Apple took everyone by surprise, again. On 30 October 2023, in an unusual departure from its typical schedule, Apple held an online live stream presentation that was held at 8 pm Eastern Time/5 pm Pacific Time, rather than the usual morning or lunchtime slots that everyone is accustomed to. This event, which was dubbed ‘Scary Fast’, while remaining faithful to Halloween’s demeanour, was mainly focused on revealing new Mac products, with a particular emphasis on their next-generation chips. Apple announced the first batch of chips in the M3 series, consisting of M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. These chips found their way home in two distinct devices. The iMac was equipped with the M3 chip, while the MacBook Pro received all three variations. The 14-inch model was updated with the entry-level M3 chips, complete with an exclusive black finish option.
The M3 series
The very first time that Apple introduced its M-series processors was back in 2020. Ever since its advent, they have been rolling out in a consistent pattern. The predecessors of M3, like M1 and M2, were launched in a specific order, where base-level chips came first, followed by high-end versions like the Pro, Max and Ultra models. But this time around, Apple has taken it up several notches further. They disclosed information on three tiers of its new chip simultaneously: the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. As opposed to their seniors, which were based on 5-nanometer process technology, all three new chips are now built on a more advanced 3-nanometer process. A technology that permits more transmitters to be packed into a smaller space, resulting in improved speed and energy efficiency.
The M3 chips feature an entire array of novel features in Apple’s silicon technology. Dynamic caching is one such feature that allocates memory for each task on the go, adjusting the allocation as needed rather than setting a fixed amount of memory for each task, resulting in more efficient use of resources. The upgrades continue to make their appearances because there are also new graphic features, including ray tracing for enhanced lighting effects and hardware-accelerated mesh shading for smoother visuals in graphics-intensive games and applications. Apple claims the M3 chips deliver substantial speed improvements in graphics rendering, core CPU functions, and machine learning tasks when placed next to the line of chips that preceded the newcomer.
To grasp the level at which the M3 series functions, it is helpful to map out the differences that various versions of these next-generation chips share. The entry-level M3 comes with an 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and supports up to 24 gigabytes of unified memory. The M3 Pro offers a 12-core CPU, and an 18-core GPU, and supports up to 36 gigabytes of unified memory. The most powerful variant, the M3 Max, boasts a 16-core CPU, and an impressive 40-core GPU, and can support up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory.
An updated MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch)
This time around, rather than streamlining their attention on making a sleek exterior, Apple took an interest in improving what is on the inside. Because that is what matters (and also because they gave the MacBook Pro a complete makeover only two years ago). Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro feature displays that are 20% brighter than the ones that are there in the market now. There is also a substantial improvement in battery life, offering up to 22 hours depending on the configuration.
An upgrade that was highlighted during the event was the option to configure the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip. This provides the flexibility to pair a base-level chip with a professional-grade chassis. According to Apple, this combination offers a 60% increase in performance compared to the M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally, there is an extra USB-C Thunderbolt port which is an upgrade from the previous three.
Even though Apple did not really prioritise how this version of the MacBook would look, there’s a new body colour introduced alongside the traditional silver and space grey options. Apple now offers a space black variant with a special treatment to reduce fingerprint smudges. The durability of this finish remains to be tested regarding resistance to scratches.
For pricing, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip starts at $1,599, while the M3 Pro and M3 Max models begin at $1,999. The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. Preorders for these next-generation laptops are open now, and they are set to be available on 7 November, both online and in physical stores.
The 24-inch Mac
The 24-inch iMac has been around for over 900 days, and the credit for this longevity goes to its enduring design and the dependable M1 chipset. At Apple’s “Scary Fast” event, the company introduced a much-needed updated version of its mainstream all-in-one computer, focusing primarily on internal improvements. And of course, the new M3 chip replaces the M1 as the base-level processor.
While the device is not available yet for the use of the general public, we will have to take Apple’s word on it when they say that the M3 chip empowers the iMac to perform within a functionality rate that is twice as efficient as M1. The disparity is even more prominent when compared to Intel-based models. In terms of design, the new iMac remains largely unchanged, featuring a 1080p FaceTime camera, a six-speaker audio system, a 4.5K retina display capable of reaching 500 nits of brightness, and it continues to incorporate Apple’s Neural Engine and Media Engine for creative tasks. The device is open for preorders, with prices starting at $1,299, and it’s set to commence shipping during the first week of November.
October 2023 is a Halloween that will linger for a long time in the minds of Apple and its users. Irrespective of the fact that the year is almost about to let its curtains down, Apple did not hesitate to unveil their newest line of hardware. Partially because they deemed it fit to roll out a plethora of updates and partially because there are apparently not enough products to put a dent in consumers’ wallets.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)