Apple Plans to Release Upgraded MacBook Pro with TSMC’s Advanced 3nm Chip in Q3 2023

Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new MacBook Pro in the third quarter of 2023 that will feature an upgraded chip manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 3nm process. According to a preview of an upcoming report from DigiTimes, industry sources have revealed that the next-generation MacBook Pro will be equipped with 3nm processors. While the report does not specify the exact chip, it is widely believed to be Apple’s next-generation M3 chip, which has not yet been officially announced.

The M3 chip is expected to offer significant improvements in performance and power efficiency compared to the existing 5nm-based M2 chip found in the current 13-inch MacBook Pro. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, has suggested that the Macs with the M3 chip could be launched as early as October, indicating a possible launch in the fourth quarter. Apple is also likely to announce the M3 chip later this year, with the next-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac being the first devices to feature the new chip.

It remains unclear if the recently released 15-inch MacBook Pro will also receive an update with the M3 chip. The current 13-inch MacBook Pro was last updated in June 2022 with the M2 chip, priced at $1,299 in the United States. This model still retains a seven-year-old design and features a Touch Bar instead of physical function keys, unlike other Mac models. Any major design changes for the next model are yet to be confirmed.

Furthermore, Apple is expected to update the iPad Pro in the first half of 2024, incorporating the M3 chip as well as an OLED display. In addition, next year may see the launch of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Looking further ahead, an M3 Ultra chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro is also likely to be introduced.

In summary, Apple’s plans to release an upgraded MacBook Pro featuring a new chip fabricated with TSMC’s advanced 3nm process in the third quarter of 2023 have been revealed. Rumors suggest that the new chip might be the M3 chip, which is expected to bring significant improvements in performance and power efficiency. While an exact launch date is yet to be announced, it is anticipated that the M3 chip will debut later this year in the next-generation MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac models. The 15-inch MacBook Pro that was released recently might or might not receive an update with the M3 chip. Additionally, the iPad Pro is expected to be refreshed with the M3 chip and an OLED display in 2024. Furthermore, Apple is likely to introduce 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips next year, and an M3 Ultra chip is also expected in the future for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro.