Apple is reportedly planning an early release of the next MacBook Air. The current best-selling notebook still has the M3 chip and will then be equipped with the new M4, which Apple introduced in Macs for the first time in autumn 2024. While it took until March last year for Apple to update the MacBook Air, with the M3 at the time, a January or February date for the M4 variant is currently being discussed.
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The rumors are mainly fueled by statements from Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman. They recently reported that new models with 13 and 15 inch screen diagonals should come out before other devices in the spring. These include the new iPhone SE and iPad 11. The new Air is already in production.
Inadvertent confirmation by Apple
The first concrete hints of the new models were already found in the recently released version 15.2 of macOS Sequoia. There, hidden mentions of devices that had not yet been revealed were discovered in the operating system.
The M4 chip, already introduced in the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini, has a CPU with up to 10 cores and a 10-core GPU. An important innovation concerns RAM – which Apple later added to the MacBook Air with the M3: Apple has increased the basic configuration of all MacBook Air models from 8 to 16 GB of RAM. The move was primarily made keeping in mind Apple’s own AI, Apple Intelligence.
Better cameras and ports
The new MacBook Air will be equipped with an improved 12-megapixel camera that takes center stage. This function ensures that the user automatically remains in the center of the image during the video conference. In addition, the Desk View function is expected, which can show an overview of the user and the desk at the same time.
An upgrade to three Thunderbolt 4 ports is reportedly planned for ports – the current model has two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Additionally, future notebooks should be able to support up to two external screens, even when the display is open.
Design and display options
There will be no significant changes to the external appearance of the MacBook Air series, which last received a major redesign in 2022. It is still unclear whether Apple will also offer the NanoTexture coating available on the MacBook Pro and iMac on the MacBook Air. This special surface treatment reduces display reflections through improved light scattering. There is speculation that Apple may reserve this option for the Pro models to maintain a clear separation between the products.
As before, the new MacBook Air models are expected to be available in different color variants. Prices and exact availability are not yet known.
(MKI)
