2022 MacBook Air Rumors: Non-Tapered Design With Notched Mini-LED Display, MagSafe, 'M2' Chip, and More

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The M-series chips are being presented in a classic Good/Better/Best market segmentation. This strategy gives Apple and the customers a range of products with price levels and corresponding performance levels that should meet the widest range of customers while also maximizing Apple's profits.

M1/M2 is Good. it is the least powerful of the range (though still better than the competition) and is placed in the lowest price products The Air, low end MBP, and the small iMac. it also gets the best battery life due to the lower power.

M1 Pro is Better. it is more powerful than the M1 and more expensive. It is suitable for the next level upgrades of the Pro lines.

M1 Max is Best. even more powerful and even more expensive and power hungry. Currently just in the Pro laptop line.

When they get to the Mac Pro, the chips for that will probably be even bigger and better so that would add a 4th tier to the segmentation. That level will be even more powerful and even more expensive.

This gives you a stair step for sales. Most users can come in to the lower line products and be satisfied without spending too much money. They will be enticed by the next segment up and may decide to spend a little more money to upgrade, "just in case".

This same thing happen on the higher segments. Users see a machine that meets their needs but for just a little more, they could get something even better and can be justified so they go for the next segment up.

Currently, as they are getting things setup, the timing can be a little off, but there will always be some delay as the more powerful and expensive versions are produced, so you will always have some lower end products with newer generation chips while the higher end products are getting the previous generation but are still faster due to more cores.

By creating these clearly defined segments, Apple can give a wide range up customers something to meet their needs and budget but also give them something to aspire to and maybe spend a little more on. without the segments, the cost of upgrades become too hard to justify and customer settle for the lower priced products.

Very few customers need the M1 Pro or Max. The M1 will server their needs and cost less and use less power. Think of the M1 as a 4-cyinder engine car. Perfectly sufficient for most people, but some want to a little more and get the 6-cylinder car, others need or want to go up to the 8-cylinder car. There are a few whose needs or wants are such that they will even spring for a 12-cylinder car in spite of the price.

Expect that Apple will continue to offer these different segments in their chips and product, even as they upgrade them from M1 to M2 and beyond.

I grasp the concept well. Is there enough Mac variations for this though? Apple is not Intel making seemingly dozens of variations for everything from cheap stick PCs to gigantic server farms. Do we want/need a good, better, best option in every variation of Mac? Will there actually be Mac models offering that?

For example, step forward to iMac 27-32" (bigger) launch. Specualte on the options that are in there. iMac good, better and best or will only good roll out with that launch because pro & max will wait for a Fall release? If iMac (bigger) rolls with only good branded "2," does it compete with better & best M1X launched "6 months ago"? Or are laptops basically iPhone in the Mac lineup now- they get the most powerful iteration(s) of the chip and all other Macs are waiting in line for the SAME chips 6 or more months later... or if only the "good" chip launches, somewhat lessened chips in some ways (that distinguish pro & max)?

I think of iMac (bigger) as "workstation" Mac. It doesn't need certain compromises necessary for a laptop that will sometimes run on batteries. So I would think iMac (bigger) should have at least the SAME power (pro & max options) at launch rather than lopping off some of what makes pro & max get those suffixes. What should be lopped back off in a "good" M2? RAM? Storage? Computing Cores? Graphic Cores?

Thus, I don't see how the A-series tick-tock thing directly applies here. How can MBpros get the most powerful M-series chip ever and the iMac (bigger) 6 months later get one that lops off some of that power because of the A-series perception of iterative tick and power tock?

For example, if we try to apply that thinking, the spring Macs may indeed get a chip branded "2". Is it more powerful than a chip branded "1" but with pro and max suffixes? We don't get a A15 that is not more powerful vs. an A14. And even an A15 super-duper max pro deluxe in the next iPhone is likely to be more powerful than "plain" A15 just launched.

The difference here is that Macs are not once-a-year products like iPhone. A batch went M1. Now another batch has gone M1X+pro+max. What does the spring batch get? It's easy to say M2 but if M2 is "good" and M1 pro and max are "better" and "best" is M2 building on better and best or only on the prior "good"? If so, it would imply it will have a higher number stamped on the chip but potentially less cores/ram/storage than Macs launched "6 months ago."

So it would seem to me that pro & max must set the new bar/baseline for M2... this years "better" and "best" is M2s "good" OR M2 launches with good, better and best in the Spring. Else it seems like it has potential to be an A16 with less "punch" than an A15 deluxe.

