Predicting Apple's Chips: M1X Guess vs M1 Pro and M2

Updated September 2026: in May 2021 I predicted Apple's next Mac chip would be called M1X rather than M2, would appear only in new MacBooks, and would be faster than the M1. I have rewritten it to compare those guesses with what Apple released.

Rumours in 2021 said Apple was preparing its next Mac chip for later that year. I guessed Apple would build on the M1's success with a name like M1X, used only in newer MacBook models, with a clear speed increase.

What did Apple actually release?

In October 2021 Apple launched the M1 Pro and M1 Max in redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. They were far more powerful versions of the M1 for professional machines, which is close to the "M1X" idea. The M2 arrived in June 2022 in a redesigned MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Which predictions were right?

Name: partly. Not M1X, but M1 Pro and M1 Max extended the M1 family as expected.
Only in new MacBooks: right at first; they debuted in new MacBook Pros, and later appeared in the Mac Studio.
Faster: right; the Pro and Max chips added more performance and graphics cores.

How has Apple's chip naming settled?

Each generation has a base chip and more powerful Pro, Max and sometimes Ultra versions. The M-series has progressed through M2, M3, M4 and M5. The same chips also power iPads, which is why iPad Pro and Mac performance are now closely matched.

Does chip generation matter when buying a Mac?

Less than people think. For everyday work, any Apple silicon chip is fast. Memory, storage and screen size matter more to daily experience. Choose Pro or Max chips only for demanding work like video editing or large software builds.

Are older M1 Macs still worth buying?

As bargains, sometimes. An M1 MacBook Air with enough memory remains a capable everyday laptop. Check how much memory it has, since 8 GB feels tight with modern apps, and remember that older models will stop receiving macOS updates sooner than newer ones.

What does this say about predicting Apple?

Apple usually follows a pattern once it starts one. After the M1, extending the family for professional machines was predictable; the exact names were not.