Latest Rumors for Every Mac: When to Expect New Models, What to Expect, and More

[MacRumors]

From the MacBook Pro to the Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and MacBook Air, it can sometimes be exhausting to keep up with each product's latest rumors and leaks for what's coming next.

To help MacRumors readers get a quick digest of everything they need to know, we've consolidated the latest rumors about each Mac product below, including when new models are expected, new features, and more. For more information on each product, check out our dedicated guides.

MacBook Pro

The latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros were announced in October 2021, making them over a year old. The redesigned MacBook Pros were the first high-end Macs from Apple with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Apple was widely expected to announce updated models this past fall but delayed plans to launch in 2023.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chip options are on track to launch in the early half of 2023. Last year, Apple held an April event to announce the M1 iMac, a new Apple TV, AirTags, and iPad Pros. With an early half of 2023 expectation, Apple could hold another spring event to announce the new MacBook Pros and other new products.

The new MacBook Pros are not expected to feature significant changes, sticking to the design introduced last year. Instead, they'll benefit from the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which will offer higher performance and battery efficiency compared to the current M1 Pro and M1 Max variants.

• 2023 MacBook Pro Guide

iMac

The current iMac was announced in April 2021 with the M1 chip. Thanks to the efficiency of the M1 chip, Apple was able to completely redesign the iMac into a thinner form factor. The current iMac features a thin design with a 24-inch display and comes in various colors with matching accessories.

The 24-inch iMac is the only iMac in Apple's lineup, as the company discontinued the 27-inch and 21.5-inch models. For the next iMac, we aren't expecting any major changes. According to Gurman, a follow-up to the existing 24-inch iMac is in the works but is unlikely to ship until later in 2023 with the M3 chip, which Apple has not yet announced.

The updated iMac is unlikely to feature any major design changes but will benefit from the M3 chip. There are also reports that Apple is working on a higher-end version of the iMac dubbed the "iMac Pro," a name used for a discontinued iMac model. Gurman says Apple remains interested in the more high-end iMac option but that the product has faced delays internally.

• Apple's Next iMac Pro: Everything We Know

Mac mini

The Mac mini is Apple's smallest and most portable Mac, a popular option for customers who enjoy its portability and versatility. The latest Mac mini was one of the first Macs to gain the M1 chip in November 2020, and since then, Apple has not provided Mac mini lovers with a newer model. Countless rumors suggested Apple was working on a redesigned Mac mini, but those plans have since reportedly faded.

According to Gurman, Apple is testing Mac mini models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips for a possible launch sometime in 2023. The updated models are unlikely to feature the rumored redesign and will instead keep the same design as the existing model. The aluminum unibody design of the current Mac mini has been used on every new ‌Mac mini‌ since 2010. Apple continues to sell an Intel-based Mac mini alongside a model with the M1 chip.

• Apple's Next Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know

MacBook Air

The M2 MacBook Air is the latest Mac from Apple, announced just this past June. The new MacBook Air has a new design that ditches the wedge-shaped look of previous models for a thin, light form factor. The MacBook Air has a 13-inch display, is powered by the M2 chip, and comes in four distinct colors.

Given that the MacBook Air was announced recently, we aren't expecting a direct successor anytime soon. But we are expecting a new addition to the MacBook Air family in 2023. According to reliable display analyst Ross Young, Apple will announce a MacBook Air with a 15.5-inch display as soon as the spring of next year.

The new MacBook Air is expected to feature the same overall design as the existing 13-inch model, with flat edges, a large Force Touch trackpad, a keyboard with function keys, MagSafe charging port, and more. At 15.5 inches, the upcoming MacBook Air will sit between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and will be the largest ‌MacBook Air‌ to date.

• What's Next for the MacBook Air

Mac Pro

The Mac Pro is the most powerful Mac from Apple. The current Mac Pro is over three years old, making it overdue for an upgrade. The ‌Mac Pro‌ is the only Mac in Apple’s lineup that has not yet transitioned to Apple silicon and is still entirely powered by Intel chips.

Apple has been testing an Apple silicon Mac Pro for some time, but the development of the product has reportedly faced some challenges. According to Gurman, Apple's original plan to offer the upcoming Mac Pro with M2 Ultra and M2 Extreme chips may not go to plan. According to the journalist, Apple has abandoned plans to offer the Mac Pro with the most powerful Apple silicon chip, the M2 Extreme. Instead, the Mac Pro will be offered with only the M2 Ultra chip and have different configurations and the ability for expandability.

An exact timeframe on when to expect the upcoming Mac Pro is not yet known, but it can presumably be expected sometime in 2023.

• Apple's Mac Pro Refresh: What We Know So Far

Mac Studio

The Mac Studio was announced in March 2022 as the highest-end Mac desktop until the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives. The Mac Studio features a similar concept as the Mac mini, but in a larger form factor with more ports and performance. The current Mac Studio is offered with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chip options. For an update to the Mac Studio, we haven't heard much regarding any significant changes but could see an update with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips.

