During its last event of 2018, where it presented the new MacBook Air, Mac mini, as well as the iPad Pro 2018 model, Apple also unveiled the new graphics configurations for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. For the first time in a long time, Apple incorporates an AMD graphics cards, more specifically the Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Vega 20.
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro variants with Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Pro Vega 20 graphics cards would come out somewhen in November. These new graphics configurations for the Apple MacBook Pro boast considerable improvements in performance, in comparison with the current versions. According to the benchmark tests, the new graphics cards offer a 60% increase in speed, if we were to compare them with the current Radeon Pro 560X, that we find in the top-end configurations.
As reported by AMD, the Vega 16 and Vega 20 are just the “starting units of the next generation of Vega graphics cards.” They both boast the Rapid Packed Math feature which speeds up the GPU, accelerating the processes and implying a lower resources consumption.
New MacBook Pro models to incorporate AMD Radeon Vega 16 and Vega 20 graphics cards
The second feature that gives us more speed, is the HBM2 memory. The performance is higher than the previous GDDR5, which we find in other more common graphics cards. The gain is produced by having more bandwidth compared to their predecessors. But at the same time, it consumes less energy. Finally, HBM2 is housed within the GPU and, therefore, takes up less space.
According to some rumors, the Vega 20 will boast the first GPU to run on 7-nanometer technology in the world. On the other hand, the desktop version of the Vega 20 will come with either 16GB to 32GB of HBM2 but requires between 150 and 300 watts, so it is unlikely that we will see this model running on a laptop.
Also, as rumored, the new version of MacBook Pro would come out on November 14th.
