The MacBook Pro 2022 was originally rumored to be announced during the Apple Peek Performance event. The event came and went without a word about the new laptop, but rumors are still pointing to it for a 2022 release. Based on what we’ve heard, the MacBook Pro 2022 may not be as big an upgrade as last year’s MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch.
Currently, it looks like the 2022 MacBook Pro could be a new entry-level Pro-grade MacBook that will replace the $ 1,299 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1. The specific laptop was such an improvement over its predecessor that we ranked it among the best laptops. Considering how MacBook Pro 2022 is rumored to have the Apple M2 chip, we could see improvements in speed and efficiency.
With that said, don’t expect major changes for the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. Here are the biggest rumor upgrades to date for the MacBook Pro 2022.
Apple M2 chip
The rumored Apple M2 chip is the most exciting we’ve heard about the MacBook Pro 2022. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the M2 will have the same 8-core CPU as the original M1 chip running at higher clock speeds. However, instead of an 8-core GPU like the M1, the new chip could have a 10-core GPU.
The interesting thing about the M2 is that it will not surpass the current M1 chips. Gurman says the M2 “will probably be a bit faster than the M1”, but “should retain the same 8-core architecture.” However, the MacBook Pro 2022 should see improved graphics thanks to the move from seven or eight cores to nine or ten.
Despite the rumors, we can not say how many cores the M2 chip will actually have. Previously, it was thought that the chip would have as many as 12 CPU cores. Neither the M1 Pro nor the M1 Max have that many – each with 8 and 10 cores respectively.
Mark Gurman has previously claimed that the M2 chip would have an 8-core CPU, complete with four efficiency and high-performance cores, plus a 10-core GPU. That would make it less powerful than the M1 Pro and M1 Max, but more powerful than the M1 chip it is meant to replace.
Updated design … maybe
Regardless of their origins, all rumors indicate that the MacBook Pro 2022 has an M2 chip – or at least a new slice of Apple silicon. However, we have heard conflicting reports about the design of the laptop. Some sources say that the MacBook 2022 will have the same design improvements as the 2021 MacBook Pros. Other rumors say there will be no design change.
Mark Gurman claims that the laptop does not come with mini-LED screens in the 2021 MacBook Pros. MacBook Pro 2022 reportedly will not have ProMotion as a means of reducing costs. It’s possible that the laptop will have the MacBook Airs’ cheaper IPS LCD Retina display. If this is true, then so be it a big disappointment for some who endure the MacBook Pro 2022.
Gurman also said that the 2022 MacBook Pro will come with MagSafe charging and HDMI and SD card ports. For those who keep track, all three were reintroduced in 2021’s MacBook Pros. It’s also possible that the new MacBook Pro will have the controversial notch screen.
Speaking of controversial design features, the 2022 MacBook may or may not have a Touch Bar. Gurman’s report says Apple will drop the Touch Bar, but if the overall design of the MacBook Pro is no different than its M1-powered counterpart, the dreaded Touch Bar may be included.
Entrance fee
MacBook Pro 2022 is expected to be the new entry-level Pro laptop. As such, it will cost less than $ 2,000 and potentially be as low as $ 1,299 as the M1-powered MacBook Pro. Given how the new laptop is a replacement, we expect it to have a similar pricing scheme.
However, Apple could decide to raise the starting price of the MacBook Pro. E.g 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021 costs about $ 100 more than its predecessor. The smaller 14-inch Pro experienced a similar price bug. If Apple tries something similar with the new Pro, we can see a starting price of $ 1,399.
MacBook Pro 2022: Outlook
MacBook Pro 2022 rumors are not exactly plentiful, but the few we have heard give us reason to be both excited and cautiously optimistic.
Like we said, the most important upgrade is the rumored laptop M2 chip. While not as powerful as the M1 Pro and M1 Max, the possible speed boost it should provide may be enough for some to upgrade from the current 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Keep in mind that everything discussed here is based on rumors and should be taken with the familiar spruce salt. Yes, Gurman is a reliable source, and Apple will no doubt brew something in its digital kettle, but that does not mean we will see a new MacBook Pro or M2 chip this year.
We do not even know if the new chip will be called “M2” or just be another iteration of M1. So far, all we can do is get stuck and wait for more concrete news to emerge. Hopefully we’ll see the MacBook Pro 2022 drop later this year and see how it performs.