The 13-inch MacBook Pro could get a big processor boost in 2023

M2 Macbook Pro 13 Inch Close Up Of Touch Bar
(Image credit: Future)

7 years ago, the MacBook Pro received a redesign featuring a fresh chassis, a new keyboard, and the controversial touch bar in place of the function row. Now, almost a decade later, the design is still going strong, as Apple seems to have settled into a yearly chip upgrade in the machine to keep it fresh. This year now appears no different, as Apple looks to put the 3nm process-made M3 chip into the aging chassis.

As reported by 9to5 Mac, which learned that Apple plans on releasing the refresh this year, The MacBook Pro will come alongside new MacBook Air Models and even a new iMac.

The newest chip on the block

The M3 is the first of its kind – a mobile processor made in the 3nm process. That means that the chip will be more efficient than chips made on the older 4nm process, as well as much faster. This comes after news that Apple has bought the entire first order and supply of 3nm chips, so it evidently looks to become the market leader in the technology.

The new 3nm produced chips are set to release in the second half of this year, so that gives a good release window for the new Macs with M3 chips inside. Those chips are reported to have a 70% logic density gain over the current chips, providing boosts of up to 15% using similar amounts of power, or 30% power reduction at the same speeds as the current lineup. That means more efficiency and fewer power-hungry processors for both Macs and iPhones.

This year looks to be a big one for the best Macs with the new M-chips coming out that seem to be going in a wider range of machines than last year. That includes this slightly bizarre MacBook Pro upgrade, in a machine many thought would be dead by now.

Tammy Rogers
Senior Staff Writer

As iMore's Senior Staff writer, Tammy uses her background in audio and Masters in screenwriting to pen engaging product reviews and informative buying guides. The resident audiophile (or audio weirdo), she's got an eye for detail and a love of top-quality sound. Apple is her bread and butter, with attention on HomeKit and Apple iPhone and Mac hardware. You won't find her far away from a keyboard even outside of working at iMore – in her spare time, she spends her free time writing feature-length and TV screenplays. Also known to enjoy driving digital cars around virtual circuits, to varying degrees of success. Just don't ask her about AirPods Max - you probably won't like her answer.