Summary Keynote “Scary Fast”: Apple silicon M3, iMac, MacBook Pro and other new features

Last night, on the night of October 30 to 31, at 1:00 a.m., Apple broadcast a Keynote as announced several days previously. Nicknamed “Scary Fast”, “Monstrously fast” in French, it was expected to be the scene of important announcements concerning the Mac.

The latest rumors were based on aiMac revival. And, less assuredly all the same, on new MacBook Pros embracing a new chip architecture: Apple silicon M3. Let's see if the analysts got it right this time with our full summary of the event.

• To watch the full conference on video:

Introduction

The conference started in a humorous way, as Apple knows how, by showing different professionals from various fields working on MacBooks. The tone is set, the Mac will be the star of the event. To watch this little introductory film again:

Subsequently, the viewer is taken by drone into the aisles of Apple Park, at night, for once. Tim Cook wasn't dressed as a pumpkin or other Halloween monstrosity, but you get the vibe.

After a first speech from the CEO of the Californian firm on Apple computers and the in-house Apple silicon architecture, the time came for announcements.

The new generation Apple silicon M3

We are taken to the Cupertino laboratories to learn more about the new Apple silicon chips that the Cupertino company has to offer us: M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max.

Data sheet of the new M3/Pro/Max chips

• Fineness of engraving:3 nm
• Improved power:computing speed for high-performance cores increased compared to M1 and M2 chips (+30% and +15% respectively). Compute speed for high-efficiency cores increased compared to M1 and M2 chips (+50% and +30% respectively)
• Next generation GPU:with new Dynamic Caching technologies (distribution of memory to tasks dynamically in real time), Mesh Shading and Ray Tracing. In graphics renderings, Apple announces a significant performance improvement compared to the M1 and M2 chips (x2.5 and x1.8 respectively)
• New Neural Engine:announced more powerful than on previous generation chips

Specificities of the M3 chip

• CPU :8 cores (4 high performance, 4 high efficiency)
• GPU :10 hearts
• RAM :up to 24 GB

Specifics of the M3 Pro chip

• CPU :12 cores (6 high performance, 6 high efficiency)
• GPU :18 hearts
• RAM :up to 36 GB

Apple announces an increase in power for the M3 Pro of 20% for the CPU part compared to the M1 Pro, and 40% for the GPU compared to the M1 Pro (10% vs M2 Pro).

Specifics of the M3 Max chip

• CPU :16 cores (12 high performance, 4 high efficiency)
• GPU :40 hearts
• RAM :up to 128 GB

Apple announces an increase in power for the M3 Max of 50% for the CPU part compared to the M2 Max, and 20% for the GPU compared to the M2 Max.

For more information on the new generation of Apple silicon M3 chips, seeour dedicated article.

Apple has unveiled new MacBook Pro 14 and 16″ benefiting from the new generation of Apple silicon M3 chip.

The Californian firm has obviously announced notable performance improvements compared to older generations (see previous paragraph on the new chips).

Otherwise, let's highlight the notable features for the two new machines:

• SoC :M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max
• Autonomy:Apple promises up to 22 hours of battery life with its new MacBook Pros
• Design :no change compared to the previous generation
• Screen :same panel as the previous generation, in 14.2 or 16.2 inch size depending on the model
• Finishes:introduction of a new color, Space Black, which replaces Space Gray for models with Apple silicon M3 Pro or Max chip

Prices and availability

The 14″ MacBook Pro starts at1 999 €. Count €1,000 more to upgrade to 16″. You can order your machine today, the first deliveries will take place on November 7, when you will also be able to find these new products in stores.

Findour articledetailing everything you need to know about these new M3 MacBook Pros.

The new iMac M3

Finally, Apple is renewing its all-in-one. Now the latter now includes an Apple silicon M3 chip. In addition to a good performance boost compared to the old M1 version, let's highlight the following characteristics:

• SoC :Apple silicon M3 (8-core CPU and 8- or 10-core GPU depending on configuration)
• Design :no change compared to the previous generation
• Basic storage and storage options:256 GB base, options at 512, 1 TB and 2 TB
• Basic RAM and options:8 GB base, 16 and 24 GB options
• Finishes:Blue, Green, Pink, Silver for the version with 8-core GPU, and in addition Yellow, Orange, Purple for the version with 10-core GPU

Prices and availability

The 24″ iMac costs1 599 €in basic configuration (M3 8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores), 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. To double RAM or storage, count on €230 more. You can order the new all-in-onefrom today, the first deliveries will take placeNovember 7th, date on which you will also be able to find the beast in stores.

We have detailed the technical sheet of the new iMac M3 in more depthin our columns, if you ever want to know more about it.

And there you have it, in a little over thirty minutes, Apple has renewed a good part of its Mac range. You will have noticed, however, that no other product range was highlighted last night, neither the iPad, nor even accessories (keyboards, mice, for example) expected for a switch to USB-C. What to disappoint you? Or are you already pleasantly surprised by the announcements of the event?

The comments section is open to you, we look forward to reading your feedback!

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.