New MacBook Air Models Coming Soon With These Rumored Features

[code-m]

If you’re going to stretch each generation out to two years then AS will start falling behind. The rest of the industry isn’t going to slow down development.

Apple needs the yearly cycle to stay out in front.

Which competing chip in the industry is on par if not exceeding any Axx chip in an iPhone or iPad? Which competing chip in the industry is on par if not exceeding any Mxx chip in power per watt ratio? I am waiting?

While some competing chips may perform better for raw power the wattage is another story including heat generated and cooling required. The generation improvements from M1 to M2 is minimal and M2 to M3 also and so on. Some things like Ray Tracing have been added plus video encoding to some generation chips but a year gap in the hardware line is nothing the competition is even close too. Now if you are referring to LLM that is still to be decided.

 

[code-m]

I am surprised that DynamicIsland has not made it on any Mac laptop yet. Maybe when OLED is introduced as display technology can be creative with its capabilities.

Imagine the menu bar concealed within DI, hover or proximity of the cursor reveals the full bar. Plus it will look like a pill shape as that seems to be the design language of late.

 

[Dark_Omen]

and make the macbook pro weigh like 6 kilograms?

like just no

Then buy the air

 

[luzsa2004]

And now this from another, more recent published piece: “...The new models may feature three Thunderbolt 4 ports, up from the current two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and support for up to two external displays. …” [Emphasis my own.]

Operative word is “may” but it's also not buried in the “uncertain” graph that closes out the story.

 

[ignatius345]

When the next generation MacBook Air comes out, the current version might be a better deal if Apple discounts them.

Even if they don't, there will be more of M3 Airs on their Refurbished store, and retailers will start discounting them as well. Staying one generation behind can be a pretty good way to save money.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I don't even know why they charge for it. Other computer companies have offered either as option for years, without a price difference.

Of course we know why they charge for it. Because Tim loves $$$$ and he wants every cent that people are willing to give him.

 

[surfzen21]

does it make that much of a difference?

I don't know since I have not seen it in person yet. All the reviews show a huge difference though.

I sit in a spot in my house where at certain times the sun directly hits my screen. The reflection and glare is bad to unusable, especially if I am reading with a dark background. Turns my screen into a giant mirror.

I have heard that it slightly softens crisp text though. That would be a deal breaker.

 

[Geekett]

What about the 90 hz refresh rate display as a compensation to the late M4 upgrade ?
This, and the nano texture option and the third usb-c port on the right would be a good reason to buy the MBA.
And don’t tell me to get a Pro, heavier and bulkier, less confortable to type on

 

[unkl bob]

Wait, we're expecting three Thunderbolt 4-ports? One on the right side?

That third port, even with Tb3, would be the tie breaker for an upgrade from my current M2 MBA 15".

 

[Mackan]

What about the 90 hz refresh rate display as a compensation to the late M4 upgrade ?

This is Apple, they count beans. Therefore you see numbers such as 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and 60 Hz. They reluctantly gave us 16 GB RAM due to AI hype. They will continue to count beans. Why would they give us 90 Hz?

 

[macfacts]

Which competing chip in the industry is on par if not exceeding any Axx chip in an iPhone or iPad? Which competing chip in the industry is on par if not exceeding any Mxx chip in power per watt ratio? I am waiting?

The Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ in the Samsung tab s10 plus

 

[Pow!]

There’s no way greedy Tim is going to allow three Thunderbolt ports unless he removes the MagSafe power port.

 

[luzsa2004]

It’s common sense business to broaden your consumer base for as many products; folks who rather not — or unable — to fork over $2K or more for a MBP, very likely might do so for a MBA that can do a few more things when equipped with a M4. Whatever to make dual external monitor minus clamshell a reality and a screen that’s healthier for the eyes seems common sense. It’s almost like effortlessly catapulting one of your prize products into the hands of many more.

 

[RumorChaser]

You left out a >25% price increase, in the US, because of the upcoming tariffs.

Is that really the case? My recently purchased Mac Mini is made in Vietnam. I'm sure Apple has enough money to ask Foxconn to shift US bound shipments to Vietnam and India bound products to India.

As much people don't like Tim, he is good at managing inventory and production lines. I'm sure he's not stupid.

 

[RumorChaser]

When the next generation MacBook Air comes out, the current version might be a better deal if Apple discounts them.

I would get the new Air just for the two external displays. If it has 3 TB4 ports (unlikely) that would be the best Air Apple has ever made.

 

[luzsa2004]

I would get the new Air just for the two external displays. If it has 3 TB4 ports (unlikely) that would be the best Air Apple has ever made.

That’s exactly right — the best Air ever. (At least for the next 12 months.)

Consumers running out to purchase a laptop in early ‘25 they would’ve otherwise not considered. Especially folks circling MBP but unwilling or unable to cover the $2K plus.

 

[nick42983]

definitely no nano-texture or third USB-C port, it would cut the b@ll$ off of Apple's entry-level M4 14-inch MBP, they have to differentiate it somehow

 

[Reason077]

There’s no way greedy Tim is going to allow three Thunderbolt ports unless he removes the MagSafe power port.

3 Thunderbolt ports and no MagSafe?! That would be my dream MacBook Air!

 

[NativeMac]

16GB standard and two-chip 256gb ssds will make the base model M4 Macbook Air shine. But yeah...I wish they wouldn't be cheap and make 512gb their new ssd floor. But I just don't think Apple is ready to offer that good of a deal.

Nano-textured screens would be sick, but I think they will leave that a Pro option only.

 

[coolkid93]

Definitely seems like this would be a great replacement for my M1 Air. Still is a great machine

 

[dalestrauss]

...
3 TB4 ports? Again, only recently added to entire Macbook pro line.

Not quite true - the three Thunderbolt ports only migrated to the base M4 model this year. The Pro and Max chip MBP have had 3 since day one of Apple silicon.

 

[Hallstar]

Is it just me that believe that Apple are missing a trick with the Air?!

I feel an additional tier betwixt the Air and Pro would fit well..

Air chassis.
OLED display.

An ‘Air Vision’, if you will.

 

[Big_D]

So, I couldn't wait any longer at home, I pulled the trigger on a MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro with 1TB SSD... I am still waiting at work for the M4 Air to come out and will probably upgrade to that, when it arrives.

 

[luzsa2004]

So, I couldn't wait any longer at home, I pulled the trigger on a MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro with 1TB SSD... I am still waiting at work for the M4 Air to come out and will probably upgrade to that, when it arrives.

Have fun -- these MBP 14 M4s are fantastic. What led you to a 1TB drive?

When I picked up this MBP, they dangled the higher capacity drive unit. But I opted to rely more on external and cloud drives, and instead spend the extra on boosting the gpu capacity.

 

[Big_D]

Have fun -- these MBP 14 M4s are fantastic. What led you to a 1TB drive?

When I picked up this MBP, they dangled the higher capacity drive unit. But I opted to rely more on external and cloud drives, and instead spend the extra on boosting the gpu capacity.

It is replacing an M1 mini, the speed difference is really noticeable, especially in Parallels. The screen is gorgeous. The transfer worked very well and the mini is packed up in the kitchen, ready to be sent back to Apple, I still got nearly 300€ trade-in on it.

The one thing I was worried about, after using the mini and the Air for the last few years, and still having to suffer people in the office with Dell Intel laptops was going back to having a fan, but I haven't heard it once, yet...