Apple may unveil its highly anticipated Apple Silicon M3 at the upcoming “Scary Fast” event. Leakers who initially predicted a 2024 release for M3-equipped Macs have now shifted their expectations, suggesting that an updated iMac and MacBook Pro with the M3 chip could make their debut. However, there are still some uncertainties surrounding the event.

The rumor mill has been in chaos lately, with early speculations pointing toward the arrival of iPads, which ultimately did not materialize. Instead, Apple introduced the Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility.

Just one week after suggesting an M3 release in 2024, prominent tech journalist Mark Gurman boldly predicted an end-of-October Apple event. This prediction, subsequently confirmed, carries the tagline “Scary Fast” and features a Happy Mac icon in its artwork.

All indicators are pointing to a significant Mac-related announcement, but the exact models and chipsets remain a mystery. Despite several leaks, the general consensus among tech insiders has remained relatively silent since Gurman’s announcement. Even renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revised his earlier timeline. Now, nine days after the initial 2024 M3 prediction, Gurman believes the event could occur on a Monday.

Why an M3 Reveal at ‘Scary Fast’ Makes Sense

Apple is known for its patterns, and the release pattern of its M-series processors has been slightly accelerating. The M1 processor had a 19-month lifespan before the introduction of the M2.

The M2 was unveiled during WWDC in 2022, just three months after the M1 Ultra was launched with the Mac Studio. Subsequently, Apple introduced the M2 Pro, M2 Max, and M2 Ultra, all within about 12 months. It’s reasonable to assume that the M3 might follow the same pace, making an appearance three months after the M2 Ultra, at the late October event.

Gurman suggests that a 24-inch iMac update is possible, while Ming-Chi Kuo points to a 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh. With the recent update of the 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, it seems unlikely that either MacBook Air model will receive an update so soon. Apple’s other Macs use higher-end chipsets, and the M3 Pro is probably not yet ready for prime time.

This leaves the Mac mini as a possible candidate for an M3 reveal, but it received upgrades with the M2 and M2 Pro in January. Apple’s previous order of all of TSMC’s 3nm stock for the A17 Pro indicates limited room for an M3 launch in 2023.

Furthermore, the order quantity of the updated MacBook Pro is expected to be limited, with Kuo estimating about 500,000 units. This is a third of what was typically available for previous MacBook Pro debuts. Such limited supply raises questions about meeting the demand, considering prior launches faced supply constraints for around a month.

M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros on the Horizon?

Gurman’s newsletter hints at the refresh of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max processors. These updates could come less than a year after the introduction of the M2 versions, suggesting that these laptops are in the final stages of testing and ready for release.

If this pans out, the event might see the unveiling of not only the M3 but also the M3 Pro and M3 Max chipsets. This would be an unprecedented move for Apple, introducing multiple M-series processors at once, in a pre-recorded video event without a physical audience.

Gurman reported earlier that the 24-inch iMac with M3 was in DVT (Design Verification Testing), and in August, he mentioned that MacBook Pro models with M3 were undergoing testing.

According to Gurman, the M3 Max will come with a base configuration featuring 16 CPU cores, comprising 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 32-core GPU. On the high end, the M3 Max will retain the 16-core CPU but feature a 40-core GPU.

Challenges for an M3 Launch

One potential challenge to the M3’s readiness is Apple’s prior order of TSMC’s 3nm stock for the iPhone’s A17 Pro. It appears unlikely that Apple would have the capacity to order chips for an entirely new product, especially three new chipsets, given the prior commitment to the A17 Pro.

If the M3 isn’t prepared for prime time, the preparations for a high-end MacBook Pro reveal might suggest the introduction of an M2 Ultra model. Apple has so far reserved the ultra chipsets for desktops, but a MacBook with enhanced USB-C capabilities could handle 200W of charging, more than sufficient for a powerful chipset.

Hints of an M2 iMac Refresh

Apple’s choice to schedule the “Scary Fast” event at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT is an unprecedented move for the company and has sparked speculation about its significance. Hosting a late event with no in-person press for a crucial Apple Silicon Mac release seems improbable. Additionally, Apple’s Vision Pro already uses the M2 processor, and an early M3 launch could potentially undermine it.

Rumors have surfaced about an update for the 24-inch iMac, possibly featuring an M2 processor. This model was one of the first to adopt the M1 chip and has not seen an update since its initial release in 2021.

In the run-up to the iPhone 15, some leakers have obtained differently colored braided USB-C cables. While initially thought to match the iPhone colors, these cables may actually be intended for new iMacs and accompanying accessories.

Given that Apple has updated the iPhone 15 to use USB-C, it’s only a matter of time before the announcement of new accessories that utilize this port. A short event, featuring an iMac update, USB-C accessories, and possibly some Halloween-themed surprises, could justify a video presentation rather than a simple press release.

Gurman argues that Apple would not hold a formal event, complete with video, invitation, and hype, just for an M2 chip upgrade for the iMac. This is a valid point, as Apple used press releases to announce the updated MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max in January.

The iMac is a consumer-focused product, and Apple’s penchant for generating excitement around it, alongside the opportunity to promote iPhone 15 Pro gaming and Apple TV+, makes the event a fitting occasion.

The ‘Scary Fast’ event is just a few days away on Monday, October 30, leaving little time for further leaks and speculations. While Apple has a history of long events for iPhone announcements and WWDC, shorter events for select product launches have also occurred in the past.

The event could also serve as a platform for celebrating the launch of Resident Evil games on the iPhone 15 Pro, featuring hardware ray tracing. Additionally, Apple may use the occasion to promote Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade, as rumors surrounding new product releases this time of year have been scarce. Therefore, attendees should anticipate minor updates, such as AirPods Max with USB-C, and other accessory releases rather than groundbreaking new product lines.