MacBook Air and 'MacBook' With M2 Chips Slated for Launch Later This Year

[adrianlondon]

Even if the new MBA comes with the same M chip, many people will still buy it, especially if the rumors of redesign are true. The MBA is a very powerful and capable Mac and your average consumer isn't obsessed with having the latest chip every release.

Totally agree. My 2013 MBP broke (well, ok, I broke the screen) two years ago and I bought the Intel i5 MBA a few months before the M1 version was released.

It's a really good machine. The *only* thing which is wrong with it, is that the Intel chip struggles with video conferencing. The fans come on, as expected, but after an hour or so the video stutters as the app gets throttled. Other people doing my course who have the M1 MBA don't have this issue. It's weird - everything else we do, my MBA performs as well as theirs.

So, my plan is to give my MBA to my partner (who won't do video conferencing on it) and buy the new MBA once it comes out. I don't mind which chip is in it; I just want the non-Intel version so it can handle my 4-hour zoom sessions. Of course, my brain will throttle before the MBA in that case

 

[pacalis]

The M1 MacBook Air is already such a perfect device. It’s literally the laptop I’ve dreamt of for years. Slightly worried about the rumours of the non-wedge design and white bezels.

Would be great to see MagSafe, smaller bezels and M2 though.

Super impressed by the 14” MBP display, but I expect Promotion to remain a Pro feature.

I think it's a half pound to heavy (2.75 vs. the 2lb retina 12' macbook), the screen is narrow and its too similar to a mbp.

A perfect macbook air would be about 2.2 lbs, 13" and at least two usb ports, and with, wedge, magsafe, mulitlple colors and that would be fine at $1299.

 

[adrianlondon]

So, if the MacBook Air is released in the Fall with an M2, people will think it has a better chip than the MacBook Pros because they're still stuck on M1? Sales of MBP's will tank if that's the case. Also a Mac mini with an M2 will obviously be better than a Mac Studio with an M1.

It will depend on how it's marketed, and Apple knows how to market.

The new iPhone SE has a better chip than my iPhone 11, but I'd still recommend the 11 over the SE. There are other things apart from the chip.

 

[t0rqx]

The Air and Macbook (Pro) did had the first upgrades. My guess Q4 and all the others will follow along. Especially with all the shortages going on, there is no need to hurry.

 

[stringent]

Just stick a decent 1080p webcam and mic in the thing please.

 

[EugW]

That would cost $1499. Not much of a gap.

Uh, wut? $500 to go from a M1 Pro to a M1 Max but the same memory and SSD is not much of a gap? That's a huge gap for mere mortals. That's 33% of your $1499 price point.

In fact, I would expect the difference in price to be less. That way Apple maximizes profits at the mid-end, but also encourages the upsell to the Mac Studio. For example, a $400 difference from $1599 would be 25%.

You dont count the M1 24" imac and the 13" mbp to be the mac between M1 mac mini and the studio price point?

No, definitely not. They are not headless Macs. Also, neither have M1 Pro.

 

[svish]

Eagerly waiting for Apple to launch the redesigned MacBook Air. Should be coming with M2, maybe in October/November. Hopefully it comes in various bright colours like the 24” iMac. But possible that it can be pastel like colours found in iPad Air.

 

[mjtomlin71]

I had edited it to say 2% actually. It may be higher if it’s revenue since they’re expensive machines. But my main point here though is it makes sense to have something in between the M1 (or M2) Mac mini and M1 Max Mac Studio. There is just too much of a gap there.

A high end Mac mini with M1 Pro with 32 GB option at typical high end Mac mini pricing would vastly outsell the Mac Studio, and would likely expand penetration into that creative professional market too.

If they release a Mac mini with an M1 Pro, it will be the binned Pro with 8CPU/14GPU, it would definitely not be the 10/16 variant as that could cannabalize sales of the low-end Studio.

I honestly don't expect anything else to happen with any of their systems (other than Mac Pro) until after the M2 is finally launched. Provided that the M2 is much more performant and efficient (it should be, if based off A16 cores, hopefully) and give them a better range of lowest to "bestest"...

iPad Air, MacBook Air, Mac mini, 24" iMac, will all continue to have an M1 with an upgrade option to M2 (not iPad Air). And the Mini and 24" iMac at that point, may get an M1 Pro option as well.