My point here is that I question the general mentality of M2 being > M1 but < Pro & Max. Much like A-series number changes, it seems M2 would have to be at least as good as if not better than Pro (and maybe Max too). Else, there will be "6-months-old" mobile laptops perceived to have more power on board than a stationary desktop "flagship" that should- at least- match those laptops.

With this logic, I would guess M2 either launches with pro & max options or M2 good is equivalent or better than M1 pro and maybe max options... just like A-series number bumps deliver a more powerful chip, not one that steps back in key ways.

 

[boak]

I grasp the concept well. Is there enough Mac variations for this though? Apple is not Intel making seemingly dozens of variations for everything from cheap stick PCs to gigantic server farms. Do we want/need a good, better, best option in every variation of Mac? Will there actually be Mac models offering that?

For example, step forward to iMac 27-32" (bigger) launch. Specualte on the options that are in there. iMac good, better and best or will only good roll out with that launch because pro & max will wait for a Fall release? If iMac (bigger) rolls with only good branded "2," does it compete with better & best M1X launched "6 months ago"? Or are laptops basically iPhone in the Mac lineup now- they get the most powerful iteration(s) of the chip and all other Macs are waiting in line for the SAME chips 6 or more months later... or if only the "good" chip launches, somewhat lessened chips in some ways (that distinguish pro & max)?

I think of iMac (bigger) as "workstation" Mac. It doesn't need certain compromises necessary for a laptop that will sometimes run on batteries. So I would think iMac (bigger) should have at least the SAME power (pro & max options at launch) rather than lopping off some of what makes pro & max get those suffixes. What should be lopped back off in a "good" M2? RAM? Storage? Computing Cores? Graphic Cores?

Thus, I don't see how the A-series tick-tock thing directly applies here. How can MBpros get the most powerful M-series chip ever and the iMac (bigger) 6 months later get one that lops off some of that power because of the A-series perception of iterative tick and power tock?

For example, if we try to apply that thinking, the spring Macs may indeed get a chip branded "2". Is it more powerful than a chip branded "1" but with pro and max suffixes? We don't get a A15 that is not more powerful vs. an A14. And even an A15 super-duper max pro deluxe in the next iPhone is likely to be more powerful than "plain" A15 just launched.

The difference here is that Macs are not once-a-year products like iPhone. A batch went M1. Now another batch has gone M1X+pro+max. What does the spring batch get? It's easy to say M2 but if M2 is "good" and M1 pro and max are "better" and "best" is M2 building on better and best or only on the prior "good"? If so, it would imply it will have a higher number stamped on the chip but potentially less cores/ram/storage than Macs launched "6 months ago."

So it would seem to me that pro & max must set the new bar/baseline for M2... this years "better" and "best" is M2s "good" OR M2 launches with good, better and best in the Spring. Else it seems like it has potential to be an A16 with less "punch" than an A15 deluxe.

My point here is that I question the general mentality of M2 being > M1 but < Pro & Max. Much like A-series number changes, it seems M2 would have to be at least as good as if not better than Pro (and maybe Max too). Else, there will be "6-months-old" mobile laptops perceived to have more power on board than a stationary desktop "flagship" that should- at least- match those laptops.

With this logic, I would guess M2 either launches with pro & max options or M2 good is equivalent or better than M1 pro and maybe max options... just like A-series number bumps deliver a more powerful chip not one that steps back on key ways.

A14 iPad Air co-existed with A12Z iPad Pro. No confusion there.

 

[veena3]

No way will the base M2 be anywhere close to the M1 Pro / Max chips. It's not something that is feasible / possible to do.

Each level of M# chip is purpose build for their respective categories.

M# for smaller, cheaper consumer devices & iPad Pro
M# Pro & Max for Pro laptops, iMac Pros
And something like an M# Ultra for the Mac Pro

Don't confuse generations of a chip for the different categories/configuration of the chip.

Expectations should be more like - M2 will be 20% faster with slightly less power draw and heat than the base M1 chip.

Also timeline wise something like 12-18 months would be realistic for M1 -> M2, M1 Pro/Max -> M2 Pro/Max. Maybe 18-24 months for expensive low volume products like Mac Pros.

It's not only A series chips that release in the time and configurations they do, it applies to similarly to all CPU and GPUs also.

