Apple is making one of the biggest changes in its Mac chip strategy in history, preparing to jump directly from the next generation of high-end processors to a new generation of chips focused on artificial intelligence.People familiar with the matter said that Apple, which currently uses the M5 series, plans to launch a basic M6 processor for entry-level Macs as early as this year, but the company will skip the high-end version of this chip for the first time.
People familiar with the matter said that Apple instead plans to launch the next generation of Pro and Max chips with more advanced computing and graphics processing capabilities in 2027 as part of the new generation of M7 chips.
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro.
The unusual move by Apple is aimed at speeding up the rollout of technology that was originally planned to be released later. This adjustment should help meet the growing market demand for software with higher requirements for on-device AI capabilities and graphics processing.
Apple's Pro and Max chips are targeted at the high-end Mac mini, Mac Studio and MacBook Pro, while the base chips are typically used in entry-level MacBook Pro, entry-level Mac mini and iMac desktop computers. Apple also uses these low-end chips in some iPad Pro and iPad Air models.
An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the company's plans. Apple earlier on Thursday raised the prices of all current Mac and iPad models.
The move would mark the first time Apple has only launched a base chip in a new generation of chips. For each generation of chips from M1 to M5, Apple has launched Pro and Max versions. The company has also launched a higher-end configuration for the M1, M2 and M3 called Ultra.
M6 unveiled
Apple has been testing the M6 chip in an upgraded entry-level MacBook Pro, code-named J804, scheduled to be launched this year. People familiar with its development say the M6 will include a number of improvements aimed at making it the most powerful chip in its class.
The M6 chip, codenamed Komodo or H18G, will increase storage bandwidth to speed up tasks such as AI, video editing, model training and high-resolution graphics rendering.
M7 series
Shortly after the launch of the base M6, Apple will begin rolling out the M7 product line.
Apple plans to launch a basic version of the M7, codenamed Delos or H19G, as early as the first half of next year. Apple also plans to launch higher-end M7 Pro, M7 Max and M7 Ultra chips, collectively known internally as Andros. They are also known as H19S, H19C and H19D respectively.
The M7 Pro and M7 Max are planned to be launched as early as the end of 2027, and the M7 Ultra is expected to be launched in 2028.
Apple Mac Studio desktop computer.