For example, the A12 processor was the 9th generation of Apple Silicon (the first generation was the A4), while the A12X was an expanded version of that same processor architecture with two more CPU and three more GPU cores.Īll A12 processors used the same underlying architecture, so barring any special performance tweaks, they all should provide the same single-core performance.
Generally speaking, Apple uses numbers to indicate processor generation, and the letter "X" to indicate eXpansion of that same generation.
A note on Apple's chip naming conventionsīefore we dive in, it's worth briefly going over Apple's naming conventions for Apple Silicon, since this seems to be causing a lot of confusion online. We've put together a list of the five most exciting improvements that Apple is allegedly planning for the rumored MacBook Pros, including a little bit of context on what it all means and why we think photo and video editors should be very excited for the next evolution of Apple Silicon.
And if the rumored specs are to be believed, these laptops are poised to provide every bit of extra power that professional users have been asking for. The current M1 Macs churn through most photo and video editing tasks with ease, but they're limited to 16GB of RAM, can only support a few ports, and the M1 chip is designed to prioritize efficiency rather than performance.įortunately, it doesn't sound like we'll have to wait much longer to see what the M1 "unleashed" really looks like.Īccording to the latest rumors from reliable leakers and analysts like Ming Chi Kuo, Jon Prosser, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will be unveiling a 14- and a 16-inch MacBook Pro, both using the same "M1X" SOC, as soon as late September or middle of October. The first Apple Silicon-powered Macs have made a big impression, but it's safe to say that after more than a year, professional users are still waiting for something a bit more powerful.