 

[mjtomlin71]

It will depend on how it's marketed, and Apple knows how to market.

The new iPhone SE has a better chip than my iPhone 11, but I'd still recommend the 11 over the SE. There are other things apart from the chip.

Yes, I know... It was a hypothetical response to another post about user confusion, which I do not believe will happen. As I stated... no one is going to be confused which is more powerful, a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? Regardless of which generation SoC is used in them.

And Apple has historically had, "Good", "Better", and "Best" options when purchasing Macs. So, say in the case of the Mac mini... M1 - Good, M2 - Better, M1 Pro - Best.

 

[boak]

Uh, wut? $500 to go from a M1 Pro to a M1 Max but the same memory and SSD is not much of a gap?

Sorry I didn't mention that it would be for the M1 chip, not the M1 Pro.

8/256 M1 Mac mini = $699
32GB RAM = +$600
512GB storage = +$200

M1 Pro = +$200?
So M1 Pro would cost about $1699.

 

[EugW]

Sorry I didn't mention that it would be for the M1 chip, not the M1 Pro.

8/256 M1 Mac mini = $699
32GB RAM = +$600
512GB storage = +$200

M1 Pro = +$200?
So M1 Pro would cost about $1699.

That would be about the right ballpark for the upsell. $1599-$1699 for a Mac mini with M1 Pro / 32 GB / 500 GB fits quite nicely in that gap.

 

[mpolda]

Apple is working on the successor to the M1 chip, expected to be called the M2, and multiple rumors have already suggested that these chips are going to be used in machines that include a refreshed MacBook Air and a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

A new report today from 9to5Mac once again reiterates these rumors, with the site claiming that Apple will introduce a MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip later this year. Notably, 9to5Mac says that Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo's recent prediction that the next-generation MacBook Air will use either the M1 or an updated version of it is incorrect.

As for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9to5Mac claims that Apple could drop the "Pro" labeling, referring to the new machine as just "MacBook" as it has done in the past.

We've already heard plenty about the next-generation versions of the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro from sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has confirmed that the new MacBook Air will see a complete redesign. Gurman has also provided details on the M2 chip, which is expected to feature the same 8-core CPU as the M1, but with 9 and 10-core GPU options.

There is no word on a release date as of yet, but M2 machines are likely to come out in the later months of the year.

Article Link: MacBook Air and 'MacBook' With M2 Chips Slated for Launch Later This Year

Dropping the “Pro” but keeping the “Air” would be stupid. It’s time for “Air” to go. MacBook and MacBook Pro is the only logical thing to do.

 

[cmaier]

generally apple does not re-badge the old system to new system. i think there are laws prohibits it (with out real internal spec change)...

That’s ridiculous. There are no laws against giving an old product a new name.

 

[utsava]

Called it.
Given that the old MBP design is almost 6 years old, it’s much cheaper to produce at this point.
If they remove the Touch Bar, they can drop down the price even more.
So my prediction is that the thicker, heavier, silver and gray, thick bezeled MacBook will slot in at that $999 price point, replacing the old MacBook Air.
Than the new MacBook Air which is thinner, lighter, colorful, with thinner bezels and a notch will be priced at $1299.
So it would literally mirror the iPad lineup with the obvious exception of the mini.
iPad/MacBook: cheapest, thicker, heavier, silver and gray only, LCD display, thick bezels.
iPad Air/MacBook Air: thin, light, colorful, midrange.
iPad Pro/MacBook Pro: top-of-the-line, best CPU, mini LED, 120 Hz

You're making more sense than the supposed analysts at this point.

 

[Mainsail]

The M1 MacBook Pro will be tweaked and branded as a MacBook at $999.

The Macbook Air will be redesigned with an M2 and priced at $1299.

I don't understand why Apple would bother rebranding and tweaking the M1 MBP to hit the $999 price point when they already have a terrific entry level M1 MBA at that price that does not require any tweaking or changes to their production/supply chain.

