A Look Into the Apple M2 Chip,
And here it comes; the 2023 MacBook Pro 16. But first things first. If you’re looking to buy the 2023 MacBook Pro 16 but already have the earlier iteration (the 2021 MacBook Pro 16), it might be better to buy this year’s MacBook.
But we’re assuming that not many people would anyway but let us give you a small reason. The only difference between the two is the m2 GPU. If you’re tech-savvy, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s more efficient than the m1. So, without further ado, let us tell you all about the Apple M2 chip.
What is the Apple M2 Chip?
Apple recently unveiled the latest generation of their silicon chip, the M2. This was presented back in June during the Worldwide Developers Conference. The M2 chip is an upgraded version of the M1, which was Apple’s first attempt at developing its ARM-based silicon.
As a system on a chip or SOC, the M2 integrates several components inside, including the CPU, GPU, RAM, Neural Engine, etc.
CPU, GPU, Neural Engine
Like the M1, the M2 includes an 8-core CPU but can also support nine to ten cores from M1’s seven to eight. In the M2, there are four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. The high-performance cores are for single-thread power-intensive tasks. It can also use high-efficiency cores for multi-threaded performance if need be.
On the other hand, the four high-efficiency cores will be used for less power-intensive tasks like web browsing, which will only use a tenth of the power to preserve the battery life longer. The M2 chip is 1.4x times faster than the M1, with an 18% faster CPU, 40% faster Neural Engine, and 35% faster GPU. This was proven by Geekbench, which benchmarked the chip and found out that the M2 chip is 20% faster than the M1 regarding multi-threaded performance.
Battery Life
Apple silicon chips are incredibly faster and more efficient when it comes to power when compared to Intel chips. With the M2 chip, the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours, while the MacBook Pro can last up to 20 hours. Even with the incredible power it has over its predecessor, it’s still more efficient when it comes to power, making the device last longer.
M2 Pro and M2 Max
When Apple introduced the M1 chip, they soon unveiled the M1 Pro and M1 Max. These versions were faster and much more efficient than their base version. That said, you can expect the same treatment with the M2 chip. Apple is developing the M2 Pro and M2 Max, which are expected to be released this year.
The M2 Max is expected to have a 12-core CPU, two more than M2’s ten maximum cores. It’s also expected to have a 38-core GPU, which will significantly increase its performance more than the base version.
Apple Devices with the M2 Chip
The M2 chip was released to be originally used for Mac computers and can currently be found on the Apple Macbook Air and MacBook Pro. However, rumors are flying around that Apple is planning to release an M2-based 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, which could expand the use of M2 chips beyond computers. Because of this rumor, many people expect the chips to be used on more Apple devices, not just computers.
Why It Was Built
In November 2020, Apple unveiled its first ARM-based silicon chip, the M1. They believed their chip was more advanced than the Intel chips they’d used on their Mac computers. And based on the performance, it is.
After developing the M1, they proceeded to build the M2. The M2 has faster performance speeds, better battery life, and more heat efficiency than the M1. That said, designing their chip is a win for Apple, as they no longer have to depend on Intel for silicon chips.
Should You Buy a Device with an M2 Chip?
Essentially, the M2 chip has a far better performance than its predecessor. That said, if you’re looking to buy the latest devices with the highest performance in Apple stores, we recommend buying a device with an M2 chip. You could also check it out on Apple Macbook Air – digiDirect. However, if you still have a device with an M1 chip in it and it’s still working fine, then you should stick with it for now since the M2 has the highest prices when it comes to devices.
Final Words
The Apple M2 is the fastest and most efficient silicon chip Apple revealed recently. It’s a groundbreaking upgrade from its predecessor, the M1. Benchmark results show that the M2 chip is faster in all aspects compared to the M1 chip. Since it’s the latest iteration of Apple’s silicon chip, you could also assume that its devices are the priciest. However, if you’re looking to buy the latest Apple tech, then it’s worth it.