When to Expect New M4 MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro Models

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Apple intends to update its entire Mac lineup to the M4 processor over the next 12 months, which will make it the first time that Apple has used the same chip generation across all of its Macs.

M4 Real Feature Blue
Apple will update its MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac lines with its latest M4 chip as early as this year, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, with the Mac mini also set to feature its first redesign since 2010.

Following the launch of the M4 iPad Pro in May, Apple will continue the M4 transition with the above mentioned Macs, and complete it with updates for the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio in 2025.

Gurman's sources tell him there are MacBook Airs in development for the spring, and Mac Pro and Mac Studio models are planned for the middle of next year.

  • M4 MacBook Air – Spring 2025
  • M4 Mac Pro – Summer 2025
  • M4 Mac Studio – Summer 2025

Like it did with the iPad Pro, Apple appears to be skipping straight to the M4 chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, meaning these models will not see an M3 chip update at all.

Like the M3, the M4 is built on a 3nm process, but with enhancements from Apple supplier TSMC for improved performance and power efficiency. The M4 also includes an improved Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple says it is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second.

The Mac Studio is likely to be equipped with a variation of the M4 processor, which could be an M4 Ultra or Max chip. The current Mac Studio comes in both M2 Max and M2 Ultra variants.

Meanwhile, the Mac Pro will feature the top-tier M4 chip, codenamed "Hidra," which could be marketed as an "Ultra" or "Extreme" variant. Apple is developing this more powerful chip in response to criticism that the M2 Ultra wasn't sufficient for a high-end machine.

Apple has said the ultra-thin M4 iPad Pro serves as a model for its upcoming design philosophy, with the company planning to offer "the thinnest and lightest products" in each category across the tech industry. Aside from the Mac mini, we don't know when each model will get the ultra-thin treatment, but Gurman has previously reported that Apple is already working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro.

Related Roundups: Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: Mac Pro (Neutral), 13" MacBook Air (Neutral), Mac Studio (Don't Buy), 15" MacBook Air (Buy Now)
Related Forums: Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio

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Top Rated Comments

kcslc Avatar
kcslc
5 days ago at 05:38 am

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.
Not trying to be a jerk. But. How exactly was the M3 chip a failure?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deputy_doofy Avatar
deputy_doofy
5 days ago at 06:09 am

Your tech knowledge far exceeds mine, but from a business, planning and strategy perspective, M3 was not a success.
As an M3 Max owner, I can easily say that the machine is a beast and I don't regret the purchase even a little.
I think it's a failure simply from a marketing perspective.

1) Apple is a victim of its own success. Many people simply don't see a need to upgrade from the M1 Max, let alone from the M2 Max.
2) With AI dominating the headlines almost every single day, it simply makes sense to rush to an "AI-capable" chip. Sure, the M3 variants can likely do SOME AI, but the M4 has the supposedly-necessary bump to do it better.

Unless the hardware fails on me, I hope to have the M3 Max be my next 10-year machine in the same way my i7 from 2013 was my previous 10-year machine.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Silverstring Avatar
Silverstring
5 days ago at 05:34 am

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.
Or…the new chips that weren’t ready 10 months ago will be ready for these updates.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksec Avatar
ksec
5 days ago at 05:53 am

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.
It isn't the M3 was a failure. It is the N3B, aka first Generation of TSMC 3nm node wasn't meant to be a long serving node.

The current generation 3nm will serve us for a very long time. 2nm will introduce GAA, 14A / 1.4nm will have backside power. It will be 10A / 1nm ( hopefully ) before everything stabilise and become another long / mainstream node.

*A long node is simply a node that is well optimised and that fits the cost / performance / density curve best.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chazak Avatar
Chazak
6 days ago at 05:23 am
This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chazak Avatar
Chazak
5 days ago at 05:55 am

Not trying to be a jerk. But. How exactly was the M3 chip a failure?
Shortest lifespan of a chip generation ever. The introduction of M4 so soon after M3 is a pretty big indictment of M3.

Why did Mac Studio not get an M3 upgrade?

How long was its cycle? What was the percentage improvement in performance metrics? The gains were minimal at best.

The MBA is a great example. How long was it after the M2 introduction until they offered an M3 MBA and how long until that follows with M4. The M3 did not help them sell laptops and desktops.

There was basically nothing to motivate buyers aside from those that literally had no choice except to replace their current machines. I don't know anyone that made an optional purchase. Almost everyone I know, including serial upgraders, made decisions to wait for an M4 upgrade.

BTW, You are not a jerk! The conversation is pleasant and civil even though it doesn't seem we agree.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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