Reports from the Heart of the Machine
Editor: Du Wei
Are you looking forward to it? In the coming months, Mac computers equipped with M2 series chips may be "landing".
In November 2020, Apple launched the first self-developed computer chip M1 dedicated to the Mac, followed by the M1 Pro and M1 Max in October 2021, further expanding the M1 architecture, and then releasing the M1 Ultimate form in March 2022 - the M1 Ultra in two M1 Max packages.
The evolution of Apple's M1 series chips.
At the same time, the revelations about the next generation of M2 chips have always been continuous.
Today, Bloomberg Mark Gurman reported that according to the developer log, Apple has begun extensive internal testing of new Mac models with the next generation of M2 chips. Apple is testing at least nine new Mac computers using third-party apps from the App Store that are powered by four different models of M2 chips — M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, and M2 Ultra.
These internal tests are a key step in the product development process and suggest that new machines are likely to be released in the coming months.
The M2 chip is another new attempt after Apple and Intel parted ways to push the limits of computer processing. In recent years, Apple has gradually replaced Intel chips with self-developed chips, so it now wants to win more revenue through more advanced product lines.
After years of slow growth, Apple's Mac computer division has seen a recovery over the past two years. In fiscal year 2021, the division generated $35.2 billion in sales, or about 10 percent of Apple's total sales.
Nine models that may be equipped with M2 series chips
Specific models that Apple has been exposed to be undergoing internal testing include the following:
Code-named J413, macBook Air is powered by an M2 chip and has 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. In contrast, the current MacBook Air has up to 8 GPU cores;
The Mac mini, code-named J473, is powered by the M2 chip and has the same specifications as the MacBook Air above. In addition, there is a Mac mini code-named J474 equipped with an M2 Pro chip;
The entry-level MacBook Pro, codenamed J493, is equipped with an M2 chip and still has the same specifications as the above MacBook Air;
The 14-inch MacBook Pro, code-named J414, is powered by M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. M2 Max has 12 CPU cores and 38 GPU cores, and currently has up to 10 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores in the same model. This MacBook Pro also comes with 64GB of RAM;
The 16-inch MacBook Pro, code-named J416, is powered by M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. This MacBook Pro is equipped with the same M2 Max as the 14-inch MacBook Pro;
The Mac Pro, code-named J180, will carry a successor version (M2 Ultra) of the M1 Ultra chip used by Mac Studio.
In addition to the above 9 models equipped with M2 chips, Apple is also testing the Mac mini codenamed J374 and equipped with M1 Pro, which is the same processor used in the current entry-level 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. There is also a Mac mini with an M1 Max version. However, the new Mac Studio may make these products redundant.
According to Bloomberg's previous report, the new MacBook Air, entry-level MacBook Pro and new Mac mini are scheduled to be unveiled as early as this year, and at least two Macs are scheduled to be released in the middle of the year.
The new MacBook Air is destined to be the largest design update the product line has ever seen, with the addition of narrower bezels and MagSafe charging.
However, even if these models with M2 series chips are tested smoothly, there is no guarantee that they will all be released in the end.
For now, an Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the product launch plans.
https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AS7Hj1mBMGM/mark-gurman
IJCAI 2022 - Neural MMO Massive AI Team Survival Challenge
On April 14th, the "IJCAI 2022-Neural MMO Massive AI Team Survival Challenge" was officially launched, initiated by Hyperparameter Technology, co-sponsored by MIT, Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School and AIcrowd, a well-known data science challenge platform.
Themed "Finding the Strongest AI Team in the Future Open World", the tournament achieved higher achievements than other contestants by exploring, searching and fighting in Neural MMO's massive multi-agent environment. The game also sets new rules, evaluates the strategic robustness of agents against new maps and different opponents, and introduces cooperation and role division in AI teams, enriching the content of the game and enhancing the fun.