Apple unveils newest 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro, iMac and M3 chipset at “Scary Fast” event

Apple’s computing division has been constantly innovating. In January, they introduced the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring M2 Pro and M2 Max configurations. They followed that up with the first-ever 15-inch MacBook Air, as well as the Mac Studio and Mac Pro models that were revealed at WWDC in June. They also promised a Vision Pro headset that could potentially change the world of computing.

However, Apple doesn’t seem to be slowing down. During its October “Scary Fast” event yesterday, the company unveiled a set of Mac computers that could be their most attractive yet. In an evening keynote held at their Cupertino headquarters, Tim Cook and the company’s product executives revealed new MacBook Pros and a revamped 24-inch iMac, which are all powered by Apple’s newest M3 processors.

The highlight of this year’s Apple event was the new M3 chipset series, which includes the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max versions. The M3 Pro and M3 Pro Max feature a faster and more efficient new engine that is said to be 60% faster than its predecessor, the M2. Here’s a roundup of the major announcements from the event.

Read also: WWDC 2023: Apple unveils multi-app 3D engine, Vision Pro, and other product updates

Apple’s new silicon: The M3 chipset

Just as mentioned, the highlight of the event was the introduction of Apple’s new silicon – the M3 chips, representing a significant leap in processing power. The M3 lineup includes the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips, developed using a cutting-edge 3-nanometer manufacturing process.

The new M3 chips, built on TSMC’s 3nm process, succeed the M2 chips’ 5nm process and fall in line with the new iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chip. The cutting-edge transistors of the 3nm process allow Apple to improve the GPU performance of its Mac computers — up to 1.8 faster graphics performance than the M2 chip. The efficiency cores get a big leap, too, with a 30% improvement compared to the M2 series and a 50% improvement over the M1 series.

These chips mark the “first personal computer chips” made with this advanced process, promising faster and more efficient performance.

The M3 chips are equipped with an upgraded GPU that supports ray tracing, mesh shading, and Dynamic Caching, a feature that optimizes memory usage during tasks. Offering up to 128GB of unified memory, the M3 Max chip boasts an impressive 92 billion transistors, a 40-core GPU, and a 16-core CPU.

14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro

Apple also introduced the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. These laptops feature Mini LED displays, 1080p cameras, a six-speaker sound system, 22 hours of battery life, and up to 128GB of RAM. They come in a space black finish with enhanced resistance to fingerprints.

According to Apple, the M3 Max models, for example, are two times faster than the M2 Max models that were released back in January. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, while the 16-inch model with M3 Pro starts at $2,499. Preorders are available today, with shipping commencing on November 7th.

Refreshed 24-inch iMac with M3 Chip

During Apple’s “Scary Fast” event, the company’s all-in-one computer for the mainstream saw a much-needed revamp — mostly internal, of course, with the new base-level M3 chip taking the M1’s place.The 24-inch iMac received a performance boost with the introduction of the M3 chip.

This upgrade promises twice the performance of its M1-equipped predecessor. The revamped iMac features a 4.5K Retina display with over a billion colours, support for Wi-Fi 6E, and a 1080p webcam. The new iMac comes in seven vibrant colours and offers up to 24GB of unified memory. Preorders for the 24-inch iMac start today, with availability beginning on November 7th, priced at $1,299 for the eight-core CPU model and $1,499 for the ten-core version.

Entry-Level MacBook Pro without Touch Bar

In addition to the M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros, Apple is introducing a more affordable 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M3 chip, starting at $1,599. This model replaces the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip and offers up to 60% improved performance.

The Touch Bar is discontinued in this entry-level model, and it comes in silver and space grey variations. Preorders for this model start today, with official availability on November 7th. The introduction of the M3 chipset series demonstrates Apple’s commitment to innovation and performance across its Mac lineup.