MacBook Pro M1X launch could be imminent as key specs reportedly leak

MacBook Pro 2021
(Image credit: Intel)

The new MacBook Pro is rumored to launch later this month, presumably during an October Apple event. According to reports, the latest Apple laptop will have a 14-inch mini LED display, a new design with flat edges, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot. The laptop will also sport the powerful new M1X chip, which is “a more graphics-intense and professional-focused M1 chip,” according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

A leaked image reportedly showing a DVT (design validation test) unit of this alleged new MacBook Pro 2021 offers further evidence that it will indeed contain the M1X chip, along with other features. The image in question comes from Twitter user Majin Bu, who credits another Twitter account, Ky Young, for providing him with the information.

The new MacBook Pro will reputedly have a 512GB NVMe SSD and 16GB of unified RAM. As Wccftech notes, it is unclear if these components will come with the base version of the laptop. Considering how the M1X chip can handle more graphically intensive tasks, a 512GB SSD and 16GB of RAM would pair nicely with the chip.

An earlier MacBook Pro 2021 leak from iOS developer Dylandkt suggested that the M1X chip is an improved version of the M1 and not its successor — making the rumored M2 an entirely different chip. 

"The M1X is an extension of the M1 that will contain more Thunderbolt channels, CPU cores, GPU cores, multiple external monitor support, and greater power draw," claims Dylandkt. As we previously reported, the M2 chip will supposedly come with the MacBook Air expected in the first half of 2022.

It’s best to take any rumor with a healthy measure of skepticism. But given the mounting evidence, the M1X-powered MacBook Pro seems like it’s the real thing. If the laptop is revealed during the expected late-October Apple event, then it won’t be long until we find out what’s truly under the hood of the MacBook Pro 2021.

This is exciting news if you’re a Mac user, but it’s especially thrilling for gamers. SSD-driven titles are becoming the new norm thanks to both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Gaming on the new MacBook Pro could be a viable option if the laptop is as powerful as reports state.

TOPICS
Tony Polanco
Senior Computing Writer

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

Read more
MacBook Pro 14-inch M3
MacBook Pro M5 — all the rumors we’ve heard so far
MacBook Air 13-inch M3
MacBook Air M4 tipped for imminent arrival — here's when it could launch
MacBook Air M3
Apple’s M4 MacBook Air could launch in the next few weeks — what we know
MacBook Air 15-inch M3
M4 MacBook Air reportedly 'deep' in manufacturing — here's when it could go on sale
M3 MacBook Air
MacBook Air M4 expected to launch this week — here's what to expect
MacBook Pro 2023
MacBook Pro tipped for M5 upgrade ahead of iPad Pro — what we know
Latest in MacBooks
MacBook Air M4
MacBook Air M4 benchmarks are here — here's how it compares to the MacBook Pro, Windows laptops and more
MacBook Air M4
MacBook Air M4 just finally solved a keyboard problem after 25 years — here's what's fixed
MacBook Air M4 vs. MacBook Air M1
MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Air M1: 7 biggest upgrades
MacBook Air M3
Holy smokes! The MacBook Air M3 just fell to its lowest ever price at Amazon
MacBook Air M4
M4 MacBook Air benchmark leak reveals huge speed boost over M3 — Intel and AMD should be worried
macbook air m4 13 and 15 inch models with price drop sticker
MacBook Air M4 just got its first discount — get $50 off right now
Latest in News
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge back
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge price comes into focus with latest leak
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review.
Apple just released an emergency security update for a flaw used in an ‘extremely sophisticated attack’ — update your devices right now
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Wednesday, March 12 (#640)
Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels in Hacks
Max reveals 'Hacks' season 4 release date and trailer — here's when it's coming
Google Pixel 5 review
Google Pixel 10 lineup leaked in new renderings — here's what they look like
A person trying to set up a new Wi-Fi router
Thousands of TP-Link routers have been infected by a botnet to spread malware