When to Expect New M4 MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro Models

[MacRumors]

Apple intends to update its entire Mac lineup to the M4 processor over the next 12 months, which will make it the first time that Apple has used the same chip generation across all of its Macs.

Apple will update its MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac lines with its latest M4 chip as early as this year, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, with the Mac mini also set to feature its first redesign since 2010.

Following the launch of the M4 iPad Pro in May, Apple will continue the M4 transition with the above mentioned Macs, and complete it with updates for the MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio in 2025.

Gurman's sources tell him there are MacBook Airs in development for the spring, and Mac Pro and Mac Studio models are planned for the middle of next year.

• M4 MacBook Air – Spring 2025
• M4 Mac Pro – Summer 2025
• M4 Mac Studio – Summer 2025

Like it did with the iPad Pro, Apple appears to be skipping straight to the M4 chip for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, meaning these models will not see an M3 chip update at all.

Like the M3, the M4 is built on a 3nm process, but with enhancements from Apple supplier TSMC for improved performance and power efficiency. The M4 also includes an improved Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple says it is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second.

The Mac Studio is likely to be equipped with a variation of the M4 processor, which could be an M4 Ultra or Max chip. The current Mac Studio comes in both M2 Max and M2 Ultra variants.

Meanwhile, the Mac Pro will feature the top-tier M4 chip, codenamed "Hidra," which could be marketed as an "Ultra" or "Extreme" variant. Apple is developing this more powerful chip in response to criticism that the M2 Ultra wasn't sufficient for a high-end machine.

Apple has said the ultra-thin M4 iPad Pro serves as a model for its upcoming design philosophy, with the company planning to offer "the thinnest and lightest products" in each category across the tech industry. Aside from the Mac mini, we don't know when each model will get the ultra-thin treatment, but Gurman has previously reported that Apple is already working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro.

Article Link: When to Expect New M4 MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro Models

 

[brofkand]

Is the Mac mini going to still have an integrated PSU?

 

[Chazak]

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.

 

[Silverstring]

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.

Or…the new chips that weren’t ready 10 months ago will be ready for these updates.

 

[kcslc]

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.

Not trying to be a jerk. But. How exactly was the M3 chip a failure?

 

[dominiongamma]

Or…the new chips that weren’t ready 10 months ago will be ready for these updates.

No defense for Apple, they should have been ready for a trillion dollar company.

 

[mystery hill]

Can we expect a 13-inch MacBook Pro M4 using the tandem OLED display panel that is on the iPad Pro M4?

The 4:3 aspect ratio would match the iPad perfectly when using sidecar or Universal Control.

The display would float above the keyboard like it does on iPad.

Sequoia has some features that would make sense on a touch enabled display.

• Drag windows to the sides with your fingers to snap them, like on iPadOS.
• Math notes with Apple Pencil.
• Touch with iPhone Mirroring for controlling, and moving files, photos and videos between iPhone and Mac.

Apple's Work on Touchscreen Macs: What We Know So Far

Some Apple fans have long wanted Apple to combine the functionality of the iPad with the Mac, and it appears that it's finally going to happen....

www.macrumors.com

 

[coffeemilktea]

Apple will update its MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac lines with its latest M4 chip as early as this year

A new iMac coming out only a year after the previous model came out? When did Apple get so speedy? Did Sonic the Hedgehog become interim CEO while I wasn't looking?

(seriously though, I'm just glad Apple isn't taking another two and a half years to update what should be one of their core products)

 

[Kylo83]

Already the M1 Max is more than enough, if it’s only the chip change then m3 is worth it over new one

 

[vegetassj4]

I expect them to be released on a schedule that maximizes Apples profit margins. Therefore, any dates are subject to change.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Great timing for me TBH.
Love my M1 Max Mac Studio, but looking forward to replace it with an M4 Max Mac Studio next year.

The Mac Studio (with a 27" display) gets to replace the M1 iMac I use in the living room, which is GPU and RAM-wise underpowered, and 24" simple is a downgrade from the previous 27" iMac I had there.

 

[ksec]

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.

It isn't the M3 was a failure. It is the N3B, aka first Generation of TSMC 3nm node wasn't meant to be a long serving node.

The current generation 3nm will serve us for a very long time. 2nm will introduce GAA, 14A / 1.4nm will have backside power. It will be 10A / 1nm ( hopefully ) before everything stabilise and become another long / mainstream node.

*A long node is simply a node that is well optimised and that fits the cost / performance / density curve best.

 

[Chazak]

Not trying to be a jerk. But. How exactly was the M3 chip a failure?

Shortest lifespan of a chip generation ever. The introduction of M4 so soon after M3 is a pretty big indictment of M3.

Why did Mac Studio not get an M3 upgrade?

How long was its cycle? What was the percentage improvement in performance metrics? The gains were minimal at best.

The MBA is a great example. How long was it after the M2 introduction until they offered an M3 MBA and how long until that follows with M4. The M3 did not help them sell laptops and desktops.

There was basically nothing to motivate buyers aside from those that literally had no choice except to replace their current machines. I don't know anyone that made an optional purchase. Almost everyone I know, including serial upgraders, made decisions to wait for an M4 upgrade.

BTW, You are not a jerk! The conversation is pleasant and civil even though it doesn't seem we agree.

 

[Account25476]

This seems to confirm the M3 chip was basically a complete failure across the board and Apple is moving away from it as fast as they can.

No, it means that Apple didn't expect AI to become so popular so quickly, so they had to rush developing the M4 and market it as "the best chip for AI ever."

It’s not like Apple to miss out on these marketing opportunities. The new iPad Pro with the M4 is more appealing and more "Pro" than the Air with the M2. If they had shipped it with the M3, the iPad Pro and the Air would have been just one generation apart, and the Pro’s sales would likely have been lower than the Air’s.