If we are talking release schedules then something like:

2022 Spring - M2 MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac
2022 Summer / Fall - M2 Pro & Max MacBook Pro, iMac Pro. M2 iPad Pro
2022 ??? - M1 Ultra Mac Pro (could very easily launch after M2 devices are released)

For roadmap I guess:

2022 March:
iMac Pro (27"-30" ?) or at June WWDC
Mac mini (if M1 Pro&Max)

2022 June at WWDC:
Mac Pro
iMac Pro (27"-30" ?) if not in March and if desktop Apple Silicon inside

Summer 2022 (before schools) or in October:
M2 Macbook Air
base M2 Macbook Pro
M2 Mac mini

October or 2023:
Upgraded M2 Macbook Pro&Max with same designs

I have no clue about iPads.

It'd be cool having surprises like new handheld gaming console (in March before summer for kids) and new Apple Gaming & TV console based on M1 Max (in September/October before Christmas but more likely year later 2023 till they can secure some AAA games and cooperation with Steam and base it on M2 Max to stabilise it on ARMv9 for the future etc.)

Notes:

Will there be Mac mini Pro? Do we need it? Because Mac mini is already faster than "high-end" Intel Mac mini (see https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac-mini-late-2020) So, M2 Mac mini can cover it even more except for 32GB+ RAM. And maybe they are keeping Intel Mac mini as an option for those who need to bootcamp to Windows.

I guess there will be no iMac 27" just iMac Pro 27"-30" with probably M1 Pro&Max.

Mac Pro could have a different desktop version of Apple Silicon than M(obile) one. It could might work with additional discreet GPUs, SSDs and RAM modules. Could be called P1(erfomance), D1(esktop) or E1(Enterprise).

What do you think?

 

[ctyrider]

15-inch option, please!

Again with this.. There will be no 15" Air, not now and not ever. Apple needs to clearly differentiate between lower-priced Air and higher end Pros, and display size is the best way to do this.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

No way will the base M2 be anywhere close to the M1 Pro / Max chips. It's not something that is feasible / possible to do.

Each level of M# chip is purpose build for their respective categories.

M# for smaller, cheaper consumer devices & iPad Pro
M# Pro & Max for Pro laptops, iMac Pros
And something like an M# Ultra for the Mac Pro

Don't confuse generations of a chip for the different categories/configuration of the chip.

Expectations should be more like - M2 will be 20% faster with slightly less power draw and heat than the base M1 chip.

Also timeline wise something like 12-18 months would be realistic for M1 -> M2, M1 Pro/Max -> M2 Pro/Max. Maybe 18-24 months for expensive low volume products like Mac Pros.

It's not only A series chips that release in the time and configurations they do, it applies to similarly to all CPU and GPUs also.

If we are talking release schedules then something like:

2022 Spring - M2 MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac
2022 Summer / Fall - M2 Pro & Max MacBook Pro, iMac Pro. M2 iPad Pro
2022 ??? - M1 Ultra Mac Pro (could very easily launch after M2 devices are released)

OK, but it seems there are HIGH expectations for iMac 27-32" in 2022 Spring. What's in it? Only M2 "for smaller, cheaper consumer devices" even though it is likely to be priced at least as high as these laptops just launched?

Or does "iMac Pro" in Fall 2022 imply an expectation that 27-32" iMac does NOT launch this Spring but waits for Fall when the M2 pro & max would be ready? Maybe Spring gets only the "smaller, cheaper" 24" upgraded to M2?

That's the conundrum here. The conceptually more powerful Macs are still to be released. Bigger iMac doesn't need any considerations for batteries like MBpros so it should- conceptually- roll with at least as powerful chip options.

The rumor assumption seems to be that that iMac gets M2. Speculate: does it? If M2 is "not as good as M1 pro & max," does that make sense for the bigger iMac... that laptops are basically positioned to deliver more power than the flagship desktop?

OR does that iMac get M1 pro & max 6 months from now... much like how a batch of Macs rolled out later with M1 after the first batch that launched with M1?

If M2 is "smaller/cheaper"-targeting than M1 pro & max, the bigger iMac seems like it will disappoint those waiting for it and wanting a more powerful iMac. If so, I envision calls for the same unit with M1 pro & max chip options too. OR, the bigger, generally most powerful Macs in the Mac lineup that have still not transitioned seems like they need to launch with at least equivalent power to the laptops just launched... either with M1 pro & max options or M2 pro & max chips. In this example, new "iPhones" are rolling out every (approx.) 6 months.

Unlike iPhone, this is not one big product launch each year. The arguably most powerful Macs are on deck to launch next/soon. Conceptually, they should launch with the power chips... much like the next iPhone is completely expected to have more power than the current iPhone.

