Apple held its high-profile “Scary fast” event and introduced the new M3 chip series. We summarize below the main products announced at this event: New MacBooks with Apple silicon featuring the new M3 chips and a 24-inch iMac equipped with the new M3 chip.
Introducing the powerful M3 chip series
Apple’s new M3 chips were among the stars of the event. The three new chips – M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max – were unveiled as “the first personal computer chips” to use the more efficient 3-nanometer process. The M3 chips offer a fast and energy efficient CPU, as well as ray tracing and hardware accelerated mesh shading. This has the capacity to deliver visual experiences that were not previously possible. Apple’s M3 chips offer higher GPU performance with a feature called dynamic caching. This optimizes the GPU’s local memory by allocating the amount of memory needed for each task in hardware in real time. M3 chips offer 128GB of combined memory. The most powerful M3 Max chip has 92 billion transistors, a 40-core GPU and a 16-core CPU.
Refreshed 24-inch iMac comes with M3 chip
The iMac with the new M3 chip is similar in design to the iMac powered by the previous generation M1 chip. However, this new M3 chip offers huge performance gains. The M3 iMac runs 2x faster than the M1 iMac, 2.5x faster than the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and 4x faster than the Intel-based 21.5-inch iMac.
Memory and storage options
The M3 iMac offers more memory and storage options. The 8-core GPU model comes with 8GB, 16GB and 24GB RAM and 256GB, 512GB and 1TB SSD storage options, while the 10-core GPU model offers a 2TB storage option. There is also a 512GB base storage option on the 10-core GPU version.
Color options and ports
The M3 iMac 8-core GPU variant comes in blue, green, pink and silver, while the 10-core GPU model offers three more color options: yellow, orange and purple. Both models are available with color-matched wallpapers and accessories.
The refreshed 24-inch iMac includes faster download speeds with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for compatibility with the latest Bluetooth accessories. Plus, 10-core GPU models include Gigabit Ethernet support.
The M3 iMac delivers high resolution and brightness with a 4.5K Retina Display. It features a six-speaker system and Dolby Atmos support with Spatial Audio. It also features a high-quality FaceTime camera and an audio system with three microphones.
Environmentally friendly design
Apple used environmentally friendly materials in the design of the M3 iMac. The stand uses 100% recycled aluminum, rare earth magnets and recycled tin solder. It also has 100% recycled gold for plating.
14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros refreshed with M3
In addition to the iMac, Apple unveiled two new MacBook Pro models, a 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. These models come with M3 Pro or M3 Max chips and offer a Mini LED display, 1080p camera, six-speaker audio system, long battery life and high memory options. These MacBook Pros also come in a new space black finish.