 

[jerryk]

I am interested to see the new devices. And if I do buy one I will definitely increase memory and drive space. My current 256 SSD/8 memory is too small. 512 SSM + 16 GB memory would be the sweet spot for me.

 

[ronoman]

Apple is working on the successor to the M1 chip, expected to be called the M2, and multiple rumors have already suggested that these chips are going to be used in machines that include a refreshed MacBook Air and a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

A new report today from 9to5Mac once again reiterates these rumors, with the site claiming that Apple will introduce a MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip later this year. Notably, 9to5Mac says that Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo's recent prediction that the next-generation MacBook Air will use either the M1 or an updated version of it is incorrect.

As for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 9to5Mac claims that Apple could drop the "Pro" labeling, referring to the new machine as just "MacBook" as it has done in the past.

We've already heard plenty about the next-generation versions of the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro from sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has confirmed that the new MacBook Air will see a complete redesign. Gurman has also provided details on the M2 chip, which is expected to feature the same 8-core CPU as the M1, but with 9 and 10-core GPU options.

There is no word on a release date as of yet, but M2 machines are likely to come out in the later months of the year.

Article Link: MacBook Air and 'MacBook' With M2 Chips Slated for Launch Later This Year

Had a 2017 MBP no TB since 2018. Constantly struggled with processor bogging down and fans roaring just doing normal tasks. Keyboard also occasionally finicky. Thought about replacing it with the M1 MBA for a while. Not going to matter much to me if the redesign has an M2. Not real fond of white bezel and keyboard. After long thought about waiting for a redesigned MBA, I got a MBA 8 core/8GB/500GB about a month ago.

This current MBA is the real deal. Fast, efficient, quiet and affordable.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Looks like MacBook Air will be the product of the year in 2022. They will sell like hot cakes. Can't wait to see the new gorgeous colors.

I'd like a (PRODUCT) Red, but definitely want black bezels!

 

[boak]

I don't understand why Apple would bother rebranding and tweaking the M1 MBP to hit the $999 price point when they already have a terrific entry level M1 MBA at that price that does not require any tweaking or changes to their production/supply chain.

$999 for potentially 4 years?

 

[Mainsail]

$999 for potentially 4 years?

Probably not. Usually the new MBA starts at about $1,299, and then as production increases and supply chain becomes more efficient, the price drifts down to $999. So, at some point there is no reason to offer the older model at $999. This is exactly what happened with the prior iteration of the MBA. I think the two models overlapped for a couple of years.

 

[bluecoast]

Makes sense - the 'Macbook' will then be equivalent to the 'iPad' - slightly dated design but good value (for an Apple device).

I'm assuming they'll use the old entry level non TB chassis.
And I'm assuming that this machine won't have a fan either.
Let's hope that the webcam moves to 1MP...

As for the Air - again, makes sense as as per the iPad Air, in Apple-land 'Air' now means 'Better' (i.e. 'Good, better, best').

I'm guessing that the only thing that could bump up the price is Pro-Motion.

i.e. so the Air is once again, the ultimate ultrabook.

 

[boak]

The M2 MacBook could also be a combination of the current M1 MBA and MBP models, e.g. no fan, Air screen, Pro chassis etc.

 

[mikosk]

The M2 MacBook could also be a combination of the current M1 MBA and MBP models, e.g. no fan, Air screen, Pro chassis etc.

I'd pay more than the base Air for this. Sort of a middle ground MBP, 16GB RAM, Air screen, fan, and for the love of all things holy, a few ports.

 

[pacalis]

One of Apple's worst business practices is to release some of their cheaper products (mac mini macbooks) in Oct/Nov right after students go to school and load up on end of cycle products.

There's no delays to Intel anymore so I hope they are able to release the M2 in April to June.

 

[torontotim]

A MacBook is worse than a MacBook Air. How does that make any sense?

The base MacBook has always been 'worse' than the MacBook Air. Lower specs etc. Nothing new here. The Air was always an upgrade.

Same as the iPad and iPad Air.