Apple’s M4 chips have already made waves, powering the MacBook Pro and Mac Mini with impressive performance boosts. Yet, the eagerly awaited M4-powered MacBook Air has yet to be unveiled. While Apple has stayed quiet about the exact launch date for this new model, well-known Apple analyst Mark Gurman believes it might land sooner than we think.
In a recent post on X, Gurman revealed that the iPhone SE 4, iPad 11, and the next-generation iPad Air are all expected to launch in Spring 2025, likely around May or June, in line with Apple’s annual WWDC event. However, Gurman hinted that the M4-powered MacBook Air could appear even earlier than those devices. This suggests that Apple might break from its usual product release schedule, which typically includes an event for Macs later in the year. Instead, we could see the MacBook Air M4 announced through a press release ahead of the other big launches.
As I wrote in October, new entry level iPads (J481 and J482) are coming in the spring. iPhone SE, new iPad Air are on the same general timeline. The M4 MacBook Air will be earlier. https://t.co/0tUlePyFRZ— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 23, 2024
When it comes to the MacBook Air M4, we can expect two versions: a 13-inch and a 15-inch model. This will give users more options when it comes to screen size while benefiting from the powerful M4 chip. Interestingly, Apple may have already teased the new MacBook Air’s arrival earlier this year. In the release notes for macOS 15.2, the company seemed to confirm that new MacBook Air models are on the horizon for 2025.
Reports also suggest that Apple is already well into the manufacturing process for the new MacBook Air, with the possibility of an early 2025 release. This would mean the MacBook Air could hit stores ahead of the spring launches of the iPhone SE 4 and the iPads, keeping Apple’s typical product timeline intact.
As for the design, don’t expect any major changes. The biggest upgrades will likely focus on the M4 chip itself, providing enhanced performance, with a few minor tweaks. One likely improvement could be the addition of a Center Stage camera, offering better video conferencing capabilities, in keeping with Apple’s ongoing focus on remote work and virtual meetings. There are also rumors that the new MacBook Air might switch from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering faster data transfer speeds and improved connectivity.
Earlier in the year, Apple updated several of its products, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, all featuring the M4 chip. Geekbench tests show that the M4 chip delivers a significant 25% boost in multi-core CPU performance compared to the previous M3 chip, meaning the new MacBook Air is likely to offer a big leap in performance as well.
While Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the launch of the M4-powered MacBook Air, everything points toward a release in early 2025. With the impressive M4 chip, along with improvements to the camera and connectivity, the new MacBook Air is shaping up to be a strong contender in the ultra-portable laptop market.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Reduces Production Targets For 2025 Foldables Following Decline In Pre-Orders