When do you anticipate we'll see the M6 MacBook Air?

[thadoggfather]

this time next year? or longer?

especially with 16/512 as the base instead of 16/256 now, maybe they'll stretch the cycles longer? And give more 'air' time to the M6 re-design MBP's slated for later this year?

 

[chabig]

MacBook Air M1 - Nov '20
MacBook Air M2 - Jul '22
MacBook Air M3 - Mar '24
MacBook Air M4 - Mar '25
MacBook Air M5 - Mar '26

They seem to be getting pretty consistent. I'll guess March of 2026.

 

[thadoggfather]

MacBook Air M1 - Nov '20
MacBook Air M2 - Jul '22
MacBook Air M3 - Mar '24
MacBook Air M4 - Mar '25
MacBook Air M5 - Mar '26

They seem to be getting pretty consistent. I'll guess March of 2026.

it is wild to me that though MBP has better speakers, miniLED 120hz, SDXC/ 3rd TB port and HDMI on right side and a fan for sustained throughput and lesser binned M-series chips, that an M5 Air is roughly as performant as M5 base 14" MBP which costs another $600 and is quite a bit thicker and heavier.

The value doesn't seem quite there even though it is nice that it's offered for people who want the higher end.

 

[chabig]

The value doesn't seem quite there even though it is nice that it's offered for people who want the higher end.

I used to buy MacBook Pros until the M-series came. Now, the Air is perfect for me. I think you nailed the value of the Pro. It's for people who want the high-end and need or want more RAM, more storage, the best screen, and demand the most of the CPU.

 

[arc of the universe]

this time next year? or longer?

especially with 16/512 as the base instead of 16/256 now, maybe they'll stretch the cycles longer? And give more 'air' time to the M6 re-design MBP's slated for later this year?

i think you are right.

with the Neo doing well, at a lower price point for entry users/or second device buyers, and, the Pro doing just as well for (truly) professional users at an extremely high price point, the Air will likely bet given some time to reclaim its purpose as being "the device for almost everyone/anyone". this means eventual new form factor and even more chip integrations.
i think that all means that the Air's refresh cycle will likely get longer for the current series, eventually to be refreshed with something that looks quite different.

an M5 Air16/512 is the machine to get and keep for a good 4 years or so for a heavy user, or 5 - 6 years for an everage user.

 

[fzJNotIBOxgnbqejSeVCvJScL]

My prediction: depends on when the MacBook Neo 2 arrives, and how badly Apple doesn't want the Neo to cannibalize the sales of the Air.

Just slap pink on the Air, it will sell well.

 

[doogm]

it is wild to me that though MBP has better speakers, miniLED 120hz, SDXC/ 3rd TB port and HDMI on right side and a fan for sustained throughput and lesser binned M-series chips, that an M5 Air is roughly as performant as M5 base 14" MBP which costs another $600 and is quite a bit thicker and heavier.

The value doesn't seem quite there even though it is nice that it's offered for people who want the higher end.

It did get an M5 months before the MacBook Air did, for what that's worth.

I'm fine with an Air, but I guess if I needed more connectivity (I hardly ever use the two USB ports I have now, and use only the internal display) or needed a better display I might be fine spending a little more for the Pro.

 

[JPack]

it is wild to me that though MBP has better speakers, miniLED 120hz, SDXC/ 3rd TB port and HDMI on right side and a fan for sustained throughput and lesser binned M-series chips, that an M5 Air is roughly as performant as M5 base 14" MBP which costs another $600 and is quite a bit thicker and heavier.

The value doesn't seem quite there even though it is nice that it's offered for people who want the higher end.

But it really isn't though. Adding a fan literally is like a generational improvement from M4 to M5. That's why Apple can legitimately charge hundreds more for the fan.

The performance difference is especially evident in media creation and gaming.

 

[thadoggfather]

interesting results thanks @JPack

 

[MacMorrison]

March 2027 or later.