Apple testing 2022 Mac lineup with four M2 SoC variants

Apple has reportedly begun testing of its new Mac lineup, which will include a portfolio of four Apple M2 processor variants spread across nine different Mac devices. The update comes courtesy a report by Bloomberg, which cites developer logs to state that Apple has begun testing of its new generation processors with third party apps that would run on its laptop software platform, macOS.

Apple’s first generation custom processors, called M1, come in four different variants — the standard M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M1 Ultra. The latter is the most powerful of the lot, and has been the latest custom Apple chip to be unveiled alongside a new Mac Studio desktop PC earlier this year, in March.

The very first M1 chip, however, was launched in November 2020, and is therefore going to be over 18 months old going forward.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is already in process of testing all four variants of its second generation M series custom chips. The devices they are being tested in include MacBook Air, which features an eight-core CPU and 10-core GPU with the base variant M2 SoC. The latter will be an upgrade over the eight-core GPU that the M1 offered, as well as an upgrade in performance.

The second device is a Mac Mini, which will be offered in two variants — a standard M2 and an M2 Pro as well. There will also be a basic MacBook Pro model with an M2 chip, followed by two SKUs each of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The latter will offer both M2 Pro and M2 Max variants, with the latter SoC offering an upgraded 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU and 64GB RAM as well.

Finally, there is also a Mac Pro with an M2 Ultra chip inside. However, this will understandably be earmarked for a later launch date. The earliest devices to launch will reportedly be the MacBook Air, the Mac Mini range and the base MacBook Pro. The Air will also get an even thinner frame, and MagSafe charging will make a comeback — something that fans of Apple’s most popular MacBook range would certainly appreciate.

The rest of the range, meanwhile, would likely be updated at a later date, and possibly even next year.