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Apple Files Bluetooth 5.3 Listing Amid Rumors of New MacBook Air and Mac Pro

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Apple this week filed a new listing in the Bluetooth Launch Studio database, a move that sometimes foreshadows the launch of new products. The filing does not mention any specific products, but it lists the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard and references a prior macOS-related listing, suggesting the filing could be related to upcoming Macs.

MacBook-Air-Multiple-Sizes-Feature.jpg

Apple is rumored to be planning new versions of the MacBook Air and the Mac Pro for release in the first half of 2023. The new MacBook Air is expected to feature a larger 15-inch display and the M2 chip, while the new Mac Pro is expected to have the same design as the 2019 model with a new M2 Ultra chip. Both new Macs could be announced as early as March or April, potentially alongside the release of macOS 13.3. However, there remains a possibility that the new Macs will not be announced until WWDC in June or later.

Bluetooth 5.3 offers benefits such as improved reliability and power efficiency, according to the Bluetooth SIG, the organization behind the standard. Apple has added Bluetooth 5.3 to several recent products, including the iPhone 14 series, the latest Apple Watch models, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini, and more.

Apple typically goes back and adds new products to existing Bluetooth Launch Studio listings once they have launched. It's still unclear if Apple plans to hold a March or April press event this year or if new products would be announced via press releases.

Apple already updated the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip in July 2022, while the Mac Pro has not been updated since December 2019 and remains the last Intel-based Mac that Apple sells brand new. The new MacBook Air and Mac Pro could be the last models in the M2 series, as Apple is expected to transition to the M3 chip later in the year.

Article Link: Apple Files Bluetooth 5.3 Listing Amid Rumors of New MacBook Air and Mac Pro
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/22/apple-new-bluetooth-5-3-filing/
greenbreadmmm said:
m2max studio and m2ultra Mac Pro?

a 15" m2 air with the m3 coming later this year doesn't make sense.
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I'm not a leaker, but it does seem likely the 15-inch MacBook Air will have the M2 chip. It's probably been in development since before TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, and that ramp up takes time anyways. It's definitely odd that Apple is evidently waiting like 9 months after the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip to follow up with a larger model, but it seems to be happening. Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that this 15-inch MacBook might not have Air branding, so perhaps that is how Apple could get away with updating the MacBook Air with the M3 chip later this year. Or if this does end up being an Air, maybe the MacBook Air lineup is not getting the M3 chip until 2024. Those are my best educated guesses about the situation and I could easily be wrong.
 
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The old snow iBook G3s launched at 12.1" in May 2001, then got spec bumped in October, then the 14.1" model came in January 2002, so it's not unprecedented for Apple to expand a lineup with similar specs (the 14" had the same CPU as the high-spec 12", but more RAM out of the box). It's just been a while.
 
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Anyone want to take a guess at pricing on a 15-inch MacBook Air? I've been holding out for a new laptop, and that looks like it would be the one for me. I'll just have to convince the joint owner of the family bank account that it's worthwhile...
 
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I just can't see them launching the Mac Pro at a spring event, thats definitely a WWDC product. The potential market in the audience is so large that you would get so many credit cards pulled out for pre-orders.

The 15 inch MacBook Air is more likely, but even that would have been preferrably been a fall launch with M3. I would instead focus on at least upgrading the mid range Mac Studio models to M2 Max, make M1 Max be the new entry level and save M2 Ultra for Pro.
 
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alms said:
Anyone want to take a guess at pricing on a 15-inch MacBook Air? I've been holding out for a new laptop, and that looks like it would be the one for me. I'll just have to convince the joint owner of the family bank account that it's worthwhile...
Click to expand...

I see a few paths.

Launch it at 8/256 just like the 13" - $1399 to start.

Launch with 8/512 - $1499 to start, maybe $1599.

Discontinue the M1 Air and M2 13" Pro, bump the M2 Air down to $1099, launch the 15" at $1299-$1399.
 
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Mr. Dee said:
I just can't see them launching the Mac Pro at a spring event, thats definitely a WWDC product. The potential market in the audience is so large that you would get so many credit cards pulled out for pre-orders.

The 15 inch MacBook Air is more likely, but even that would have been preferrably been a fall launch with M3. I would instead focus on at least upgrading the mid range Mac Studio models to M2 Max, make M1 Max be the new entry level and save M2 Ultra for Pro.
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“Hi. This is Bank of America calling to confirm that $70,000 credit card transaction at Apple.”
 
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Mr. Dee said:
I just can't see them launching the Mac Pro at a spring event, thats definitely a WWDC product. The potential market in the audience is so large that you would get so many credit cards pulled out for pre-orders.

The 15 inch MacBook Air is more likely, but even that would have been preferrably been a fall launch with M3. I would instead focus on at least upgrading the mid range Mac Studio models to M2 Max, make M1 Max be the new entry level and save M2 Ultra for Pro.
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I think apple wants to get off intel silicon as soon as possible, especially considering they missed their 2 year goal.
 
Mr. Dee said:
I just can't see them launching the Mac Pro at a spring event, thats definitely a WWDC product. The potential market in the audience is so large that you would get so many credit cards pulled out for pre-orders.
Click to expand...
You do not think that developers pay attention to other announcements? :)

I would not expect that WWDC developers are a large part of the Mac Pro market, with their needs mostly met by the Mac Studio (most developers who are not developing hardware, do not need a machine with PCIe slots).
 
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Pressure said:
I'm just here hoping they upgrade the Mac Studio to M2 Max and M2 Ultra first.
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Ditto. The mac mini top of the line is where I would have preferred, but no front ports or SD card slot leaves me needing to purchase aftermarket things. If we're not getting a "real" iMac (27 in or up) then the Studio is my preferred option.
 
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I just hope this is more evidence of an M3 MacBook Air. I kinda need to upgrade soon since I am a lot more of a Pro than I was 2 years ago when I bought my M1.
 
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