Apple planira obnoviti cijeli milje Mac uređaja s ažuriranim M4 čipovima koji će započeti krajem 2024. godine i nastaviti se u 2025., a to će uključivati novi M4 čip za Appleov desktop uređaj srednje klase, Mac Studio. M4 čipovi se još uvijek razvijaju, uključujući standardni M4, M4 Pro i M4 Max, te posebnu verziju oznake „Hidra“. Očekuje se da će M4 čip imati naglasak na povećanju performansi umjetne inteligencije i strojnog učenja, kao i poboljšanju grafike i memorije. Također se spominje mogućnost podrške do 500GB Unified memorije, što je značajan napredak u odnosu na trenutne modele. Očekuje se da će se novi Mac Studio s M4 čipom pojaviti sredinom 2025. godine.
M4 Chip Rumors
Apple is rumored to be developing a new lineup of M4 chips, which will include the standard M4 chip, the M4 Pro, and the M4 Max. Additionally, there are speculations about a higher-end version of the M4 chip, which is codenamed „Hidra.“ It is possible that this higher-end chip could be an „Ultra“ version that is equivalent to the M2 Ultra, or it could be something even more powerful.
The architecture of the M3 Max chip has led to speculation that future Ultra chips might be standalone chips rather than constructed from two Max dies. The M3 Max chip lacks the UltraFusion interconnect that allowed the M2 Max chips to function as an Ultra. Therefore, if the Ultra chip is released, it would likely have dedicated development with customizations for heavy workloads. Apple could potentially tweak the number of performance and efficiency cores to focus on power and add more GPU cores.
The current Mac Studio machines use M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, so it is reasonable to expect that the M4 models will be equipped with M4 Max and M4 Ultra (or its equivalent) chips. With the lack of significant differentiation between the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, Apple may be planning for a more powerful M4 Ultra variant for the Mac Pro.
Possible Focus on Power and AI Performance
Apple is heavily investing in artificial intelligence across its product lineup, and the M4 chip is expected to prioritize boosting AI and machine learning performance. It is rumored that there will be an updated Neural Engine with a greater number of cores to handle AI tasks. This enhancement would result in improved AI capabilities and better machine learning performance.
Additionally, the M4 chip is expected to feature greater performance and efficiency cores for improved power efficiency. Apple may also enhance the GPU cores to deliver better graphics performance. By focusing on power and AI performance, the M4 chip will cater to users with system-intensive workflows that require advanced compute and graphics capabilities.
Memory Updates
There are rumors suggesting that the next Mac Studio and Mac Pro could support up to 500GB of Unified Memory, a significant upgrade from the current maximum of 192GB. This memory update would enable users to handle more demanding tasks and work with larger datasets without compromising performance.
The increased memory capacity will provide a substantial boost to the overall performance and responsiveness of the machines. Whether it’s running complex software, handling extensive multitasking, or processing large files, the expanded memory capacity will ensure that users have the necessary resources to work efficiently.
What About the M3?
While Apple is planning to refresh the Mac Studio with M4 chips in 2025, it remains uncertain whether there will be an M3 refresh this year. The iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air lines have already been updated with M3 chips, but the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro are still using M2 chips.
Apple could potentially skip the M3 update for its desktop machines, given that the M4 refresh is already in the works. However, there is also a possibility of an M3 refresh around the middle of the year, followed by a second M4 refresh next year, which would result in a one-year gap between each update.
Design Changes
Since its launch in March 2022, the Mac Studio has not received any design updates. However, this is not surprising considering that Apple typically waits several years before making significant design changes to its Mac hardware. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Mac Studio will undergo a design refresh in the near future.
It may take until 2026 or 2027 for Apple to consider updating the design of the Mac Studio, and even then, there is a possibility of it being longer. As an example, the Mac mini has not seen significant design changes since 2010, highlighting Apple’s tendency to prioritize internal improvements over external design alterations.
Release Date
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Mac Studio with the M4 chip is expected to be released in mid-2025. This suggests that there is a possibility of the new Mac Studio being unveiled at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference.
The release of the M4 chip and the updated Mac Studio lineup is highly anticipated among Apple enthusiasts and professionals who rely on Mac machines for their work. The mid-2025 release timeframe aligns with Apple’s usual product refresh cycles, ensuring that users have access to the latest technology and performance improvements.
In conclusion, the M4 chip rumors suggest an exciting future for the Mac Studio and other Mac devices. With the potential inclusion of an Ultra version, enhancements in power and AI performance, memory updates, and possibly even design changes, Apple is expected to deliver significant improvements in its upcoming Mac lineup. As we wait for the release in mid-2025, Apple enthusiasts can look forward to a promising future for the Mac Studio and the overall Mac ecosystem.
