Rumors in the final stages before the launch are usually the most accurate, and new rumors on the eve of the start of Peek Performance cast doubt on long-held expectations that Apple will reveal a MacBook model with an M2 chip on Tuesday.
Last month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was preparing to unveil at least one new Mac at its March 8 event, which Gurman speculated at the time could be a high-end Mac mini and/or an upgrade to The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro.
That was before we heard the “Mac Studio” rumors that had only popped up in the past few days. 9to5Mac reported Friday that Apple is working on a “Mac Studio” device that appears to be a crossover between the Mac Pro and Mac mini.
Fast forward to Monday, and YouTuber Luke Miani shared renders of what he says is a new Mac called “Mac Studio,” which he says will launch on March 8. Gurman has since also confirmed that the “Mac Studio” machines are “smaller Mac Pros / more powerful Mac minis” that are “ready to launch”, possibly at a spring event.
The redesigned MacBook Air is not expected to launch until later this year, which makes the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new M2 chip another potential highlight at Apple’s event. However, Miani said he doesn’t count on Apple to unveil any Mac notebooks at Tuesday’s event, and Gurman also poured cold water on the possibility that the M2 Mac will be released alongside the M1 series “Mac Studio,” arguing that it would be a nuisance to Apple. It’s a “weird” thing.
While a developer has spotted hints of an M2 Apple Silicon chip in the latest macOS Monterey 12.3 beta, confirming it has an 8-core CPU and an upgraded 10-core GPU, that doesn’t necessarily mean an M2-powered MacBook will arrive in the spring.
As for other products that may appear at the event, Apple is expected to announce new iPhone 13 colors, a next-gen iPhone SE version, and a revamped iPad Air. Apple is also said to be releasing a new, slightly lower-priced standalone monitor, likely dubbed the “Studio Display.”
The event could also announce some news about Apple services, as well as public release dates for iOS and iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 with Universal Controls enabled.