could support up to 500GB of Unified Memory, up from the current 192GB maximum. While the Mac Studio has not had a design update since its launch in 2022, it is not expected to receive a refreshed look in the near future, with Apple typically waiting several years for major hardware changes.

According to industry expert Mark Gurman, Apple may skip the M3 generation of chips for Mac models, including the Mac mini. Gurman speculates that the company’s timeline for the M4 Mac mini in late 2024 or early 2025 leaves little room for an M3 release. This aligns with previous instances where Apple Silicon Macs have skipped chip generations, such as the 24-inch iMac moving directly from M1 to M3 and the Mac Pro leaping from Intel to M2. However, if the M4 chips arrive by the end of 2024, it would mark a faster turnaround than other Apple Silicon updates. Apple’s M4 series is expected to prioritize AI capabilities to power on-device generative AI features in upcoming operating system updates.