 

[cashboxz02]

The first pic of the Air is sexy. Thin and powerful like I want it.

Too bad Apple said they probably abandoned the idea of a 15'' or 16'' MB Air. Would've been so nice with a larger screen.

This. Tons of people want a larger display laptop, but don't need the raw power of the M1 Pro or M1 Max. I feel you could only really take advantage of that much power if you're a video editor or producer. Also, isn't that greater thermal output (and less energy efficiency, more charging) for people who don't need it, going to be bad for the environment?

The power of the M1 is sufficient for even most power users. If Apple made a 15 or 16 inch laptop for the general consumer and power user, it would be the most popular laptop in the world. Something like the 13" M1 MBP even but 15" or 16" instead in the old chassis would be phenomenal, as the price would be lower, and the battery life would also be way better. Heck, the entire reason why the M1 is so popular is because great battery and great value.

 

[boak]

What’s so difficult to understand about the Mac line-up and releases? Consumer-level Macs launched with M1. Professional-level Macs launched with M1 Pro/Max one year after their consumer-level counterparts. Consumer-level Macs are updated with M2 about 2 years after initial launch.

 

[MallardDuck]

M2? Noooooooooo...my m1 max is already outdated?

;-)

I can hear the howls now

 

[BJonson]

You get a notch, you get a notch...

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

i wont mind the notch as long as the menu bar can be blacked out to hide it. and all info is that the menu bar is in ADDITION to the 16:10 screen area. so kudos for more screen real estate.

 

[entropys]

Losing the wedge design, perhaps they will go back to the “MacBook” name and drop the “Air”

As long as it comes with a collection of ports rather than one, that would be OK.
When outdated MBAs outsell your latest and greatest MacBook, you know you have a problem.

 

[Yonizzle]

15-inch option, please!

Nice to see a lot of Likes on this. I was beginning to think I’m the only Mac user who wants a big screen but entry-/mid-level power. Just wish there were any rumors about Apple acknowledging us…

 

[nquinn]

These new airs are going to be really nice for the money. Would love to see them move to 16gb ram/512gb SSD as the base configuration though. (or at LEAST the RAM).

If not in a rush though the A15 is still based on arm v8, so the A16 (2023/etc) might be the next large step up. (Not to mention the A15 in phones barely had any performance gain. The iPhone 13 models benefited largely from other feature updates like the cameras and a bit of battery life).

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Can't come soon enough. My 2020 i5 MBA is a lemon that has had random static popping noises from the speakers, even when muted (speakers replaced 2x under warranty and it still does it), and now the wifi randomly drops out even though it shows a strong signal. I'm planning to get an M2 model when they come out unless I'm tempted by a Chromebook first.

 

[jclardy]

I fear that ProMotion will not be included

Yeah, I think we have another year or two before the first non-"Pro" product with promotion. iPhone Pro, iPad Pro, MBP all have it now and it finally gives the "pro" line a distinctive feature.

The one thing I would want out of a new MBA would be a usb-c port on the right side. Being able to charge from either side is a really nice feature.

 

[Eidorian]

I ordered a refurbished M1 MacBook Air after this week's event. I wish I had gotten it earlier this year when they first showed up.

 

[Premium1]

I hope they bring more ports back as well so you don't have to live the dongle life.

 

[yoonsoo]

Cannot wait to see the 15-inch MacBook air with an MX chip. I love to have a 16-inch screen but the Macbook pro is too much.

 

[VaruLV]

I wonder if M2 Air's will support 32GB RAM?
Otherwise theres too big of a gap between Air and Pro models price wise to get 32GB option.

 

[chad.petree]

I wonder if it will have promotion that is all I want

 

[redfirebird08]

Exciting times with Apple Silicon. It’s great that they are no longer at the mercy of Intel to develop the chips.

 

[ct2k7]

I wonder if M2 Air's will support 32GB RAM?
Otherwise theres too big of a gap between Air and Pro models price wise to get 32GB option.

I think that’ll be reserved for the Pro lineup. I’d love to be wrong on this

 

[downpour]

I was hoping the white screen bezels on the iMac would look better in person, but they looked terrible. The last-gen iMac sat next to it looked like it was the newer model.

I hate the notch, but its one saving grace will be preventing any more macs from having those white bezels inflicted on them.

 

[SpotOnT]

I grasp the concept well. Is there enough Mac variations for this though? Apple is not Intel making seemingly dozens of variations for everything from cheap stick PCs to gigantic server farms. Do we want/need a good, better, best option in every variation of Mac? Will there actually be Mac models offering that?

