Apple is set to release three new MacBooks later this month. Similar to the recent release of the iPhone, these will come equipped with the newest M4 Apple Silicon chipsets and will put a great deal of pressure on the platform to provide the devoted Apple community with a successful generative AI experience.
However, the true game-changer is still to come, even though the MacBook Pro lineup as a whole and the entry-level M4-powered MacBook Pro are receiving all the attention. Customers should wait if they’re searching for the macOS notebook that best fits their demands.
Update: Sunday, October 13: Several MacBook Pros with M4 processors are up for sale on Russian classified websites this weekend, posing an unprecedented hardware leak threat to Apple. 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage are included with the versions. Compared to the blatantly inadequate 8 GB of RAM found in the current entry-level MacBook Pro with its M3 chipset, there is an improvement in memory.
The M3 configuration has three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) connections, an HDMI port, an SDXC card reader, a 14.2 inch liquid retina screen with 3024×1964 resolution, and a 10-core CPU and GPU. Along with the laptops, a 70W USB-C converter and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable are listed in the retail box.
Prior to the formal announcement, Apple has not responded to inquiries about the MacBook Pros’ availability. Although it was anticipated that this would happen very late in October, I wouldn’t be shocked if Tim Cook decided to move forward the launch date in order to retake control of the narrative surrounding the new macOS laptop.
During the initial iterations of the Mxx Apple Silicon series, Apple introduced entry-level and standard MacBook Air models with base chipsets in addition to a MacBook Pro model geared toward consumers. The MacBook Pro versions with the initial M1 chipsets were discovered to be essentially little more than the MacBook Air with some active cooling via a fan, thanks to teardowns by sites like iFixit.
It became evident that the first M1 MacBook Pro was not a true MacBook Pro, but rather an improved Air, when the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models debuted with distinct physical configurations.
Likewise, this applied to the M2 MacBooks. With its stock M2, the MacBook Pro was more Air than Pro. Apple employed a cunning ploy with the M3 generation, releasing the M3 MacBook Pro in November and delaying the sale of the M3 MacBook Air until March of the subsequent year. Customers were not allowed to make an instantaneous and direct comparison to aid in their purchase decision.
With the M4 family, Apple appears to be playing the same sleight of hand again.
The next launch event in October is anticipated to feature three new MacBook Pro models. The more potent and sophisticated M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets will be an option for the professionally oriented 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Simultaneously, the more affordable MacBook Pro aimed at consumers will come pre-configured with the M4, which is still entry-level but still rather powerful.
The MacBook Air has vanished from sight, despite numerous rumors that it will surface in March 2025. You’re considering the MacBook Air if you’re searching for the entry-level model. However, Apple will not formally unveil that model to you for an additional six months. The M4 MacBook Pro, which is essentially a MacBook Air, is what’s left.
… a long cry from the performance and engineering of the real MacBook Pros that are also available for purchase.
There is one bright spot in the whole situation. Apple has come under fire on a regular basis for launching the MacBook Pro line with an insulting 8 GB of RAM. With the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro coming with the previously mentioned 256 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM, that appears to be about to change. What caused the rise? More memory is needed for Apple Intelligence to function.
Just as with the Pro models, Apple will have to incorporate the same RAM upgrade in the next MacBook Air models in order to achieve its goal of having Apple Intelligence throughout the entire platform. In the same way that the iPhone 16 benefited from generative AI’s performance requirements,
the MacBook Air as well.
Waiting for the real thing is preferable if you’re looking for a powerful laptop with MacBook Air specifications, even while the M4-powered MacBook Pro can seem like an appealing substitute for the formidable M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros.
See more about Apple’s generative AI marketing bluster and how it hurts the reputation of the iPhone Pro here.
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