Apple today announced the M2 chip, ushering in the next generation of Apple Silicon chips designed specifically for Mac computers. The M2 chip is engineered using second-generation 5nm process technology to take the M1 chip’s industry-leading performance per watt even further, with an 18 percent faster CPU, 35 percent more powerful GPUs, and 40 percent faster Neural Engine. percent. 1 It also offers 50 percent more memory bandwidth than the M1 chip, and up to 24GB of fast unified memory. The M2 chip delivers all of these features — plus new custom technologies and increased operability in the redesigned MacBook Air and the latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
“The M2 starts with the second generation of the M series and takes performance beyond the amazing features of the M1 chip,” said Johnny Srouji, senior vice president of hardware technology management at Apple. Faster GPU and Neural Engine. Combined with expanded memory bandwidth and new capabilities like ProReiss acceleration, the M2 continues its phenomenal fast pace of innovation in Apple Silicon chips for the Mac.”
More transistors, more memory
The system-on-chip (SoC) design of the M2 chip is made using improved second-generation 5nm technology, and consists of 20 billion transistors, 25 percent more than the M1 chip. Additional transistors improve features across the entire chip, including a memory controller that delivers 100GB/s of standardized memory bandwidth — 50 percent higher than the M1 chip. And with up to 24GB of fast unified memory, the M2 chip can handle even larger and more complex tasks.
Energy-saving fast performance
The new CPU features fast-performing cores paired with a larger cache, while efficiency cores have been significantly boosted for higher performance levels. Together, offering an 18 percent higher performance level for sequential subtasks than the M1 chip, so the M2 chip can handle CPU-heavy tasks with little power, such as creating layered music or applying complex filters to photos. 1 Compared to the latest 10-core PC laptop chip, the CPU in the M2 chip offers almost twice the performance at the same power consumption level. The M2 chip can deliver performance that matches the highest performance of a PC chip while using only a quarter of the power. 2 When compared to the latest 12-core PC laptop chip—which needs massively more power to deliver a performance boost and is therefore found in thicker, hotter, and noisier systems with less battery life—the M2 chip delivers roughly 90% of peak performance. The performance of the 12-core chip while using only a quarter of the power.
The M2 chip features Apple’s next-generation CPU with up to 10 cores—two more than the M1. Paired with higher bandwidth memory and cache, the 10-core GPU delivers a massive boost in graphics performance which results in 25% higher graphics performance than the M1 at the same power level, and up to 35% better performance at maximum power level. 1 Compared with the integrated graphics card of the latest PC laptop chip, the GPU in the M2 chip delivers 2.3 times faster performance at the same power consumption level, matching its peak performance at a fifth of the power. 2 The high-per-watt performance of the M2 chip allows systems to enjoy exceptional battery life and run quietly and coolly, even when playing graphics-intensive games or editing massive RAW images.
Apple’s next-generation customized technology
- The M2 chip brings the latest customized Apple technology to your Mac to unlock new capabilities, increase security, and more.
- The Neural Engine can process up to 15.8 trillion operations per second – 40 percent more than the M1 chip.
- The media engine includes higher bandwidth video decoding that supports HEVC video and 8K H.264.
- Apple’s powerful ProRes video engine enables playback of multiple 4K and 8K video streams.
- Apple’s latest Secure Enclave offers even better security.
- The new Image Signal Processor (ISP) provides noise reduction and image enhancement.
macOS, M2, and apps
macOS is built for the Apple Silicon chip, and when combined with the powerful new M2 chip, macOS Monterey delivers superior performance and productivity for users. Mac computers equipped with an Apple silicon chip have access to the largest selection of applications for a Mac ever, including iPhone and iPad apps that run on Mac, and universal apps that unleash the full power of the M Series chips.
macOS Ventura, which launches this fall, will take full advantage of the M2 chip, introducing new features including the Stage Manager interface and powerful new capabilities through the Continuity Camera and FaceTime Handoff. macOS also includes major updates for Safari, Email, Messages, Spotlight, and more.
Apple silicone chips and the environment
The energy-efficient performance of the M2 chip helps the new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency. Apple is now carbon-neutral in its operations around the world, and plans to reduce its net climate impact to zero across all of its businesses by 2030, including manufacturing supply chains and all product lifecycles. This means that every chip Apple creates, from design to manufacture, will be 100 percent carbon-neutral.