 

[Chazak]

It isn't the M3 was a failure. It is the N3B, aka first Generation of TSMC 3nm node wasn't meant to be a long serving node.

The current generation 3nm will serve us for a very long time. 2nm will introduce GAA, 14A / 1.4nm will have backside power. It will be 10A / 1nm ( hopefully ) before everything stabilise and become another long / mainstream node.

*A long node is simply a node that is well optimised and that fits the cost / performance / density curve best.

Your tech knowledge far exceeds mine, but from a business, planning and strategy perspective, M3 was not a success.

 

[Dan From Canada]

I won't be content until a MacBook is as thin as a sheet of paper said no one ever.

 

[deputy_doofy]

Your tech knowledge far exceeds mine, but from a business, planning and strategy perspective, M3 was not a success.

As an M3 Max owner, I can easily say that the machine is a beast and I don't regret the purchase even a little.
I think it's a failure simply from a marketing perspective.

1) Apple is a victim of its own success. Many people simply don't see a need to upgrade from the M1 Max, let alone from the M2 Max.
2) With AI dominating the headlines almost every single day, it simply makes sense to rush to an "AI-capable" chip. Sure, the M3 variants can likely do SOME AI, but the M4 has the supposedly-necessary bump to do it better.

Unless the hardware fails on me, I hope to have the M3 Max be my next 10-year machine in the same way my i7 from 2013 was my previous 10-year machine.

 

[spaxxedout]

I wonder if there's a way to iterate on the UltraFusion interconnect to support something like MPX. Imagine three M4 Max daughterboards inside a next-gen Mac Pro.

 

[AND411]

Is the Mac mini going to still have an integrated PSU?

The ATV 1st gen had a 48 watts PSU integrated. But I don't think the Mini 4 will take over the body of the Apple TV, it will certainly be a bit bigger, because otherwise the necessary ports can't be installed. With HDMI, ethernet and power connection, the ATV is already full at the back.

 

[Kay_Ess]

I don’t think the M3 chip was a fail, it’s just that Apple is no longer the only one ordering ARM chips so they cannot set the pace for upgrades/new features themselves.

Combine it with a product like the Air which was completely and in all aspects outdated when it came out this year and I think we can finally expect some good laptops from Apple in 2025.

The ATV 1st gen had a 48 watts PSU integrated. But I don't think the Mini 4 will take over the body of the Apple TV, it will certainly be a bit bigger, because otherwise the necessary ports can't be installed. With HDMI, ethernet and power connection, the ATV is already full at the back.

I don’t have experience with Mac myself, but adaptor galore is Apple’s style, no? MBA also only has USB-C, right? So why would a Mac Mini require HDMI, power and Ethernet connections? That all fits into 1 USB-C port. So make it 1-2-3 USB-C ports and they’re done, I’d say.
I’ve only used 1 USB-C port on my Dell to power it and to have wired internet and to run a 4K screen for years and that’s just a low budget thingy.

 

[spaxxedout]

Is the Mac mini going to still have an integrated PSU?

I have a feeling it will be external. Major selling point for form factor would be one-cable connection to monitor.

 

[brofkand]

The M3 is only a failure inasmuch as Apple missed the AI bandwagon with it, and had to quickly move on to the M4 with a stronger NPU (and buy technology from Microsoft) to prove to Wall Street they were taking it seriously.

As far as the technology in M3 itself - it's still more than adequate and will be for quite some time.

 

[jrhop]

The new MacBook Air really needs to meet or exceed the Surface Pro laptop at the same price point. And should really have been released before Christmas/Holidays this year.

 

[skabichevsky]

Apple is already working on a thinner version of the MacBook Pro

"This is our best butterfly keyboard ever"

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

If the guesses at timeline are correct and that both ULTRA and rumored EXTEME will be their own chips, my guess is that they will be the first branded M5 to finally resolve the "mess" of rolling out the "ultimate" Macs last only to then somewhat overpower them only a few months later with M-next MAX.

WWDC Introducing M5 ULTRA (and possibly M5 Extreme) and then roll out the rest on approximately the existing (perceived) schedule.

Why do this? Among other things, the Macs touted as "most powerful Macs ever" could actually hold that crown for the entire generational cycle instead of only 3 or 4 months at most.

And before someone slings "low unit sales don't warrant...", yes, they may sell low volume, but Apple makes them anyway and- presumably- they are highest profit per unit sold even if that's not many units. From what I've been told (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) Apple likes maximizing profit.

So, "great leap" (M2 to) M5 for these "mid summer" then the usual M5/M5pro/M5max in the Fall, then the lower priced- presumably lower profit per unit sold- MBairs with M5 in the Spring.

And that becomes the long-term schedule if they want to keep spreading out these launches around the year.

I own a Studio with Ultra but would NEVER buy another knowing M-next MAX is only a few months away and likely to overtake it in key ways. I'd rather wait the few months to get a more powerful, "latest & greatest" and spend a lot less money (so a lot less profit for Apple) too. However, flip this part of the apparent "schedule," and then anyone paying wayyyyyyyyyyyy up for Ultra or rumored Extreme would get at least a year of "king of the Mac power hill" perception before M-next offerings overtake them.

Bonus for Apple: those who can't hardly bear to NOT own latest & greatest and "most powerful" might feel greater pressure to cough up the added revenue for Studio or Pro vs. trying to manage their compulsions the few months until they can buy somewhat "better" and "latest generation" for a lot less money. Again, I hear that Apple likes profit maximization... and Mac buyers shopping for a new Mac for themselves probably buy ONE Mac not both.