For example, step forward to iMac 27-32" (bigger) launch. Specualte on the options that are in there. iMac good, better and best or will only good roll out with that launch because pro & max will wait for a Fall release? If iMac (bigger) rolls with only good branded "2," does it compete with better & best M1X launched "6 months ago"? Or are laptops basically iPhone in the Mac lineup now- they get the most powerful iteration(s) of the chip and all other Macs are waiting in line for the SAME chips 6 or more months later... or if only the "good" chip launches, somewhat lessened chips in some ways (that distinguish pro & max)?

I think of iMac (bigger) as "workstation" Mac. It doesn't need certain compromises necessary for a laptop that will sometimes run on batteries. So I would think iMac (bigger) should have at least the SAME power (pro & max options) at launch rather than lopping off some of what makes pro & max get those suffixes. What should be lopped back off in a "good" M2? RAM? Storage? Computing Cores? Graphic Cores?

Thus, I don't see how the A-series tick-tock thing directly applies here. How can MBpros get the most powerful M-series chip ever and the iMac (bigger) 6 months later get one that lops off some of that power because of the A-series perception of iterative tick and power tock?

For example, if we try to apply that thinking, the spring Macs may indeed get a chip branded "2". Is it more powerful than a chip branded "1" but with pro and max suffixes? We don't get a A15 that is not more powerful vs. an A14. And even an A15 super-duper max pro deluxe in the next iPhone is likely to be more powerful than "plain" A15 just launched.

The difference here is that Macs are not once-a-year products like iPhone. A batch went M1. Now another batch has gone M1X+pro+max. What does the spring batch get? It's easy to say M2 but if M2 is "good" and M1 pro and max are "better" and "best" is M2 building on better and best or only on the prior "good"? If so, it would imply it will have a higher number stamped on the chip but potentially less cores/ram/storage than Macs launched "6 months ago."

So it would seem to me that pro & max must set the new bar/baseline for M2... this years "better" and "best" is M2s "good" OR M2 launches with good, better and best in the Spring. Else it seems like it has potential to be an A16 with less "punch" than an A15 deluxe.

My point here is that I question the general mentality of M2 being > M1 but < Pro & Max. Much like A-series number changes, it seems M2 would have to be at least as good as if not better than Pro (and maybe Max too). Else, there will be "6-months-old" mobile laptops perceived to have more power on board than a stationary desktop "flagship" that should- at least- match those laptops.

With this logic, I would guess M2 either launches with pro & max options or M2 good is equivalent or better than M1 pro and maybe max options... just like A-series number bumps deliver a more powerful chip, not one that steps back in key ways.

My guess is that M2 will have a slightly higher single core benchmark, and a much lower multicore benchmark (and lower GPU benchmark).

The M and the M Pro line don’t really compete. If you are a “pro” you will still want the multicore power and GPU power. If you are average user, you will appreciate the snappier M2. So there is no problem selling M2 alongside M1 Pro/Max etc.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I agree no problem selling M2 and M1 Macs at the same time... just like selling older phones while also selling the latest phone.

Again, the issue I imagine is that the "premier" Mac is rumored to launch next. Does Apple try to roll it out without the max power chips just announced? I see this as akin to expecting the next generation iPhone rolling out with an A16 processor... but it being clear that the A16 lacks a lot of the power of the previous generation A15 processor.

Sure, they can roll out a higher number stamped on a chip with less RAM/cores/storage in a "flagship" Mac/Phone... but will they? I have to think they will not. Sure they can sell it as superior to the plain M1 it replaces... but I would guess the press and tech-minded fans and non-fans would pound this concept of higher number chip with weaker features & benefits vs. "6 month old" chips.

Thus again, I find myself imagining that either Spring brings M2 pro and maybe max in a new 27"-32" iMac OR the Spring event rolls out M1 Pro & Max Mac updates, saving the "higher number" for a Fall rollout where probably all 3 variations roll out together. We'll see. I'm just trying to logically guess and can be entirely wrong in this guess.

However, our crowd here seems to be directly assuming iPhone A-series tick-tock is in play here... thus M2 must launch in Spring. But iPhone tick-tock doesn't actually fit because the traditionally most powerful Macs are still to launch with M-whatever. It seems they have to come with either equal or "most power yet" to me... just as I entirely expect the A15 deluxe or A16 in the next iPhone to be more powerful than the current best A-series chip.