Recently unearthed Geekbench scores and database spottings have revealed Apple is testing the M2 Max chip internally, with what could be an upcoming Mac Studio. If Apple is sticking to an annual update schedule, we'll see a Mac Studio refresh this spring, but that remains to be seen.

Article Link: Latest Rumors for Every Mac: When to Expect New Models, What to Expect, and More

 

[alexandr]

WTF is "early half of 2023"?! Is that really a term?

 

[macsplusmacs]

Happy with my m1 macbook pro max. still does all my heavy lifting, at this rate, may not need a new one till the M4?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I hope Apple releases a Midnight Blue Edition color on every single Mac lineup in 2023.

 

[JippaLippa]

Mmmmmhh...
Not sure it would be wise to invest in an M2 Generation Mac Studio.
I think it'd make more sense to upgrade it to the M3 Generation.

 

[raindogg]

Apple usually releases new Macs every 18 months, and most people update their computer every 4-6 years.

 

[Freida]

Why not? The buzzing sound will most likely get fixed and for those on Intel going to jump to AS it will be perfect

Mmmmmhh...
Not sure it would be wise to invest in an M2 Generation Mac Studio.
I think it'd make more sense to upgrade it to the M3 Generation.

 

[urmaster]

WTF is "early half of 2023"?! Is that really a term?

The first 6 months as opposed to the latter 6.

 

[Freida]

Not really. In the past when Intel was more on schedule we would get updates even 2x a year especially for laptops. Now, that changed but I can see Apple doing yearly updates with certain products as the chips will be ready as they are based on the iPhone chip to start with. Otherwise we would end up with either gaps or iPhone getting the latest tech whilst the M chips lagging.

Apple usually releases new Macs every 18 months, and most people update their computer every 4-6 years.

 

[TSE]

It's odd to me that the iMac is going to skip M2 and just jump straight to M3.

Also, anyone that thinks M2 Pro/Max/Ultra is going to be 3 or even 4 nm is lost. It's for sure going to be 5nm.

 

[bjjp2]

Still can't get over elimination of 27" iMac. Gonna keep mine running as long as I can.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Still can't get over elimination of 27" iMac. Gonna keep mine running as long as I can.

It would be very nice if Apple can release a 32" iMac

 

[Lioness~]

I hope Apple releases a Midnight Blue Edition color on every single Mac lineup in 2023.

In Sweden it’s only called Midnight (Midnatt in Swedish), and I think it’s more accurate.
Because I can’t see any blue on my iPhone Mini, midnight. At least not this far.
See if the summer light, next time I see it, will change that ☺️

 

[alexandr]

The first 6 months as opposed to the latter 6.

I understand the meaning, but when we're talking about deadlines that is saying almost nothing. 6 months is a far too long period of time to mention as a potential release date. You might as well just say '2023'.

 

[james2538]

I think we’ll see the new MacBook Pros sooner than April. February/March seems like the right time frame (and when MacBooks have commonly been announced in the past)

Gurman has said it should coincide with the OSX 13.2 release, which will track around that same time, as the first beta came out last week. Those unreleased Mac geek bench scores were running 13.2 as well.

 

[tcphoto1]

How about a reasonably priced 27" monitor to replace my 27" Thunderbolt Display? I would be in the market when I replace my Mid'15 MBP with the next update.

 

[theluggage]

Not sure it would be wise to invest in an M2 Generation Mac Studio.
I think it'd make more sense to upgrade it to the M3 Generation.

I don't think we've got any idea what M3 will be or when it will arrive - and the truth is that the only thing M2 Pro/Max/Ultra or M3 anything really means is that "Apple's marketing department decided to call it that".

It depends whether you're replacing a M1 generation Mac Studio (probably worth skipping a generation - but don't hold your breath) or getting you first Mac Studio or a second system (good to have an up-to-date option available when you need to buy).

The benchmark leaks suggest that there are new Pro/Max chips coming with similar per-core performance to the regular M2 but maybe with 2 extra CPU cores and more GPU cores than the current 10/32 core Max - which would be a worthwhile improvement for new Macs but probably not worth upgrading your existing Mac.

According to Gurman, Apple is testing Mac mini models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips for a possible launch sometime in 2023.

What's the difference between a M2 Max Mac Mini and a M2 Max Mac Studio? Maybe if/when 3nm/4nm arrives & brings lower power consumption they could put a Mx Max in a Mini-sized case - but a regular 5nm M2 Max is probably going to run hotter than a M1 Max, and it could also use the extra & front-mounted ports that the Studio case offers.

Maybe a M2 Pro would be cool enough for a Mini case - and it would fill the current 'hole' between the M1 Mini and the Studio Max - but it would still benefit from the Studio's extra ports.

