According to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s tweet on X, the M4 MacBook Air’s release window has been locked in March. With the iPhone 16e release ending, Apple will focus on the Mac lineup this week.
The new MacBook Air will be available in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, with Apple’s already released M4 chip. The chip comes with a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. According to Geekbench 6 test results, the M4 chip is up to 25% faster than the M3 chip in terms of multi-core CPU performance. Last October, Apple had already updated the M4 chip for the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. At the same time, Apple has increased the minimum RAM configuration for all MacBook Air models from 8GB to 16 GB.
We also have learned that the new MacBook Air is expected to be upgraded in terms of cameras, equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, and supports the “center display” function. This feature automatically tracks the user during a video call so that they stay centered at all times. In addition, the camera will also support “Desktop View”, which will display a top view of both the user and the desktop. Center Display is now available in video calling apps like FaceTime and Zoom but was previously limited to newer iPad models and Mac models connected to Apple’s external Studio Display. For the first time, the latest MacBook Pro and iMac support this feature without relying on Studio Display.
The new MacBook Air models are expected to have three Thunderbolt 4 connectors, compared to the two Thunderbolt 3 connectors in the current model. In addition, the new model can still support two external displays when the lid is opened. Apple’s latest MacBook Pro and iMac offer the option of a nano-textured display configuration that uses a special coating to diffuse light better, further reducing screen reflections. While it’s uncertain whether Apple will extend this configuration option to the new MacBook Air, Apple may choose to keep it as an exclusive feature of the MacBook Pro to differentiate itself from the MacBook Pro.
There is no word yet that the new MacBook Air’s exterior design will be significantly changed, and the last time Apple redesigned the MacBook Air was in 2022.