Note that some of the height difference of the Studio vs. the Mini comes from having the larger power supply (...and you need an extra 15W for each extra Thunderbolt port), front and rear ports on separate daughter boards, socketed SSD - which would be nice on a "pro" machine but not necessarily enough to distinguish a Mx Max Mini from a Mx Max Studio.

Of course, with a new generation of chips, the Mac Studio Max line could merge with the Mac Mini line leaving space for the "Studio" Mx Ultra to become the next Mac Pro.

 

[MacLawyer]

No mention of an iMac Pro.

 

[hirshnoc]

So I come here expecting solid timeframes and I get “sometime in 2023” for just about every Mac model. Thanks MR!

 

[MysticCow]

When to expect the new Macs:

MacBook Air: soon™

MacBook Pro: soon™

iMac: soon™

Mac mini: soon™

Mac Studio: soon™

Mac Pro: soon™

 

[theluggage]

It's odd to me that the iMac is going to skip M2 and just jump straight to M3.

It's odd that the Mini hasn't got the M2 yet, either. It's possible that the M2 was a stop-gap, necessitated by the late appearance of 3nm, aimed purely at the MacBook Air - which is (a) probably the biggest selling mac and (b) was way overdue a re-design - since it sells into a somewhat fashion-driven school/college market. (OK, there's also the 13" MBP, but nobody knows why they still make that - probably sells by the shedload to some large customers who haven't "approved" the MBA yet).

The next priority in terms of sales will be the MacBook Pros - but they aren't even 18 months old yet and nobody will be sending out a search party until next Q4. It won't be the first time that the small iMac and the Mac Mini have been at the back of the queue.

Also, anyone that thinks M2 Pro/Max/Ultra is going to be 3 or even 4 nm is lost. It's for sure going to be 5nm.

Depends when the new MBPs - which will be the first priority for the next gen Pro/Max chips - launch. That could be as late as WWDC or even Q4, by which time 3/4nm might be out. Everybody is kinda assuming that Apple should be refreshing Macs every 12-18 months despite years of past evidence to the contrary.

Just because there have been sketchy leaked benchmarks for what looks like 5nm M2 Pro/Max chips doesn't mean that those are actually going in to production.

 

[pesawyer]

If the Mac Mini gets an M2 in the spring, it would seem logical that the Mac Studio would need an update to exceed the M2 performance of the Mac Mini M2.

 

[mrr]

Where is the 27” iMac?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It's odd to me that the iMac is going to skip M2 and just jump straight to M3.

Why? It's just a name. And there is no pattern in only 2 iterations of anything. For example, flip a coin: heads. flip it again: heads. Does that mean all future flips will yield the same result? Of course not.

M3 seems quite likely to be next but Apple could call it N1 or M30 or KuKuKaChoo if they want. It's just a bit of paint on the chip.

M2 got plenty of press gripes about being a technical hop too small. Maybe Apple doesn't want to bother with more of the same and would like to step on to what might have originally been planned to be M2 (at 3nm)? Maybe it looked like M3 would have to wait too long but now it doesn't look that way?

Maybe TSMC has some breakthrough that allows them to deliver what Apple had assumed would be approx. M7 in the next 12 months. If so, should Apple wait 5-10 years to roll it out or just jump on to M7 ASAP because "we" want/expect a steady roll out of digits painted on the chips? Of course not.

It's just a name. We shouldn't need a rigid pattern of marks on a chip most of us will never see. Bring on "latest & greatest" as fast as it is ready. If that's M20 in 5 years, great! If that's KuKuKaChoo-GlassOnion-StrawberryFields-RockyRaccoon, great. Only marketing minds- mostly Apples- should be so worried about what is painted on the chips. We consumers should be concerned with what the chips- whatever they might be branded- can do for us. That's the part that will actually matter to us because it will do something FOR us... unlike any bit of paint on the chip.

 

[theluggage]

No mention of an iMac Pro.

Because it's probably not happening so soon after Apple launched the cheaper and more flexible Mac Studio + Studio Display (or the 3rd party display(s) of your choice) combo.

The gap left by the 27" iMac (non-pro) is for something in the low $2000s to replace the old i5/i7 versions - but even that has been narrowed by the "small" iMac getting a larger, better screen and a more powerful processor. The old high-end iMac configs (which ended up out-performing the iMac Pro) cost much the same as a Mac Studio + Studio Display combo if you upgraded them to 32GB RAM at Apple prices (...and the cheap, 3rd party RAM option was always going to go away with Apple Silicon).

Apple now make 2 standalone displays (with rumours of more/updates in the pipeline) that Mac Studio buyers can choose between & which they can also sell to MBP owners (who, with Apple Silicon, no longer have to buy separate desktops to get Mx Max-level CPU/GPU performance). Yes, some people are nostalgic for the old iMac, but many are just relieved that they can choose & update their computer and display(s) separately.